Cleveland Indians (2016 Record: 94-67, 1st AL Central)
The young Tribe fell agonizingly close to winning their first world series since 1948, which would have wonderfully capped a banner year in sports for the city of Cleveland (the Browns notwithstanding). They did the opposite of their NBA counterparts, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Chicago Cubs, which culminated in a Game 7 extra-inning home loss. On the bright side, Terry Francona's team looks like a good bet to return to the World Series.
The reigning runner-up remains largely the same team. The only impact players Cleveland lost from last year's World Series team were DH Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis. Napoli was promptly replaced by former Toronto Blue Jay Edwin Encarnacion, whom the Indians signed last month. The imaginary-parrot-carrying 34-year-old is an elite hitter who could bolster Cleveland's already-dangerous offense (fifth in MLB in runs last season). To help replace Davis, the Tribe signed centerfielder Austin Jackson (who played in 54 games for the White Sox in 2016) and power-hitting outfielder Wily Mo Pena (who last played in the Majors in 2011, before going to Japan and playing well) to minor league deals. I mainly mentioned Wily Mo so could talk about him, because if their is ever a chance to talk about the home run-bashing legend that is Wily Mo, we must pounce on the opportunity.
Those moves add some role players to a young, talented lineup that includes electric shortstop Francisco Lindor, cornerstone second baseman Jason Kipnis, switch-hitting DH/first baseman Carlos Santana, and breakout third baseman/outfielder Jose Ramirez. Catcher, center field, and left field aren't quite as settled, with Yan Gomes, who was ineffective and injured last season, trying to win the catcher spot back from the solid Roberto Perez, Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer sharing right, and Tyler Naquin (a pleasant surprise as a rookie) leading the way in center. The Indians also bring back a stellar rotation (Corey Kluber, Carlos Corrasco, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin, and Trevor Bauer, who, along with Mike Clevinger and a few others, combined to finish seventh in MLB in ERA), and a strong bullpen fronted by relief ace/robot Andrew Miller. And they could get some in-house upgrades if all of their pitchers, plus former all-star outfielder Michael Brantley, can stay healthy. Health will be a factor, but the Indians look like favorites.
Chicago Cubs (2016 Record: 103-58, 1st NL Central)
Ah, yes, the World Champion Chicago Cubs. They're okay, I guess. Many believed the years and years of futility would end in the near future when Joe Maddon was named manager, and that near future arrived in 2016. Now, the Cubs have the look of a juggernaut, with bright young superstars, seasoned veterans, and the charismatic Maddon at the helm.
After finally ending the longest championship drought in all of professional sports, the Cubbies don't look like they'll be going away anytime soon. Chicago's north side is home to some of the best young players in the game, led by first baseman Anthony Rizzo and third baseman/NL MVP Kris Bryant, two young bashers with eerily similar numbers (both finished with a .292 batting average and .385 on-base percentage last season, and while Bryant had seven more home runs, Rizzo had seven more runs batted in). Along with them, there's infielder Javier Baez and shortstop Addison Russell, two young players who provided key moments in the World Series, as well as World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, who provides versatility and leadership. They will be hoping that catcher Willson Contreras, who impressed in 76 games last season, and outfielder Albert Almora, who had some moments in the postseason and will now help replace the departed Dexter Fowler in center, take steps forward this season, and that defensive whiz Jason Heyward hits enough to stay in right field every day. The Cubs will also hopefully get a full season from left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who provides a lot of offense, and will receive the services of outfielder Jon Jay (who played in 90 games with the Padres last year), whom they signed in December.
After finally ending the longest championship drought in all of professional sports, the Cubbies don't look like they'll be going away anytime soon. Chicago's north side is home to some of the best young players in the game, led by first baseman Anthony Rizzo and third baseman/NL MVP Kris Bryant, two young bashers with eerily similar numbers (both finished with a .292 batting average and .385 on-base percentage last season, and while Bryant had seven more home runs, Rizzo had seven more runs batted in). Along with them, there's infielder Javier Baez and shortstop Addison Russell, two young players who provided key moments in the World Series, as well as World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, who provides versatility and leadership. They will be hoping that catcher Willson Contreras, who impressed in 76 games last season, and outfielder Albert Almora, who had some moments in the postseason and will now help replace the departed Dexter Fowler in center, take steps forward this season, and that defensive whiz Jason Heyward hits enough to stay in right field every day. The Cubs will also hopefully get a full season from left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who provides a lot of offense, and will receive the services of outfielder Jon Jay (who played in 90 games with the Padres last year), whom they signed in December.
On the pitching side, Chicago returns Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Kyle Hendricks, who combined for 64 wins and a 2.80 ERA last season (Chicago's team ERA of 3.15 was tops in the league). Gone are 15-game winner Jason Hammel and flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman but the Cubs signed reliever Koji Uehara and starter Brett Anderson, and shipped outfielder Jorge Soler to Kansas City for star reliever Wade Davis. Behind charismatic manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs have a real good shot at a repeat.
Boston Red Sox (2016 Record: 93-69, 1st AL East)
The Red Sox looked headed for a storybook ending to DH David Ortiz's magnificent career, seeming to possess the talent to take the title. Alas, some of their stars struggled in the playoffs, and they didn't get past the first round, running into the Cleveland buzz saw in a three-game sweep. Sans Ortiz, they still possess the talent to win it all.
Boston's offseason was marked by the departure of an old star and the arrival of a new star (oh, and the Patriots' comeback victory in the Super Bowl). Ortiz bid farewell, going out with a bang (.315 batting average, .401 on-base percentage, and 38 home runs in his final season). Then, Boston made a bang by trading top prospect Yoan Moncada, along with pitching prospects Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz, and center field prospect Luis Alexander Basabe, to Chicago for ace pitcher (and apparently-skilled crafter) Chris Sale, adding him to a rotation that already features former Cy Young winner David Price, 2016 AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, knuckleballer Steven Wright, Trade Deadline acquisition Drew Pomeranz (who struggled a bit after coming over from San Diego), and young gun Eduardo Rodriguez. Fireball closer Craig Kimbrel still resides in the bullpen, joined by a host of former starters, including Tyler Thornburg, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes, and Robbie Ross Jr.
Offensively, the Red Sox, who were the best offensive team in baseball last season, will miss Ortiz's production, but they did sign former Ranger first baseman Mitch Moreland, and they still have dangerous hitter Hanley Ramirez (who will probably move from first base to DH), veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia, All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, All-Star center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., late-season lightning bolt Andrew Benintendi, and superstar right fielder Mookie Betts. The two biggest question marks are probably at third base, where Pablo Sandoval comes back after missing almost all of 2016 with an injured shoulder, and catcher, where Sandy Leon, who played really well in 78 games last year, looks to have the upper hand on Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart. The Sox have enough talent in the rotation and in the field to win it all this year.
Offensively, the Red Sox, who were the best offensive team in baseball last season, will miss Ortiz's production, but they did sign former Ranger first baseman Mitch Moreland, and they still have dangerous hitter Hanley Ramirez (who will probably move from first base to DH), veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia, All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, All-Star center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., late-season lightning bolt Andrew Benintendi, and superstar right fielder Mookie Betts. The two biggest question marks are probably at third base, where Pablo Sandoval comes back after missing almost all of 2016 with an injured shoulder, and catcher, where Sandy Leon, who played really well in 78 games last year, looks to have the upper hand on Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart. The Sox have enough talent in the rotation and in the field to win it all this year.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2016 Record: 91-71, 1st NL West)
The Dodgers are a routine personified, it seems. Every year, they go out and make some moves, receive high expectations, and never exceed those expectations. Sure, they usually make the playoffs, but they just can't seem to get very far once they are there. It looks like this year will be no different in terms of expectations, as they look primed to be one of the elite teams in baseball once again.
The pitching rotation continues to be captained by arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, who will hopefully stay healthy all season after making just 21 starts in 2016. Behind him are trade-deadline acquisition Rich Hill, second-year Japanese import Kenta Maeda, electrifying 20-year-old Julio Urias, and solid veteran Scott Kazmir, along with Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Alex Wood, Ross Stipling, and Blake Stewart. The Dodgers were able to retain lockdown closer Kenley Jansen, who anchors a bullpen that led the league in ERA last season (3.35). Some of those starters who don't make the rotation will probably join him in the pen, as well as guys like Pedro Baez, who takes about as much time between pitches as I did writing this, and lefty Adam Liberatore. Los Angeles has some questions (namely in the outfield), but the pitching makes this an elite team.
Washington Nationals (2016 Record: 95-67, 1st NL East)
Like the Dodgers, the Nationals have come into the past few seasons as favorites, and while they have played well during the regular season, they can't seem to get over that postseason hill. Maybe 2017 is the year they do it, because they are loaded with young and old talent.
Any conversation about the Nationals starts with superstar right fielder Bryce Harper. After hitting .330 with 42 home runs in 2015, Harper had a down year last season, hitting .243 with 24 home runs. Although he did have a .373 on-base percentage and 21 stolen bases (15 more than in 2015), the Nats expect more from the young face of their franchise. While Harper disappointed, second baseman Daniel Murphy and rookie shortstop/center fielder Trea Turner played outstanding. Murphy followed up an excellent 2015 postseason (when he was with the Mets) by hitting .347 with a .390 on-base percentage and 25 home runs. The speedy Turner played in 73 games for the Nats, hitting .342 with 13 home runs and 33 stolen bases. In December, Washington traded top prospect Lucas Giolito, along with fellow pitching prospects Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning, to the White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton, who brings great defense and production at the plate, and allows Turner to move from center field back to his more natural shortstop position. They also traded for former Padres catcher Derek Norris after losing Wilson Ramos via free agency. Everywhere else remains the same, with declining first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, third baseman and 2016 NL Comeback Player of the Year Anthony Rendon, and 37-year-old left fielder Jayson Werth.
Washington has a lot of talent in its rotation. It starts with 2016 NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, followed by injury-prone star Stephen Strasburg, veteran southpaw Gio Gonzalez, team ERA leader Tanner Roark, and solid youngster Joe Ross. The bullpen lost Mark Melancon and Jonathan Papelbon, along with a few other contributors, leaving Washington without a closer. Shawn Kelly, who had a 2.64 ERA last season, may fill that roll. He'll be joined by the likes of Blake Treinen and Sammy Solis, among others. The Nats head into the season with the reigning Cy Young winner and multiple MVP candidates, as well as high expectations once again.
I'm not guaranteeing that one of these five teams will be atop Major League Baseball come fall, but these are the teams I believe are most likely to win it all going into Spring Training. Things change (they always do), but these are my favorites as we turn the corner towards baseball season.
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