2018 MLB Preview



2018 Major League Baseball Preview
By Alex Strizak (Host of Moose's Mulligans)

It is Opening Day!
And I am SO EXCITED!... Now I will attempt to do the hardest thing in any sport... Predict what will happen in baseball...
Find your favorite team and send in your feedback!

AL East
1. New York Yankees
This team has shown that they are obviously deep with talent. As if the "Baby Bombers" weren't hitting enough home runs, they add the NL MVP Gincarlo Stanton to a hitter's ballpark. With one of the most formidable lineups top-to-bottom in the majors, it'll come down to staying healthy and receiving enough quality starts from their rotation. Their bullpen is SO GOOD that if their starts can stay healthy and give 5 to 6 quality innings an outing... This team will be SERIOUS contenders... In a battle for the AL East, I have the Yankees slightly ahead of the Red Sox for now. But it's a long season, and there's always going to be key injuries and trade deadline moves...
Team MVP: Gincarlo Stanton
Team Cy Young: Luis Severino
Prospect to Watch: Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar
2. Boston Red Sox
This team was already pretty good in their outfield. Now, they arguably have the best outfield in baseball with the addition of JD Martinez. Mookie Betts is a legitimate MVP candidate that gets slept on that can be a rock for this team in the lineup. The big question mark for this team will be if David Price and Rick Porcello bounce back, and how the Red Sox will bridge between their starting rotation and Craig Kimbrel. If they can get quality starts from pitchers not named Chris Sale, it's anyone's game between the Yankees and Red Sox.
Team MVP: Mookie Betts
Team Cy Young: Chris Sale
Prospect to Watch: Rafael Devers
3. Baltimore Orioles
They didn't trade Manny Machado. Which is great for this season, but terrible for their future. They have backed themselves into a "win now" approach with a team that honestly isn't ready to win now. Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy are still going through learning hiccups (that Oriole fans are hoping is just hiccups and not a trend) so their pitching is nowhere near ready for a playoff run, even with the addition of Andrew Cashner and the late addition of Alex Cobb. This team can hit, but with Zach Britton still MIA from the closer role I just don't see this team having much of a ceiling beyond "average".
Team MVP: Manny Machado
Team Cy Young: Dylan Bundy
Prospect to Watch: Austin Hays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
They still have Chris Archer which is cool. But it's pretty obvious this team is still in rebuild mode since they cut an All-Star in Corey Dickerson. They have a lot of young talent in Kevin Kiermaier, Mallex Smith and Matt Duffy. However, I wouldn't get my hopes too high for this season, as they are stuck in a very competitive and expensive division with very little money to spend.
Team MVP: Corey Dickerson Kevin Kiermaier
Team Cy Young: Chris Archer
Prospect to Watch: Willy Adames
5. Toronto Blue Jays
I'm going to get a lot of hate for putting them in the basement... But they've given me no reason to give them any love this season... They tried to patch a leak in the outfield with veteran Curtis Granderson. They replaced the playing surface to try and keep Tulowitzki healthy who's already out with a bone spur in his right heel. Their starting pitching is not bad, but thin for a 162 game season. The only thing I'm looking forward to is the prospect haul they should get for Josh Donaldson at the trade deadline because this division should eat them alive...
Team MVP: Josh Donaldson
Team Cy Young: Marcus Stroman
Prospect to Watch: Valdimir Guerrero Jr.

AL Central
1. Cleveland Indians
My favorite to win it all... When you have one of the best starting pitchers (Kluber), one of the best relievers (Miller and Allen both), one of the best infields (Lindor, Ramirez, Encarnacion), and one of the best outfields (Brantley, Naquin, Zimmer), YOU'RE GOING TO BE PRETTY DANG GOOD!... Add in a supporting cast of Carrasco, Salazar, Alonso, Otero... and the list goes on... This team is pretty studly, and playing against the rebuilding Tigers, Royals, and White Sox definitely helps. With Andrew Miller and Cody Allen becoming free agents after this season, watch out for this team to sell out to win this year.
Team MVP: Jose Ramirez
Team Cy Young: Corey Kluber
Prospect to Watch: Bradley Zimmer
2. Minnesota Twins
This team was kind of surprise last year. We knew they had good prospects, but we didn't expect them to show up this early. With Buxton, Rosario, and Sano showing signs of some serious potential, this could be a fun season for the Twins. The big IF comes from their pitching. Jose Berrios is terrific, but is young and still has a long way to go. The additions of Odorizzi and Lynn should bring some consistency to the rotation, but with Fernando Rodney closing and the lack of depth in the rotation and bullpen I don't know if this team can make it farther than the Wild Card game.
Team MVP: Miguel Sano
Team Cy Young: Jose Berrios
Prospect to Watch: Nick Gordon
3. Chicago White Sox
Here's a fun rebuild to watch... The White Sox have quietly become STACKED and I LOVE IT... They have made great draft selections and traded away some good current talent to build for the future two-three years coming. Their AA and AAA teams should compete for championships with Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Micahel Kopech, etc... But I might be reaching a bit here with the Major League squad. I might be giving Moncada, Davidson, Engel, Fulmer, Giolito, Robert, and Jimenez too much credit by saying they'll come in third in this division. But I think the AL Central is in for a rude awakening and this year will just be a taste test of what is about to come.
Team MVP: Yoan Moncada
Team Cy Young: Lucas Giolito
Prospect to Watch: Too many to fit in this article
4. Kansas City Royals
Hey, at least they got to keep Moustakas cheaply for one more year. They found a diamond in rough in Whit Merrifield. But other than that, Soler hasn't panned out yet and the rotation/bullpen is thin. This team has the feel of "blow up" but I'm not sure what they can really trade away at the deadline to get prospects except Moustakas or Merrifield. With most of their prospects still not estimating to arrive to the big leagues until around 2020, Kansas City fans better kick back and not stress too much over the next few seasons.
Team MVP: Mike Moustakas
Team Cy Young: Danny Duffy
Prospect to Watch: Hunter Dozier
5. Detroit Tigers
BOOM!... This team has been at least a mediocre contender for the past two decades. And they finally blew it up for a rebuild. Young prospects like Mahtook and Daniel Machado are already looking to make an impact with the big league club this year with Michael Fulmer already blossoming earlier than expected. While prospects like Franklin Perez, Matt Manning, and Alex Faedo develop in the minors, Tiger fans are just going to have to be patient and just enjoy watching young players grow and Miguel Cabrera inch closer to the Hall of Fame and debate whether he enters the Hall as a Tiger or a Marlin.
Team MVP: Miguel Cabrera
Team Cy Young: Michael Fulmer
Prospect to Watch: Mikie Mahtook and Franklin Perez

AL West
1. Houston Astros
Anytime you win a World Series, keep 95% of the team, AND add a #1 overall drafted pitcher... I'm going to like your team... BUT... Like most championship teams, there's going to be a lot of challenges to repeat. Their bullpen is still behind the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox in my opinion. However, this team has a lineup that bangs. Not only that, but they have one of the rarest characteristics in baseball which is called depth. Marwin Gonzalez can play almost anywhere, hell it wouldn't surprise me if went on the mound and started pounding 90 mph strikes. In such a long and grueling season that is baseball, depth can mean the difference between winning Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees or going home... They're dangerous once again and no one is doubting their ability to repeat.
Team MVP: Jose Altuve
Team Cy Young: Justin Verlander
Prospect to Watch: Derek Fisher
2. Los Angeles Angels
Good for the Angels. I called them out to build around Trout or get rid of him so that we don't have to see his talent wasted. They decided to build around him. Wise choice... The additions of Cozart, Kinsler, and Justin Upton show how serious the Angels are. Oh yeah, and they added that guy who has a lot of potential named Shohei Ohtani, if you hadn't heard... They have the best player in baseball and now a solid lineup to surround him. If their pitching can hold up, and it's pretty sketchy so far, this team WILL threaten the Astros and will be dangerous to play against in a Wild Card game. But if Garrett Richards and Heaney both end up back on the DL, it might just be more of the same for Trout and Angels fans.
Team MVP: Mike Trout (duh)
Team Cy Young: Garret Richards
Prospect to Watch: Shohei Ohtani and David Fletcher
3. Seattle Mariners
Oh boy... I want to say this is FINALLY the year the Mariners make the playoffs. Since 2001, Mariner fans have had to watch this team be good but not great. Or blew average but not terrible. This team has Cano, Cruz, Kyle Seager, Segura, Dee Gordon, Haniger, and Paxton... Those are all potential All-Stars!... Yet we still have this doubt that they won't make the playoffs. They're a good team with some lack of pitching, but somehow someway it seems like this team will find a way to not make the playoffs once again.
Team MVP: Jean Segura
Team Cy Young: James Paxton
Prospect to Watch: Mitch Haniger
4. Texas Rangers
Don't get me wrong, this team has a lot of young talent on the upcoming. But for now, they don't seem to be up to par enough to keep up with teams like the Astros, Angels, and Mariners. I think Mazara, Chirinos, and Claudio have great potential and could be the building blocks for the Ranger future. If I'm a Ranger fan this year, I'm enjoying: Seeing if Joey Gallo's home runs and strike outs add up to 300, Seeing how many saves Claudio can get topping out at 85 mph, and just how much progress Mazara can make.
Team MVP: Nomar Mazara
Team Cy Young: Cole Hamels? I guess?
Prospect to Watch: Willie Calhoun
5. Oakland A's
Anybody else think Matt Olson can hit 80 home runs this season?... In 59 games, Olson slugged a crazy 24 home runs which put him on pace for around 70 dingos... But on a real note, Jharel Cotton is out for the year already and the star prospect Dustin Fowler (who they got in the Sonny Gray deal) is just coming back from injury. Their stadium sucks. Their team revenue sucks. So there isn't too much buzz coming out of Oakland, and honestly there shouldn't be. They honestly might've peaked in making Giants fans scream "Go A's!" in order to park in their parking lot... I don't know what to tell you A's fans... I guess hope they prove me wrong and then shove it in my face...
Team MVP: Matt Olson
Team Cy Young: Daniel Mengden
Prospect to Watch: Franklin Barreto

NL East

1. Washington Nationals
This has to be their year. Or else. Well, they might not win a World Series for a good while. This is their last chance with the Harper, Scherzer, Strasburg combo, so make it count! The supporting cast of Turner, Rendon, Taylor, Gonzalez, Roark and you get the idea that they are pretty stacked. BUT, there is still that little doubt since they haven't had postseason success... It's time to nut up or shut up Nats!
Team MVP: Bryce Harper
Team Cy Young: Max Scherzer
Prospect to Watch: Victor Robles
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies went from fighting for the 1st pick overall to people calling them a Wild Card team this year. That'll happen when one of your prospects comes out of the gates as hot as Rhys Hoskins did. Now they add in veteran presences of Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana and they do start to look like a potential playoff team. Their prospects are solid, ranging from Kingery to JP Crawford. Kingery gives them such flexibility since he can play almost anywhere on the field and hit for OPS. However, after Nola and Arrieta, there are some big question marks in the rotation that could lead to some tough times. But, having Nola and Arrieta will hopefully end any losing streak from stretching too long. That's if, of course, Arrieta is back to the form he was for the Cubs two years ago. Which is a big if.
Team MVP: Rhys Hoskins
Team Cy Young: Jake Arriets (they hope)
Prospect to Watch: Scott Kingery
3. Atlanta Braves
This part of the NL East is where everything gets jumbled... This is me speaking more with my heart then my brain, but I really think the Braves can go .500 or better this year. They have a star in Freddie Freeman, a rock in Inciarte, and prospects in Acuna, Albies, and Swanson. If Teheran, Foltynewicz, and Newcomb can piece together quality starts then the Braves are actually looking pretty dang good... The question then becomes, how many growing pains will they have and how severe are those pains?.. I'm betting they won't be that bad.
Team MVP: Freddie Freeman
Team Cy Young: Mike Foltynewicz
Prospect to Watch: Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies
4. New York Mets
A lot of people have the Mets competing for a Wild Card spot. I am not one of those people... Yes, if their pitching is healthy and like it was in 2015 then they will compete. But it is very unlikely to happen and it's not like they have the strongest hitting lineup in baseball. With Cespedes and David Wright struggling to stay healthy along with the entire pitching staff, it might be time for the Mets to go a different way as a franchise.
Team MVP: Yoenis Cespedes
Team Cy Young: Noah Syndergaard
Prospect to Watch: Amed Rosario
5. Miami Marlins
Welcome to the Derek Jeter era. At least the Marlins are finally doing what it takes to create a lasting franchise in Miami... Now anytime you lose three All-Star outfielders and an MVP there will be pain. But their prospect haul and budget build greatly for the future of that new stadium they've already invested so much into. It's going to take some time and patience, but I think it will be well worth it over the next 3 to 5 years.
Team MVP: Lewis Brinson
Team Cy Young: Jose Urena
Prospect to Watch: Magneuris Sierra

NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
We all know by now that Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein are good at what they do. So it shouldn't surprise us that the Cubs have been so successful... That being said, we should once again see a very competitive team in Wrigley. Last year saw some regression, but with the additions of Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood, Brandon Morrow, and Schwarber/Happ/Baez/Russell/Rizzo/Bryant/Almora Jr. getting more polished every day the Cubs are a legitimate threat to win another World Series.
Team MVP: Kris Bryant
Team Cy Young: Tyler Chatwood
Prospect to Watch: Adbert Alzolay
2. Milwaukee Brewers
If this team had just a little more pitching, I'd give them more of a chance to uncrown the Cubs. Their lineup is a very good hitting one, and their bullpen is above average. However, their rotation has a lot of holes in it that'll be difficult to deal with over a 162 game season. Be ready for some high scoring and exciting games with a lot of home run calls from Bob Uecker.
Team MVP: Christian Yelich
Team Cy Young: Zach Davies
Prospect to Watch: Brett Phillips and Keston Hiura
3. St. Louis Cardinals
I had a really hard time deciding where to rank the Brewers and Cardinals... For now, the Cardinals are just a tick behind the Brewers because of their infield defensive metrics and inability to stay healthy. I'm a huge fan of this outfield, though. Ozuna, Fowler, and Pham could arguably be the best outfield this year both offensively and defensively. Their pitching is led by Carlos Martinez, but with the departure of Lance Lynn someone else is going to have to pick up the slack. Whether Alex Reyes can stay healthy to do it is the real question. They're good and have a lot of potential, so it should be fun...
Team MVP: Marcell Ozuna
Team Cy Young: Carlos Martinez
Prospect to Watch: Alex Reyes
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
It feels like the Pirates are finally shifted over to full prospect mode. Trades of Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole confirm that. The Pirates have a lot of young talent, but for now they'll be still in the learning process, as their division is a little too tough for them to sneak into the playoffs. Watch out for young guys to make a big splash in the majors and then be traded for more young guys.
Team MVP: Starling Marte
Team Cy Young: Jameson Taillon
Prospect to Watch: Austin Meadows
5. Cincinnati Reds
That Joey Votto guy is pretty good. And they have built up some nice young talent with Suarez, Peraza, and Castillo. It'll be interesting to see how they handle Joey Votto as he ages (if it even affects him because apparently age hasn't so far). This team will play the upset and get some key wins, but don't expect them to be consistent enough to do any real damage.
Team MVP: Joey Votto
Team Cy Young: Amir Garrett
Prospect to Watch: Nick Senzel

NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Coming up one game short of a World Series title is rough. So you bet the Dodgers will come out with so vengeance. They are a very solid team in that they've built pretty good depth. The question marks come in for this team with Kershaw's back injuries starting to become a problem. Also, their consistency and health in their outfield will be a key part of their season. We'll see if Chris Taylor can repeat another good season, Pederson and Puig can make strides forward, and Kemp can be a solid and reliable contributor. If all of this happens and Kershaw stays healthy, then the Dodgers do have a shot to win it all. But if one of these things doesn't happen, I think it puts a title just out of reach.
Team MVP: Corey Seager
Team Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw
Prospect to Watch: Walker Buehler
2. Colorado Rockies
This team rakes!... Hell, they hit so much that their AAA team would be a good lineup for most other teams. The question that always comes up for the Rockies is how will they pitch? Well, losing Chatwood means the Rockies may not win as many road games. But I have faith in their lineup to keep them in almost every game and between them, the Dbacks, and the Dodgers it should be a fun NL West race.
Team MVP: Charlie Blackmon
Team Cy Young: Wade Davis
Prospect to Watch: Ryan McMahon
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
And the third horse in the NL West race for this year. This team has quietly built up a very solid team. Paul Goldschmidt is a star and MVP candidate, for sure. Add in breakout player Jake Lamb and a healthy AJ Pollock and you have a playoff worthy lineup. Now, Greinke, Godley, and Ray definitely look like they can lead this staff. It'll be up to Walker and Corbin whether the Diamondbacks are able to keep up with the Dodgers and Rockies.
Team MVP: Paul Goldschmidt
Team Cy Young: Zack Goldey
Prospect to Watch: Chris Owings
4. San Diego Padres
Hey, at least the Padres have some prospects worth talking about now. I'm a believer in Manny Margot, but not a huge fan of the Hosmer signing. The contract they signed him to basically says "We're going to win a World Series over the next five years" and I'm calling BS on that... Otherwise, the Padres will win some games this year and raise a few eyebrows. BUT, they don't have the consistency of a star and a rock and an ace on their team to make them playoff bound.
Team MVP: Manuel Margot
Team Cy Young: Luis Perdomo
Prospect to Watch: Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias
5. San Francisco Giants
Adding Longoria and McCutchen doesn't suddenly make this a playoff team once again. I like McCutchen a lot and Longoria can be super clutch. But Samardzija is inconsistent and already hurt. Bumgarner is already on the DL... With out your ace and when you have super stars that are now aging past that point, it's going to be very difficult to win ball games. Especially in this division that looks like it will be one of the most competitive in baseball.
Team MVP: Buster Posey
Team Cy Young: Madison Bumgarner
Prospect to Watch: Chris Shaw and Austin Slater

And now a quick peak into the starting Power Rankings that'll be updated throughout the season...
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Houston Astros
3. New York Yankees
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
7. Washington Nationals
8. Colorado Rockies
9. Milwaukee Brewers
10. Los Angeles Angels

-As of 29 March 2018
Alex Strizak

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