RealGM

Because of our vets and IF they can stay healthy im thinking 88 and that might take a very weak division. What are the other predictions out there?

75 sounds about right.

yeah, i think between 70-75

83

90

82

90 wins.

Sue me, I'm hopeful.

But honestly, its way too early to predict things like this.

I'll say 78 wins. The offseason was a disaster, but it didn't make the team worse than last year; it just made the team more expensive, and missed a chance to make the team significantly better. I think they'll tread water and do about the same as last year.

But it will be interesting because there are so many "ifs" in the division. I think anyone can take it.

Anaheim - if Colon and Weaver are 100%, they have the best rotation in the division and perhaps in the AL -- those two along with Lackey, Santana and Escobar. If Kotchman steps up. If Kendrick develops quickly and Anderson can stay productive. If a catcher steps up. In a best case scenario they can win it all.

Oakland - if their infield is what people thought it was two years ago, rather than what it has been since. If Rich Harden can stay healthy for most of the season. If the "good" versions of Esteban Loaiza and Joe Kennedy show up to stabilize the back of the rotation. In a best case scenario they can win 90 games and take the division.

Texas - if Hank Blalock stops backsliding and Ian Kinsler has the breakout season people are expecting. If the pitching staff can get just enough outs to win. If Sammy Sosa has something left and the team didn't make a huge mistake demoting Jason Botts so that Sammy can play. Best case is 88 wins and, with help, squeezing out a division title.

Seattle - if Felix has more performances like last night. If Vidro and Guillen don't suck as much as I think they will. If Lopez, Betancourt and Johjima develop some patience and become tougher outs, making opposing pitchers work harder. If we have the St. Louis version of Jeff Weaver -- okay, that won't happen, but if we get the Dodgers version of Jeff Weaver and not the Angels version. If the aging Ichiro and Ibanez can maintain their current levels for another year. If Beltre plays a whole season like the second half of last year. If Hargrove works to find at-bats for Ben Broussard instead of Willie Bloomquist. I can see a best case scenario of 90 wins or even more, and a division title -- but we also have by far the most "ifs" in the division, and it's highly unlikely that all of them will pan out.

80-85 wins.

I think the Mariners will get 80's possibly 90's. I also think we will take the division.

Around 80. No real reasoning behind it.

63-99.

There's always gotta be one dissenter, and I will happily take up that role.

On the flipside, I underestimated the Blazers' win total for the year, so who knows.

BlackMamba wrote:yeah, i think between 70-75

well, they sure exceeded my expectations.