The World Series ended almost a month ago, and I miss baseball already. I am itching for it. So, we will rank every MLB team heading into next season, starting from the bottom and working our way up.
#30: OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Honestly, this organization has left me speechless. They can’t hit, pitch, or field. Unsurprisingly, they finished with the MLB’s worst record last season.
#29: KANSAS CITY ROYALS
The Royals are the A’s but with makeup on. A couple of bright spots included Bobby Witt and Kyle Isabel. The Italian Nightmare, Vinnie Pasquantino, will be ready for opening day next year.
#28: COLORADO ROCKIES
The Rocky Mountain Club will always be disadvantaged because its stadium sits over a mile high in the sky. Kris Bryant must stay healthy if this team wants to be competitive in 2024.
#27: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
This team showed ZERO heart last year. Not running hard on ground balls, sloppy fielding, and Tim Anderson becoming unassignable in free agency. They also lost their announcer to a division rival.
#26: LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Shohei Ohtani leaving is a big blow; there is also a chance they may trade Mike Trout this offseason. They also list their whole farm system in bad trades at the deadline. This team is in a bad spot.
#25: CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
I’m a Tigers fan, and I’m not listing them this low because I don’t like them; I’m listing them this low because they just aren’t good. Only about two guys on their entire team can even hit. Their managerial hire is a head-scratcher, too.
#24: PITTSBURGH PIRATES
They tricked us with a promising start to the season. They came back down to earth and burrowed into the dirt. At least it was good progress.
#23: NEW YORK YANKEES
If they keep throwing money away, I will not take them seriously. This team needs to rebuild but will always avoid the pressure of doing so.
#22: ST LOUIS CARDINALS
Overall, this team is too talented to have been as bad as last year. I expect a significant rebound in a weak NL Central.
#21: NEW YORK METS
A colossal letdown this past season. The hiring of Oscar Mendoza doesn’t inspire me either.
#20: BOSTON RED SOX
If they can’t land Shohei Ohtani, I’ll bump them up. But outside of an excellent season for Triston Casas, this team was the bottom feeder in the AL Central. Though they have a better future outlook than the Yankees, I guess that’s a win.
#19: WASHINGTON NATIONALS
They exceeded my expectations, but I refused to take them very seriously. They have a lot of flaws as a team, very similar to the 2021 Tigers, who greatly exceeded expectations just to lay an egg the following year.
#18: MIAMI MARLINS
You fought hard, Miami. The reason you aren’t higher is because you let Kim Ng leave. Still not sure why.
#17: MINNESOTA TWINS
An ALDS appearance puts them higher than they should be. They have an excellent bullpen going for them, but not much else. Carlos Correa must get his act together before I hype this team up.
#16: DETROIT TIGERS
My pick to win the AL Central. Spencer Torkelson was a Silver Slugger finalist, plus they found two good starting pitchers in Reese Olson and Sawyer Gipson-Long. They finally have some sustainable young talent. Expect big things from them this year.
#15: SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
There’s not much to say about this team. Not too good, not too bad. Just average.
#14: TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Wild Card exit has me thinking about the future. Great young core, but can they keep them around? John Schneider’s baseball decisions make me beat my head against the wall.
#14: CINCINNATI REDS
It was a significant step forward last season for the Reds; with all the prospects called up, the future is bright. Now add to it and make some signings.
#12: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
I know they were in the World Series, but they lucked their way there and got obliterated by the Rangers. They still have a ways to go to be able to win a Fall Classic.
#11: BALTIMORE ORIOLES
No, Felix Bautista puts you this low. They struggled without him, and I don’t see anyone in that bullpen outside of Yennier Cano who could even partially fill Bautista’s shoes.
#10: TAMPA BAY RAYS
Great start sloppy finish. Wander Franco was accused of some terrible crimes, and his suspension didn’t help at all. They’re still good, though.
#9: SEATTLE MARINERS
A solid finish lands you in the top ten. Lure Blake Snell in to pair with Luis Castillo, and you have a playoff rotation.
#8: MILWAUKEE BREWERS
They were the winner in a lousy division last season. I still think they are behind the Cubs talent-wise.
#7: CHICAGO CUBS
This team was the best not to make the playoffs last year. Justin Steele became the best pitcher in the NL. They are on my list of World Series contenders.
#6: SAN DIEGO PADRES
They are the best team on paper, and it isn’t close. A new manager should help this team. Expect big things from a big rebound.
#5: LOS ANGELES DODGERS
They are just better than the Padres. Both those teams are fun to watch at their best.
#4: HOUSTON ASTROS
The epitome of consistency. They’ve been in the ALCS pretty much every season since 2017.
#3: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
They can’t get over the hump in the postseason, but they might just do it this year. Undeniably, they are the 2nd-best team in the National League.
#2: ATLANTA BRAVES
They would be number one if they could’ve beaten the Phillies in the playoffs.
#1: TEXAS RANGERS
World Champions. I don’t need to say anything else.
