Fangraphs has continued to update their projections for the upcoming season, as transactions continue to be carried out to improve rosters around the league. Several teams have seen their projected wins increase as they’ve added new pieces to their 25-man roster. These teams include the projected League winners the Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals.

The Nationals are in win now mode after signing Max Scherzer. (Coutresy of PennLive)
The Washington Nationals made the biggest splash of the off-season so far when they signed starting pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million contract on Monday. Scherzer was a key part of the Detriot Tigers starting staff for the last seven years, and one of the more dominating pitchers in the game during that time frame. By signing Scherzer, the Nationals have increased the depth of their starting staff without sacrificing their farm system. That being said, they have tied themselves to several massive contracts over the last couple of seasons and are in win now mode, no matter how deep their farm system is.
As for the team predicted to win the American League, the Seattle Mariners have finally filled the Condor shaped hole in right field with an adequate platoon. Seattle used its pile of relief pitchers to trade for Justin Ruggiano (Cubs) and Seth Smith (Padres) to play out in right field and (hopefully) help fix the team’s inability to hit left-handed pitchers. If the Smith/Ruggiano platoon is used correctly, then the Mariners should be getting about three wins from right field during the 2015 season. Add in the fact that the Mariners have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the league, and it’s easy to see why Seattle is projected to lead the AL with 89-wins.
The Boston Red Sox are projected to be the second best team in the American League, despite an awful 2014 season. Boston’s resurgence in the standings is primarily based around the fact that the club has spent a lot of money on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Then the Red Sox went out and acquired starting pitcher Rick Porcello in a massive trade with the Detroit Tigers. But Boston didn’t stop there, as they have also signed SP Justin Masterson and traded for Wade Miley. Now that Boston has rebuilt its starting staff, the Red Sox are expected to compete for another World Series title this year.
Fangraphs’ projected 2015 MLB standings
Team |
Wins-Loss | Win Percentage |
Washington Nationals | 91-71 | .561 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 91-71 | .561 |
Seattle Mariners | 89-73 | .547 |
Boston Red Sox | 88-74 | .545 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 86-76 | .533 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 85-77 | .527 |
Detroit Tigers | 85-77 | .526 |
Cleveland Indians | 84-78 | .521 |
Oakland Athletics | 84-78 | .519 |
Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim | 84-78 | .517 |
Chicago Cubs | 84-78 | .516 |
Toronto Blue Jays | 84-78 | .516 |
San Francisco Giants | 83-79 | .512 |
Tampa Bay Rays | 83-79 | .511 |
New York Yankees | 82-80 | .508 |
Miami Marlins | 81-81 | .500 |
Kansas City Royals | 81-81 | .498 |
San Diego Padres | 79-83 | .487 |
Baltimore Orioles | 79-83 | .485 |
Texas Rangers | 78-84 | .484 |
New York Mets | 78-84 | .482 |
Houston Astros | 78-84 | .479 |
Chicago White Sox | 77-85 | .478 |
Colorado Rockies | 77-85 | .475 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 76-86 | .468 |
Cincinnati Reds | 76-86 | .467 |
Minnesota Twins | 76-86 | .466 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 74-88 | .454 |
Atlanta Braves | 71-91 | .438 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 68-94 |
.420 |
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Categories: MLB