Bold Predictions for the Upcoming MLB Season

Pitchers and catchers have reported this week. That's a sign that America's pastime is near and thank goodness. The winter months are long and depressing if you live in the north like I do. Anyway, that means that Opening Day isn't far behind and we can go back to the good times of an alcoholic beverage and baseball during the summer. With that being said, here are some bold predictions for the upcoming season.

• Bryce Harper and Manny Machado Will Be Without Teams Come Opening Day: If last year's off-season was any indication, MLB teams aren't willing to dole out big bucks on players. That's out of the fear that they'll be saddled with albatross contracts in the future. A perfect example is J.D. Martinez, who signed with the Boston Red Sox for five years and $110 million last February. This was despite Martinez wanting a contract around the $200 million range. Don't expect this trend to stop any time soon, either. Harper and Machado's lofty demands mixed in with the frugal nature of the owners will mean that there probably will be no end in sight for free agents and their paydays until the next collective bargaining agreement is negotiated.
  
• The Cubs Will Miss the Postseason: There are questions about the bullpen and some questions about the rotation that need to be addressed regarding the Cubs. There's also St. Louis making moves, Cincinnati prepping for a contender run, and Milwaukee sitting atop as the reigning NL Central champions. All of this will accumulate into the Cubs missing the postseason and bringing in Joe Girardi next off-season.
  
• The NL East Will Produce Only One Playoff Team: The Mets overhauled their team in the postseason, but will their lineup have enough juice to make it to October? The Phillies have also bulked up, but it remains to be seen whether or not Bryce Harper or Manny Machado will come to Philly. Atlanta is the reigning division champs with a studly young rotation. But they can do more with a closer in tow, so they should pursue Craig Kimbrel for a reunion. Washington got Patrick Corbin, but will injuries derail the Nationals' season again? Also, Miami stinks. What else is new? With the rise of the NL Central, the Padres going all in on contention, and the Dodgers and Rockies still around as playoff contenders, the NL East will probably see only one team make the postseason.
  
• The Astros Will Win It All: Boston lost some key pieces in their bullpen and the Yankees' starters are good, but not great. There's a strong possibility the AL Central will have a new division champion. Therefore, the Houston Astros will win another World Series title, taking down the Milwaukee Brewers in six games.