2014 MLB Preview

As the Red Sox prepare to open up the defense of their World Series championship in Baltimore, here is the annual TheBostonInsider MLB preview.

Five Baseless Predictions

1. The Red Sox will make a trade for Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins before the trade deadline.

Coming off of their surprise run to the World Series in 2013, there is not a lot of pressure on the Red Sox to make a daring move but with a deep roster and a plethora of young talent in the minor leagues, this is the time for them to add a talent of Stanton's caliber.

A package of two pitchers from the group of Henry Owens, Allen Webster, Anthony Ranaudo, Matt Barnes, and Brandon Workman as well as a positional prospect from the group of Jackie Bradley Jr., Garin Cecchini, Blake Swihart, and Mookie Betts would be the starting point for talks for Stanton.  The Red Sox would also be looking at sending at least one other low minor league prospect to Miami in a deal for Stanton.

A steep price to pay?  Definitely, but for a talent such as Stanton the price is guaranteed to be high.

Adding Stanton to the heart of the Red Sox order in 2014 would make them terrifying to opposing pitchers - imagine facing Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Stanton, and Mike Napoli in succession - and would also give Boston a middle of the order anchor for their lineup into the future.  Remember, Ortiz won't be around forever.

2. The Derek Jeter Retirement Tour will end prematurely and Stephen Drew will play more games at shortstop for the Yankees in 2014 than Jeter will.

Jeter's age caught up to him last year and while I applaud him for trying to end his Hall of Fame career on a better note than last year, the odds are that his body will fail him again and that the Yankees will need to pay up for Drew, who's still waiting to be signed by someone, to stay in the A.L. playoff picture.

3. Cliff Lee is dealt by the Phillies as Philadelphia tries to quickly rebuild for 2015 like the Red Sox did in 2012.

The Phillies got old quickly and need to turn veterans like Lee into young talent quickly while also saving some money in an attempt to rebuild a contender for the near future.

4. The Nationals are going to start hot, stay hot, and roll to a 100+ win season.

Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, and the rest of the crew in D.C. are going to have a monster year in 2014.  Maybe this is where Lee lands in July, providing the Nationals with enough pitching depth to win the World Series.

5. Bobby Valentine will drunkenly stumble onto the field at Fenway Park on Opening Day, disrupting the ring ceremony for the 2013 champs while claiming that he invented the lobster roll while on vacation with Elizabeth Taylor in the 1970's.

Sadly, this probably is the prediction that has the best shot of coming true.

Division Predictions (* = Wild Card)

A.L. East

1. Red Sox
2. Rays *
3. Blue Jays
4. Orioles
5. Yankees

A.L. Central

1. Tigers
2. Royals
3. Indians
4. Twins
5. White Sox

A.L. West

1. Angels
2. Rangers *
3. Athletics
4. Mariners
5. Astros

N.L. East

1. Nationals
2. Braves *
3. Mets
4. Phillies
5. Marlins

N.L. Central

1. Cardinals
2. Reds
3. Pirates
4. Cubs
5. Brewers

N.L. West

1. Dodgers
2. Diamondbacks *
3. Giants
4. Rockies
5. Padres

Postseason Predictions

A.L. Wildcard Playoff

Rangers over Rays

ALDS

Angels over Red Sox
Tigers over Rangers

ALCS

Angels over Tigers

N.L. Wildcard Playoff

Braves over Diamondbacks

NLDS

Nationals over Diamondbacks
Cardinals over Dodgers

World Series

Nationals over Angels

Awards

A.L. MVP - Mike Trout, Angels
N.L. MVP - Bryce Harper, Nationals

A.L. Cy Young - Felix Hernandez, Mariners
N.L. Cy Young - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

A.L. Rookie of the Year - Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
N.L. Rookie of the Year - Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks

A.L. Manager of the Year - Joe Maddon, Rays
N.L. Manager of the Year - Kirk Gibson, Diamondbacks