Category Archives: 2016 MLB Team Preview

2016 MLB Season Preview: Miami Marlins

The Marlins are one of the most schizophrenic teams in professional sports. They constantly go from trying to ‘win it all’ to ‘full-blown rebuilding mode’. I’m not sure which side of the spectrum they are now since they did give Giancarlo Stanton a huge payday last season, but hasn’t spent a dime since on anyone that can help them win now.

Miami will benefit from being in one of the most mediocre divisions. The Nationals and Mets will run away with the division with the Phillies and Braves solidly holding camp in the basement. Miami will cut their teeth with some very winnable division games.

Will Miami make some moves this season by trading Stanton or Fernandez at the trade deadline?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a bottomless pile of money to spend and some of the greatest baseball minds working in their front office. It’s probably only a matter of time before they win a World Series, right?

I believe the Dodgers will win at least one World Series during Andrew Friedman’s tenure as team president, but some changes were needed to be made this offseason.

Don Mattingly was on the hot seat for nearly his entire run as manager. They finally let him go in favor of Dave Roberts.

Will the Dodgers make any other big moves this season as the front office continues to improve the roster?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels made one of the biggest trades this offseason by acquiring the defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves. The move that was quite unexpected, but they needed to do something bold to keep up with the young Astros.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be in the conversation for the AL Central crown. The division has gotten stronger over the last few years with both Houston and Seattle making moves to contend. The Angels will need to battle if they want to make it to the postseason this year.

The Angels need a corner outfielder, will they make a move or keep a weak platoon in left field?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Kansas City Royals

It has been a long time since the Kansas City Royals won a World Series. George Brett was playing third base and Ronald Reagan was President. 30 years later, the Royals did it again. I’m happy for the city and the organization.

Kansas City spent the offseason trying to keep their own on the team. They signed a few new arms, but their biggest splash was when they re-signed Alex Gordon. Most thought his price-point would have been out of the Royals price-range at the beginning of the offseason.

The Royals have been winning games with defense, smart base-running and a solid bullpen. All of the same pieces are still in place, so could we see a third-straight World Series for the Royals?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Houston Astros

Houston has spent most of the last decade picking at the top of the MLB amateur draft. They made no apologies for taking this strategy. Houston was finally heralded for their decision when the Astros made their first postseason appearance since 2005.

The Astros are in a similar situation as the Chicago Cubs. They both have a roster full of young talent and still have strong farm systems. They have the extra benefit of trading some youth for established talent or they could always just sit on them and keep developing. It’s a decision both teams will struggle with as they contend.

Could Carlos Correa or George Springer turn into potential MVP candidates?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers went from AL Central division winners in 2014 to basement dwellers within a calendar year. Al Avila took over as general manager and spent the offseason correcting some of the wrongs former GM Dave Dombrowski made.

The Tigers have more firepower on their roster right now than the roster that made it to the World Series a few years ago. That’s a scary thought…but their starting rotation isn’t up to that level.

Can Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera play in more than 120 games this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Colorado Rockies

It feels like the Rockies have been in rebuilding mode for a decade. It’s been shorter than a decade, but it has felt slow. It appeared like the rebuild was about to take a leap forward when they traded Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays late last year…but the Rockies didn’t make much noise this offseason.

Carlos Gonzalez is still in Colorado. I’m not quite sure why, but he’s still there. He played in 153 games last season and knocked 40 homers. Teams will clearly unload some prospects for a guy like that, right? I’m not sure why they have waited this long.

Can Colorado’s make-shift bullpen last the entire season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Colorado Rockies.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Cleveland Indians

Terry Francona has now had three-straight winning seasons as manager in Cleveland. His rosters haven’t been as loaded as his past Red Sox teams, but he has squeezed every bit out of his teams in Cleveland.

The AL Central has represented the American League in three out of the last four World Series. The Royals are expected to be one of the favorites to appear in their third-straight. I wouldn’t count out the Tigers either.

The Indians were quiet this offseason. They haven’t made any big moves and currently expected to finish in the middle in the Central. Will they make a big trade during the season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Cleveland Indians.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds started unloading players at last year’s trade deadline and continued to clean house this offseason. They are now building toward the future and still have some pieces to move.

The Reds had rookies start nearly every game from the trade deadline until the end of last season. They gained experience and they overall pitched well above expectations. They won’t have a solid bullpen backing them up this year.

Will Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips both find new homes this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Cincinnati Reds.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Chicago White Sox

This White Sox are currently playing second fiddle to the Cubs in the city of Chicago. The Cubs have a ton of youth and new faces that can bring any fanbase up from the basement. The White Sox are a weird bunch of veterans, kind-of-young hitters still waiting to mature and Chris Sale.

Jose Abreu had another solid year for the White Sox. He should have another good year if Adam Eaton keeps getting on base in front of him. The addition of Todd Frazier helps protect Abreu a little in the lineup, but another power hitter is needed if they want to compete in the AL Central.

Can the back-end of the starting rotation hold up against the rest of the AL?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Chicago White Sox.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Chicago Cubs

First off, let me tell you that I’m a huge Chicago Cubs fan. There arecertain things Cubs fans aren’t comfortable doing, one of them is boasting how this is finally the year they will win the World Series. We know better than that and are often more critical about the team. We don’t like to get our hopes up since they have always been shattered in laughable fashion.

The Cubs made some huge moves this offseason. The newly-signed veterans will allow some of their younger players to platoon.

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Chicago Cubs.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Boston Red Sox

The AL East can be a cut-throat division. The Yankees and Red Sox battled back and forth the last decade. The Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays have had competitive seasons during that span too, but Boston and New York always seem to bounce back quick if they have a bad season.

Boston has been known to make bold moves. The boldest move this offseason was when they made a Godfather offer to David Price. The rumor is their offer was much, much bigger than any other offer. I guess the Red Sox didn’t want to lose out on Price to the Yankees or another American League contender.

Will Boston trade for another starting pitcher before the trade deadline?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Boston Red Sox.

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