Opening Day is mercifully almost upon us. The World Baseball Classic has been a welcome treat in its presentation of relevant, meaningful baseball while spring training teases us with the prospect of what's to come. But to make the anticipatory period a little more entertaining, positing some bold predictions for the upcoming season is in order. This is also a vehicle by which we fellow staff members at Pitcher List can later enjoy having dirt on each other: these predictions will serve as ammunition to our counterparts during sessions of mockery and belittlement when none of them turn out to be true. Today marks the final Bold Prediction article for us here at Pitcher List and let's dive in.
1. Oakland's bullpen is so mired in committee mediocrity that both closer candidates Ryan Madson and Santiago Casilla each blow seven saves and fail to amass 30 saves individually
With San Francisco acquiring Mark Melancon after his brief Washington stint last year, Santiago Casilla headed across the bay and will continue to be a liability in green and gold. I don't mind Ryan Madson too much, but he is getting on in years and the days of him enjoying a season ERA below 3.00 are behind him. In the bat-heavy realm that is the AL West, I can see Texas, Houston and even a revamped Seattle making life a living hell for the Oakland relief staff. Even if one guy wins the job outright at some point, I'm sticking with the combined numbers listed above: neither guy impresses me enough to merit even considering having them as a backup fantasy RP option.
I predict Gibbons as the manager to get ejected as he seems to have no idea what he’s doing anyway.