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.

New York Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana (57) throws in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Being a New York Met fan is harder then being a Jet fan for the past couple years.The Mets have an amazing ballpark and fan base,all they need is a good team! Every offseason they would sign big name players like Jason Bay and Johan Santana, well with the help of Sandy Alderson (Mets GM) the team has finally bit the bullet for a couple years and are in a rebuilding stage but, will the amazin’s come out to play ball in 2013?

The mets offseason was quiet but it caused some damage in the long run. The Mets gave their star 3B David Wright a contract that will keep him in blue and orange for a long time, and also Wright will be the leader of young squad. The Mets sadly had to say their goodbyes to Cy Young winner R.A Dickey who put up one of the best numbers ever has a knuckleball pitcher, but in return the mets got rookie prospect catcher Travis D’Arnaud and a young pitcher. Here are some reasons the New York Mets could still be contenders in 2013:

The Mets have a great farm system with with premier prospects in Wheeler and Travis D’Arnaud could give the squad a much needed jolt once they receive promotions and become the real deal.

July 9, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; USA pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning of the 2012 All Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

What about “No-han”?  If Johan becomes what he was for the early part season last year the mets could have a solid pitching staff in Wheeler,Harvey,Niese and Gee. Wheeler will not be up in April but if  If they can re-acquire Chris Capuano from the Los Angeles Dodgers and then later on in the season unleash Zack Wheeler fresh out of the gate, this pitching rotation could become something special.

Another big part of theire success will be luck. You need luck on your side.

Even if the Mets don’t make a playoff appearance  this year it will be soon.