American League East:
1. Toronto Blue Jays: 95-67: This last offseason was one big story involving the Blue Jays. The biggest move was the deal done with Miami to acquire three former All-Star players with SS Jose Reyes and pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, then sending a couple more players acquired in that deal to the New York Mets for pitcher R.A. Dickey, and finally signing embattled OF Melkey Cabrera. Needless to say, the Blue Jays made too many moves to not be a contender this year. The key is how the pitching staff comes together with the new editions and the struggles the other players had last season.2. Baltimore Orioles*: 92-70: Baltimore surprised many last year with their playoff berth. Now, this young team makes it back to back trips to the playoffs. The Orioles didn't make many moves this offseason, especially to improve the pitching staff. However, the youth on the team and the lineup is more than capable of carrying this team. This team matches the personality of their manager Buck Showalter, being that of a scrappy team that never gives up, and that is a good combination with youth to win.
3. Tampa Bay Rays: 90-72: The Rays made a big move that sent James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City for a top prospect. That isn't the key to the season, as the rest of the pitching staff is still intact led by Cy Young winner David Price. Joe Maddon knows how to make the Rays play well when they don't have many big names. The Rays will be in the hunt again, but they just barely miss the playoffs.
4. New York Yankees: 77-85: The Yankees are either too old or too hurt. Either way, this is the year where the Bronx Bombers won't be relevant. Pitching staff is very weak, and old. Then there's the line up, which has injuries galore. The fans are screaming for a move to be made, but there is none that can help the Yankees change this prediction.
5. Boston Red Sox: 75-87: The Red Sox had an awful year last season. Although they made many moves this offseason, there isn't much room for this team to have a drastic improvement. Starting rotation is very inconsistent, the lineup seems to be weaker than it should be, and the bullpen is very weak.
AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers: 98-64: The Tigers have a couple holes on the team with the middle infield and the closer's role, but other than that, this is a very solid team. The starting rotation is perhaps the best in both leagues, the lineup is very powerful with the return of DH Victor Martinez and the addition of OF Torri Hunter. This team could very well win 100 games or more easily.2. Kansas City Royals: 85-77: The Royals sent top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay for James Shields and Wade Davis. Although that may have been too high of a price tag (Myers was rated the 4th best prospect in the MLB) the Royals had to do something with the starting rotation. Pitching was the downfall for this up and coming team last season, but these additions will help make the team better. Losing Myers isn't all that bad of a deal, as this lineup can flat out hit. The only thing missing is a true number one starter, but Shields is a start.
3. Cleveland Indians: 80-82: The Indians were also a particularly active team this offseason, hiring manager Terry Francona and signing veterans Nick Swisher and Micheal Bourn. The lineup may look good on paper, but the pitching will hurt this team's chances. The back-end of the bullpen is very solid, however, how can they protect leads if the starting rotation can't allow any?
4. Chicago White Sox: 76-86: Chicago's south side team is in for some rebuilding. Although the starting rotation still has good pieces with Chris Sale and Jake Peavy, there are plenty of holes on the roster. Bullpen is very weak, the lineup has holes, Paul Konerko is still good, but is another year older. Adam Dunn did get back to what he is capable of with 41 home runs, but he only hit .204 and can't be depended on. Might break over 80 wins, but many things have to go right for the White Sox.
5. Minnesota Twins: 60-102: Minnesota has sure fallen off of the baseball map. The Twins finished with 66 wins last season, but the rebuilding continues after trading away outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere. Still having no real big names in the pitching staff, this season is looking to be even more excruciating to watch than the last two seasons were.
AL West:
1. Oakland A's: 94-68: The A's were one of the many surprises last season. Improvements were made with the addition of OF Chris Young, making a very solid outfield along rising star Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick. The starting rotation also has valuable experience after having four rookies in the rotation last season, and they were still solid. The bullpen is also a strength for this team. It will be difficult, but the A's seem destined to mirror last season.2. Anaheim Angels: 93-69*: The Angels struggled last season in consistency even though they spent big money. Well, this season they still spent big money on OF Josh Hamilton, but also added good pieces in the rotation with Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas. The key is the consistency in the bullpen to be able to hold leads. Although I will predict a playoff berth for the Angels, there is a strong chance for a meltdown from this team, so they should be cautious of that.
3. Texas Rangers: 86-76: The Rangers window has closed pretty quickly, as they have lost veterans like C.J Wilson and Josh Hamilton (ironically to the rival Angels) along with Micheal Young. This team can still hit the ball, and there are top prospects on their way up to aid more in the hitting in Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt. Yu Darvish returns to be the ace of the staff, but the rest of the rotation seems to be pretty weak. However, the offense can lift up the pitching for a few games.
4. Seattle Mariners: 76-86: Hard to read the Mariners. They made a few moves to try and boost the anemic offense, but it's tough to see the offense built around guys like Kendrys Morales and Micheal Morse, even though they had pretty good seasons at the plate in 2012. 76 wins seems fair because this is a situation where the team needs to prove doubters wrong like the A's and Orioles did last season.
5. Houston Astros: 51-111: The Astros picked a wrong time to switch over to the American League. A team that finished with only 55 wins last year in the National League is due to struggle just as much if not more going into a league you aren't built for for the powerful American League. Well, technically, the Astros aren't built at all, they are in total rebuild mode. They have a nice piece in 2B Jose Altuve and it's only a matter of time until first overall pick Carlos Correia rises through the organization.
*denotes wildcard teams
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