Fansided

Here’s how every MLB team will finish in 2018

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado /
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FORT MYERS, FL – MARCH 11: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox signs autographs before the Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Jet Blue Park on March 11, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL – MARCH 11: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox signs autographs before the Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Jet Blue Park on March 11, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox: 91.5 wins

  • Baseball Prospectus: 89 wins
  • FanGraphs: 93 wins

The Red Sox took home their second AL East crown in a row last season with 93 wins, barely holding off the 91-win New York Yankees. The Red Sox won the title on the backs of their starters and did not get much help from the bats.

A power hitter was the one thing the Red Sox needed to add this winter, and Dave Dombrowski was able to wait out J.D. Martinez and sign him to a reasonable deal. Martinez has been one of the best hitters in baseball in terms of power and average since sticking as a full-time starter in 2014. His only problem has been injuries, but sliding to DH with Boston should help him stay on the field.

Adding Martinez will make life much easier for Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts in 2018. All three struggled at times last year in the team’s first season without David Ortiz. Martinez brings the protection the middle of the lineup needs. Betts will not feel the pressure to carry the lineup all by himself as he did most of last year.

Conclusion: Winning the division title will be more difficult this year for the Red Sox, but 92 wins still feels very attainable. Boston’s offense will look completely different with J.D. Martinez in the middle. Chris Sale will continue leading a solid rotation that will hopefully see a full year of a healthy David Price.

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