The baseball off-season is an exciting time of year, as you wait to see what players your favorite team will sign, and trade for in hopes of making the postseason.  Some players will sacrifice their own stats, and play in a park that doesn’t play to the type of player they are, while others simply leave for the team that offers the most money. Here’s a look at some projections for the top players who on new teams for the 2014 season.

1.Prince Fielder First Base, Texas Rangers

Despite Fielder’s recent struggles to hit for power (by his own standards) at Comerica Park, Fielder moves to the ever gracious Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  Fortunately for Fielder, Rangers Ballpark is the one the best hitters ballparks in all of baseball.  Expect Fielder to finally go over the 30 homerun mark again and drive in plenty of runs.

2014 Statistical Breakdown.292 AVG, 85 Runs, 37 HR, 112RBI, 1 SB

2.Jacoby Ellsbury Outfield, New York Yankees

Always one of the fastest players in the majors, the main knock on Ellsbury is his health.  He has the capability of producing a very high number of steals and runs scored if he is able to say off of the disabled list.  Now playing at Yankee Stadium where all lefties see their power numbers increase I would expect Ellsbury to produce a respectable number of homeruns although the 32 he hit in 2011 in probably an unattainable.

2014 Statistical Breakdown .302 AVG, 105 Runs, 22HR, 60 RBI, 55 SB

3.Curtis Granderson Outfield, New York Mets

Granderson is one of the players that likely has hurt his game by switching to an unforgiving and large stadium.  This is a 32 year old player who doesn’t steal bases anymore and relies on power to make up for the low average. 

Now playing in Citi field the power numbers are sure to fall down and I don’t see the average getting much better especially if he continues to struggle versus left handed pitchers.

2014 Statistical Projections .250 AVG, 100 Runs, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 15 SB

4.Mark Trumbo  Outfield, Arizona Diamondbacks

A power hitter in the middle of his prime Trumbo now plays for the Diamondbacks where he gets the luxury of batting next to Paul Goldschmidt.  The power numbers for Trumbo have risen every year and this year should be no different.  If he’s able to cut the strikeouts back down to the 150 range he should post an average closer to his 2012 mark of .268.

2014 Statistical Breakdown .265 AVG, 80 Runs, 37 HR, 105 RBI, 7 SB

5.Robinson Cano Second Baseman, Seattle Mariners

Hands down the best second baseman in the game Cano brings his talents to Seattle.  Many people may think batting in that lineup where he has no protection is going to hurt him.  However last season when the Yankees were trotting out a AAA lineup Cano still produced numbers equal to his career averages.

2014 Statistical Breakdown .310 AVG, 90 Runs, 25 HR, 108 RBI, 7 SB

6.Brian McCann Catcher, New York Yankees

Still in his prime at 29 years old McCann is poised to improve this year while batting at what may bet he best ballpark for a left handed hitter.  McCann has never eclipsed 24 HR in  a season but that should change this year at a park where Granderson went from a 25 homerun player to a 40 homerun player.  I wouldn’t expect that drastic of change though, as he is a catcher and not an everyday player.

2014 Statistical Breakdown .275 AVG, 50 Runs, 32 HR, 75RBI, 2 SB

7.Matt Garza Starting Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers

Now a member of the Brewers, Garza shockingly may be the top starting pitcher to find a new team this off-season.  Garza has been a consistent pitcher over the years. You know exactly what you are going to get with him and this season shouldn’t be much different.

2014 statistical breakdown 3.80 ERA, 150 Strikeouts, 1.28WHIP, 14 Wins

8.Ian Kinsler Second Baseman, Detroit Tigers

One of those rare combinations of speed and power especially at the second base position Kinsler has compiled two 30/30 season in his career. 

Now at the age of 32 though and switching from a very generous hitters park to a pitchers park you will have to temper your power expectations from Kinsler this season. 

He is still plenty capable of stealing bases just be aware that the days of 30 homeruns are likely behind him.

2014 Statistical Breakdown .275 AVG, 110 Runs, 16 HR, 70RBI, 25 steals

9.Masahiro Tanaka Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees

After waiting for months to see if the Rakuten Golden Eagles would post Tanaka the Japanese superstar is bringing his talents to the Bronx.  It’s never easy predicting how a Japanese pitcher will adjust to pitching in the MLB.  They have to get adjusted to the bigger ball as well as to pitching on five and not six days of rest.  The good news for Tanaka is that he was absolutely dominant in Japan and is a groundball pitcher which bodes will for him having success at Yankee Stadium like fellow pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

2014 Statistical Breakdown 3.80 ERA, 155 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP, 16 Wins

10.Shin-Soo Choo Outfield Texas Rangers

A solid and consistent player throughout his career Choo is consistently putting up numbers in the 20/20 range.  In this potent Rangers lineup Choo should have no problem scoring runs as well as driving in runs depending on his spot in the lineup.

Statistical Breakdown: .290 AVG, 100 Runs, 25 HR, 65 RBI, 22 SB

11.Carlos Beltran Outfield, New York Yankees

Yes he’s 36 now but Beltran has managed to stay healthy the last two years in St. Louis and comes to New York where he will bat lefty a majority of the time and will be playing home run derby with the short porch in right field.  Sure he doesn’t steal as many bases as he once did but that’s not why the Yankees signed him.

Statistical Breakdown:  .285 AVG 80 Runs, 28 HR, 107 RBI, 5 SB

12.Jim Johnson Closer, Oakland Athletics

A good closer the past two seasons Johnson has 101 saves over that time and has had an ERA under 3.00 for three consecutive seasons.  Now in Oakland pitching in a much bigger stadium facing less potent offenses, Johnson will once again put up top closer numbers.

Statistical Breakdown: 2.55 ERA 45 Saves 1.2 WHIP 50 Strikeouts