2013 MLB Predictions

As always I enjoy your astute comments I Strether. I must disagree about Duffy though, I like that kid and I'd love to see both him and Ventura thrive in the rotation (probably a little too much to ask for in 2014 but one can hope)

As always I enjoy your astute comments I Strether. I must disagree about Duffy though, I like that kid and I'd love to see both him and Ventura thrive in the rotation (probably a little too much to ask for in 2014 but one can hope)

I'm with you regarding Duffy, Steve. He's a great kid who I don't think has really gotten a fair shake. It sounds like Ned is going to begin the season with him in the pen with plans to move him into the rotation if one of the starters falters.

As always I enjoy your astute comments I Strether. I must disagree about Duffy though, I like that kid and I'd love to see both him and Ventura thrive in the rotation (probably a little too much to ask for in 2014 but one can hope)

Firstly, your appreciation is appreciated, Steve. As to Duffy, I hope you're right; I would only wish success for any young player. I think the key for Duffy is if he can improve his spotty control. He severely struggled with it in his first two years, but in his 6 starts last year he was able to work around those struggles with some success. However, he's had a really tough spring this year, so he'll have to work out those control issues in the pen. If he does do so (but only if he does do so), he could be either a solid 4th starter or a solid replacement for Hochevar in the pen. If he doesn't, well, (as you said) then the Royals must wait for 2015.

And Pwooten, since you read my analysis of the Indians in one post, and my analyses of the Tigers and your Royals in the next, I'm curious to hear what you think of them. Do you still really think the Royals can compete with the Tigers this year?...If you agreed with my analyses and see no need to comment, then I would understand.

Great stuff guys, the only thing I think I disagree with vis-a-vis Clevelend, is counting on Bourn or Swisher to have bounce back years. Bourn is a 31 year old player who's primary asset is his speed, which, as we all know doesn't age well. I suspect last year the start of his decline and would not be surprised if he did the same or slightly worse. And Swisher, he's 33 and definitely on the down slope, I think you'll be lucky if these two guys stay healthy all year frankly.

Oh and the Mets are still gonna suck at least until Syndergaard and Montero are brought up in the middle of the season and Colon and Dice-K are sent packing for low level prospects....

Oh and the Mets are still gonna suck at least until Syndergaard and Montero are brought up in the middle of the season and Colon and Dice-K are sent packing for low level prospects....

One of my "sleepers" for 2014 is Chris Young. I've been picking him up in most of my keeper leagues for peanuts. He may not even stay healthy, who knows, but if he does he offers great D, speed, and some power

Great stuff guys, the only thing I think I disagree with vis-a-vis Clevelend, is counting on Bourn or Swisher to have bounce back years. Bourn is a 31 year old player who's primary asset is his speed, which, as we all know doesn't age well. I suspect last year the start of his decline and would not be surprised if he did the same or slightly worse. And Swisher, he's 33 and definitely on the down slope, I think you'll be lucky if these two guys stay healthy all year frankly.

Oh and the Mets are still gonna suck at least until Syndergaard and Montero are brought up in the middle of the season and Colon and Dice-K are sent packing for low level prospects....

Yeah, I agree it's time to start the backwards clocks on Bourn and Swisher, and they will probably miss 15 games each. I still think Bourn should be good for a .270/30 (no longer 50+)SB/excellent defense season and Swisher should be good for another .245-.260/20-25 Hr/65-80 ribby season, particularly since Murphy will free him from playing any right field.

And you probably should count on Syndergaard and Montero being up by July, particularly Syndergaard who looks ready to break through. And don't count out Alderson bringing in a decent haul for Colon. He could add a third swindle to snaking Wheeler from the Giants (sigh) and Syndergaard from the Jays.

Speaking of age, Detroit and Miguel Cabrera are not getting any younger. Can Miguel Cabrera win another batting title, MVP or both? I would bet against it. ...... I love my Indians first and foremost and Swisher will rebound as will Bourne. Detroit does have the best rotation, but they lost one or two of their guys too,...didn't they?.... How will Ian Kinsler do in Detroit?

I like most of the small market teams including divisional rival, Kansas City. Of course I like Pittsburgh, Washington and Oakland. What about Oakland, will they compete for a playoff spot? Can Coco Crisp repeat last year and stay healthy? Is he worth a mid to late round pick in Fantasy Baseball? ..... Enjoy fellas, it is going to be a fun summer.

Extreme Sleeper Pick For MVP: Jason Kipnis. He should be entering his prime and he is a five tool player.

Speaking of age, Detroit and Miguel Cabrera are not getting any younger. Can Miguel Cabrera win another batting title, MVP or both? I would bet against it. ...... I love my Indians first and foremost and Swisher will rebound as will Bourne. Detroit does have the best rotation, but they lost one or two of their guys too,...didn't they?.... How will Ian Kinsler do in Detroit?

I like most of the small market teams including divisional rival, Kansas City. Of course I like Pittsburgh, Washington and Oakland. What about Oakland, will they compete for a playoff spot? Can Coco Crisp repeat last year and stay healthy? Is he worth a mid to late round pick in Fantasy Baseball? ..... Enjoy fellas, it is going to be a fun summer.

Extreme Sleeper Pick For MVP: Jason Kipnis. He should be entering his prime and he is a five tool player.

Radagast, we already discussed this, Miguel Cabrera will only be turning 31 in April, so he is two years away from his downward clock beginning. There is no reason to believe that his hitting will diminish this season, particularly since he will no longer be playing third base. He is still the best hitter in baseball, the clear favorite for a batting title, and, along with Trout, one of the two clear favorites for AL MVP.

And yes, Detroit still has the best rotation in the division (if not the league), so they'll more than survive losing Fister...and Kinsler will do well (if not very well) in Detroit with Hunter, Cabrera, and Martinez hitting behind him.

And I'm still looking forward to your full predictions. You've mentioned certain teams you like, but I'm sure your full predictions will be more interesting.

I. Strether, I could not begin to put together an informed prediction on all the teams in baseball. I just don't posses the up to the minute detailed knowledge you have of all the off season moves and rookies and prospects who are coming. But thanks for asking.... Maybe I will throw together my division predictions and such before opening day....

I never said Miguel Cabrera was not a great hitter, he clearly is, but I just don't think he will have as an amazing season as he has had the last couple years. The odds are against it..

Given that Trout should have won MVP both of the last two years, Cabrera might just win it again, but I think he'd have to have another above and beyond year. And Trout may just get even better. I could see him hitting .330 or so again and challenging for 35 home runs, along with the usual 30 SB and awesome defense.

As for my evaluation of my team, I think the Yankees may actually be getting overlooked for the first time...just about ever!
Offensively, they will be really good. Gardner and Ellsbury will be a dynamic duo, Beltran is a still quality hitter, McCann is built for Yankee Stadium, Soriano will still hit a bunch of HRs, Teixeira IF he stays on the field will still produce decently, and don't forget about old man Jeter. And they may well get 20 HRs out of Kelly Johnson too. Defensively they are solid. Pitching is the question mark. But if Tanaka has a sub-3 ERA, Kuroda stays in the 3.5-3.6 range, Nova continues his good pitching and stays mid 3s, Sabathia stays on the field - he should be solid if healthy, even with little velocity an ERA of 4 with some gritty performances is realistic, and Pineda steps up and fills some innings pitching half-decently, this team could be very very dangerous. It's a lot of ifs and a lot of old guys, but if healthy at the right time, I feel like the Yankees have a better World Series chance than they've had since about 2010 (now THAT sounds like something a Yankee fan says ).