So with all that in mind, we will now break down each and every division in the big leagues. We will predict who will finish where and with how many wins per division. So here we go and we start it off with the Western Divisions.
AL West:
1. Oakland Athletics 90-72
Oakland still always finds a way to win, despite not having a huge payroll. The A's have won 90+ games and the AL West each of the last two years and are poised to do it again this season. Sure the West has gotten better in the offseason, and Oakland's starting pitching isn't as great as it was a year ago. Bartolo Colón is gone, injuries to starting pitchers Jarrod Parker (Tommy John surgery) and A.J. Griffin (elbow tendinitis) will hurt Oakland a bit this year. There isn't much depth in the pitching rotation for Oakland and their young arms in the system aren't quite big league ready yet. Still, Oakland has a deep, talented, well-balanced lineup and one of baseball's premier bullpens, which will be more than enough to get them back to the top of the mountain.
2. Los Angeles Angels 86-76
Los Angeles is coming off a down year last year, finishing under .500 and in 3rd in the West. Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton both had off years, by their standards. Both guys are relatively healthy and motivated to prove that last year was a fluke. Sure they are getting older, but they still want to prove they have stuff left in the tank. Furthermore, Mike Trout remains baseball's best all-around player, one that is still years away from hitting the prime years of his career. The pitching staff for the Angels is going to be improved. Garrett Richards and Hector Santiago have looked great this spring and will help round out the back end of the rotation. The pitching staff might be able to keep LA in this with Oakland, but lack of depth is a bit of an issue. If somebody gets hurt for the Angels, the team is going to be in trouble. Still the Angels are good enough to be a force in the West once again.
3. Texas Rangers 85-77
Texas has taken a bit of a hit in the offseason. they lost Nelson Cruz to free agency and Ian Kinsler in a trade. But they brought in Prince Fielder, brought up Jurickson Profar to play 2nd and will have Alex Rios replace Cruz in right field. So scoring runs won't be a problem for the Rangers this season. Filedr could have a big year being in a hitters park at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Much like some other teams in the league, the Rangers are going to have questions about pitching. Behind Yu Darvish and Martin Perez, there isn't much. Matt Harrison and Derek Holland are expected to return to action at some point and bolster the group, the damage may have already been done to the team's playoff hopes. Pitching may hurt the Rangers and keep them out.
4. Seattle Mariners 78-84
Seattle has made improvements to their baseball club from a year ago. They landed the biggest fish in the pool in Robinson Cano, got another solid bat in Corey Hart but that's about it to add to the offense. Sure Dustin Ackley and Brad Miller have looked good in spring training, but there is no way to tell if they can keep it consistent over the course of the regular season. The Mariners strength is supposed to be their starting rotation, but with injuries to Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker, while not believed to be serious, are a concern. The Mariners are going to be a better team, but they still don't have enough talent around Cano to be a contender in the American League.
5. Houston Astros 63-99
Houston has been near the bottom of divisions for a while now. They have started to get a little bit better. Astos fans can expect to see a new wave of talent that the team has stockpiled as part of its rebuilding process—including Jonathan Singleton and George Springer—by the middle of the summer the latest. But the rest of the AL West has improved, meaning that its going to be another long season for the Astros and their fans.
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers 91-71
The Dodgers are still light years ahead of everybody else in the West. The only position on this roster that looks like even a remote question mark is 2nd base. Alex Guerrero, thier top prospect at that position, will start down in Triple A so it looks like Justin Turner and converted shortstop Dee Gordon will be splitting time there. Aside from that, Los Angeles has a stacked ball club, almost in a class by themselves. LA's pitching staff, lead by Clayton Kershaw, is fully loaded. The Dodgers should have no problem taking home their 2nd straight West title.
2. San Francisco Giants 86-76
The pitching staff for the Giants has never been a question. Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong are a top flight pitching staff that can ALMOST come close to rivaling that of the Dodgers. The question here is going to be run support for that stellar pitching staff. A season ago it wasn't enough and the Giants finished under .500. This year it appears to be a different story. Buster Posey seemed to be primed of a big season. He isn't alone has he has a decent supporting cast with the likes of Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Crawford, Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence and others. All things considered, the Giants will be back in the playoff hunt again this season.
3. San Diego Padres 82-80
Last year was a down year for San Diego, finishing under .500 again. This year will be a little bit of a different story. San Diego has the same lineup they had from last year, even thought Cameron Maybin and Josh Johnson are dealing with injuries at the moment. Even with those injuries, it looks as if the Padres have the depth needed to replace them in the lineup and rotation, respectively, if neither one is able to go on Opening Day. This team has a decent set of talent on the roster, to go along with young guys like Tommy Medica and Matt Wisler waiting in the wings to step up and contribute if needed, San Diego has a bright future. Only problem is they play in a top heavy division at the moment and they will fall short of the playoffs.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks 76-86
A season ago the Diamondbacks were a .500 baseball team. Paul Goldschmit had a monster year and is poised to do it again this year. He still has a decent supporting cast around him in the lineup with the likes of Aaron Hill and Mark Troumbo but there still a little short on a support cast in that lineup, making it tough to score runs. Plus the Diamondbacks will be without Patrick Corbin, the teams ace pitcher, who is likely to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Last year the team was a .500 ballclub with Corbin in the rotation. Without him in that rotation, the team looks like they are going to take a step backwards this year.
5. Colorado Rockies 72-90
Colorado had a tough year last year, finishing under .500 again. They have a team that could put up some runs on the board, with the likes of Troy Tulowitzki, Drew Stubbs, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer, so there is some possible punch in that lineup. What is going to hurt the Rockies this season is thier pitching staff. It doesn't look, on paper at least, that the rotation can provide manager Walt Weiss with enough quality innings to keep the team in games and not burn out the bullpen. It's going to hurt the Rockies, who will again be at the bottom.
AL Central
1. Kansas City Royals 87-75
This is going to surprise a few people that I have the Royals winning the Central this year. This coming a year after they just missed out on the playoffs and finished 7 games back of the Tigers in the division. The difference between last year and this year? They have a very solid offensive lineup, which will center around Mike Moustakas looks like he could come into his own and live up to the considerable hype that surrounded him when he made his major league debut in 2011. The pitching staff is pretty good too. Throw in young starter Yordano Ventura, who has pitched his way onto the starting rotation, has some electric stuff from what I've heard, will make this a dangerous rotation. Kansas City is a very solid all around team and will just beat out the Tigers for the Central.
2. Detroit Tigers 86-76
A little surprised to see the Tigers not winning the Central? Well I have good reason for that. Sure the Tigers still have an outstanding rotation, spearheaded by Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Sure the bullpen is very solid too. But whats going to hurt the Tigers as far as a divisional push goes is injuries. Yes they still have a potent offense, and bolsterd it by adding Ian Kinsler at 2nd base. But they are going into the regular season a little banged up. Andy Dirks out until at least June after undergoing back surgery. Jose Iglesias is likely out for the season with fractures in both legs and Bruce Rondon is headed for Tommy John surgery. Detroit will still be in the thick of things but they may fall just short.
3. Cleveland Indians 84-78
Cleveland is coming off a strong year last year, making the playoffs for the first time in six years. This year things may look a little different for the Tribe. Cleveland has a very strong lineup, which was bolsterd a bit with the addition of a rejuvenated Asdrubal Cabrera. But what may end up hurting the Tribe this year is their pitching staff. Sure Josh Thomlin has looked good this spring, coming back after missing all of last season with having elbow surgery. But after Justin Masterson, there are questions surrounding the rest of the rotation, which will end up costing the Indians another playoff spot this year.
4. Chicago White Sox 70-92
Chicago is still in a rebuilding process. Not much has really changed from last year for the boys from the Windy City. Major questions remain behind the plate, where the underachieving Tyler Flowers and Rule-5 draft pick Adrian Nieto figure to see the bulk of the playing time. Newcomers like Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton have looked good this spring and provide upgrades in the lineup and in the field, but some of the team's veterans—Alejandro De Aza, Adam Dunn and Alexei Ramirez—could be moved for more pieces to build around, further weakening the 2014 squad.
5. Minnesota Twins 70-92
Last year was a rough one for the Twins, finishing well under .500 and at the bottom of the Central. Things looked to be turning around for the Twins with the likes of Miguel Sano, but the fact that he got hurt and will likely be done for the season thanks to Tommy John Surgery puts a damper on the Twins plans. The Twins rotation looks solid, but lack of offense is going to hurt them this year, as they have no clear second "big bat" after catcher-turned-first baseman Joe Mauer. So this is going to be a bit of a long summer in the Twin Cities.
NL Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals 95-67
And you thought the Dodgers were a loaded baseball club. The St. Louis Cardinals are the deepest team in either league. Not only do the Cardinals head into the regular season relatively healthy, but they've got the high-end minor league depth that can either be inserted into their lineup when a need arises or be used to go out and obtain whatever they want. Sure they will not have Carlos Beltran in the lineup, as he has signed elsewhere, but Allen Craig has no problem stepping in and filling that role. St. Louis has the central locked up.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates 83-79 (WC)
Last year was a statement year in the Steel City. The Pirates ended two long droughts by finally having a winning season and making the playoffs for the first time in twenty years! A majority of the talent the Pirates had from last years club is back in the fold. The Pirates lost A.J. Burnett in that pitching rotation, but seemed to have found a suitable replacement for him in the form of Wandy Rodriguez. And if, somehow, holes arise in the back end of the rotation, Phil Irwin, Jeff Locke and the team's top pitching prospect Jameson Taillon should have no problem filling in. There isn't enough talent here for the Pirates to be able to catch up to the Cardinals but it will be enough to keep them ahead of the Reds.
3. Cincinnati Reds 82-80
This will be a bit of a dropoff year for the Reds. Not a drastic one but a small dropoff will happen. Sure they have a potent attack. They still have Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips powering the lineup, and plenty of speed to burn with the likes of Billy Hamilton. But where the Reds are going to be hurting is their pitching staff. With starter Matt Latos and relievers Jonathan Broxton and Aroldis Chapman all expected to start the season on the disabled list. Starting pitching and the bullpen are in flux,w hich is going to spell trouble for the Reds this year.
4. Milwaukee Brewers 79-83
Last season was a down one for the Brewers, who finished under .500 for the 2nd time in six years. This year the Brew Crew has a solid looking team, nothing compared to the teams that are ahead of them in the Division, but still they look like they could climb back in the direction of .500 this year. Ryan Braun looks like he might be returning close to his MVP form, while Rickie Weeks seems to be doing just the same. They have a solid lineup and pitching rotation, but if somebody gets hurt, then the Brewers are in trouble. Lack of depth in the minors will be a hinder to the Brew Crew.
5. Chicago Cubs 67-95
This is going to be another long season in the Windy City for the Cubbies. The Cubs haven't had a winning season since 2009 and haven't made the playoffs since 2008. The pitching staff in Chicago seems decent enough, but the pen leaves a little to be desired. One of the bright spots for the Cubs is going to be Anthony Rizzo, who is on his way to becoming a big star in the big leagues. The team is rebuilding and at the moment there isn't much protection for Rizzo in that lineup, which will make it hard for Chicago to compete in this top heavy division.
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays 90-72
This one is going to surprise quite a few people but it makes a lot of sense. Why? Because they have a ton of pitching depth and a pretty loaded offense. Not as loaded as some other teams in the league, but still a very talent baseball club. The Rays have a solid starting rotation which features David Price, Matt Moore, Alex Cobb, Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi. And that's without Jeremy Hellickson who is a great young arm.
2. Boston Red Sox 89-73 (WC)
The defending World Series Champions are still in fine shape. Boston is heading into this year relatively healthy, which is a difference from last year when injuries have plagued members of their starting rotation. Boston also has to deal with not having Stephen Drew or Jacoby Elsbury in the lineup. Jackie Bradley Jr appears to be the opening day center fielder. Grady Seismore, who hasn't played a game since 2011, is also going to be called apron to pick up some of the slack. Sure the Red Sox are still a very solid ball club but Tampa Bay is just a little bit better.
3. New York Yankees 86-76 (WC)
This offseason was a big one for the Yankees, adding a lot of new faces. They brought in the likes of Beltran, Elsbury, Tanaka, McCann and others. The team is stock loaded, but there are a few question marks. Sabathia is one of them, the workhorse of the rotation has yet to crack 90 mph on the radar gun this spring with his fastball—the Yankees starting rotation looks to be in far better shape than anyone thought. There is plenty of talent on this club, enough to get them into the playoffs. But the lack of depth could hurt them if they have injuries. either way the Yankees are going to be back in the playoffs
4. Baltimore Orioles 81-81
Baltimore is coming off a good year last year, one in which saw the coming out party for Adam jones and Chris Davis. Both guys are going to have another big impact again this season, as is Nelson Cruz who is going to try and come back after his suspension at the end of last year. What's going to hurt Baltimore at the start of the year is that Manny Machado will start the season on the disabled list. That means that Ryan Flaherty has been tabbed with replacing Machado in the lineup, offers nowhere near the same level of offense or defense. And with him starting, the team's bench is also weaker. This is going to cost the Orioles games at the start of the year, and with how top heavy with talent this east division is Baltimore is going to be missing out on the playoffs again.
5. Toronto Blue Jays 75-87
Nothing has changed for the boys north of the border, which is going to be a big problem. The Blue Jays failed to land either Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana, leaving the rotation, after R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle, with much to be desired. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion will put up their typically gaudy numbers, but the Blue Jays simply don't have the pieces needed to contend in what is, once again, the toughest division in baseball.
NL East
1. Washington Nationals 92-70
The Nationals head into the start of the season healthy, something that can't be said by too many teams in the National League. Washington had an already stacked starting rotation, featuring great arms like Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez. Now throw in the addition of Doug Fister, giving new skipper Matt Williams perhaps the best rotation in the game. A strong bullpen and deep lineup, including a healthy Bryce Harper, sets the Nationals up to return to their 2012 NL East glory.
2. Atlanta Braves 85-77 (WC)
Atlanta took a big blow to their starting rotation this spring with the loss off Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen for the season. It helped that they signed Erwin Santana to soften the blow but it might still hurt them a little. While talented, having pitchers like Gavin Floyd, Freddy Garcia and David Hale take the mound in crucial games with playoff implications is anything but ideal. Fortunately, Atlanta's offense should be better than it was a year ago thanks to signs of life from Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton this spring. What is going to help Atlanta out is that, aside from them and Washington, the National League East is a weak division. the Braves should have enough talent to get by and make the playoffs.
3. New York Mets 80-82
This could be another interesting season for the New York Mets. Sure they got a little better by adding Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon. Zach Wheeler has looked great in the spring and Noah Syndergard looks like he could be up in the big leagues sooner than expected. Sure the Mets are going to be without ace Matt Harvey, who is going to be out with Tommy John Surgery, but there is still a decent staff to take the hill this year. Questions still remain about what, if any, offensive production the Mets will get from behind the plate, first base and shortstop. Had the Mets addressed these holds a little better I would put the Mets at .500 but with what they have they will fall just short of the mark.
4. Philadelphia Phillies 72-90
This is a ball club that seems to have fallen off the last few years. With the Pitching staff and core getting older, it makes it hard for the team to really be able to compete. After Cliff Lee and the currently injured Cole Hamels, there are major questions surrounding Philadelphia's rotation, with A.J. Burnett looking nothing like a front-of-the-rotation arm this spring. Those same questions can be asked about the lineup too. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins are getting older and aren't aging very well. There's not much to be positive about in the city of brotherly love.
5. Miami Marlins 69-93
The fish are still in a rebuilding mode, but with the young arms they have stockpiled, Miami looks really good right now in regards to their pitching staff, with rookie of the year Jose Fernandez leading the charge. Pitching looks like it might be able to keep the Marlins in some of the games but that's about it. Too many questions surround the lineup for Miami to finish with a winning record, but a full season from Christian Yelich and a healthy Giancarlo Stanton will provide enough oomph for the Marlins to play the role of spoiler down the stretch with an eye toward 2015 and beyond.
So there you have it, my predictions for the 2014 Major League Baseball Season!
(Note: All predictions were made BEFORE the start of the regular season)
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