Predictions based on heresy

Since everyone seems to do it, here's my standings predictions for 2007 one week into spring training. Of course, this does not count any pending trades between now & Opening Day, and I do predict at least two mini-blockbusters occurring...

AL EAST:
1. New York -- Whether A-Rod & Jeter want to or not
2. Toronto -- All they need is a bullpen, could talk wild card in '08
3. Boston -- Import starts well, but mystique disappearing
4. Tampa Bay -- Finally becomes Florida's better team
5. Baltimore -- Could you imagine attendance at old Memorial?

AL CENTRAL:
1. Chicago -- Ozzie won't be quiet (sigh) this year either
2. Detroit -- Pitching hits reality, but they're too deep to freefall
3. Minnesota -- Blow away the smoke; no Liriano will hurt more
4. Cleveland -- Resurgence relies too much on SS Pheralta
5. Kansas City -- As good as the fountains: drowned and dunked

AL WEST:
1. Oakland -- Open Billy Beane's brain and spread it around
2. Texas -- All Blalock & Texiera need is help from hurlers
3. Los Angeles -- Banking too much on age and career years
4. Seattle -- Sorry... come July, exit Ichiro: stage right

NL EAST:
1. New York -- The fans will expect a subway series in Oct.
2. Atlanta -- Their pitching will come back for the most part
3. Philly -- Howard or not; they'll get booed no matter what
4. Florida -- Ad in paper: Fire Sale #3 to take place in July
5. Washington -- Montreal's bad closing years weren't mirage

NL CENTRAL:
1. St. Louis -- They'll win, but it won't be a runaway race
2. Chicago -- How much is the dollar worth? Check Wrigley
3. Houston -- Could finish in second place if Clemens plays
4. Pittsburgh -- Why the heck not? Youngsters getting better
5. Cincinnati -- Stadium air-conditioning system by Dunn
6. Milwaukee -- Notice how Selig is distancing himself?

NL WEST:
(Do I HAVE to?) (Ahem)
1. San Diego -- Strange item: Peavy will inspire Maddux
2. San Francisco -- No pennant, but a new king struts
3. Los Angeles -- Overly-optimistic agenda crashes by May
4. Colorado -- What, they can't even power their own park?

AL Wildcard: Detroit
NL Wildcard: Atlanta

I won't dive into further post-season predictions, because much can happen between now and then. But a New York team will be represented in the Fall Classic, guaranteed.