2012 MLB Season Predictions: Eddie Mata

American League

East: New York Yankees: Adding Pineda is huge for the Yankees' rotation. Sabathia, Pineda, Nova, Kuroda, Hughes, Garcia and possibly Pettitte. And remember their bullpen is the strongest in the league.

Central: Detroit Tigers: Investing in Prince is a huge factor for the Tigers. Pitching is strong as well, especially the bullpen.

West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Without a doubt the Angels. Pujols is going to hit bombs. They’re an all-around great team that might win close to 100 games or more.

Wild Card 1: Tampa Bay Rays: They’re a great team with a strong pitching rotation and manager Joe Maddon is expecting lots of victories.

Wild Card 2: Texas Rangers: Will be close with the Angels, who are still a very strong team. There are huge expectations for Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.

Pennant: Yankees. I always pick them to win the pennant and the World Series.

MVP: Robinson Cano: He's so consistent and puts up big numbers as a second baseman.

Cy Young: Justin Verlander: He’s so dominating. His pitches are filthy and it’s not fun facing him.

Rookie of the Year: Jesus Montero: This kid can hit. You saw what he did for the Yankees last year when he got called up.

National League

East: Miami Marlins: New stadium, new manger, new shortstop (Jose Reyes), stud starting pitcher (Mark Buehrle) and a stud closer (Heath Bell).

Central: My gut is telling me the Pittsburgh Pirates. For some reason, I just feel them winning the central division. It’s up for grabs.

West: Arizona Diamondbacks: They have a solid team all around and when September comes, they have the best pitching prospects coming up when they expand the roster to 40. It’s equivalent to Matt Moore helping the Rays in the month of September to get them to the playoffs.

Wild Card 1: Philadelphia Phillies: They still have one of the best pitching staffs in the league, but the right side of their infield will be missing for at least 3 months (Ryan Howard and Chase Utley). Huge Bats.

Wild Card 2: Washington Nationals: Four solid starting pitchers including a proven closer. Bats are strong too.

Pennant: Arizona Diamondbacks: They’re going to upset teams because their youthful pitching is going to dominate in the National League.

MVP: Hanley Ramirez: My gut tells me Hanley. He's going to enjoy coming to the park everyday in the new Marlins clubhouse.

Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg: He reminds me of a young Roger Clemens. He’s healthy this year and has an opportunity to play a full year.

Rookie of the Year: Yonder Alonso: He couldn’t play first base in Cincinnati because of Joey Votto. He got traded to San Diego and now he’s going to have an opportunity to play every day and show why he deserves to be in the big leagues. He hits for a high average, a Joey Mauer type of hitter.