Category Archives: 2017 MLB Team Previews

2017 MLB Season Preview: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals bounced back after a forgettable 2015 season. They won the AL East by eight games, but lost to the Dodgers 3-2 in the NLDS.

The Nationals realized their current roster wasn’t good enough to take their team to the next level, so they made one of the biggest trades of the Winter. They sent some good prospects to the White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton. A trade that brings them talent and a player who is under team control until 2020.

The Nationals were unable to retain closer Mark Melancon this offseason. Will have issues closing games in 2017?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Washington Nationals.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays had another impressive season in 2016. They keep adding to their stacked lineup and some of their young pitchers are developing into consistent hurlers.

The Blue Jays arguably have the best offense in baseball. Their lineup is loaded with power hitters who have contended for homer run titles. They did lose one of them to free agency and I’m not sure they did enough this offseason to replace Edwin Encarnacion’s production.

Can Aaron Sanchez repeat his consistent performance from a season ago?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister has won the AL West in both of his first two seasons at the helm. They have been a tour de force on offense and has gotten by with their pitching. Their bullpen has actually been one of the best in the Majors and have bailed out the back-end of their rotation many times a year ago.

The Mariners made a few huge moves this offseason and the Astros young roster is expected to improve even more this year. Did the Rangers do enough this offseason to hold off both teams in the AL West?

Can Carlos Gomez be the Comeback Player of the Year?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Texas Rangers.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are stuck in the wrong division. They are clearly just trying to get younger and rebuild, but the rest of the AL East are stocking up for possible a playoff run. The Rays are the odd team out.

The Rays have a roster that will make them competitive in most games, but they should probably start moving some assets and stock up on young players. They could get a nice return for flamethrower Chris Archer. I doubt they would move Evan Longoria, but they could get the biggest return with him since he has team-friendly contract. Probably another reason why the Rays will never move him.

Will the Rays be sellers at the deadline this season or will they keep adding role players?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

For the first time since 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals found themselves sitting at home watching the playoffs. They fell a single-game short of a Wild Card spot. St. Louis knew they had to make some changes if they were going to keep up with the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals.

The Cardinals needed to get some new faces on the team, so they let outfielder Matt Holliday and pitcher Jaime Garcia both walk via free agency. That freed up a spot to sign Dexter Fowler, who is fresh off willing the World Series. Also, Garcia’s departure opens up a rotation spot for a young arm.

Do the Cardinals stand their ground or do they try to make a big move in an attempt to stay with the Cubs?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the St Louis Cardinals.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are one of the favorites in the stacked AL West this year. They will have their hands full with the Rangers and Astros, who both have plenty of power and speed.

The Mariners made one of the biggest trades this offseason when they sent young starter Taijuan Walker, speedy shortstop Ketel Marte to Arizona for All-Star Jean Segura and outfielder Mitch Haniger

The Mariners haven’t made the postseason since 2001. Can this team break the long drought or will they fall short again

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Seattle Mariners.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants are one of the most well-run sports franchises in American sports. They always seem to be competitive, you never hear about them having a barren farm system and they always get the most out of their roster.

The Giants will battle the Dodgers for a playoff spot this season. Neither team has a glaring weak spot. If you’re pressed to find one, the Giants bullpen was a problem last year, but they made some big additions this offseason.

They have one of the best ballparks in the country. I need to make it out to see a game at AT&T Park before that area gets too gentrified and I can afford the cheapest hotel.

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are currently in the dead period during the rebuilding process. They have bottomed out and now they have to wait until some prospects advance up to the Major League squad.

The Padres made some interesting signings this offseason. They bought low (really low) on some starters with hopes of them getting the Padres through a season…or there’s always an outside shot of one of them developing into a trade chip at the deadline. The odds of that happening with this group of guys is quite low.

Will any of the Padres young hitters develop into someone that can help protect Wil Myers in the lineup?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates won 98 games in 2015, but then went on a backslide and won only 78 last season. A handful of players regressed and they made a few trades at the deadline to add to their farm system.

All was not lost for the Pirates as a player they traded for in August became a crucial part of their future. The Yankees traded pitcher Ivan Nova to the Pirates for the equivalent of a used 1975 Ford Pinto. He went on to pitch 64 innings for the Pirates and had a 3.06 ERA. Pittsburgh re-signed him this offseason for three more years.

The NL Central is expected to be controlled by the Cubs for the next few years. Can the Pirates hang with them and possible earn a Wild Card spot this year?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a few rough years in a row, but at least Ryan Howard’s contract is no longer on the books. It can only get better from here, right?

Manager Pete Mackanin did a great job last season and the young team was actually extremely competitive for the first-half of the season. Things kind of hit the skids after that, but that happens a lot with young teams. Can they put together a full season without the young arms hitting a wall?

Will Clay Buchholz resurrect his career in Philly?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s were far from their ‘Moneyball’ days last year. They have been hit with injuries to their starting rotation and Sonny Gray is expected to start the year on the DL again this year.

The AL West could be one of the most dominate divisions in baseball. Houston has come of age and are now one of the favorites, Texas should be an offensive powerhouse and Seattle made some big moves this Winter.

Oakland was able to land some good prospects when they traded Rich Hill and Josh Reddick at the deadline last year. If Gray gets healthy and returns to form, do they try to move him as well?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

Before last season, I proclaimed, “The Yankees championship window is closing shut.” Well, thanks to the Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller trades, they jammed a crowbar in that window and swung it wide open. They made out like bandits in both trades.

There are rumors that the Yankees are stockpiling prospects to make a move on Angels outfielder Mike Trout, but I doubt any team will have enough talent to swap for the perennial MVP candidate.

I like the Yankees this season, but think they could run into some issues with their starting rotation. Will they try to make some moves early in the year to improve it?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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