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| Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports |
After an off-season where the Los Angeles Dodgers spent the equivalent of a nation's GDP to acquire talent - I'm not sure if that's factual, but it felt like it - the 2024 MLB Season is finally here.
Sure, this Yankees fan is not just annoyed with the big spending of the Dodgers, but yeah, secretly envious as well.
That used to be us, man!
Regardless, baseball is back on the docket. While my beloved New York Knicks have my attention and all of my heart, including what has been a fun March Madness period for men's and women's basketball, it's soothing to have baseball back. I can't explain what it is, but baseball just does that for me.
Nonetheless, let's do what we do in this post every year. Here are my wacky predictions and wild guesses for the 2024 season.
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STANDINGS (WINS)
AL EAST
Orioles - 93
Yankees - 90
Blue Jays - 85
Red Sox - 82
Rays - 80
AL CENTRAL
Twins - 88
Tigers - 86
Guardians - 81
Royals - 70
White Sox - 68
AL WEST
Seattle - 91
Astros - 90
Rangers - 89
Angels - 75
Athletics - 60
NL EAST
Braves - 99
Phillies - 91
Marlins - 75
Mets - 75
Nationals - 68
NL CENTRAL
Reds - 88
Cubs - 87
Brewers - 80
Cardinals - 75
Pirates - 72
NL WEST
Dodgers - 100
Diamondbacks - 87
Giants - 80
Padres - 80
Rockies - 55
GOALS/AWARDS/LEADERS
AL HITTING LEADERS
Batting Champion: Aaron Judge (.324)
Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez (47)
RBIs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (121)
On-Base Percentage: Juan Soto (.418)
Slugging Percentage: Corey Seager (.661)
Stolen Bases: Bobby Witt Jr. (51)
NL HITTING LEADERS
Batting Champion: Mookie Betts (.334)
Home Runs: Matt Olson (54)
RBIs: Mat Olson (141)
On-Base Percentage: Shohei Ohtani (.418)
Slugging Percentage: Shohei Ohtano (.665)
Stolen Bases: Corbin Carroll (61)
AL PITCHING LEADERS
ERA: Luis Castillo (3.18)
Wins: Luis Castillo (16)
Strikeouts: Corbin Burnes (210)
Saves: Josh Hader (38)
NL PITCHING LEADERS
ERA: Sonny Gray (2.91)
Wins: Spencer Strider (19)
Strikeouts: Spencer Strider (299)
Saves: Raisel Iglesias (42)
ALL-MLB FIRST TEAM
C: Adley Rutschman
1B: Matt Olson
2B: Mookie Betts
3B: Gunnar Henderson
SS: Corey Seager
OF: Aaron Judge
OF: Juan Soto
OF: Ronald Acuna Jr.
DH: Yordan Alvarez
SP: Spencer Strider
SP: Corbin Burnes
SP: Luis Castillo
SP: Zac Gallen
SP: Zack Wheeler
RP: Devin Williams
RP: Pete Fairbanks
BREAK-OUT STARS
AL: Jackson Holliday
AL: Cole Ragans
NL: Elly De La Cruz
NL: CJ Abrams
BIGGEST NAMES TO BE TRADED
AL: Gleyber Torres
AL: Luis Robert Jr.
NL: Pete Alonso
NL: Paul Goldschmidt
10 RANDOM, WILD, OR BOLD PREDICTIONS
- Yoshinobu Adjusts, But Not Worth The Price (yet)
After breaking the bank without throwing a pitch in the Bigs, Yamamoto will have a good enough season to take home the NL Rookie of the Year (heavily influenced by media and star power) but will look somewhat like his award - 1st year adjustment. He'll struggle. He'll look great. He'll be slightly consistent with signs of that domination to come in 2025.
- Rocky Times in Colorado
The Rockies look like a team trying to make all-time historic imprints for being remembered for superb terribleness. A VERY questionable pitching rotation combined with that thin air in Denver - yikes!
The Athletics are going to be thrilled for this discussion.
Speaking of...
- Bay Area Blues
With eyes on a move to Las Vegas in 2028 and nowhere to go next year until then, Oakland fans are either going to drop this team hard with embarrassing-like attendance or...make life so miserable for the organization that home games will likely be controversial.
I feel for the players on the A's roster this year. Good luck.
- A Great (finally) Breaks
Okay. Lately, I've been speaking this into existence. And while I'm typically for players remaining with organizations, it almost feels criminal that Mike Trout has rarely played meaningful playoff games in his career. I'm throwing it out again - at some point in 2024, Trout trade rumors ignite.
- Boras Swings and Misses
Am I the only one who doesnt love (or really, get?) the deals Scott Boras got his clients this winter? I say, most of them don't work out, and those players left plenty of money on the table gambling on a possible Boras strategy that backfires.
- Yankees End the Year with Youth
Some outlets have the Yankees with a terrible finish this year. I sort of agree that the team isn't as good UNTIL they pivot midseason with youth and sneak into the playoffs as a WildCard.
Anthony Rizzo, Gleyeber Torres, and Trevino make way for the returning Jasson Dominguez, the eventual call-up of Spencer Jones, and the rise of Luis Gil.
Staying on my Yankees...
- Juan $oto $tays in Pin$tripe$
Juan Soto finds a home in the Bronx. The Yankees break the bank to keep him with a 13 year-deal.
Four days later, Yankees fans ask "What has Cashan done, lately?"
- Motor City Rebuild
The Tigers get it together in 2024. And they do it in a big way behind the budding Spencer Torkelson.
- NL West Becomes the "IT" Division
Of course, the Dodgers will have everyone's attention. But I believe the Diamondbacks will be hungry to return to the Fall Classic, the Giants made some interesting off-season moves, the Padres are still there, and the Rockies are just bad enough for all four to beat up on.
- Pete Alonso Returns to CitiField with Big Game
The Alonso and Mets story doesn't look like it will end well. I'm going out there...the Polar Bear returns with a huge (ice) chip on his shoulder and goes for a three-homer game at CitiField.
Heck, he goes full heel and points at the pressbox on this third home run.
AWARDS
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jackson Holliday
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
AL COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Byron Buxton
NL COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chris Sale
AL CY YOUNG WINNER: Luis Castillo
NL CY YOUNG WINNER: Spencer Strider
AL MVP: Aaron Judge
NL MVP: Matt Olson
WORLD SERIES
WORLD SERIES: Atlanta Braves d. Seattle Mariners (4-1)
WORLD SERIES MVP: Spencer Strider