Commentary

Insider's MLB Kiss 'Em Goodbye

Originally Published: September 13, 2010

By Buster Olney and Baseball Prospectus | ESPN Insider

Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and ESPN Insider have teamed up to say goodbye to all 30 teams. Our Insiders break down what went wrong, what went right and what to look forward to.

AL EAST

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
New York Yankees	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Older in 2011, yes, but if they get Cliff Lee... whoa. Insider »
Boston	• Roster • Stats • Team page	You could argue this is the third-best team in MLB. Problem is, if you argue that, the other two are also in this division. Insider »
Tampa Bay	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The party may be over -- for a bit -- in Tampa. Insider »
Toronto	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The best fourth-place team in baseball has some very difficult decisions to make. Insider »
Baltimore	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The division is very hard, and the prospects aren't there yet -- but the MLB talent under Buck Showalter could surprise. Insider »

AL CENTRAL

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
Minnesota	• Roster • Stats • Team page	They have some salary questions, and they also need to learn how to beat the Yankees in an LDS round. Insider »
Detroit	• Roster • Stats • Team page	This team could be a serious threat to the Twins in 2011. Insider »
Chicago White Sox	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Does Konerko come back? Can Peavy stay healthy? Even if both happen, the White Sox may not have enough to overtake the Twins. Insider »
Cleveland	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Things could get worse before they get better here. Insider »
Kansas City	• Roster • Stats • Team page	This season was a wash. But there's good news: the Royals' farm system is loaded. Insider »

AL WEST

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
L.A. Angels	• Roster • Stats • Team page	This has been their division seemingly forever, but now it's not -- so what does the future hold? Insider »
Texas	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee. Hey, uh, Cliff Lee? Insider »
Seattle	• Roster • Stats • Team page	It was a disappointing season and they could be in full rebuilding mode now. Insider »
Oakland	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Pitching and D: check. Offense: a long way off. Insider »

NL EAST

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
Philadelphia	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The core is aging, yes, but those front three pitchers are still good. Insider »
Florida	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The talent is there, but the bullpen is an issue. Insider »
Atlanta	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Say goodbye to Bobby, yes, but don't say goodbye to this team being in the playoffs. Insider »
N.Y. Mets	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Things could get better, but it all starts with ownership and management. Insider »
Washington	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Without Stephen Strasburg until 2012, starting pitching is the No. 1 priority. Insider »

NL CENTRAL

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
St. Louis	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Cardinals have a mulltitude of holes to fill around a strong core. Insider »
Chicago Cubs	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Starlin Castro is a star in the making, but money concerns plague the roster. Insider »
Milwaukee	• Roster • Stats • Team page	There are a lot of issues here: pitching, Prince Fielder, Ken Macha, etc. Insider »
Houston	• Roster • Stats • Team page	It'll take a bit, but they'll be back to relevance sooner than we think. Insider»
Cincinnati	• Roster • Stats • Team page	They became a contender before most thought they would -- so are they here to stay? Insider »
Pittsburgh	• Roster • Stats • Team page	People scoff, but here's the thing: they are ready to make a move back towards .500 ball Insider»

NL WEST

Team	Info	Kiss 'Em Goodbye
L.A Dodgers	• Roster • Stats • Team page	As the McCourt drama resolves itself, this team will have increased flexibility. Insider »
Colorado	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The run at the end was nice -- always is -- but can this team become elite in 2011? Maybe. Insider »
San Francisco	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The champs. Insider »
San Diego	• Roster • Stats • Team page	They ran to the end, and it wasn't enough. Insider »
Arizona	• Roster • Stats • Team page	If the bullpen is only a little better in 2011, this team might move to the middle of the pack here. Insider »