Country Roads Confidential

Go Braves!

I worry about the lack of true power on the team, but an Upton, Upton and Heyward outfield has me excited, especially for the defense.

Freddie Freeman can hit for some power, but with no real average. Same with Uggla, but I think he's done at 2B. This could be the year he just gets benched.

I'm leery of the young guys on the left side of the infield, but if just one of them can step up and be a decent bat, I think the Braves can win the NL East.

Go Reds! ... um yea what can't be said, have top 5 pitching in the NL, will have the top bullpen returning, Philips has already started to look good in the WBC, Votto is healthy, Jay Bruce another year of growing last year, Frazier has an everyday spot now, Ludwick isn't going to have to share time ... wow this team can be a real legit threat

biggest ? .. club house after Rolen now is gone ... this team can be scary good especially if Choo can just hold down the lead off spot until the Steal King Hamilton is ready to take over the CF duties and leadoff spot

Yeah that is a fair assessment. I read that Halladay was throwing 85 mph yesterday in the game. That is never a good sign.

dej- that's what bothers me most. I wouldn't put money on anyone on the team hitting .300 this season. Never a good thing.

I feel my young & hungry Oakland A's only got a taste of their potential last year. A lot of young guys got experiences of the pennant race. As always if we avoid the injury bug, we'll be in playoff contention again. It will be interesting to see how the addition of the Astros to the division works out. Should give us a breather from facing the Rangers & Angels for a few games.

I really like the Reds this year. I think Bruce is destined to reach his full potential this year. The two question marks for me are CF leadoff spot, and can Dusty get them over the hump.

Been watching the Nationals since they first started as an organization in 2005. First time I had watched baseball consistently in my life. Therefore, I went with the new kids on the block! It was a long 6 seasons with watching probably around atleast 125-140 games a year. Now the Nats time has finally come! Last season was magical but losing to the Cardinals with a lead in the 9th made it seem too good to be true.

Anyways, really looking forward to this season with a healthy Strasburg and Harper with a year under his belt. Made some good acquisitions in the offseason with a leadoff hitter (Denard Span), a proven starting pitcher (Dan Haren), and a solid bullpen arm (Rafael Soriano). The team should be well-rounded in all phases of the game but the division will be tough this year as the Braves and Phillies will be playoff contenders. Winning the division is the first step but it's going to be a World Series or bust year for the Nats. We all know how hard that can be.

Lets go Yankees!!! I can't stand the fact youkilis is In pinstripes, damn free ageny and injuries. Looking for lightning in a bottle this year cause half our team is already injured.

Cubbies are the new astros ;)

MJ, I agree the Reds are probably the most dangerous team in baseball. The trade for Choo has given the Reds a legit and more consistent leadoff man. Although the power of Stubbs will be missed, his strikeouts won't be. The OBP of Choo in the leadoff spot will more than makeup for the loss of Stubbs bat. The pitching lineup is arguably one of the best in baseball and with the possible emergence of Chapman, this staff could have a huge ceiling. Top to bottom this lineup is made for producing runs, plus Cozart's bat coming to life this spring only adds to the versatility. I have one concern for this team, the emergence of Frazier as the every day 3rd basemen and Cairo moving upstairs has taken a big bite out of the bench. That's alot of leadership to replace. Just hope they can produce when called upon.

I think it's a huge gamble by the Reds to move Chapman to a SP. He has been so dominate as a closer & everyone knows that pitchers are head cases that have to maintain a strict regiment, why mess with success?

Really a down vote for opening this thread? Lol wow