I wasn't really up to full-scale previews last night at the road office, but I did have a few thoughts before the season started and the always inaccurate season predictions.
The Indians are the team that is just driving me crazy right now.
They have an excellent rotation, but their outfield situation, in particular, is very troubling, even after the signing of Carlos Gonzalez.
Even though the Indians still should have enough to win the AL Central, Minnesota is improved and the pipeline of elite level talent is beginning to arrive in Chicago for the White Sox to begin their window opening of contention.
The Indians refusal to spend and their whining about losing money ( and the absolutely clueless comment by Paul Dolan telling fans to "enjoy him" on the topic of Francisco Lindor, basically punting re-signing him three years before his free agency is about as opposite of fan-friendly as one can be) comes at a time with their own window starting to close a bit.
When a small market team begins to reach that stage, fans frustrations can appear and can get nasty.
In Cleveland, a division title might not be enough to avoid that emotion from this fan base.
In Pittsburgh, the Pirates look like Indians light with what could be an excellent pitching staff with four of the five being young and controllable, but with a lineup that's even worse than the Indians.
Pittsburgh is going to struggle scoring runs, but even with an average lineup, they are in a tough division and would take lots of luck to make the postseason.
Jameson Taillon is sitting on a career year, I think and he'll need to be even better for postseason hopes.
The Giants are attempting to re-tool and it seems like half the organization have been through the waiver wire with players in town for a few days and then gone.
The interesting part of this season will be how well will Madison Bumgarner pitch and with free agency looming, what could the Giants receive in prospects for a dominant Bumgarner with the new trade deadline eliminating August trades?
The Giants need to not only become younger but improve the minor league system, so if any of their veterans other than Buster Posey (contract) play well for three or four months, I wouldn't be stunned if anyone was out the door.
Best Guess
Cleveland 91-71 AL Central Champions , eliminated in first round of playoffs
Pittsburgh 82-80 4th NL Central
San Francisco 69-93 5th NL West
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