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          The GM's Office

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          Seven bold predictions for 2014

          Cliff Lee has a lot to be worried about if things go sideways for the Phillies. Rich Schultz/Getty Images
          • Jim Bowden, ESPN Baseball AnalystMar 29, 2014, 09:25 AM ET
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            • Senior baseball analyst for ESPN Insider
            • Former GM of the Reds and Nationals
            • Author of "The GM's Office" blog
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          With the start of the 2014 season upon us, it's time to take a guess at what might happen this year.

          In this space last season, I predicted that Yasiel Puig would become an instant hit in Los Angeles and envisioned a last-place finish for the New York Yankees. Although the Yankees did not end up in the AL East cellar, they definitely fell off, and "Puigmania" did indeed ensue. So here are seven predictions I'm making for 2014.

          1. Phillies finish last in the NL East

          The Philadelphia Phillies might not have the worst roster in baseball, but they do have the oldest, and it's a team that has been on a steady decline for the past few years.