The 2014 Major League Baseball season officially began in the land down under this past week as the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia. Opening Day for the rest of the league is set for March 31, so it is safe to say spring has finally arrived. Following the World Series victory of the Boston Red Sox in 2013, this season is sure to be another exciting one. Here are five of the most burning, can’t miss storylines to keep an eye out for as our national pastime gets back into full swing.
1) Can Boston repeat, or will they even be able to win their own division?
After coming off their eighth World Series title, the Red Sox remain largely intact as a ball club, with the exception of losing Jacoby Ellsbury to free agency and replacing him with the oft-injured, but supposedly rejuvenated, Grady Sizemore. Normally this would be a sure-fire formula to at least win their own division again, but the New York Yankees have revamped their squad, spending nearly half a billion dollars in the process by adding the likes of Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Japanese phenom-pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. With the return of Hall of Fame shoe-in Derek Jeter, the Bronx Bombers will be tough to beat.
2) Can Miguel Cabrera win a third straight MVP award?
In 2012, Detroit Tigers infielder Miguel Cabrera put up mind-blowing offensive numbers en route to becoming the first Latin American player and just the 17th player of all time to win the prestigious Triple Crown award. Following the 2012 season, he was also named the American League Most Valuable Player. In 2013, Cabrera almost did the impossible and lead the majors in all three major batting categories (average, home runs and RBI’s) once again. Despite actually improving upon both his batting average and home run totals and being named the A.L. MVP once again, Cabrera was denied a second straight Triple Crown due to the emergence of Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis. As we head into 2014, there is little reason to think “Miggy” plans on slowing down and should once again lead a talented Tigers team into the postseason. On March 28, the Tigers announced they agreed to a colossal eight-year contract extension with Cabrera worth $248 million.
3) How will the local Tampa Bay Rays fare this year?
Lead by their gifted manager Joe Maddon, the Tampa Bay Rays find a way to compete year in and year out, despite the third-lowest payroll in the MLB. Shrewd signings and a Moneyball like approach have been the keys to success for the Rays, and they are hoping they will continue into the upcoming season. Wil Myers deservedly won the A.L. Rookie of the Year award last season after batting .293 and hitting 13 home runs. Myers is going to be counted on as a full-time weapon at Maddon’s disposal and will be expected to take the next step. Tampa Bay also added veteran relief pitcher Grant Balfour to replace Fernando Rodney as the team’s closer. Balfour, who had 38 saves last year, is expected to bring stability to the closer role that became very shaky toward the end of last season. The Rays will almost surely have a good number of wins once again in 2014. It will remain to be seen, however, if that will be enough to make the postseason out of the stronger-than-ever A.L. East.
4) What surprise team will make the playoffs?
Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates reached the playoffs for the first time in 21 seasons after finishing the 2012 season with a losing record. Additionally, the Cleveland Indians and the eventual World Series Champion Boston Red Sox finished 2012 with a sub .500 record and were able to reach the postseason last year. This begs the question, who will be the Pirates/Red Sox/Indians of 2014? The Seattle Mariners are hoping the big paycheck they gave to Robinson Cano will help them over the hump, while the Los Angeles Angels certainly have the talent to contend despite a disappointing 2013. Other losing teams last year with a chance to get into the dance this year are the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks (finished 81-81 in 2013).
5) Who will win it all?
The most burning question of all remains who will win the 2014 MLB World Series? Starting with the National League, despite a crowded picture of tough teams, I fully expect the Los Angeles Dodgers to be the team that comes out on top this year due to their dynamic pitching staff and star-studded lineup. Out of the American League, it is hard to go against picking the Yankees. The pieces they added this off-season have many New Yorkers thinking the Yanks will capture their 28th World Series title this season. I think they’re probably right.
Josiah Kachelmeyer can be reached at josiah.kachelmeyer@spartans.ut.edu.