And the Winner is

We never got around to making our pre-season divisional predictions, so here we go.

AL East

Boston
Yankees
Blue Jays
Rays
Orioles

AL Central

Indians
Tigers
White Sox
Twins
Royals

AL West

Mariners
Angels
Rangers
A's

NL East

Mets
Phillies
Braves
Nationals
Marlins

NL Central

Cubs
Brewers
Reds
Cardinals
Pirates
Astros

NL West

Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Padres
Giants


We had already decided this before the 0-6 start - we have the Tigers winning the AL Wild Card with the Phillies winning it in the NL.

We just don't see the Yankees making the playoffs unless there's an upgrade to starting pitching season during the season. Mike Mussina is most certainly NOT the answer.


The Managers

There are always a number of managers on the hot seat. And the AL East has a lot of them.

Joe Girardi - Despite Joe Torre's tenure, the Yankees job is always tenuous. Although Hank Steinbrenner has backed off his earlier statement about expectations, the Yankees need to win 90+ games and compete to ensure Girardi's job is completely safe.

John Gibbons - His team has been bitten by the injury bug in the last couple of years and he already is missing key factors in the bullpen (Casey Janssen, B.J. Ryan). If he finishes 3rd in the division again and/or doesn't do well against the top teams, he could be gone.

Dave Twombley - The long time minor league guy finally got his chance last year when the O's fired Sam Perlozzo. The O's responded under Twombley and he was rewarded with a promotion from interim to full-time manager. The Orioles immediately went into the tank. This team is earmarked for 100 losses and with George Steinbrenner wanna-be owner, Peter Angelos, that could mean the axe.

AL Central

Ozzie Guillen - We don't know how this guy was awarded an extension through 2012. He's one of the most overrated managers in baseball. His mouth could eventually seal his fate.


AL West

Bob Geren - No manager is safe when Billy Beane is his boss. Beane already got rid of Dan Haren and Nick Swisher, and there are rumblings that Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, and Huston Street could be moved.

Ron Washington - He's reported butted heads with a number of players, but the front office likes him and he's signed through 2009. But the Rangers legacy of poor pitching can do any manager in.

NL East

Willie Randolph - Has flames licking at his feet. Willie can deny feeling pressure, but there's no question that he's in the most difficult position in baseball. Coming off the worst collapse in regular season history, Willie has to win it all or at least get to the World Series to save his job.

NL Central

Ned Yost - There were rumbling last year, especially after the Brewers blew an 8.5 game lead in June and missed the playoffs. The Brewers need to be in the mix even though Yost had his contract extended through 2009.

NL West

Bud Black - The Giants really like him and he'll need that, because the Giants are going to stink. A manager saddled with a bad team shouldn't have his job in jeopardy, unless of course there are unrealistic expectations.

Clint Hurdle - After last season's turn around got the Rockies into the World Series, expectations are high as the Rockies. A failure to get back to the playoffs could mean Hurdle's head.