2013 Win / Loss Projections for Every MLB Team
A number of big names have changed places in the MLB during the 2013 offseason, and they will have a major impact on the standings next season.
Some playoff teams from 2012 might find it difficult to get back to the playoffs, because the rest of the teams in their division have gotten better while they have failed to improve.
There are still moves to be made, but given everything that has already happened, it is possible to make early win-loss projections for all of the teams around MLB.
Teams should finish within two or three wins or losses of these projected totals.
Toronto Blue Jays
1 of 30Projected Record: 96-66 (first in AL East)
No team has had a bigger offseason than the Toronto Blue Jays. Over the winter, they brought in R.A. Dickey, Melky Cabrera, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes, among others.
All of these additions will have a major effect on the American League playoff race. The Blue Jays now have to be seen as one of the favorites not only in their division, but also within the AL.
Tampa Bay Rays
2 of 30Projected Record: 91-71 (second in AL East)
Trading away both James Shields and Wade Davis to the Kansas City Royals for a package centered on Wil Myers was a risky move for the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2013 season. However, the team has a lot of pitching depth, so the move could pay off.
Tampa Bay has improved at shortstop by trading for Yunel Escobar, and it has signed James Loney to play first base. These moves should make the Rays slightly better than they were last season. A full season of Evan Longoria will also be helpful.
New York Yankees
3 of 30Projected Record: 90-72 (third in AL East)
The New York Yankees have a number of question marks heading into the 2013 season. Both Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter's health could be issues for the Yankees.
New York should have a chance to make the postseason with the team it is putting together this season. Having Kevin Youkilis in the lineup and a full season of Mariano Rivera should help the Yankees break the 90-win mark.
Baltimore Orioles
4 of 30Projected Record: 84-78 (fourth in AL East)
Given the number of runs scored versus the number of runs allowed in 2012, the Baltimore Orioles overachieved last season. Their Pythagorean record was 82-80, while they went 93-69 (h/t Baseball-Reference).
Baltimore should once again finish with a record over .500, but the Orioles will have a difficult time repeating the success that they had last year. The Orioles pitching staff will need to be improved, and they need a power bat if they are going to return to the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox
5 of 30Projected Record: 75-87 (fifth in AL East)
Few teams were more dysfunctional than the Boston Red Sox were last season. The team struggled mightily and failed to reach 70 wins.
It should be a better year for the Red Sox in 2013, but they likely won't have the success that they did just a few years ago. Boston has been active on the free-agent market, signing players such as Shane Victorino and Ryan Dempster, but the team will still have a difficult time being a postseason contender (h/t Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo! Sports).
Detroit Tigers
6 of 30Projected Record: 94-68 (first in AL Central)
After winning the American League Central in 2012, the Detroit Tigers are poised to win the division once again. The team has gotten even better this winter after adding Torii Hunter and retaining Anibal Sanchez.
Detroit's biggest addition for next season will be Victor Martinez as he returns to their lineup after missing last season with injuries. With a healthy Martinez, the Tigers lineup will be very strong, and they will be the team to beat in the Central.
Kansas City Royals
7 of 30Projected Record: 83-79 (second in AL Central)
Over the past few seasons, it has seemed as if the Kansas City Royals have been in a position to be a breakout team. This season could be the year that it finally occurs.
Kansas City has made a number of moves this winter to improve its roster. Adding James Shields and Ervin Santana to the team's rotation was a smart decision. If a few of the Royals hitters like Mike Moustakas can live up to their potential, then the Royals could have one of their best seasons in years.
Chicago White Sox
8 of 30Projected Record: 81-81 (third in AL Central)
The Chicago White Sox have seen a number of their key players from 2012 hit free agency, including A.J. Pierzynski, Kevin Youkilis and Brett Myers.
There are a number of potential holes in the White Sox lineup moving forward, and until they address them, they appear to be a team that will finish right around the .500 mark. Second base, third base and catcher are all major areas of concern for the White Sox.
Cleveland Indians
9 of 30Projected Record: 70-92 (fourth in AL Central)
Following a 68-94 season in 2012, there aren't big expectations for the Cleveland Indians in 2013. They are still missing a number of pieces needed to push them to the next level.
Signing Mark Reynolds and adding Drew Stubbs, Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw should help the Indians pick up a few extra wins in 2013, but they are far from being a playoff team.
Minnesota Twins
10 of 30Projected Record: 59-103 (fifth in AL Central)
During the 2013 season, the Minnesota Twins may give a number of prospects the chance to prove that they deserve to play in the major leagues. While this is good for the team's future, it means that the Twins will likely be in for a long year.
Minnesota is going to struggle to pick up wins in 2013, but some of its players will gain very valuable experience.
Los Angeles Angels
11 of 30Projected Record: 94-68 (first in AL West)
It is safe to say that the 2012 season was a disappointment for the Los Angeles Angels. After spending big money on Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson and then trading for Zack Greinke, the Angels failed to reach the playoffs.
The Angels have improved their postseason chances for 2013 by picking up Josh Hamilton. There will be high expectations for Hamilton in L.A., but with the Angels' current pitching staff, the team could have some ups and downs.
Oakland Athletics
12 of 30Projected Record: 91-71 (second in AL West)
After winning the American League West in 2012, the Oakland Athletics will look to defend their title. Oakland has made one trade that improved its chances, acquiring Chris Young from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Young starting pitchers were key to the Athletics' success last season, and they will once again play a big role in 2013. If they can repeat their performance, then the Athletics will once again reach the playoffs.
Texas Rangers
13 of 30Projected Record: 90-72 (third in AL West)
The race to win the American League West will likely be one of the tightest races in MLB. Even after losing Josh Hamilton, the Texas Rangers should be in contention to win their division.
Texas has a lot of talent, and both Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar should be able to have a big impact for the team this season. As long as Texas can sort out the back-end of its rotation, it should be competitive.
Seattle Mariners
14 of 30Projected Record: 77-85 (fourth in AL West)
A strong farm system has developed some of the top talent on the Seattle Mariners roster, and there will likely be more on the way this season. James Paxton, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin and Mike Zunino all have a chance to reach the big leagues this year.
Those players will all play a big role in the Mariners' future. At the moment, the Mariners are a good team after their acquisition of Kendrys Morales (h/t Matt Snyder of CBS Sports), but they are not ready to compete in the AL West.
Houston Astros
15 of 30Projected Record: 48-114 (fifth in AL West)
Transitioning to the American League West from the National League Central will likely be rough for the Houston Astros. The team is in rebuilding mode, and they will have a lot of trouble in this competitive division.
Houston has a lot of young players on its roster, and they will have a lot to learn during the course of the season. This year will not be a fun one to watch for Astros fans.
Washington Nationals
16 of 30Projected Record: 102-60 (first in NL East)
After finishing 2012 with the best record in MLB, the Washington Nationals look like they can repeat as the NL East champions in 2013. Washington will be looking forward to full seasons from Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.
The Nationals have one of the best starting rotations in the majors, and that should help carry them to the playoffs. Adding Denard Span to the roster puts the team in a strong position for the season.
Atlanta Braves
17 of 30Projected Record: 95-67 (second in NL East)
Losing Chipper Jones to retirement will certainly have an impact on the Atlanta Braves, but they should be able to overcome it. Another player will be able to step up as a clubhouse leader.
One of the Braves' strengths is their pitching. They have strong starters, and the back end of their bullpen is outstanding. Atlanta signed B.J. Upton to roam center field, and his presence will help the Braves return to the postseason.
Philadelphia Phillies
18 of 30Projected Record: 88-74 (third in NL East)
The biggest strength for the Philadelphia Phillies is the top of their pitching staff. Philadelphia will always be contenders with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels as its top three.
Two of the Phillies' outfield spots are currently question marks, and they will be taking a risk running Darin Ruf and Domonic Brown out there. Michael Young's defense will also likely hurt the Phillies. Even with these issues, the Phillies should be in contention for a wild-card spot.
New York Mets
19 of 30Projected Record: 71-91 (fourth in NL East)
Trading away reigning Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey was a smart move for the Mets' future, but it will certainly have an impact on their performance this season. The Mets will be in for another long year, but the future will be bright, and the team could succeed as early as 2014.
Currently, the New York Mets outfield is one of the worst in the majors, and even after trading for Collin Cowgill, the team is without a solid outfielder.
New York will have a number of young players in the majors this year, including Travis d'Arnaud, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, so even if the team struggles, there will still be a reason to watch.
Miami Marlins
20 of 30Projected Record: 59-103 (fifth in NL East)
The Miami Marlins have once again had a fire sale. This winter the Miami Marlins have traded away Heath Bell, Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck. There still may be more moves to come.
Miami is going to be in the midst of a rebuilding year, and there will be low expectations. It is very hard to see the Marlins putting up a winning year in 2013.
Cincinnati Reds
21 of 30Projected Record: 98-64 (first in NL Central)
The Cincinnati Reds were great in 2012, and they have gotten even better this offseason. Cincinnati retained Ryan Ludwick and Jonathan Broxton and also brought in Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald via trade.
Teams in the National League Central will once again be chasing the Reds in 2013. They are the team to beat at the moment and could end up winning the division by a wide margin.
St. Louis Cardinals
22 of 30Projected Record: 90-72 (second in NL Central)
Few teams in the MLB have a starting rotation that can compare to that of the St. Louis Cardinals. With Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia, Jake Westbrook and Shelby Miller, the Cardinals should be in playoff contention all season long.
Offensively, the Cardinals have a number of players that can make an impact. If they make the postseason this season, they will certainly be a team to look out for.
Pittsburgh Pirates
23 of 30Projected Record: 83-79 (third in NL Central)
The 2013 season may be the year that Pittsburgh Pirates fans are waiting for. Pittsburgh could break the .500 mark for the first time since 1992.
Andrew McCutchen will be expected to lead the Pirates in 2013, and the addition of Russell Martin will help improve the offense. Pitching will be a question mark for the Pirates, but Gerrit Cole is ready to make an impact in the majors this year.
Milwaukee Brewers
24 of 30Projected Record: 80-82 (fourth in NL Central)
While the Milwaukee Brewers are very talented offensively, their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. After Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers do not have an elite starter.
The starting rotation is going to cause problems for the Brewers in 2013 and could be what keeps them out of the postseason. Adding a true No. 2 starter would have a big impact on the Brewers' playoff hopes.
Chicago Cubs
25 of 30Projected Record: 67-95 (fifth in NL Central)
Theo Epstein has started to put the Chicago Cubs in a position to be competitive in the future, but they are still not there yet. Chicago needs a number of players to continue to develop and get some playing time in the majors.
The Cubs should see a slight improvement over their performance in 2012, but they will not be making a big jump. Chicago could make a few moves this offseason that will be enough to push it over the 70-win mark.
San Francisco Giants
26 of 30Projected Record: 97-65 (first in NL West)
As the defending World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants will have a target on their backs for the 2013 season. San Francisco will face a lot of competition from the Los Angeles Dodgers this summer.
The Giants have arguably the best starting rotation in the majors, and if Tim Lincecum has figured out his problems from last season, the Giants will be a very difficult team to beat.
Los Angeles Dodgers
27 of 30Projected Record: 93-69 (second in NL West)
The new ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers has spent a lot of money trying to catch up to the San Francisco Giants. However, the Dodgers may need to spend even more if they want to win the National League West.
Big money does not guarantee a championship, and the Dodgers are going to hope that all of their big-name players perform. Los Angeles should make the postseason, but if it doesn't, the season will be a massive disappointment.
Arizona Diamondbacks
28 of 30Projected Record: 83-79 (third in NL West)
On paper, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a solid team. However, within the highly competitive National League West, they may struggle to reach .500. They barely reached the mark in 2012, and they could end up close to it once again in 2013.
Paul Goldschmidt, Jason Kubel and Justin Upton are expected to power the Diamondbacks offense, while Ian Kennedy and Brandon McCarthy are expected to lead the pitching staff.
San Diego Padres
29 of 30Projected Record: 79-83 (fourth in NL West)
Moving the fences in at PETCO Park should be welcomed by all of the hitters on the San Diego Padres roster (h/t Associated Press via ESPN). The Padres offense has the skills to lead the team to a decent record in 2013.
San Diego's pitching staff does have some question marks, but the Padres have a number of options to turn to if one pitcher struggles.
Colorado Rockies
30 of 30Projected Record: 66-96 (fifth in NL West)
Starting pitching was a major issue for the Colorado Rockies in 2012, and the team's problems will likely continue this season. Rule 5 draftee Daniel Rosenbaum is the only pitcher that they have brought in.
Colorado will need to begin to build for the future and look to find ways to improve its rotation in 2013. It will be a long season for the Rockies unless they can bring in multiple starting pitchers that can make an impact.

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