MLB season predictions 2023: What experts project for Athletics' campaign

What experts are predicting for A’s during 2023 MLB season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

After a forgettable 2022 MLB campaign, the Athletics are ready for a fresh start in 2023.

In free agency and through trades, the A's added infielder/outfielders Aledmys Diaz and Jace Peterson, Japanese flamethrower Shintaro Fujinami, veteran reliever Trevor May, LHP Kyle Muller, 1B/DH Jesus Aguilar and outfielders Esteury Ruiz and JJ Bleday..

Oakland is coming off their first 100-loss season since 1979, so the expectations aren't sky high. But the A's hope to -- at the very least -- outperform what they did (and didn't) do last season.

Here's what experts around the MLB predict for the A's 2023 season.

Keith Law - The Athletic
Record: 59-103

Jim Bowden's bold prediction:

"They’ll hit the over on their win-loss total this season: The oddsmakers took a bath when they set the number at 71.5 wins for the A’s before the 2022 season, which seemed ridiculous at the outset because anyone who followed the team knew they had no chance of even going 72-90 after the way they gutted their roster. They finished 60-102, and for much of the season they were on a pace to lose close to 110. This year’s team is similar to last year’s. They won’t draw at home. The rotation has even less experience and the bullpen doesn’t seem to be all that strong. They have no stars or ballyhooed prospects on the doorstep. But an over/under of 59.5 wins, which puts them in the dreaded Nats Zone? I’m penciling them in for closer to the 70 wins FanGraphs is projecting. They may not be good, but they won’t lose 103-plus games."

FanNation: Inside the A's 
Record: 75-87

"75 wins may not seem like a big accomplishment, but the over/under win total for the A's over at FanDuel is 59.5. The reason I think the A's could win as many as 75 games this season is that their depth is a lot better than last season. They have platoon options around the diamond that should give them at least league average production at the plate, and their defense should also see an uptick in performance."

SportsNaut 
Record: 56-106

"Oakland deserves so much better than the Athletics. It’s very possible A’s owner John Fisher suddenly becomes more willing to invest in the franchise when the team relocates. Until that happens, the Athletics are one of the worst teams in MLB. Unfortunately, it’s even difficult to believe in the farm system and player development considering how little Fischer invests in it."

RELATED: Five intriguing A's headlines to watch in 2023 season

ZiPS 
Record: 72-90

"The Athletics spent the offseason bringing in some cheap veteran talent in Aledmys Diaz, Jace Peterson and Jesus Aguilar in hopes that they can help keep things respectful on the field. The pitching has some intrigue, as the additions of Shintaro Fujinami and Drew Rucinski combine with prospects like Ken Waldichuk, J.P. Sears and Kyle Muller to give fans something to watch. That said, even the additions feel like baby steps for a franchise that probably won’t show much urgency until its stadium situation is settled, and has to continue relying on outwitting the opposition in an era where innovation is hard to keep secret for long."