By Michael Shames, Contributing Writer
#30- Washington Nationals
Need Some Veteran Players to add to their last year players and rookies.
Key Player: Ryan Zimmerman
#29- Pirates
Have decent pitching mediocre hitting but good potential.
Key Player: Andrew McCutchen
#28- Royals
Have great pitching and defense need power in their lineup.
Key Player: Zach Greinke
#27- Orioles
Horrible pitching but maybe a spark of relief pitching and average hitting.
Key Player: Nick Markakis
#26- Athletics
Good, young pitchers absolutely no hitting like Nationals need some middle aged veterans like Kurt Suzuki.
Key Player: Rajai Davis
#25- Indians
Traded away pretty much whole team, and coach. Cabrera could be their only hope for the upcoming seasons.
Key Player: Absdurbal Cabrera
#24- Mets
Always have a great first half of the season but tire out later in the season. Carlos Delgado is looking for an injure-free final few years of his career. Not very likely.
Key Player: David Wright
#23- Diamondbacks
With their year done they have been working their young players and rookies like Brandon Allen and Gerardo Parra.
Key Player: Dan Haren
#22- Padres
If they want to make the playoffs next year, they have to get a good bullpen pitcher like George Sherrill
Key Player: Adrian Gonzalez
#21- Reds
Have good rising stars like Votto and Drew Stubbs
Key Player: Joey Votto
#20- Brewers
If you asked a Brewers fan about the year they would say that the Brewers were “below expectations” and I agree.
Key Player: Prince Fielder
#19- Blue Jays
Adam Lind had a breakout season for them leading their team in average (.305), home runs (36), RBI (114), and OPS (.932).
Key Player: Roy Halladay
#18- Astros
Disappointing season at 74-88, second to last in the NL Central.
Key Player: Miguel Tejada
#17- White Sox
Buehrle had a perfect game, could have been only good pitching performance on their team.
Key Player: Mark Buehrle
#16- Mariners
Weren’t supposed to have a good year but if they get power they have a slim chance next year.
Key Player: Ichiro Suzuki
#15- Twins
Got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs but they have a good future for next year. It would help their chances even more if they had a decent starter.
Key Player: Joe Mauer
#14- Cubs
If Lou Pinella can hold his temper and not get ejected they will outcoach other teams.
Key Player: Derek Lee
#13- Braves
Bobby Cox has the same problem as Pinella but it won’t be as much of a factor in their playoff chances as it is for the Cubs. Jair Jurjjens
Key Player: Adam Laroche
#12- Marlins
Not too good pitching but young hitting talent will get them close to the playoffs in 2010
Key Player: Hanley Ramirez
#11- Rays
Carlos Pena had an injury at the end of the year, I don’t know if he can have an injury-free year in 2010, could hurt Rays
Key Player: Evan Longoria
#10- Giants
If Garko and Sanchez have bad hitting years, they’ll need another trade for a hittr
Key Player: Tim Lincencum
#9- Rockies
Marquis and Jimenez had up years for the Rockies. Expect them to make an appearance in the playoffs next year
Key Player: Troy Tulowitzki
#8- Rangers
Hamilton came from a Comeback Of the Year award in 2008. Everyone had high expectations of him he didn’t meet them. if he doesn’t have a decent year, he’ll end up in a Royals uniform.
Key Player: Josh Hamilton
#7- Tigers
Didn’t quite make the playoffs but they had a great year offensively. They’ll be in the playoffs next year for sure.
Key Player: Curtis Granderson
#6- Dodgers
Had a very good year with all their young power hitters George Sherrill had a tremendous half-year with the Dodgers only mistake was acquiring Jim Thome
Key Player: Andre Ethier
#5- Angels
Guerrero and Hunter didn’t have their best years so they need to help their team next year if they want a chance
Key Player: Torii Hunter
#4- Cardinals
Should have won it all but pitching let them down Carpenter had a great year coming back from an injury
Key Player: Albert Pujols
#3- - Phillies
Consecutive World Series appearances. Howard and Utley had great years but not enough to win World Series they could have made it with better relief pitching
Key Player: Chase Utley
#2- Red Sox
First full year without Manny and Ortiz took a while to get in a groove somehow it all came together in the end and got to the ALCS
Key Player: Josh Beckett
#1- Yankees
WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS Mariano Rivera had yet another great year and A-Rod’s was a wild one kudos to Joe Girardi
Key Player: Alex Rodriguez
