With free agency over, spring training starting, and no one having any real idea how any of the clubs will actually perform, I think it’s time to make some picks. So here they are, my 2014 MLB Way Too Early Predictions:
AL East
- Red Sox – Why couldn’t they do it again? Added Pierzynski. Lost Ellsbury.
- Yankees – Added Ellsbury, Beltran, McCann, & Roberts. Lost Cano & Grandy.
- Rays – No longer a surprising team. Added Balfour, Bell, & Hanigan.
- Orioles – Their weak spot is their pitching. Added Jimenez. Lost Roberts.
- Blue Jays – Shouldn’t be much improved. Added Navarro. Lost Arencibia.
AL Central
- Tigers – Should be great. Added Kinsler & Nathan. Lost Fielder & Peralta.
- Indians – Francona! Added Murphy & Axford. Lost Perez & Jimenez.
- Royals – Nice pitching staff, solid team. Added Infante & Aoki.
- White Sox – A team with zero punch. Added Eaton. Lost Reed.
- Twins – Seems like a brand new bad team, other than Mauer.
AL West
- Rangers – Changing. Added Fielder, Choo. Lost Pierzynski, Kinsler, Murphy.
- Athletics – Won’t repeat last year. Added Jim Johnson. Lost Suzuki.
- Angels – Could win a lot of games. Added Freese & Ibanez. Lost Trumbo.
- Mariners – Could make noise. Added Morrison, Cano, Hart, & Rodney.
- Astros – Should be just plain awful again. Added Dexter Fowler.
NL East
- Braves – Return an extremely solid lineup. Lost McCann & Hudson.
- Phillies – No reason they shouldn’t be contenders. Added Burnett. Lost Halladay.
- Nationals – Not much changing here, should be good but not great.
- Mets – Losing Matt Harvey really hurts. Added Granderson & Colon.
- Marlins – Trying at least. Added Jones, McGehee, Furcal, & Salty.
NL Central
- Cardinals – Ready for a run. Added Peralta & Bourjos. Lost Beltran & Freese.
- Reds – Great rotation, nice lineup, back from injuries. Lost Choo & Arroyo.
- Pirates – Strong team, but should digress just a little bit. Lost Jones.
- Brewers – Not a horrible team, but stagnant. Added Garza. Lost Hart.
- Cubs – No great talent at any position and won’t make much noise.
NL West
- Dodgers – They have so many incredible players they have to sit on the bench.
- Giants – Should be much improved. Added Morse & Hudson.
- Diamondbacks – Good, not special. Added Trumbo, Arroyo, & Reed. Lost Eaton.
- Rockies – So-so pitching. Added Stubbs & Morneau. Lost Dexter Fowler.
- Padres – Weak rotation and poor lineup. Very little support or energy.
Most improved teams: Mariners, Phillies, Giants.
Least successful teams: Astros, Twins, Cubs.
World Series: Red Sox vs Dodgers.
As a Yankee fan I hope you’re wrong!
I think NY will be much improved this year. I expect them to be fighting for it in the playoffs.