2016 Predictions

Can't remember a year where I knew or cared less about the upcoming season.

Nationals/Cubs/Giants/Diamondbacks/Cardinals
Red Sox/Royals/Rangers/Blue Jays/Astros

Giants and Red Sox in the WS, Sox win

Aybar is gone by June 15th and Swanson is up in time for the next game
 
After the novelty of Inciarte and Olivera wear off in 2 weeks, this is going to be a loooong season.

Braves wins: 68

Freddie Freeman homers: 22 (with 100+ BBs)

Hector Olivera homers: 12 (and everyone is disappointed with that in LF, as they should be)

Julio Teheran wins: 10 (rebounds to a ~3.5 FIP)

Ender Incarate stolen bases: 16 (ATL is where basestealers go to die for some reason)

Swanson gets a Sept call up after the MiLB playoffs

Division winners: not the Braves, so I couldn't care less.
 
Braves wins: 66

Freddie Freeman homers: 27

Hector Olivera homers: 17

Julio Teheran wins: 16

Ender Incarate stolen bases: 26

Erick Aybar earliest trade date: July 13th (In a blockbuster - see below.)

Dansby Swanson MLB debut date: July 15th

Division winners:

NL East: Mutts

NL Central: Pirates

NL West: Giants

AL East: Red Sox

AL Central: Twins

AL West: Rangers

Wild Cards:

NL: Cubs and Gnats

AL: Astros and Yankees

NL Champions: Pirates

AL Champions: Twins

World Series Champions: Pirates

*** During the All-Star break, the Twins realize that they're in the perfect position to make a run and offer the QO to Aybar this winter because they'll also be getting an inexpensive SP in the deal and that those two players can get them over the hump and trade Max Kepler, Tyler Jay, and Nick Burdi to the Braves for Aybar, Pierzynski, and Teheran. Aybar fits as their bridge to Nick Gordon, Pierzynski gives them an offensive-minded Catcher with playoff experience, and Julio provides them that one good SP they need to make them just good enough to let their offense just bludgeon other teams to death like the Blue Jays did last season. That works all the way through the ALDS until they run into another seriously high-scoring offense in the Pirates. Pittsburgh made their own big "go for it" deal in July when they sent Jameson Taillon to the Jays for Edwin Encarnacion after they fell out of contention. Finally plugging their 1B hole with the huge bat Encarnacion provides leads to a MONSTER second half and postseason run from McCutchen that resembles the run CarGo went on after the break in 2015 (30+ HRs and 75+ RBIs) en route to winning the NL MVP, NLCS MVP, and World Series MVP.
 
Braves win 74 games.

I see the 2016 team having a higher floor than the 2015 team, primarily due to these two factors:

1.) Better overall depth, mostly as a result of the bullpen makeover. We look to have an average bullpen and above average bullpen depth when you move down the projected depth chart (I see us signing another lefty by opening day).
2.) The FO has been emphatic when it comes to improving from last year's win total of 67. Saying things like . . . "We'll never let this happen again." While they obviously don't control the baseball gods, I think they'll be reluctant to decimate this team with trades. There will be a big focus on the optics of this team taking a step forward toward 2017.
 
1. The Braves will win 72-75 games.

2. Nick will be traded to Baltimore Frenchy becomes our everyday RF the rest of the year.

3. The Braves will actually add at the deadline and will have a winning 2nd half.

4. A big name will be added at some point that will key the run at the wildcard next season.
 
Braves wins: 76

NL winners
East Mets
Central Cubs
West Dbacks
Wild Cards Bucs and Cards

Eff the AL put the Royals as pennant winners.

NL Pennant: Cubs

WS Royals over Cubs
 
If this Braves team doesn't lose at least 100 games I'll be very surprised. Between a lack of talent on the field, a starting rotation that screams WTF, a lack of competence in the dugout (Fredi), and a questionable front office (Coppy)...we're talking "Biblical plague upon Egypt" bad.

As a die hard Braves fan since the 1960s, I can't remember the last time I was this pessimistic prior to opening day. (Yes, I very well remember the suckage of most of the 70s and 80s.) That said, nothing would make me happier than to see the Braves contend for a playoff berth. However, the factors I mentioned above have created a definite "show me" cynicism for the upcoming season.
 
Braves wins: 62

Freddie Freeman homers: 20 (FF walks:120)

Hector Olivera homers: 15

Julio Teheran wins: 13 (ERA: 2.40)

Ender Incarate stolen bases: 38 (Fredi always loved to bunt and especially run. Now he can)

Erick Aybar earliest trade date: July 15

Dansby Swanson MLB debut date: Sept 1 (Albies and Mallex, same time)

Division winners:

NL East: Mets

NL Central: Cubs

NL West: D-Backs

AL East: Jays

AL Central: Astros

AL West: Mariners

Wild Cards:

NL: Pirates and Giants

AL: Astros and Yankees

NL Champions: Pirates

AL Champions: Jays

World Series Champions: Pirates
 
Braves wins: 75
Freddie Freeman homers: 21
Hector Olivera homers: 12
Julio Teheran wins: 11
Ender Incarate stolen bases: 20
Erick Aybar earliest trade date: Anyday
Dansby Swanson MLB debut date: September 1st

Division winners:
NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Giants
AL East: Jays
AL Central: Royals
AL West: Rangers

Wild Cards:
NL: Dodgers and Pirates
AL: Astros and Yankees

NL Champions: Cubs
AL Champions: Royals

Royals repeat.
 
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