The NL is pretty wide open as opposed to the AL which has the Super 6 (NY, DET, BOS, TB, LAA and TEX) and maybe Toronto.

Will Arizona be able to repeat or will the Giants find more offense and contend?  Too bad the Dodgers didn't do anything of note in terms or adding new players.  It's unlikely that Colorado does much.

NL Central looks like a 3 team race with the Reds, Cards and Brewers.  Brewers will sort of have to hang around until Braun gets back from suspension.

The NL East as you noted should have 3 playoff contenders.  I have no idea what to think about Atlanta though.  This team came so close to being in the playoffs but they didn't add anything to help their club and Chipper is pretty much on his last legs.  I guess they're counting on Jason Heyward bouncing back and Freddie Freeman developing.  They do have pitching though both in the minor league and major league level.

Did they ever announce Theo compensation for the Red Sox?  I think I've read somewhere where Bud finally announces what the Cubs owe the Red Sox.

The best one on the list (imo) Dwayne Bowe will probably be franchised tagged or signed to a long term deal.

CB is also a strength of this FA class.  Finnegan, Grimes, Rogers (doesn't sound like he'll be tagged), Routt, Porter, and Carr (good chance he'll get the FA tag). 

Add to that the strong CB draft class and there is no excuse for not getting a CB if you need one.

Rumor is that Dwight Freeney could get cut in Indy.  He is going to be making 19 million this year.  I don't really see it though.  I can't see them losing both DE in one offseason.   The draft isn't exactly strong at the DE position.  More likely Indy will end up playing a hybrid D instead of going to a 3-4 this year.

Seems to be the best option.  The only question mark with Latos is that he is going from a pitchers ballpark to a hitters park in Cincy.

Heath Bell K rate has declined in the past few years.  Axford is a no brainer.

Marlins question for Axlin12--Is the new Marlins stadium hitter friendly, pitcher friendly or neutral?

NFL salary cap projections for 2012 season
by: Omar Kelly February 6th, 2012 | 5:24 PM

Understanding the NFL’s salary cap isn’t easy, which is why every team has a capologist to crunch the numbers.

Placing the franchise tag on Paul Soliai again would eat up all of the Dolphins' cap space.

However, being able to understand your budget is important when it comes to knowing what economic lane you or your favorite NFL team fits in.

Some of us are ballers, and some of us are bargain shoppers. The same applies for NFL clubs heading into 2012 free agency. The Miami Dolphins are stuck somewhere in-between.

Here’s February’s look at where every NFL team stands from an NFL salary cap standpoint headed into the free agent signing period, which begins on March 13 for players who aren’t cut before then.

SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!

Before you dive into these numbers, and begin the speculation of what’s to come, it is VERY important that we point out a couple of issues.

First, the salary cap in 2011 was $120,375,000 soft, with teams having the flexibility to borrow $3 million from future years. That means the real cap was $123,375,000.

The salary cap for 2012 has not been set, but it is projected to be between $121-125 million, with teams being able to borrow another $2 million from future caps. Therefore, we’ll safely project the salary cap to be at $124 million in ’12. But please understand this is an estimation.

Second, keep in mind that teams must preserve at least $5 million to sign their rookie class. The more picks, the more cap space needed.

Third, understand that players and their salaries can be purged, or restructured to create salary cap space. However, guessing who that player might be is always risky, and complicated.

Finally, any player given the franchise tag receivers a guarantee of his annual salary, which is an average of the NFL’s top five players at his position.

So, last year Dolphins nose tackle Paul Soliai’s salary of $12.47 million was guaranteed fully, which means every dime of it comes off the books that season. A player tagged a second season receives a 20 percent raise, so if Soliai was tagged again he’d earn a salary of $15 million in 2012 (which is why he likely won’t be tagged again in 2012).

Now….here’s a look at the numbers, and the teams are broken up in three categories, which are explained.

POSSIBLE BIG SPENDERS

Teams that have the cap space to make big moves in free agency.

Cincinnati Bengals            $80,641,237

Tennessee Titans             $92,739,765

Washington Redskins     $94,351,284

Kansas City Chiefs            $95,844,195

Tampa Bay Buccaneers  $98,899,458

Atlanta Falcons                 $100,227,174

Denver Broncos                $101,389,121

New England Patriots     $101,827,381

Chicago Bears                    $101,887,741

San Francisco 49ers         $102,938,980

Cleveland Browns            $103,789,162

WORKING ON A BUDGET

Teams that aren’t up against the cap, but need to make smart moves to avoid trimming a ton of players and salaries.

Jacksonville Jaguars        $107,270,274

Buffalo Bills                         $108,426,522

Seattle Seahawks              $111,742,430

San Diego Chargers         $111,960,165

New Orleans Saints         $113,358,069

Philadelphia Eagles          $113,964,694

Baltimore Ravens             $115,670,281

Minnesota Vikings           $116,078,422

Houston Texans                 $116,306,676

Miami Dolphins                 $116,636,173

Indianapolis Colts             $116,773,288

Green Bay Packers            $118,001,169

Arizona Cardinals             $118,787,639

TIGHTENING THE BELT

Teams that will be at, or over the projected salary cap once they’ve signed the rookie class. These teams must purge their roster moving forward. The higher the cap number, the more drastic the cut backs need to be.

St. Louis Rams                   $120,982,904

Detroit Lions                      $122,760,121

New York Giants              $124,735,807

New York Jets                   $128,092,733

Dallas Cowboys                 $128,910,735

Carolina Panthers            $129,962,768

Oakland Raiders               $140,861,316

Pittsburgh Steelers         $149,885,537

After taking a look at the early numbers my hope is you’ll understand why the Dolphins can’t do it big in free agency right now (quarterback upgrade is team owner Steve Ross‘ priority, then discount shopping from bargains) without restructuring plenty of contracts, or cutting a few high profile players.

Also, keep in mind the free agent class will get enhanced over the next few weeks as teams try to get their books in order. Those players can sign with a new team immediately, but keep in mind they are usually damaged goods (injury history, declining play, problematic personalities, etc.).

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_fo … eason.html

Yup the Redskins will definitely spend this year.  The Niners and Bears definitely have the cash to get a WR (Vincent Jackson, maybe).  Detroit's is somewhat misleading as Calvin Johnson is scheduled to make 22 million this year.