Since I have a lot a projects planned this year and minimal time to do it, I decided to do a quick preview of the 2019 MLB season. I will just give my thoughts on what every team can do this season. Here we go.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
After a historically terrible season, the Orioles are back to square one. New manager and just new everything for them. It's going to be a long season for the Orioles.
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox mowed down the competition last season and won the World Series. Expect more of the same this season.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees did make the trade to get James Paxton, so would that get them over the hump. Who knows? At least they didn't spend for Harper or Machado.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
This team was supposed to tank. Instead, they won 90 games and manager Kevin Cash decided to start relievers instead of starters. That will go away just like the Wildcat offense in the NFL.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Their window for championship glory has officially closed. At least they can bring up Vlad Guerrero Jr. and their future will be bright.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
They actually thought they were getting Harper or Machado. But they do have elite young talent that can help the White Sox steer the course.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
This championship window that the Indians have is closing by the season. The Tribe will probably need to win it all this season....or blow it up during the off-season.
DETROIT TIGERS
This is going to be a long season for the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera comes back and hopefully, he's fully healthy. The rest of the Tigers are not ready for prime time as they say.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
It's back to the basement for the Royals. Their brief dominance was fun to watch and you had to root for them to succeed. Now it's back to the drawing board.
MINNESOTA TWINS
The Joe Mauer era has ended and the Twins are moving on with their young talent. The Nelson Cruz and Marwin Gonzalez signings will help the Twins to a playoff push.
HOUSTON ASTROS
After a very successful season, the Astros were exposed in the ALCS. But they come back stronger this season and hopefully, their core players can stay healthy.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
For the first time in over a decade, Mike Scioscia will not lead the Angels as manager. Mike Trout continues to dominate the league and Shohei Ohtani was as good as advertised. Now if only they can fix that pitching staff.
OAKLAND A'S
Billy Beane and Moneyball did it again! The A's surprised everyone by making the playoffs. Will it happen again? Probably not, but their young core can cement a great future for the team.
SEATTLE MARINERS
The Mariners, it seems, are stuck in quicksand for the past decade. They traded their best pitcher for top prospects, so I guess they're rebuilding. This team will always be a mystery.
TEXAS RANGERS
The Rangers are headed back to before the decade when they were an up-and-coming team. Problem is, they don't have the prospects as before. So it's probably a down season for them.
ATLANTA BRAVES
The Braves won the NL East and they signed some free agents to continue their rise in the NL. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies will continue their ascent as two of the best young players in the game.
MIAMI MARLINS
The Marlins did what we expected: they struggled as the franchise pays for the sins of former owner Jeffrey Loria. Their new logo is pretty cool though.
NEW YORK METS
Jacob deGrom was dominant last season in his Cy Young winning campaign. The rest of the Mets, not so much. Might be the same this season.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The Phillies loaded up on talent during the off-season and snagged the crown jewel of free agency in Bryce Harper. This means a World Series title is coming, right?
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Give the Nats credit. They knew they weren't getting Bryce Harper and signed players to keep the Nats, hopefully, competitive. They could surprise people this season.
CHICAGO CUBS
The regular season was good for the Cubs. The final two games were disappointing. No worry, Cubs fans. Your team is still a contender.....but for how long?
CINCINNATI REDS
On paper, the Reds made some moves to improve the team, also their farm system is loaded with talent. So the Reds look like they are set for the future. Will this season be the start of it?
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The Brewers came one game from the World Series and they are going all in this season in hopes of the franchise's first World Series title in 37 years.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Pirates are a middle of the pack team. A team that you can't figure out or has an identity. That's good or bad, depending on what side of the coin you like.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Cardinals pulled off a heist in the Paul Goldschmidt trade. Their pitching staff seems shorthanded, but knowing this organization, they will figure that out.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Paul Goldschmidt is gone, which means it's back to the drawing board for the D-Backs. Seems like they do this every few years.
COLORADO ROCKIES
Re-upping Nolan Arenado was a must for the Rockies. After two straight seasons in the playoffs, this team needs a big move to put them over the top this season.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Dodgers once again made the World Series, and once again, the outcome was disappointing. Yet they seem to develop good talent, despite the losses on the roster. They can continue to be near the top of the NL West.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Padres stocked up their farm system as one of the best in the majors.....and they were able to sign Manny Machado to help San Diego climb to the top of the West.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
In Bruce Bochy's last season, the Giants are not expected to be a threat. But this team has surprised many experts before and they probably have one last trick in the bag for Bochy's swan song.
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