Special Edition: AL West

The X Factors: Josh Hamilton(Rangers), Kendry Morales(Angels), Dallas Braden(Athletics), Chone Figgins(Mariners)
1. Texas Rangers Key Additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C Mike Napoli, SP Brandon Webb
The former AL champs did lose their ace in Cliff Lee but they made an under-the-radar deal to snatch Brandon Webb, the 2006 Cy Young winner. He likely will never return to that form but he'll be a solid guy in the middle of your rotation. The offense is the most dangerous thing the Rangers have to offer. They have Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis who can all hit for power. Then they have contact hitters that include Julio Borbon, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young. With these guys they could beat out the Yankees again for the AL crown.
2. Los Angeles Angels Key Additions: OF Vernon Wells
The Angels were the prize of the AL West the last few years but struggled last year. Part of it was the loss of first basmen Kendry Morales, who broke his ankle stomping on home plate last year. The rest of the infield needs production from Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick. The outfield is aging (Bobby Abreu is 37, Torii Hunter is 35) so LA brought in Vernon Wells for fresh blood. The pitching staff is led by Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Scott Kazmir.
3. Seattle Mariners Key Additions: OF Jack Cust
Its amazing after last season's disaster that the Mariners even are thinking about climbing out of the cellar. But, they still have tons of talent, the problem is putting it into wins. Chone Figgins had a miserbale first year in Seattle and Jack Wilson didn't do much. Ichiro was a little bit off, Milton Bradley struggled and. . .Well, I won't continue. All of these guys should pick it up in 2011 and they did pick up Jack Cust. Cust will never be a star but he can be put in the starting lineup. The Mariners only bright spot was Felix Hernandez who won the AL Cy Young in '10 despite a dwindling record.
4. Oakland Athletics Key Additions: 1B-OF Conor Jackson, OF David DeJesus
The future is rich for the A's, who have been down in the dumps the last few years. Trevor Cahill(23), Dallas Braden(27), Brett Anderson(23) and Andrew Bailey(26) lead the young talent in Oakland. The outfield isn't too bad, as the A's brought in two veterans in Conor Jackson and David DeJesus who will play alongside star Hideki Matsui and Coco Crisp. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Daric Barton are great on the corners.

The Madness Before March: St.John's

St.John's Red Storm 17-9
With three wins over top 10 opponents you have to figure that the Red Storm are pretty much a lock? Nope. St.John's has lost to a plain bad St.Bonaventure and Fordham which makes them the most complicated bubble team in the Big East. Playing in the Big East means lots of losses but the Red Storm still have a decent mark (17-9) overall and in conference(9-5). Downing Pittsburgh, Syracuse and UConn will help build up their resume but they can't continue losing to teams in the bottom of their respective conferences. Obviously a strong performance in the Big East tournament would help but doubt it with other teams clouding the top (only UConn, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Villanova, Georgetown, Louisville and Cincinnati) they have to finish of the regular season first.

New College Hoops Rankings

1. Texas
2. Ohio State
3. Kansas
4. Duke
5. Pittsburgh
6. San Diego State
7. Notre Dame
8. BYU
9. Purdue
10. Wisconsin
11. Georgetown
12. Arizona
13. UConn
14. Florida
15. Villanova
16. Texas A&M
17. Syracuse
18. Louisville
19. UNC
20. Vanderbilt
21. Missouri
22. Kentucky
23. Utah State
24. Saint Mary's
25. Temple

Special Edition: AL Central

The X-Factors Justin Morneau(Twins), Jake Peavy(Sox), Rick Porcello(Tigers), Fausto Carmona(Indians)
1. Minnesota Twins Key Additions: 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka
It took an extra play-in-game for the Twins to win the AL Central but they still won it. Joe Mauer showed some surprising power in new Target Field and is probably the best contact hitter right now in baseball. Justin Morneau was fantastic when healthy but it remains to be known if he'll be as effective as last year. Joe Nathan missed all of last year and is ready to go for the Twins. With him and underrated Matt Capps the Twins have a good bullpen. Though, they need a good year out of side-armer Pat Neshek. New acquisition Tsuyoshi Nishioka will be a key player in the middle of the infield.
2. Chicago White Sox Key Additions: RP Jesse Crain, OF-1B Adam Dunn
The White Sox had a little more success than the other team from their city. But, in order to win the AL Central this year they need Jake Peavy to stay healthy and win around 15 games. Adam Dunn was brought in mostly at first and the Sox are hoping he can put up big power numbers. Reliever Jesse Crain will have to replace Bobby Jenks in the bullpen. The staff isn't domiant but Mark Buehrle and John Danks will produce. Infielder Gordon Beckham hopes to have a big year.
3. Detroit Tigers Key Additions: SP Brad Penny, C Victor Martinez, RP Joaquin Benoit
The talent is there in Detroit. Now, they just need to convert it to wins. They have MVP canidate Miguel Cabrera(38 home runs, 126 RBI's) and veteran catcher Victor Martinez. The staff won't dominate anyone but they do have Justin Verlander and underappreciated Rick Porcello. They added Joaquin Benoit to help their bullpen which has been known to struggle over the years. The outfieldhas loads of young talent including Austin Jackson and Clete Thomas who may breakout this year.
4. Cleveland Indians Key Additions: SS Orlando Cabrera
It was a struggle for Cleveland last year which meant the end of manager Eric Wedge. They do have strong points: mainly the middle infield. 2B Asdrubal Cabrera showed flashes last year while vet Orlando Cabera was added also. The staff doesn't have much other than Fausto Carmona(13-14, 3.77 ERA) and Mitch Talbot. The bullpen isn't great either but still has Rafael and Chris Perez. Grady Sizemore isn't quite and all-star anymore but he'll still bbe a good lead-off man.
5. Kansas City Royals Key Additions: SS Alcides Escobar, OF Jeff Francouer
Zack Greinke is gone, which means the Royals will not climb out off the AL Central cellar. Luckily, they acquired Alcides Escobar in the deal now the team's best prospect. They also have talent at first in Billy Butler who hit .318 and talent and Wilson Betemit. Betemit was an under-the-radar star for the Yankees in 2009. Jeff Francouer hasn't been the type of player since the Braves moved him to the Mets but he'll give you a veteran instructor to the younger guys. The pitching is now led by exiled Jeff Francis and Brian Bannister. Joakim Soria is a flamthrower ending games.

Special Edition: AL East

The X-Factors: John Lackey(Sox), Robinson Cano(Yanks), Ben Zobrist(Rays)
1. Boston Red Sox Key Additions: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, OF Carl Crawford, RP Bobby Jenks
After a non-playoff year the Red Sox have done all they can do to win the tough AL East. They snatched Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. If Gonzalez is healthy by Opening Day the Red Sox have a dominant hitter. David Ortiz isn't the hitter he used to be but can still put up 20 homers and 80 RBI's. The pitching staff has John Lackey and Josh Beckett who's one of the best pitchers in the MLB when healthy.
2. New York Yankees Key Additions: C Russ Martin
New York resigned Derek Jeter and signed Russ Martin. It may not be much but it's enough to make the Yanks a wild card possibility. C.C. Sabathia is a dominant pitcher but A.J. Burnett needs to improve for the staff to be the best in the AL East. Alex Rodriguez isn't as good as old times either but he will make plays. Robinson Cano had a breakout year and likely will continue. Speedster Brett Gardner may not be a star but he will improve.
3. Tampa Bay Rays Key Additions: OF Johny Damon, OF Manny Ramirez
Tampa Bay has a lot of young talent so they added two veterans. Johny Damon nor Manny Ramirez aren't near as good as they were with the Red Sox but they were mainly just added to give wisdom to the young guys. David Price had a breakout year and will likely continue it in 2011. Ben Zobrist is a good fielder and can hit for average making him a dangerous threat.
4. Toronto Blue Jays Key Additions: RP Jon Rauch, OF Rajai Davis
The Jays are the only team based out of the United States which may be a disadvantage. The declining Canadien dollar has effected the franchise. They still added reliever Jn Rauch and great get-on-baser Rajai Davis. The staff has lost a lot of talent over the years (Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and now Shaun Marcum) but it was some talent with Ricky Romrero and Brandon Morrow. Travis Snider is a great hitter and Jose Bautista had a career year. Aaron Hill is a great player also.
5. Baltimore Orioles Key Additions: 3B Mark Reynolds, 1B Derek Lee, SS J.J. Hardy
The O's might not be a pushover this year thanks to the signing of Derek Lee and the acquisition of 3B Mark Reynolds. He doesn't hit for average but he hits for power(32 homers and 85 RBI's). They also brought in J.J. Hardy who is trying to restart his career in Baltimore. They have a decent staff in Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie.

Who's In and Who's Not

We're in Ferbruary now and the season is beginning to wind down. With teams trying to make moves to get into the NCAA tournament I'll give you who's in and who's not:

New Mexico 16-7, 5th in Mountain West
The Mountain West is a tougher conference than given credit for and New Mexico has stayed in contention even without Roman Martinez. The Lobos have a decent record at 16-7 and have beat BYU this season notching an important. Led by Dairese Gray if New Mexico can gain an above conference record and a good record they could sneak in.
Maryland 15-8, 4th in ACC
The ACC has been the worst it's ever been in recent memory making four teams getting in an amazing feat. The odds are against the Terps but their mark is decent. They haven't got any major wins which may end up hurting them.
Missouri State 18-7, 2nd in Missouri Valley
It's been a surprising year for the Bears notching second in an okay MVC conference. The Missouri Valley is usually a conference that only puts in one team but even that might be okay for the Bears if they can make a run.
Michigan State 13-10, 5th in Big Ten
The Number 2 preseason squad? The team trying to make a three-peat in the Final Four? Yes, that team has a horrid 13-10 mark now. The Spartans had tough non-conference schedule but I expected them to come alive when Big Ten play happened. It didn't happen. If the Spartans can find something anything they have a chance. But it's sure not going to be easy.
UCLA 16-7, 2nd in Pac 10
The Bruins are very underrated. They have a fantastic shooter in Malcolm Lee and a good all-around player in Tyler Honeycutt. They're won 16 and the Pac 10 is a pretty high profile conference which helps them. A good end could mean a lot for UCLA.

New Rankings

1. Ohio State- I think it's time to start wondering if Jared Sullinger is Superman.
2. Kansas
3. Duke
4. Texas- Gets beat out by Duke because of their three losses. Oh, but they have beat Kansas. . .
5. Pittsburgh
6. San Diego State
7. BYU- Maybe the biggest win in program history(over SDSU) won't be followed by a hangover.
8. UConn- Kemba Walker is human after all meaning the Huskies need an Alex Oriakhi or other scorer to step up.
9. Villanova
10. Notre Dame
11. Kentucky
12. Purdue
13. Missouri- Speedy, quick and. . . vulnerable.
14. Georgetown
15. Louisville- The Big East isn't going to get any easier to win in. Luckily the Cardinals have explosive guard Peyton Siva.
16. Texas A&M
17. Syracuse- You have to get out of your slump sometime. Right?
18. Minnesota
19. Washington
20. Wisconsin
21. Utah State
22. Arizona
23. Florida- They are big- maybe even too big.
24. UNC
25. Xavier