Preview/Prediction

After an amazing 2010 season last year, which included unforgettable moments like Armando Gallaraga's near perfect game, Jose Bautista ripping a league-high 54 Homers, Roy Halladay's playoff no-hitter and a perfect Mother's Day for Dallas Braden, fans everywhere are anxiously awaiting 2011, which they hope will be even more special.  

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The A's seem to be everyone's "sleeper" team this upcoming season, and rightfully so.

The foursome of Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Braden is the most underrated in baseball.  To go along with a strong bullpen, the pitching aspect is set.

The big story is the offense.  Will they be able to score enough runs to win games?

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Last Year: 67-95, fifth in AL Central 

Manager: Ned Yost

PROJECTED LINEUP 

C: Jason Kendall (R) (will start season on DL)

DH/1B: Kila Ka'aihue (L)

1B/DH: Billy Butler (R)

2B: Chris Getz (L)

3B: Mike Aviles (R)

SS: Alcides Escobar (R)

LF: Alex Gordon (L)

CF: Melky Cabrera (S)

RF: Jeff Francoeur (R)

Chris Young has always been a tantalizing player with the capability to be a top tier pitcher, but he's never been able to prove his prowess over the long run. A plethora of injuries have allowed him to pitch no more than 180 innings in a single season during his major league career, and over the last three seasons, he has maxed out at 102 innings in 2008.

Young’s two best statistical seasons came in 2006 and 2007, his lone All-Star season, with the Padres:

When many teams around MLB contact the Los Angeles Dodgers front office about the possibility of a prospective trade, the first player usually brought up in any conversation is outfielder Matt Kemp.

This is an insane column, folks. Why would the Seattle Mariners trade Felix Hernandez before the trade deadline? Why would they trade him ever?

To butcher a line from my good friend (never met the man) Allen Iverson, “Felix? We talkin’ ‘bout King Felix?”

I went to Arizona last year for spring training with a friend who was “in” with the Seattle brass. We were hooked up with game tickets, as well as being able to meet and mingle with the players, etc.

Baltimore Orioles (2010 record: 66-96)

Two words: Buck Showalter.

His hiring meant instant credibility for a moribund franchise. He brought energy, intensity, knowledge and savvy to the baseball diamond and the clubhouse…and he directed the team to a 34-23 finish after his arrival in Charm City—the second-best record in the AL during that 57-game stretch.

After 13 consecutive losing seasons, there is hope once again around Camden Yards.

The Boston Red Sox have not won 100 games since Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and (he's better than his brother Joe) Dominic DiMaggio were playing for Joe Cronin in 1946.

This season will be different.  Solid offseason additions by Theo Epstein join an impressive returning cast for the 2011 Red Sox team.  On paper, this might be the best team the Red Sox have had—ever.

This team will end the streak of double-digit winners and move into the immortal group of 100-game winners.

While several young prospects are anxious to help your fantasy team this season, only a select few will begin the year on a big league roster. This makes this list difficult to project. Fortunately, I have it covered.

Just remember this: While these up-and-coming stars can be exciting to own, they’re not going to carry your team to fantasy stardom. Their true value is multiplied in dynasty and keeper formats.

I don't care if he hits five home runs tomorrow—Brandon Belt is not starting on Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants.

It just doesn't make sense from a Giants front office perspective.

Sure, Belt is ripping up spring training and has all the necessary tools to be a legitimate ballplayer right now. He could make the Giants lineup better from top to bottom.