AL East – Boston Red Sox
With acquisitions of David Price and a powerful defense with Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, and Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox look to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, when they won the World Series. The AL East has no other competition in it; with the Yankees and Blue Jays making no moves in the off season, the Boston Red Sox should easily win the AL East.
AL Central – Kansas City Royals
Although it was a quiet offseason signing-wise for the Kansas City Royals, and they lost key players like Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist to free agency, the Royals will be able to squeak by as AL Central Division Champs for one more year. This pick does not come easily, the Tigers were one of the most active team this winter, acquiring Justin Upton, Francisco Rodriguez, Mike Aviles, and Mike Pelfrey amongst others. These acquisitions will make the race for the pennant closer than it was last year, with the Royals winning by a league-best 12 games.
AL West – Houston Astros
The Astros’ young, quick players, along with a weak AL West, will get their second straight playoff berth. Houston’s offense, which centers around Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve, along with a defense anchored by reigning Cy Young winner, Dallas Keuchel, who led the American League in wins and innings pitched, will stop any team that gets in their way.
NL East – New York Mets
With the best pitching staff in baseball this year and the re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets will repeat as NL East Division Champs for the first time ever. With Matt Harvey’s innings limit not stopping him from pitching more than 200 innings, he, along with Jacob DeGrom, has a good shot at winning the Cy Young Award.
NL Central – Chicago Cubs
For once the Cubs actually did something to improve their team in the off season and did they ever. The Cubs come into the 2016 season with one of the best offensive lineups. Key acquisitions of Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist locked down the Cubs’ defense at some of their weaker positions. Although I expect the Cubs to make the playoffs, I do not believe they have enough to make it to the World Series this year.
NL West – San Francisco Giants
There is something about even years and the San Francisco Giants. Since 2010, the Giants have won the World Series every even year – 2010, 2012 and 2014 – while completely missing the playoffs the years in between. This phenomenon has contributed to much of the discussion of the Giants being the next dynasty in baseball and some credit it to luck. Whichever it is, the Giants are poised for another postseason run thanks to the free agent signings of Johnny Cueto, Denard Span, and Jeff Samardzija, along with the help of a healthy pitching staff. which found itself on the disabled list for most of last year.