Tag Archives: 2016 MLB Team Preview

2016 MLB Season Preview: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals had a forgettable 2015 season. They were one of the favorites to win the National League pennant, but they didn’t even end up making the postseason.

Bryce Harper had his best season as a pro last year. He took home the National League MVP award and it was the first time since his rookie season that he stayed healthy enough to have 500+ at-bats. If he avoids running into outfield walls, this could be a yearly occurrence for the 23-year-old.

Can Dusty Baker push the Nationals to an NL East crown?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Washington Nationals.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays had an impressive season in 2015. They made some of the best trades in baseball and won the AL East.

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 also have speed and defense. One underwhelming aspect of their game is pitching. They lost David Price and Mark Buehrle this offseason and replaced them with J.A. Happ and Jesse Chavez. Their rotation needs to step up if they want to repeat as AL East champions.

Can Josh Donaldson win another MVP award?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers went from worst to first in the AL West last season. Jeff Banister had one hell of a first season as manager in Arlington, Texas.

The Rangers are a team built to have a decent championship window. The Rangers are built around a mix of young players like Elvis Andrus and Yu Darvish, and veterans like Adrian Beltre and Cole Hamels to shoulder the load during a long season. The Astros also have a long window since their team is mostly built from their impressive farm system. The Rangers and Astros will be battling for the division for many years to come.

Can the Rangers repeat as AL West champions?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Texas Rangers.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays flew under the radar last season after losing their general manager and manager to other teams before last season.

The Rays made some small moves this offseason to shore up some areas in which they lost players due to free agency. They acquired Logan Morrison, infielder Brad Miller and reliever Danny Farquhar in a deal with Seattle. All three will play vital roles for the team this season.

The AL East is full of teams with a lot of offense. Can the Rays hang with only average offense, but really good defense?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals had an interesting offseason. They saw their rivals steal away two big free agents they hoped to re-sign.

The Cardinals didn’t pout and lick their wounds from losing John Lackey and Jason Heyward to the Cubs. They signed one of the top starting pitchers in free agency, Mike Leake. Also, let’s not forget that they get ace Adam Wainwright back this year.

The NL Central race will be cutthroat this season. Do the Cardinals veterans like Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday have enough left in the tank for another run?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the St Louis Cardinals.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners were supposed to take over the AL West when Robinson Cano signed his huge contract to come to town. It hasn’t went as planned for the Mariners. They now have a new general manager (Jerry DiPoto) and manager (Scott Servais) to run the team.

DiPoto did the usual ‘new general manager’ things like revamp the bullpen and trade some mid-level players for other mid-level players. He didn’t make any huge moves, but enough to change a lot of faces.

The Mariners haven’t made the postseason since they won 116 games in 2001. Can this team break the long drought or will they be another average Seattle team?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Seattle Mariners.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants had one hell of an offseason. They didn’t have to worry about keeping their own roster intact since most were all under contract, so they went out and signed two of the best pitchers in free agency.

The Giants needed to add some arms in order to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have proven they don’t care about the luxury tax and will spend accordingly. The Giants don’t have the same mindset, but they are smart about their money when they do open their checkbooks.

The Giants are dangerous when they have elite pitching. Can they win another World Series this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres aren’t destined for great things in 2016. Their roster needed a lot of massaging to make it competitive. GM A.J. Preller tried to add some low-cost pieces this offseason to do just that.

The Padres are expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. They do have some pitchers that could net them some decent prospects. I expect Tyson Ross to garner the most attention from teams this season. A bidding war could bump up the price.

How will San Diego’s new bullpen work out this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a great season last year, but fell victim to the Wild Card system. They won 98 games, but still had to play the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card game…and they failed to win.

The Pirates made some move this offseason, but none of them were very flashy. General manager Neil Huntington is sticking to the strategy he used to build this team. He makes low-cost free agent signings and continues to develop his farm system.

The NL Central will be the most competitive division in baseball. The Cardinals and Cubs made some big free agent signings this offseason. Will the Pirates refusal to open their checkbook hurt them this year?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a few rough years in a row as they wait for Ryan Howard’s huge contract to expire and rebuild the team from top to bottom.

Manager Pete Mackanin will serve his first year without the “interim” label. He took over last June when Ryne Sandberg stepped down. Mackanin was the bench coach for the Phillies from 2009-2012 and was then re-hired to be their third base coach in 2014. He knows the franchise inside and out, but hiring him as the manager doesn’t seem like a smart long-term move…but perfect for a team rebuilding.

How will this young Phillies team fare this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s was far from their ‘Moneyball’ days last year. They faced an uphill battle from the start with Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and other pitchers fell victim to major injuries.

The AL West could be one of the most dominate divisions in baseball. Houston has come of age and are now the favorites, Texas is always looking to get better, the Angels have Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, and Seattle could make a move with a new manager.

Does Oakland finally pull the trigger and trade ace Sonny Gray for a huge load of prospects?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s…and enjoy our #BadMSPaint Khris Davis picture.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees championship window is closing shut. They were quiet this offseason when it came to free agents, but they made two important trades to acquire shortstop Starlin Castro and closer Aroldis Chapman.

The AL East is expected to be one of the most contested divisions in Major League Baseball. Boston added some big free agents, Toronto’s offense is a beast, Baltimore is always dangerous and Tampa Bay is on the rise.

Does A-Rod, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira have one more championship run left in them?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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