ahimes@mavs.coloradomesa.edu, jameyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Matt Meyer: It’s been a busy offseason for Major League Baseball and there’s been a real changing of the guard across the league, particularly in the AL East. After the Marlins ownership decided the sell its entire franchise to the Jays, it’s hard not to pick them as one of the favorites in a division whose big dogs are dying. Reyes in a line up that was already one of the best hitting clubs in the league. And in no particular order, the Jays rotation: R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Brandon Marrow, Ricky Romero, and Mark Burhle. That’s a pretty impressive staff.

Anthony Himes: The Blue Jays will probably win the AL East, especially with the Yankees and Red Sox not doing too much to improve. Heck, the Yankees lost a lot of talent and I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished fourth. But somehow, someway, the Angels added another explosive bat in Josh Hamilton. A team with Albert Pujols, Rookie of the Year Mike Trout and Hamilton will be hard to beat. Who will they face in the World Series? You have to make the Dodgers the NL favorites. They added Zack Greinke to an already dominate rotation, and with the monster trade they made with Boston last season, that team will click a lot better.

M.M.: I’m still skeptical of the Angels. A team like the Angels had last year should have been better. They missed the playoffs. But you’re right in saying Dodgers have to be one of the favorites in the NL. They have one of, if not the best five-tool player in the league in Matt Kemp, and a solid lineup and pitching staff around him. Kemp and the Dodgers will have to contend with the Giants, who over and over again prove that you don’t need power to win titles. Arizona sold off most of its assets, and the Rockies and Padres are garbage. They’ll still have to contend with the perennial powers in the NL East, in the Braves and Phillies, as well as the new-kid-on-the-block Nationals.

A.H.: The Angels have too much talent to do that poorly two straight seasons. Plus it took Pujols too long to get going, but once he did, that team turned it around. A team that people should get to know is the Indians. With the additions of Nick Swisher and Michael Bourne, they all of a sudden got one of the top outfields. They should give the Tigers a good run for their money. The Pirates might also get over the hump and finally have a winning record.

M.M.: I think Terry Francona was the real key addition for the Indians.

A.H.: My playoff picks are Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Tigers, and Angels as division winners and Braves, Giants, Orioles and Indians as my Wild Card teams. But it’s been an interesting offseason and the powers have definitely changed. Perhaps teams with winning traditions can push into the postseason like the Yankees.

M.M.: The Yankees will probably be dead on arrival. Hard to see a team that old and going through that much downsizing compete. A-Roid, I mean A-Rod, is falling apart for whatever reason (I think everyone knows why). My picks are pretty similar. Nationals, Cards, Dodgers, Jays, Indians, Oakland as division winners with Braves, Giants, Rays and Angels as the Wild Cards.

A.H.: I can’t see Oakland making another run like they did last year. It just seemed like they got hot at the right time. I can see the Rays making a push, as well. They and the O’s were a toss up for me. But when it’s all said and done, the baseball world will be just a baseball city when Los Angeles battles it out for the World Series.