Top 5 MLB teams heading into the 2013 season

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Spring is right around the corner and with spring means a new baseball season. This long offseason has been filled with trades and singings by many teams in the MLB, but the question is who are the best teams in the MLB as of now.

1. Detroit Tigers

They were just so close to taking the trophy last year but they only thing that stood in their way were the Giants. Now that Miggy and Prince have one year under the belt together these two will not be ok with less then bringing back a championship for Detroit. They are clearly a well rounded team with arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now Justin Verlander and last year’s Triple Crown winner and MVP Miguel Cabrera. They didn’t make any HUGE splash in the offseason, but they did get Torii Hunter. Other then Verlander, their pitching rotation looked very good at the end of last year with Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer, but really giving Sanchez that monster contract $80 Million was way to much. One of their weak points is that if their bullpen plays like they did throughout the playoffs they could hold them back from a title. As you may remember, the Tigers had to make a change at closer during the playoffs going from Jose Valverde to Phil Coke. It was clear that they needed to make a change at closer because of Valverde’s lack of being able to close out games.

2. San Francisco Giants

How can they not be contenders for the world series this year, they have won two out of the last three and really didn’t make any drastic changes in their lineup or pitching over this offseason. They have one of the best catchers in the game today Buster Posey, and if their lineup can produce like they did in the world series then I don’t see many teams stopping San Fran. If Lincecum can do what he did in 2011, then they could have one of the best rotations in baseball  anchored by Lincecum and Matt Cain.

3. Washington Nationals

The Nats will once again rely on their amazing starting pitching and their very deep bullpen. On the other side, their offense isn’t among the best in baseball or even the NL. Everyone knows Nationals young and coming star Byrce Harper, but when you look at his numbers they weren’t nearly as good as other rookie of the year Mike Trout’s numbers. Other than Harper in the lineup, they have Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche who have proved they can play ball. The only problem with their lineup is after those three the lineup really lacks good hitters, but I believe that their pitching will make them one of the best in the league

4. Los Angeles Angels

I mean how can you not put them in conversation for winning the title this year. They got some new faces in town, the big one being former Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton. The move to bring Hamilton to LA was huge for the Angels because it takes the Rangers (Division Rival) best play off their roster as well as adding him to an already potent lineup.

5. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays?!? Yes the Blue Jays. In three months, GM Alex Anthopoulos brought the Jays from a below average team to the favorite to win the American League. Unlike in previous years, the Blue Jays have versatile position players and an accomplished starting rotation to complement their power hitters. Their rotation is filled with pitchers who can go out every week and show up. If there batters like Reyes and Bautista can stay healthy and produce like they have in pervious years, they could be one of the most feared teams in the AL.