Category Archives: 2018 MLB Team Previews

2018 MLB Season Preview: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals won the NL East for the second-straight year, but fell to the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS. Their starters just didn’t have a very good series and they were rocked.

The Nationals didn’t make many moves this offseason as they are most likely saving their money to re-sign star outfielder Bryce Harper. Will that hurt them this season? I don’t see it being a huge issue, but if they do trade for a starter this season, they may look to only acquire a rental with no salary obligation next season.

Washington dealt with injuries to Adam Eaton early last season and both Trea Turner and Bryce Harper missed 50+ games each. They still won 97 games. As long as they stay healthy, they should be one of the best teams in the National League.

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Washington Nationals.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

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

Two seasons ago, the Blue Jays arguably had the best offenses in baseball. Their lineup was loaded with power hitters who contended for homer run titles. They lost Edwin Encarnacion and struggled last season. They also lost Jose Bautista this offseason, which could further put a strain on the offense.

Toronto added some new faces in the lineup, but can they hang with the other offensive juggernauts in the AL East?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister won the AL West in his first two seasons at the helm. They fell behind a few teams in their division and now find themselves near the bottom of the preseason predictions.

They have some explosive bats on offense and has gotten by with their pitching. Their bullpen has actually been very good have bailed out the back-end of their rotation many times a year ago. They will need to be great this season as the back-end of the rotation is bowling shoe ugly.

Can Mike Minor and Tim Lincecum end up being two of the smartest signings last offseason?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Texas Rangers.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have been busy shipping talent all over the country. The deals haven’t always made sense, but they just started a full rebuild, so not everything will make immediate sense. They are now playing the long game.

The Rays have a nice run with all the homegrown talent they matured. Even though it was a tough decision, it was time to trade franchise star Evan Longoria. The same could be said for ace Chris Archer. Tampa Bay should receive a nice haul of prospects for the flamethrower.

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

For the second time since 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals found themselves sitting at home watching the playoffs. They still won 83 games, but fell four games shy of the second Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Cardinals come into this season with a youthful rotation and starting lineup. They keep adding talent from their farm system…and they keep getting better as they gain experience. Which new faces will come up big for the Cardinals this season?

The St. Louis do enough this offseason to contend with the Chicago Cubs?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the St Louis Cardinals.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners just keep adding speed and power to a fun offense to watch. Unfortunately, they are in a stacked AL West, so they need to keep adding arms and bats to keep up with the Joneses.

 

Seattle GM Jerry DiPoto has been one of the most active general managers since taking over control in late-2015. He keeps the Mariners in the conversation and has made large trades (Dee Gordon) and small trades that could pay dividends this season (Ryon Healy).

Can Seattle make the playoffs for the first time since 2001?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Seattle Mariners.

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2018 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. They had a down year last season, but made some trades this offseason to get back into the postseason.

The Giants should battle for a playoff spot this season. I just like what they did as they improved the bullpen and added some proven veterans on offense. 

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 ‘cheap’ hotel.

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are currently in the dead period during the rebuilding process. They spent some money this offseason by signing former World Champion first baseman Eric Hosmer for eight-year/$144 million contract. In any other offseason that contract would seem like a bargain, but looks bloated in such a ho-hum, lukewarm stove offseason. 

The Padres needed to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starter this offseason. They failed and now find themselves with one of the worst starting rotations in the National League. 

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

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates disappointed last season and only won 75 games. It didn’t help that former All-Star outfielder Starling Marte was hit with an 80-game PED suspension early in the season. The wheels just came off and they ended up sellers at the trade deadline. They continued the selling trend this offseason by sending Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen elsewhere for prospects.

 

The NL Central is expected to be controlled by the Cubs and Cardinals for the next few years. Can the Pirates get back in the playoff mix soon?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have been sitting on their checkbook as they rebuild. They actually made a notable signing this offseason when they signed former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta to a three-year deal worth $75 million.

One player everyone should watch this season is Rhys Hoskins. He lit the world on fire when he was called up late last season. He only played in 50 games, but hit 18 homers and drove in 48 runs. He has always hit for power in the minors, but no one expected that kind of output so early. How will he fare in a full season in the Majors?

Are the Phillies a .500 team this season?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s aren’t too far away from their ‘Moneyball’ days. They still rely on young homegrown talent and basic sabermetric strategies that Billy Beane helped usher into baseball. They just lack some of the star power like when Miguel Tejada, Jason Giambi and Barry Zito were first breaking into the big leagues.

Another issue with this A’s team is that their best young pitchers are either not quite ready for the Majors or will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery.

Can Billy Beane compete with this group of players or will they need to add another starter to get through the year?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are once again making the biggest moves in baseball. They traded for the best power hitter in the Majors and only gave up Starlin Castro and some ‘okay’ prospects. The Marlins just wanted to get rid of Giancarlo Stanton’s massive contract and the Yankees obliged.

Youth is a huge key to the Yankees success. They need their future stars like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez to keep improving. Judge was making hard contact with every ball that met his bat, but strikeouts were a huge issue down the stretch. Can he cut down on strikeouts and keep his power stroke?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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