Preview/Prediction

Spring Training is right around the corner, and team rosters are beginning to shape up, as the majority of the chips have fallen in this year's free agent class.

That doesn't mean the Hot Stove has been turned off, however, and there are still a number of moves to be made that could affect the 2011 season greatly.

Here is a predicted last-minute roster addition for all 30 MLB teams, as everyone looks to add that one player that will push them over the top.

In order to be the World Series contenders that many people expect them to be this season, the Red Sox will need all five of their starters to pitch up to their potential. 

Last season, Red Sox starting pitching was inconsistent, at best. Despite the rash of injuries, poor starting pitching—more than anything else—was the reason for the Sox' disappointing season.

With spring training quickly approaching, several questions continue to linger in terms of how the Los Angeles Dodgers' 25-man roster will shape up once the players arrive at Camelback Ranch to prepare themselves for the long journey ahead.

Although general manager Ned Colletti has been very active this winter with numerous new additions to the club, there are still players on the free agent market available who may have the skills or abilities to complete a roster with a few holes.

Last March, I conducted a study on pitchers who’ve posted a single-season ERA of 2.50 or less since 2000. (You can read that article here.)

In my research, I made several interesting discoveries. First, there were 11 different sub-2.50 ERA seasons between 2000 and 2005. Between 2006 and 2008, however, there were none.

Many owners prefer to wait until the tail end of their drafts to fill their catching position.  While I may not necessarily be in favor of it (something we will discuss at a later date), let’s take a look at a few options who may be available in your draft after Round 18 (an ADP of 216 or later according to Mock Draft Central) and are certainly worth targeting:

When the 2011 Major League Baseball season commences in March, there will be 12 teams heading into this season with new managers (Marlins, Orioles, Royals, Cubs, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Braves, Blue Jays, Brewers, Dodgers and Mets). With all that managerial turnover, you would expect a quiet midseason regarding managerial changes, right? 

Every fan has high hopes for his team in 2011; at least, the optimistic fans do.

The cynics and realists might already have concluded where their team is going to finish in their division next season.

Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies fans are ready to buy their World Series tickets, while Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals fans are running out of breath trying to explain to their significant others why you can't change teams.

Nearly two months ago, the San Francisco Giants took care of some unfinished business, their first world championship in San Francisco. 

Now, with spring training just two months away, the Giants have little time to prepare for next season's campaign. They brought back most of their 2010 championship team, including their pitching staff, and added Miguel Tejada to replace Juan Uribe, but is it enough?

Why the not-so-optimistic title? Because a fifth place finish in the NL Central isn't quite worthwhile when you're the Chicago Cubs. In 2010, the team sported the highest payroll in the senior circuit at $137.9MM and were 12 games under .500 by the trade deadline.

Under manager Lou Piniella, the Cubs played with little enthusiasm and became complacent with their reputation as a team with a curse.

It will be up to new manager Mike Quade to shake the curse and keep his team motivated during his first full season at the helm, one which needs more ups than downs.

I have mentioned this a few times already, but he is worth the attention again.
 
Rafael Soriano is still a free agent, available and on the market. Whatever it is shocking considering he was the AL’s dominate closer in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
 
Even before Cliff Lee’s decision, Soriano as a player would have been more than enough for the New York Yankees to walk away with heads high.