I was bored Wednesday evening and became anxious waiting for the season so I took a look at each team’s projections for the upcoming season to see who CBS thinks has the edge.
I used the projected stats for each team’s active roster and weighed them against the other teams’ using standard rotisserie scoring. I came up with what the standings may look like should the projections hold true.
If you are all like me you probably think the projections are off for your team, and you are probably right. Each season we have good and bad surprises. But assuming CBS projections hold true, this is what our final standings may look like. I have included a little analysis of my own.
I hope enjoy and don't take these projections too seriously.
A Puig of Their Own: 109 (58 hitting, 51 pitching, $269 salary)
First year owners Clark and Curtis spent big in the auction and acquire expensive talent. This is a deep roster, but with lots of question marks. Bounce back seasons from Reddick, Kemp, and Willingham could mean big things.
Smash Box: 105 (62 hitting, 43 pitching, $195 salary)
100-plus wins and a title could be in Mr. Morris’ future, if his pitching doesn’t hold him back too much. Assuming his lineup stays healthy, he should break his own league records. His pitching is unexciting, but appears solid. Start the countdown until Trout is a free agent.
Spruce Bruce: 97 (50 hitting, 47 pitching, $261 salary)
A flurry of recent moves bring the Spruce Bruce into 2014 with a very balance roster.One of only two teams to score better than 45 in both hitting and pitching, Taylor’s success will hinge on the health of Zimmerman, Bautista, and Hanley Ramirez. Can Donaldson repeat his MVP-caliber season? We’ll see.
The Ghost of Chris Carter: 93 (hitting 41, pitching 52, $204 salary)
After nabbing 13 one dollar players, Joey comes into the season with one of the more balanced teams. Pitching is his strength and he will lean heavily on his big-three of Kershaw, Scherzer, and Bumgarner. He has a little bit of everything, but will rely on strong sophomore seasons from Myers and Gray, as well as a bounce back from Prince Fielder to remain in the hunt.
Jimmy Dugan: 89 (48 hitting, 41 pitching, $254 salary)
No surprise here as Kurt has backed up his lofty expectations with crafting the most improved roster. Continued improvement from Goldschmidt and Brown will certainly help. Health from Carlos Gonzalez and Longoria could be the difference maker. His staff is without a true ace, but does not have many holes besides a source of saves.
Friendly Fire: 84 (25 hitting, 59 pitching, $204 salary)
Mike’s lineup really isn’t much to write home about. It is old and is without a true fantasy superstar. His pitching staff is clearly his strength as depth is his ally. WIll Fernandez pitch deep enough into the season for FF to matter in the postseason? Is this the year Papelbon finally implodes?
Tom Emanski: 74 (50 hitting, 24 pitching, $194 salary)
This is when the big drop off happens. Considering the bet between Mike and Gregg, the two deserve to be ranked one ahead of the other. Gregg’s bullpen is one of the league’s best, but the rest of his pitching is a much different story. His lineup has plenty of upside, but is not without its fair share of question marks.
Got Heeeeem: 73 (36 hitting, 37 pitching, $204 salary)
Jason has a few bright spots in King Felix, Big Papi, and Ryan Braun. But he traded away most of his future in Bryce Harper and Adam Jones and with them, I believe, went his relevance in 2014. But, like the Ghost of Chris Carter, all of Heeeem’s players are on one-year deals and a rebuild is loomig.
Killer Peas: 64 (8 hitting, 56 pitching, $272 salary)
Despite a startling low score of 8 for his hitting, Tim put together the second best pitching staff in the Daily Grind and remains a playoff contender. However, even the Pujols of old may not be enough to save his lineup.
Roosevelt and the Broncos: 60 (48 hitting, 12 pitching, $200 salary)
His lineup is legit and has lots of pop. A bounce back from Heyward and the continued development of Bogaerts and Gyorko will be critical for returning to the playoffs. AT first glance his pitching staff looks strong, but without a closer and an established number two starter, the youngest Faris may have to wait for his minor leaguers to surface in 2015 and beyond.
Moneygraph Saberbeanes: 55 (35 hitting, 20 pitching, $209 salary)
This came as a surprise to me. Andrew’s Moneygraph Saberbeanes were my sleeper pick for winning it all this season, but the projections clearly don’t favor him. He has a lot to like, if all goes to plan. Full seasons of production from Stanton and Tulowitzki will carry his team. Otherwise, he will unleash his elite minor league talent on us in 2015.
Scioscia’s Doghouse: 55 (20 hitting, 35 pitching, $206 salary)
Mark took his expansion team to the playoffs last season, but 2014 does not look bright. His lineup has Ellsbury, but not a whole lot else, and even Ellsbury is no sure thing. His top starters rival those of some of the elite teams, but his back end pitchers might bring him down.
FICA: 51 (hitting 26, pitching 25, $206 salary)
Wait until 2015, then FICA will rule all. But seriously, Jeremy has some major league talent, but not enough to make a mark on the league. His true value is in his deep and talented pool of minor league players. I think he is a sleeper pick for the fifth or sixth seed, but will need health and production from Cespedes, Desmond, and Gonzalez to get there.
Pennyball: 41 (18 hitting, 23 pitching, $134 salary)
Ryan entered this league at a great time. As a low budget team Pennyball’s value is tied up in youth, not necessarily talent. He has no closers, but has a good crop of starters and some elite minor league bats. I think this year will be a rough go for my fellow A’s fan.
Good luck to everyone this season! I hope you found my analysis interesting, but completely meaningless. Projections rarely hold true and nearly every team has a chance to bring home the hardware this year, just keep at it and hope you get hot at the right time.
