As I sit and wait for baseball to begin, I decided to take the fact that I have no life and go through every MLB team and project their roster, as of the beginning of Spring Training.  I like to show as often as possible that I’m not just a Phillies fan; I want to know as much about baseball as possible.  I want to know to Orioles roster and I want to know the Giants roster, along with every team in the middle.  I’m not going to be doing any sort of season projections now, it’s far too early to tell something like that.  I just want a feel for what a team is going to look like, I’ll do my best to breakdown the strengths and weaknesses.  If you see something that doesn’t look right, it is most likely because that is who I personally believe should be in that spot.

The Atlanta Braves

Projected Rotation:
Jair Jurrjens – RHP
Tommy Hanson – RHP
Derek Lowe – RHP
Tim Hudson – RHP
Kenshin Kawakami – RHP

If Tim Hudson can make a healthy return to form, then National League beware.  This rotation reminds me slightly of the White Sox rotation, in that the top four pitchers are all proven, or proven enough, major league pitchers.  Don’t look past Kawakami either, a 3.86 ERA in your first year in the MLB is nothing to sneeze at.  Tommy Hanson is the guy to really keep an eye on though.  I caught him a few times last year and he is for real, I would wish him well, but I think it would be tongue-in-cheek.

Projected Bullpen:
Billy Wagner – Closer – LHP
Peter Moylan – RHP
Eric O’Flaherty – LHP
Takashi Saito – RHP
Kris Medlen – RHP
Manny Acosta – RHP
Jesse Chavez – RHP

Even with the addition of Takashi Saito and Billy Wagner, I don’t think they can easily replace Mikey Gonzalez and Rafa Soriano.  Both of the new guys are veterans to the game and products of the Red Sox bullpen last season.  They were surprisingly good too, it’ll be interesting to see how they do in Atlanta, with another year under their belts.  The rest of the bullpen looks alright, I’m a fan of Peter Moylan and I hear a lot of good things about Kris Medlen.

Projected Starters:
C – Brian McCann – L
1B – Troy Glaus – R
2B – Martin Prado – R
3B – Chipper Jones – S
SS – Yunel Escobar – R
LF - Matt Diaz - R
CF – Nate McLouth – L
RF - Melky Cabrera - S

In comparison to the rotation, I’d say the lineup looks suspect.  Don’t get me wrong, McCann and Jones and Escobar are legitimately good hitters, but you have to wonder about some of the othey guys.  One person you wonder about is Troy Glaus.  5 hits in 29 AB’s last season doesn’t look too good and he won’t ever hit .300; if the Braves get 25 homers and a .260 average, be happy.  Matt Diaz will finally get his chance to shine.  While his career average is .310, he has never had over 400 AB’s in a season, let us see if he can keep it up for the entire year.

Projected Bench:
C David Ross – R
UTIL Omar Infante – R
LF/RF/3B/1B Eric Hinske – L
OF Gregor Blanco – L
RF Jason Heyward – L
Other Options:
OF Jordan Schafer – L
SS Diory Hernandez – R

Can he do it?  Can the great Jason Heyward make the team out of Spring Training?  I really couldn’t tell you to be honest.  If he puts up the numbers, the Braves won’t be able to say no.  However, do you want him to sit on the bench?  I don’t think he’ll take right field away from Diaz, so I almost think the Minors would be better for him.

The Florida Marlins

Projected Rotation:
Josh Johnson – RHP
Ricky Nolasco – RHP
Anibal Sanchez – RHP
Chris Volstad – RHP
Sean West – LHP
Other Options:
Rick VandenHurk – RHP
Andrew Miller – LHP

Well a big offseason contract extension will keep J.J. around for a while, which is really good for the Marlins.  Johnson was fantastic for Florida last season and while I don’t expect him to be that good, he will easily be the best pitcher on that staff.  Ricky Nolasco didn’t come close to his ’08 numbers, but his final start still has me reeling (16 K’s, including 9 in a row at one point).  Chris Volstad is a guy to keep an eye on, he’s a big kid with a nice assortment of pitchers, I look for him to have a good bounce back year.

Projected Bullpen:
Leo Nunez – Closer – RHP
Dan Meyer – LHP
Brian Sanches – RHP
Renyel Pinto – LHP
Burke Badenhop – RHP
Tim Wood – RHP
Derrick Turnbow* – RHP

*Non-roster invitee*

It seems that five spots are locked up, but those last two were just guesses for me.  Leo Nunez came out of nowhere to take the closer role from fireballing Matt Lindstrom, and it is still his job today.  Speaking of coming out of nowhere, who saw Brian Sanches coming?  I didn’t even realize he played for the Phils in ’06 and ’07; well, he wasn’t exactly good.  I really do hope that Derrick Turnbow makes this team, I’ve been rooting for him to get back on track.

Projected Starters:
C – John Baker – L
1B – Gaby Sanchez – R / Logan Morrisson – L (LHP/RHP)
2B – Dan Uggla – R
3B – Jorge Cantu – R
SS – Hanley Ramirez – R
LF – Chris Coghlan – L
CF – Cameron Maybin – R
RF – Cody Ross – R

This is the second straight year that Gaby Sanchez has been the pre-Spring favorite to be the starting 1st basemen; last season, he finished with 21 At Bats.  This time around, Logan Morrisson (LoMo!) seems to be penciled in to platoon with Gaby, but who can tell?  Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan is going to be one of a number of players looking to avoid the second season drought.

Projected Bench:
Logan Morrisson/Gaby Sanchez
INF Emilio Bonifacio – S
C Ronny Paulino – R
1B/3B Wes Helms – R
OF Brett Carroll – R

Very solid bench for the Marlins, although the lack of a true lefty bat, besides LoMo on days he’s not starting, may hurt them.  Emilio Bonifacio was off to a smoking hot start last year, but soon came back to Earth, the bench is a good place for him.

The New York Mets

Projected Rotation:
Johan Santana – LHP
Mike Pelfrey – RHP
John Maine – RHP
Jon Niese – LHP
Oliver Perez – LHP
Other Options:
Fernando Nieve – RHP

This is a Met rotation that really didn’t look like this last season.  Between struggles and injuries, as well as a combination of both, helped leave this rotation in shambles.  It’s going to be a big bounce back year for this team and it has started with Johan Santana being kind enough to open his mouth, saying he’s the best.  Well that is a wonderful thing to say, but it’s a lot easier to be the best when you play all the games.

Projected Bullpen:
Francisco Rodriguez – Closer – RHP
Kelvim Escobar – RHP
Sean Green – RHP
Pedro Feliciano – LHP
Pat Misch – LHP
Ryota Igarashi – RHP
Bobby Parnell – RHP
Other Options:
Eddie Kunz – RHP

The bullpen is projected to look alright, it includes a new Japanese import as well as a former reliever turned starter turned reliever.  Kelvim Escobar has enjoyed success as both, and now he’s back to the bullpen, mainly for injuries sake.  He’ll be reuinted with former teammate K-Rod, whom he has made the playoffs with before.

Projected Starters:
C - Rod Barajas - R
1B – David Murphy – L
2B – Luis Castillo – S
3B – David Wright – R
SS – Jose Reyes – S
LF – Jason Bay – R
CF – Gary Matthews Jr. – S
RF – Jeff Francoeur – R

An underrated trade may be the one for Gary Matthews, whom the Mets acquired after finding out about Carlos Beltran and his mystery injury.  Although, the real important deal is the one that Jason Bay signed.  The Mets had an offseason filled will nothingness, but at least they can say they got their man in Bay.  Rod Barajas was just inked as well and he will likely take the place of starting catcher.

Projected Bench:
OF Angel Pagan – S
1B/2B/LF/RF Fernando Tatis – R
INF Anderson Hernandez – S
C Omir Santos - R
OF Fernando Martinez – L
Other Options:
LF/1B Nick Evans – R
C Henry Blanco - R

With the Barajas signing, Omir Santos is pushed to the bench and the real odd-man out is Henry Blanco.  Blanco was a guy I wanted the Phillies to sign as their backup catcher, and now he may not even make the 25-man roster.  Personally, I don’t know if Fernando Martinez will make the roster, but I figure he might as well get a shot at it.

The Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Rotation:
Roy Halladay – RHP
Cole Hamels – LHP
Joe Blanton – RHP
J.A. Happ – LHP
Jamie Moyer – LHP
Other Options:
Kyle Kendrick – RHP

Words cannot possibly explain how excited I am to see Roy Halladay take the mound on Opening Day for my Philadelphia Phillies.  Roy Halladay has been my favorite pitcher to watch ever since I really got into baseball three years ago, and now, he’s on my team.  It was really hard to sacrifice Cliff Lee, but I’m hoping it’s worth it in the end.  I’ve heard that Cole Hamels has looked phenominal so far, and boy do I hope that’s the truth.  I’ll put my faith in Cole to return to form, no way I’ll give up on him this easily.  J.A. Happ did nothing but produce when he finally got his shot to start, I’m really excited to watch him too.  As much as I respect Jamie Moyer and all that he’s done for us, if he struggles at all, and if Kyle Kendrick looks great, then maybe he shouldn’t be starting.  I’m hoping that’s not the case though.

Projected Bullpen:
Brad Lidge – Closer – RHP
Ryan Madson – RHP
J.C. Romero – LHP
Danys Baez – RHP
Chad Durbin – RHP
Jose Contreras – RHP
Sergio Escalona – LHP
Other Options:
Antonio Bastardo: LHP

Losing Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre may come back to bite this team.  How much can I really trust a guy like Danys Baez or Jose Contreras?  I knew that Chan Ho was a shutdown bullpen arm and that Scotty Eyre was the lefty specialist I wanted.  The one plus to Baez is that he is another closer option in case Bradley Lidge decides to implode again.  The one thing this team really needs is a healthy J.C. Romero.  If J.C. is feeling good, then there isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’ll put up the numbers to get the job done well.

Projected Starters:
C – Carlos Ruiz – R
1B – Ryan Howard – L
2B – Chase Utley – L
3B – Placido Polanco – R
SS – Jimmy Rollins – S
LF – Raul Ibanez – L
CF – Shane Victorino – S
RF – Jayson Werth – R

I love this lineup.  It is last year all over again with the addition of a 3rd basemen who can hit for average.  I really will miss Pedro Feliz’s defense though, he was great for us and I hope he does Houston well.  What can you say about this team though?  They just look so good and so strong.  Chase Utley’s time has come, this is the year he wins an MVP Award.  I don’t like bold predictions, because I think they’re bad luck, but I want to test the waters this time.

Projected Bench:
C Brian Schneider – L
1B Ross Gload – L
3B/LF/1B Greg Dobbs – L
OF Ben Francisco – R
INF Juan Castro – R
Other Options:
OF John Mayberry Jr. – R

The bench looks even better than it did last year.  Ross Gload is a really solid hitter, and Juan Castro should add more offense that Eric Bruntlett.  I don’t really like the Brian Schneider choice, but what can I do?  Just live with it and hope he does a good backup job.

The Washington Nationals

Projected Rotation:
John Lannan – LHP
Jason Marquis – RHP
Scott Olsen – LHP
J.D. Martin – RHP
Garrett Mock – RHP
Other Options:
Craig Stammen – RHP

First of all, I really liked the Jason Marquis signing.  A lot of credit has to be given to Jason because I’m sure Washington wasn’t first on his list of teams, but here he is, I hope it finds you well.  John Lannan is a guy that people should keep an eye on if they aren’t already doing so.  He’ll be around for a while because he already has the making of a veteran crafty lefty.  Oh and by the way, Stephen Strasburg is coming.  We don’t know when he’s coming, but he’s coming, so stay tuned,

Projected Bullpen:
Matt Capps – Closer – RHP
Sean Burnett – LHP
Brian Bruney – RHP
Jason Bergmann – RHP
Tyler Clippard – RHP
Tyler Walker – RHP
Eddie Guardado* – LHP
Other Options:
Colin Balester – RHP

*Non-roster invitee*

This bullpen should be an interesting one, and odds are it will be the clubs main downfall.  Many of these components are guys that weren’t really wanted by any other team, but they found a home here in D.C. and I hope they can make something out of it.  On a personal note, I know Tyler Walker was really good for the Phillies last season, good enough for me to want him to take over the closer’s spot.  Sean Burnett is a guy I like too, a real good late inning lefty who is now going to bridge the gap to once-again teammate Matt Capps.

Projected Starters:
C – Ivan Rodriguez – R
1B – Adam Dunn – L
2B – Adam Kennedy – L
3B – Ryan Zimmerman – R
SS – Christian Guzman – S
LF – Josh Willingham – R
CF – Nyjer Morgan – L
RF – Elijah Dukes – R

The first name that jumps out to me is Nyjer Morgan.  He was pushed out of Pittsburgh by Andrew McCutchen, I wonder why, and has found a new home here.  I really think of him as a great defender in center because of all that speed, but he’s such a catalyst at the top of the order.  This catalyst will do a lot of good to Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, because we all know the damage those guys can do.

Projected Bench:
C Jesus Flores – R
UTIL Ian Desmond – R
OF/2B/3B Willie Harris – L
1B/RF Mike Morse – R
INF Alberto Gonzalez – R

Really not much to speak of here for this bench.  Jesus Flores time to take over the starting catcher position was once again delayed, this time by a Hall of Famer in Pudge Rodriguez.  Ian Desmond is a guy who the Nationals are very high on, and he may even be the reason for a potential Christian Guzman trade, but only time will tell.