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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2017 MLB Season Preview: New York Mets

The Mets didn’t make any huge free agent additions this offseason, but were able to re-sign their stars this offseason (as you can tell by us having to use a picture of Yoenis Cespedes as the article photo).

The Mets starting pitching will be the key to how their season go. If they have to deal with a lot of injuries, the Mets could fall under .500, but if the starters stay healthy and are able to strikeout hitters, they could win the NL East.

A team could have the best pitchers in the Majors, but if you can’t score runs, they are useless…so Cespedes must keep hitting like this season is another ‘contract year.’ Also, the Mets need David Wright to stay on the field. His bat may not be as lively, but he’s still a great defensive third baseman.

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

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins were a team on the way up, but they had some growing pains last year. I was high on them before the season, but they regressed and lost 103 games. There were numerous reasons for the rough season, but it was mostly due to their young players hitting a plateau in their development.

They need Bryon Buxton, Max Kepler and Jose Berrios to keep improving in order to avoid another lost season. They need them to step up as trade rumors will continue all season concerning Brian Dozier. They are sure to land a load of prospects in return for the power hitting middle infielder.

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

The NL Central is a tough division to navigate for the Brewers when the Cubs and Cardinals are two of the best teams in the National League… the Pirates aren’t too shabby either. Milwaukee has to play against some great offenses and their starting rotation is one of the worst in the Majors.

Milwaukee is expected to have another down year. Live odds for online betting has their over/under season win total at 70.5. I have them winning under that amount of games. The bet will come down to the final days of the season to payout.

The Brewers do have some talent on the team. They will cause a headache for opposing catchers. They have a ton of speed and will have the green light to run. Milwaukee could ‘steal’ a few games if they can easily get runners in scoring position.

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Miami Marlins

The Marlins didn’t spend the offseason trying to replace Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident late last season. It would be impossible for them to replace his talent on the field and presence in the clubhouse. They added a few pitchers and boosted their bullpen. I like the additions they made.

The Marlins may not be able to keep up with the Nationals or Mets, but they will be competitive this season. They hope to improve on last season’s 79 wins. I think they have a shot.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is arguably the worst owner in MLB. Will he finally sell the team this season?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest payroll in the Majors by more than $20 million. That number could increase over the next few years when they extend Corey Seager and Joc Pederson. As crazy as it sounds, they’ve still actually been pretty smart with their signings.

The Dodgers have set themselves up to be a contender in the National League for many years to come. They even have a pretty good farm system, which isn’t anything new for the Dodgers. They’ve historically done a good job maintaining a stockpile of top prospects.

Will the Dodgers run away with the NL West or will the Giants keep it close?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels will get asked the same question until they get this team back on track, are you willing to trade Mike Trout to improve your farm system?

I know that’s the last thing you want if you’re an Angels fan, but it might be their only option to jump-start this team. He is under team control through 2020 and it might be that year before this team competitive again.

The Angels made some minor improvements to the team this offseason. They filled some holes with veterans like Cameron Maybin and Danny Espinosa and signed some candidates to round out the back-end of their rotation.

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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