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It is time for bold predictions for players in 2014. I personally think it is going to be the most exciting season ever in the MLB.
My enthusiasm is tempered a little by the high payroll teams starting to flex their muscles around.
When will the MLB wake up and realize they should have a more equal playing field for the teams?
Anyways that is a different blog for another time.
The Dodgers have not won or appeared in the World Series since 1988. With the spending the ownership will do in the next decade, I would be surprised if the team doesn’t rake in a multiple championships. The team finished off clinching the Division by going 58 – 23 in the 2nd half of 2013. They are one of the only free spending teams that have done well over the last 3 – 4 years in the MLB. I still maintain the notion, that the Dodgers will spend even more money if they do not win or go to the World Series this year. They start off with both of the MLB season opener and North America’s 1st game in 2014. These guys are my early pick to have the best record in baseball. Also, this team may go 3 – 0 with 2 starts from Kershaw and 1 from Greinke even before the rest of the teams play. I am also picking big years from several key players in this blog.
This about sticking your neck out on a line.
Darin Ruf is going to hit 35 HRs if he sees 500 AB.
Brett Lawrie will club 25 HRs and drive in 100 RBI, and also look like he is not going to grind the bat down into sawdust at the plate.
Jose Fernandez will win 20 games for the Marlins in 2014.
Yu Darvish will Strike Out 300 Batters.
Robinson Cano will hit about .280 with 20 HRs and barely scrape together 90 RBI.
James Paxton of the Mariners will win the AL Rookie Of the Year by winning 15 games, and having an ERA under 3.
Mike Trout will be the 1st player to score 150 runs since Jeff Bagwell accomplished the feat in 2000.
Billy Hamilton will steal 100 Bases for the Reds. Well not really….but I think he will do this once in the next 4 years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will lead the National League for the most days ever on a calendar in MLB History, taking the lead on Mar.22 – and not ever relinquishing the Division through Sept.28/2014 (190 Days in Total).
The New York Yankees will have the best record in the Major Leagues after the ALL – Star Break.
Mike Trout takes home the AL MVP despite the Angels not making the playoffs.
Yasiel Puig and Clayton Kershaw will win the NL MVP and NL Cy Young Award for the LA Dodgers.
Mat Latos of the Reds wins 20 Games in 2014.
Craig Kimbrel turns in an ERA of over 3, where his mark is 1.39 heading into this campaign.
Washington will have four Starting Pitchers in the top 10 NL Cy Young Voting. (Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.)
The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. Their Starting Pitching Staff could have 3 potential Cy Young Winners this season, and Rafael Soriano is among the top Closers in the game of baseball – and could be in the running for that Award as well.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com ***
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A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article. Hunter is a Baseball Writer for MLB reports.
Hunter grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and played baseball with Sheldon Bream (Sid Bream‘s son) at Liberty University in the NCAA.
His favorite player is Brian Wilson (how could you guess?), and he hates when people can’t think outside the box!
His favorite expression – is ‘ this At Bat is about ten seconds away from a Toe – Tag!
You can reach Hunter on Twitter Follow @stokes_hunter21
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