X-FACTORS

With Opening Day just inches beyond the horizon, here is one X-Factor for each team going into the season.

San Francisco Giants- Barry Zito: The line-up for the Giants has not been their strength since Barry Bonds left. It is better this season, but it is still not what carries this team. If the Giants are going to emerge as contenders, they are going to pitch their way there. If they want to do that, Barry Zito is going to have to give them solid innings behind the pair of studs, Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Zito started to show some signs last season. He settled down, used the growth of a cutter to help add relative speed to his fastball. That made his curveball a weapon again. If that continues, and the Giants can throw 3 big guns in the rotation, they can make a real run at the West.

Cleveland Indians- Fausto Carmona: The Indians surely have a lot of question marks. However, there line-up is healthier than last season, and can be adequate. Fausto has had a very good spring. He is trusting his pitches again, throwing a lot of strikes and letting his hard sinker get him outs. If Fausto can be the Fausto of old, then the Indians have a bona fide ACE, despite trading away Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia. You cannot compete in this league without a pitcher that you can trust to come out and stop a losing streak.

San Diego Padres- Chris Young: Chris Young's impact on this team relies on health. He has not thrown a whole lot of innings recently, but when he has he has shown signs of retaining his potential. Young is another guy that can get a lot of outs quickly, and if he can pitch effectively, the rest of the Padres rotation actually falls into place very nicely.

Chicago Cubs- Aramis Ramirez: I have made it fairly clear that I'm not sure if Aramis Ramirez can come back and be the kind of run producer he has been. The problem is the Cubs NEED him to be that guy. If he can be, he transforms the line-up and makes the Cubs a wild-card competitor and a pest for the Cardinals as well.

Colorado Rockies- Jeff Francis: Before being lost to injury last season, Francis was asserting himself as a front line starter for this squadron. Last season, while he was out, other pitchers stepped into their roles effectively. If the Rockies can add Francis back into that rotation, behind Ubaldo Jimenez, this rotation can be very, very solid. The line-up is going to produce some runs. They have speed, and they have some solid gap hitters to find room in that expansive outfield. If they can hold teams to reasonable totals, they are going to win a lot of baseball games. Jeff Francis' performance will have a lot to say about that.

Kansas City Royals- Rick Ankiel: Ankiel wins this role above some others, because he has shown he can be effective. Gil Meche certainly gets honorable mention as an X-factor, but there are probably too many rotation question marks to rely on starting pitching to win games. The Royals need to score a few runs early, so that the bullpen gets a lead. If they can pair Ankiel with Billy Butler in the middle of that line-up, that is the way to do it.

Milwaukee Brewers- Carlos Gomez: By the same token, Jody Gerut could become the X-factor by taking the centerfield job from Gomez. One of these two players is going to have to step up and grab that position. That will also put them at the top of this order. Everyone is familiar with the talent in the production slots for Milwaukee. That is as solid a 3-4 as anywhere else in Major League Baseball (right up there with NYY and St.L). They need a presence at the top of the line-up and Carlos Gomez should get the first shot to provide it. He has natural talent their, but it is time to harness it.

Arizona Diamondbacks- Brandon Webb: If Brandon Webb cannot get healthy and be Brandon Webb, this is not a playoff team. If he can, it very well could be. The young bats are really starting to come around, but the pitching needs to make their contribution. Adding Brandon Webb to that equation completely transforms the result.

Angels of Anaheim- Brian Fuentes: Despite some subtractions the Angels are still a solid baseball team. The line-up is a touch under what it was, perhaps, but is still very strong. The pitching rotation has lost a little as well, but I'd take it on my team any day. What the LAA need to do is close down games. Maybe Fernando Rodney will be the one to step up and do it, but until then, Fuentes becomes the X-Factor.

Chicago White Sox- Carlos Quentin: I have Carlos Quentin as my MVP of 2010. This is not an unreasonable, long shot prediction. When Quentin is healthy, he is an MVP. He can carry this offense to a division title, especially if the Twins struggle to close out games. Even with a competitive foe in the Twins, the White Sox line-up can excel if Quentin's body allows him to be the kind of player he can be.

Oakland Athletics- Ben Sheets: A previously dominant pitcher coming off an injury, with a chance to lead a good rotation into stardom is certainly becoming a template for an X-Factor here. Well Ben Sheets keeps that coming. If Ben Sheets is healthy, he is a dominant pitcher. He has never pitched in the AL, but his stuff is too good for him to be taken down by AL line-ups. If he is healthy, he will produce, and if he produces he can take a healthy A's rotation to the midst of the AL West race.

Cincinnati Reds- Aaron Harang: Harang is going to give you innings. His arm takes a toll every year, but he keeps coming out throwing pitch after pitch. He's had some bad luck and some down streaks, but is primed for a comeback year. He has fellow innings-eater, Bronson Arroyo, behind him, and some young live arms. If Harang can be the stopper, the rest of the rotation can do some real damage. These young Reds will be fun to watch.

Los Angeles Dodgers- Chad Billingsley: Billingsley edges out Manny Ramirez for LAD X-Factor. After all, he fits our template. Billingsley can be the Ace of this staff, and with the emergence of Clayton Kershaw, that means double-barreled Aces for the Dodgers. The line-up is set up to produce yet again, and the bullpen is still very solid. This season depends on this rotation and this rotation depends on Chad Billingsley.

Seattle Mariners- Milton Bradley: Of course, a lot of this season will depend of Cliff Lee coming back soon and at full strength. However, Milton Bradley spend one hell of a year in the AL West with the Texas Rangers. He obviously didn't enjoy his time in Chicago, and regardless of whose fault it was, he is in Seattle now. Ken Griffey, Jr. could go a long way towards making Seattle a place that Bradley can thrive. If this is accomplished and Bradley can get his bat going in the middle of this line-up, the runs can come pouring in. The Mariners have the top of the order guys. In fact, they may have too many. But there will be runners on base. Someone has to bring them in. It's going to have to be Milton Bradley.

Texas Rangers- Rich Harden: Another case where this pitching template wins out over a prominent bat. The Rangers have bats though, with or without Josh Hamilton. Granted, Hamilton can turn this line-up into a top of the league type line-up, but without Harden this pitching staff stays down in the "satisfactory at best" area of things. Scott Feldman emerged last season as a pitcher that can come out and win games, but Harden can be an Ace. The Rangers have been searching for an Ace for some time, because the bats have always been there. If Harden can be that guy, the Rangers can be a division winner.

Tampa Bay Rays- James Shields: Shields was supposed to be the #1 on this staff last season. He pitched very well for the Rays as they rode a wave of momentum to a World Series appearance in 2008, but Shields was all to mediocre last season. He doesn't even need to be the #1 this season for the Rays, as Matt Garza could very likely assume that role. Shields does need to be a heavy contributor, though. The Rays are very high on their young second half of David Price, Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis, but they will need the slightly more experienced Shields to lead the way with Garza.

Detroit Tigers- Magglio Ordonez: Ordonez did not put together the kind of season that the Tigers were hoping for last year. But that's exactly the kind of season that gets you X-Factor status. Magglio has the ability to take this line-up to another level. They need his bat in the middle of the order to support Miguel Cabrera. If Maggs can stay healthy, he still has the potential to provide that kind of boost. The Tigers do have some questions marks in the back half of the rotation and the bullpen, but they could have the kind of line-up that erases those question marks. To do that, they'll need Magglio Ordonez.

Atlanta Braves- Troy Glaus: The Braves brought in two major impact players coming off of injury plagued 2009s. They are both key to this year's run. One is Billy Wagner, but he has the kind of resume, and had enough success at the end of 2009 to make me pretty sure that he will be successful closing games for the Braves. Troy Glaus has become a little more forgotten. He has been a major middle-of-the-order contributor in the past. And if you look at my fantasy teams, you can tell that I expect him to be able to do so again. (took him in the last 2 rounds of each of my drafts) Glaus has had a great spring. If he can continue that success, he is in the right spot (between Chipper Jones and Brian McCann) to put up some heavy numbers this year, and take this Braves order to the top of the NL East.

Philadelphia Phillies- Brad Lidge: Lidge starts the season on the DL, which is not a good start for X-Factor production. I'm not sure how long he'll be out, but he is a major cog in this Phillie machine. When Brad Lidge was invincible in 2008, the Phillies were World Series Champions. The Phillies had a strong year in 2009, but in a weaker division. They brought in Cliff Lee to solidify a starting pitching staff as Lidge and Ryan Madson struggled to close some games. Lidge was back in form for the play-offs, resulting in another WS appearance. If the Phillies want to find their way back to the WS, they are going to need Lidge to shut it down.

Boston Red Sox- David Ortiz: Papi took quite some time to get rolling last year. The rest of the Red Sox line-up this season has taken a half a step back in favor of defense, and are not in the same position to thrive without Ortiz. He needs to create problems for pitchers. Papi doesn't have to be 2004 Papi, but he does need to be a significant contributor in this line-up. I'd love to say that the Sox rotation is so good that they can just ride them all the way to the WS, but to find a comparable rotation, they just have to look at the opposing dugout on opening day. They are going to need the power that Ortiz can provide them if they hope to compete with the champs.

Saint Louis Cardinals- Ryan Franklin: This was the most difficult X-Factor to find in the Major Leagues. The Cardinals, as far as National League Teams, are all around solid. They will need some good numbers from the back end of the rotation, but they have 2 Cy Young candidates at the front, a well-balanced bullpen and a great line-up. Ryan Franklin had a lot of success closing games last season, but he still doesn't strike fear into National League Hitter Hearts. He is going to have to keep mowing down hitters by letting the ball be put in play. This is not the typical way to close out games in MLB, but Franklin has proven it can be successful. If he can avoid the pressure to try to strike out batters and keep doing what he's been doing, the Cardinals will be one tough customer.

Minnesota Twins- John Rauch: A few weeks ago, I would have had to think about this one, but with Joe Nathan sidelined for the entirety of the 2010 season, and John Rauch being named the closer, he is an instant X-Factor. Rauch has 26 career saves in limited opportunities, but he has been a premier 8th inning man in recent history. Rauch has to slightly alter his mindset, and pitch the 9th with the weight of the world on him. The Twins want to welcome fans to Target Field with a pennant contending team, but they'll need a major contribution from Rauch, whose filling big shoes. Luckily, the 6'11" has sizeable feet.

Florida Marlins- Sanchez: This is a purposefully ambiguous X-Factor for the Marlins, as it is shared by Anibal and Gaby, both of Sanchezian descent. The Marlins have been trying to fill an infield hole left by Mike Jacobs (at 1st; Cantu at 3rd), who was productive as a Marlin, but now will be starting elsewhere in the division. They tried Emilio Bonifacio at 3rd early, and although he at times provided a spark, he was not the answer. They brought in Nick Johnson later on (moving Cantu back to 3rd), but he once again justified his oft-injured reputation. This year they hand the reigns to Gaby Sanchez. He has to fill that void to bring this line-up, which is founded up on the infield, back into the NL East race. Anibal Sanchez has had some success and some injury problems. He needs to avoid the latter, and be the pitcher the Marlins know he can be. He showed signs of it last season, and has had a decent spring, but he will have a lot to prove. If Sanchez has success behind Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco, and the other Sanchez does his part, the Marlins can avoid some bumps along the road in the back half of the rotation.

Houston Astros- Brett Myers: The Astros have more than a few question marks going into this season, but Myers is a guy who has been a stud in the past. He has the history to give Stro fans faith in this team. Myers lines up with Brad Moehler and Bud Norris, behind proven starters Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. Myers is the one of the three who has shown he can make this rotation more than formidable. Bud Norris is young and could produce, but Myers is the guy who likely will decide what kind of rotation this will be. The Astros will need a top notch rotation if they are going to carry the rest of their team into a playoff race.

Toronto Blue Jays- Shaun Marcum: It's hard to not be an X-Factor when you are filling the shoes of Roy Halliday. The Blue Jays need an ace in his absence, and they turn to Marcum to be that guy. The Jays line-up has some holes, but their bullpen is solid if Jason Frasor can assume the closer role. However, they need someone to pitch the first bunch of innings. Marcum is going to have to lead this staff there.

New York Metropolitans- Jose Reyes: The Mets have a lot of question marks; more really than any other team who has aspirations of a big run. However, most of their questions marks come in groups (The middle 3 of the rotation, the 8th inning crowd, the CF until Beltran returns). The most notable singular X-Factor is Jose Reyes. When Jose Reyes is in their, igniting the Metropolitan line-up, they are completely transformed. Carlos Beltran might be the best player, but you don't feel the difference the same way that you do when Reyes is gone. He needs to come back strong and be the player he has been on and off the field.

New York Yankees- Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain lost the competition for 5th starter for the Yankees. And as much as that may seem like a step down, his job just became more important. Phil Hughes will be a key in that he'll pitch ever 5 days, but when you have CC, Burnett, Petitte and Vasquez in front of you and depth (Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves, Joba Chamberlain) behind you, your success is not as vital. Joba is expected to step back into an 8th inning role that he doesn't seem to want. The depth behind him isn't empty (Damaso Marte, David Robertson) but Chamberlain is supposed to be the guy to get to Mariano. He prepared this spring to start, and was a starter in 2009, so the transition will be difficult. Perhaps not having to worry about restrictions will help, and the fact that he can rare back and just fire away.

Baltimore Orioles- Kevin Millwood. The Orioles have a young line-up that is really turning into something. Their young rotation, however, is still trying to shape itself. Kevin Millwood has to come in and do two things: eat up innings for the sake of the bullpen, and be a second pitching coach to these young starters. If one or the other is more important, it's Millwood training these kids, because the Orioles are a team of the future and 2010 is an important step on that path.

Pittsburgh Pirates- Lastings Milledge: Once upon a time Milledge was a revered prospect in the Mets system. Since then he has really fallen off the map. He needed to mature and figure out what being in the big leagues is all about. Rumors coming from Pittsburgh say that Milledge may be finally figuring it out. He and Dexter McCutchen have become fast friends and are good for each other. They are needed at the top of that line-up. The bullpen actually looks good for the Rats, but they will need some runs to support the starting pitching on most days. Milledge will be a key cog in this line-up.

Washington Nationals- Josh Willingham: When the Nationals win games, it is going to be because they are putting up runs. They now have a line-up that can do that. Nyjer Morgan gives them a phenomenal top of the order presence, and the Zimmerman/Dunn combo in the middle is tough to deal with. Josh Willingham has to be that next guy. He is poised for a break-out year. He has finally been given a full time job, and showed last season that he can do something with it. Look for big numbers from Willingham protecting Dunn, and if those numbers come, so will the runs for the Nats and also some wins.

-APT