It's that time again. Spring training is all but over, so time for your prediction. Last year nobody predicted more than 90. Feel free to post an exact number if you wish, and your reasoning.
It looks to me like a just over .500 team, 82-80. If I am as far off as I was last year that will mean about 100 wins in 2014. I don't think any aspect of the team is much above average: OK but not deep starting pitching; deep bullpen; pretty average offense; nice team speed; decent LH/RH balance. Keys probably are: Can Kluber really be a No. 2 starter? Will Danny Salazar blossom quickly into a star? Will Swisher be a run producer? Will Bourn be a tablesetter?
81-85. I think this division is better all around this year. Detroit may slide a bit but KC and Chicago should be better this year. I'm not sure about the Twins. I think it's a four team race.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
I'm going with 88. I don't think we've improved the team, but I'm hoping for more from Bourn and Swisher.
Pitching is a question, too, but in Tito I trust!
Los Angeles Dodgers 92.5
St. Louis Cardinals 90.5
Detroit Tigers 89.5
Oakland Athletics 88.5
Tampa Bay Rays 88.5
Washington Nationals 88.5
Atlanta Braves 87.5
Boston Red Sox 87.5
Los Angeles Angels 86.5
New York Yankees 86.5
San Francisco Giants 86.5
Texas Rangers 86.5
Cincinnati Reds 84.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 83.5
Kansas City Royals 81.5
Seattle Mariners 81.5
Arizona Diamondbacks 80.5
Baltimore Orioles 80.5
Cleveland Indians 80.5
Milwaukee Brewers 79.5
Toronto Blue Jays 79.5
San Diego Padres 78.5
Colorado Rockies 76.5
Philadelphia Phillies 76.5
Chicago White Sox 75.5
New York Mets 73.5
Minnesota Twins 70.5
Chicago Cubs 69.5
Miami Marlins 69.5
Houston Astros 62.5
80.5! Boy the guys with the cash don't think much of the Tribe. Of course that's only 1.5 wins less than I picked. But that was before opening night and our 11th straight [regular season] win.
I said 82. It will be around there with lots of ups and downs. Success will need at least at couple starters to become more dependable and a few position players to perform above major league average as offenders and defenders, no one did both in April.