Middle of the order bats are what the M's needed, middle of the order bats is what the M's got. Morse is not a good defender, but luckily will be playing now (probably in left field), with less room to cover with the fences moved in. Assuming Ackley is better after getting rid of his bone spurs (a reasonable assumption), Brendan Ryan will hit better than .196 (his major league average is .244, so hitting better is a reasonable assumption), and that Montero and Seager will be more steady with a full year of major league ball under their belts (a reasonable assumption), and that Gutierrez is healthy and will add to the offense (a reasonable assumption based on his outstanding winter league statistics and health), it's quite possible that our offense is MUCH improved. And that's not counting on a thing from Justin Smoak, who finished 2012 on fire at the plate.
Add to the above that Felix is still with us, Iwakuma was our best starter in the last six weeks of the season, Blake Beavan had another solid if not spectacular year to build on at the age of 24, and Erasmo Ramirez showed flashes of brilliance last year. We are likely one solid starter from having a better than average starting rotation...and that one could come from the big four of Paxton, Hultzen, Walker, or Maurer.
Add...the bullpen looks solid as a rock.
Breakout year in 2013. M's will win between 84-89 games. You heard it here first.
Middle of the order bats are what the M's needed, middle of the order bats is what the M's got. Morse is not a good defender, but luckily will be playing now (probably in left field), with less room to cover with the fences moved in. Assuming Ackley is better after getting rid of his bone spurs (a reasonable assumption), Brendan Ryan will hit better than .196 (his major league average is .244, so hitting better is a reasonable assumption), and that Montero and Seager will be more steady with a full year of major league ball under their belts (a reasonable assumption), and that Gutierrez is healthy and will add to the offense (a reasonable assumption based on his outstanding winter league statistics and health), it's quite possible that our offense is MUCH improved. And that's not counting on a thing from Justin Smoak, who finished 2012 on fire at the plate.
Add to the above that Felix is still with us, Iwakuma was our best starter in the last six weeks of the season, Blake Beavan had another solid if not spectacular year to build on at the age of 24, and Erasmo Ramirez showed flashes of brilliance last year. We are likely one solid starter from having a better than average starting rotation...and that one could come from the big four of Paxton, Hultzen, Walker, or Maurer.
Add...the bullpen looks solid as a rock.
Breakout year in 2013. M's will win between 84-89 games. You heard it here first.