Or am I just being my usual unrealistically optimistic self in thinking that the Bucs might improve by 10-15 games? When asked by a reader if there were any reason for optimism (other than Clutch, Tabata, Walker, and Alvarez), DK replied

I'm with you on the lineup. Very interesting in the top four, plus a platoon I really like in Garrett Jones/Matt Diaz at No. 5, and not much else at all.

Either he sees Overbay as a stiff, or he's forgotten him. I wouldn't argue that SS and catcher have pretty modest odds of improving to average.

Another comment that I found odd:

I see a lot of the teams in the Central as having improved

Milwaukee certainly should be better than last year. But the Cards, Cubs, and Astros? Improved? And while the Reds are a superior team, have they improved? How? Help me here.