Unlike most years baseball fever has begun early. That being the drama we just witnessed in the World Baseball Classic with Japan regaining their glorious empire. As for the National League it’s going to be as chaotic as it’s been the last 5 years. Let us begin.
Atlanta Braves (The Redemption Tour): The title defense of the previous season ended with a dud thanks to the devil magic of a certain rival of theirs, and the entire team going ice cold. This time the Braves are trying to make sure that letdown in the NLDS doesn’t happen again. To do so they went out and got one of the better hitting catchers in the game in Sean Murphy to fill the void of the aging Travis D’Arnaud. Other than that, Atlanta didn’t need to do much. Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies have returned to full strength, and both of last year’s rookie phenoms Michael Harris and Vaughn Grissom are ready to take that next step towards being legit stars in their first full season in the big leagues. The Braves are loaded once again, and there won’t be many excuses if they don’t win it all again. Although I would be a little concerned about the pitching. Especially in the division that they are in. (As long as Max Fried is dominating on the mound, the rotation should be fine)
Miami Marlins (Confusion Written All Over It): Like the previous two seasons, the talk surrounding the Marlins has been their long term goals. In this case Miami is trying to get out of the hell that is mediocrity and emerge into a playoff contender. Trading for a former batting champion in Luis Arraez will boost the hitting core. As will the additions of Jean Segura and Yuli Gurriel. Those additions are nice, but the fate of this team will be in the hands of Sandy Alcantara and Jazz Chisholm. Alcantara is one of the best pitchers in the NL and is a treat to watch. I’m not so sure about the decision to move Chisholm to center field. I’m guessing it’s to avoid injuries. If it works, Miami has their own Robin Yount. If not, the MLB the Show Cover Curse strikes again. Can you guys play up to your abilities for once? (They’ve shown flashes the last couple of years, but consistency hasn’t been shown yet)
New York Mets (LOLMETS Lives Again): Nothing screams desperation more than Steve Cohen trying to copy the one time emperor of the Mets big brother to the Bronx. Well he locked up Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo for the long run. That’s nice. But then his ego got in the way. Losing Jacob DeGrom was tough, but who did they replace him with? 40 year old Justin Verlander AT $40M A YEAR! Look I get that he had a renaissance season in Houston in 2022, but you over paid him by $20M a year. Are you trying to recreate the 2013 Tigers for crying out loud? Oh if you think that’s bad, just look at the saga with Carlos Correa, it appears as if he was bound to don the orange and blue, only for him to back out at the 11th hour for a 6 year contract in the Twin Cities. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL METTING! If you thought that was all, the glories of LOLMETS ended up consuming Edwin Diaz whole. CRACK! He tore his ACL while celebrating after a WBC win. Boy do the baseball gods love to troll Daddy Steve in a big way. I’m sorry Buck Showalter, but you must overcome all this nonsense as well as the New York media breathing down your neck. Let me be clear, Mets fans. YOU ARE NOT OVERTAKING THOSE DAMN YANKEES IN POPULARITY! YOU’RE JUST NOT!
Philadelphia Phillies (The Big Leap): I know the feelings you’re going through Philly. Watching the Astros, LAFC, and the Chiefs winning championships in front of your eyes only makes you want to get back out there and reload to try and knock them off. In the Phillies case they did just that. If you don’t know Dave Dombrowski, he will sacrifice as much money as possible to try and get that championship. (You saw it in Miami, Detroit, Boston, and now in Philadelphia) That’s exactly what he did this offseason, the main focus for the Phillies was upgrading the bullpen. In comes Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto, and oh by the way they added Taijuan Walker to join forces with Nola and Wheeler in the rotation. The biggest addition just happened to be another generational talent in Trea Turner. (And he’s already raking in the WBC) I bet you any money Bryce Harper was the architect of bringing him to Philly since those two were teammates in Washington back in 2017. Speaking of Harper he’ll be out for the first month due to recovering from knee surgery. Speaking of knee surgery. (DRAMATIC MUSIC!) Rhys Hoskins is headed right for one. Out for the season. The devil magic that consumed your city whole last year might be coming back to haunt you
Washington Nationals (Late 1990s Expos Territory): The tanks that once rolled around Oriole Park at Camden Yards have migrated across the state to the Nation’s Capital, everything is gone, Ted Lerner is dead (RIP), and the only things that are left are Stephen Strasberg’s bad contract, and a bunch of prospects they got from the Soto, and Scherzer trades. The Plan 2.0 is underway boys. It’ll be harder for them too since there’s a draft lottery now.
Chicago Cubs (The Mystery Machine): Last year the Cubs tried to rush their rebuild and claimed that they would be competing for a playoff spot. They failed. But it won’t stop Tom Ricketts and David Ross from trying to regain their old glory. What did they do, why overhaul the hitting lineup. Trying to revive the careers of Cody Bellinger, Yan Gomes, and Eric Hosmer sounds logistical. As does upgrading the pitching staff with Jameson Tallion and Michael Fuller. Sounds nice, but Chicago wasn’t done spending. They threw boatloads of money at the services of Dansby Swanson and Trey Mancini. Both of them are coming off two excellent seasons, and yes they may be risks, if it works out considering how wild the NL Central is right now, they could make some noise if everything goes according to plan. (Especially with the emergence of Nic Hoerner, and a jacked up Seiya Suzuki) If not, we don’t wanna talk about it.
Cincinnati Reds (The Gongshow of Gongshows): The tanks are going to be out for another year, no surprise. It still baffles me that the Reds have been rebuilding since getting mashed by the Pirates in the Wild Card Game in 2013. That’s what happens when the Joey Votto contract prevents them from getting back quality players or signing top free agents even when Votto was still raking. (Now he’s reached the end of his prime) The only things watchable on this squad are Hunter Greene and Nick Senzel. CRACK! That is if he’s healthy. They have a long way to go after the mess they just dug for themselves. “Well where you gonna go?” I’m guessing their fans are going to Las Vegas to watch Xavier in the Sweet 16.
Milwaukee Brewers (Operation Save a Lost Era): More and more it feels like the Brewers are falling into the same traps that doomed them at the end of the Braun-Fielder Era. The Christian Yelich contract just like the Ryan Braun contract has held this team back from being contenders even if Yelich himself has been the least of their issues. (That contract cost them Josh Hader last year) At least Milwaukee has a strong rotation with Corbin Burnes in the prime of his career. Although he’s another in a long line of players that the media is trying to drag out of there. The fate of this team will be determined by the supporting cast around Yelich, and Devin Williams now in the closer role. The Brew Crew is good enough to make the playoffs but that’s really about it.
Pittsburgh Pirates (The Controversial Harvest): One year after winning the first ever MLB Draft Lottery, the Pirates believe that now is the time to reload and start competing for a playoff spot. Although in my book they are bringing in dinosaurs who would be great signings in 2015. Bringing in an aging Carlos Santana, as well as Rich Hill, and a power bat in Ji-Man Choi. He can be the next Vogelbach if he lives up to expectations this year. (That is if they don’t trade him) You know what this team needs besides an emerging star in O’Neil Cruz, the homecoming of Andrew McCutchen. Yes he may not be what he was, but they need to put fans in the seats darn it. It’ll only be a matter of time before Henry Davis will be called up and the Yinzers will believe he’s the next Jason Kendall. If this is another dud of a season just trade Brian Reynolds for crying out loud.
St Louis Cardinals (Trying to Replace Icons): It’s certainly hard to watch two of the most beloved players in franchise history go off into the sunset. I’m only saying two because Adam Wainwright is coming back for a 20th season in St Louis. The good news for him is that they found a replacement for Yadi. Willson Contreras, one of the better free agents on the market trolling Cubs Nation by signing a massive contract with the Cardinals. (Why do you do this to me, Redbirds?) The rest of the team is pretty much the same even if Goldschmidt is in his early 30s and Arenado having concerns over his contract. Although if there’s anything this team needs it’s Lars Nootbar dominating this season just like he did for Japan in the WBC. As is the case most years the Cardinals find some unsung hero and turn him into a fan favorite overnight. I don’t know how they do it but it’s just how they roll.
Arizona Diamondbacks (A Slow Retool): The Diamondbacks realized that their prospect pool is only growing and are trying to make moves to embrace the future. It may sting to lose Dalton Varsho but the package Toronto was willing to give up was too hard to pass on. So in comes one of their top prospects a season ago in Gabriel Moreno, as well as a legit bat in Lourdes Gurriel. And add in Evan Longoria before he heads off into retirement. The future core is starting to emerge but it may take another year or two to realize their potential. Learning from what happened last year at Camden Yards, they are one generational player away from turning this around. I just don’t know where they can find one. (Maybe its Zac Gallen but right now there isn’t one)
Colorado Rockies (The Rocky Mountain Way): When will you guys realize that just bringing in past prime name brand players doesn’t lead to instant success? Like most years the Rockies just threw money at players who are looking for a final paycheck. Those being Mike Moustakas, Jurickson Profar, and Brad Hand. Although the Jose Urena signing is not bad. But once again it’s trying to get enough fans into Coors Field. If there is anything that this fanbase can hold their heads high on is top prospect Michael Toglia ready to make his debut. I do have a question. Why are you playing Ryan McMahon at 2nd base? Did you not learn from putting Charlie Blackmon in center for way too long? As I said last year, they are the Buccaneers of the Hugh Culverhouse era. What a punishment that must be for their fanbase.
Los Angeles Dodgers (Dave Roberts Overmanager 2023): The chance to become the next dynasty in baseball was blown thanks to injuries, and everyone getting overconfident. Now the Dodgers hope that doesn’t happen again, especially since it was little brother to the south who did the honors. Even if a bunch of their depth is gone they’ll find a bunch of guys to revive their careers. Case in point JD Martinez and David Peralta. (Miguel Rojas too) Should be good company for both Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. The biggest question I have for the Dodgers will be the bullpen. Brusdar Graterol has now claimed the closer role. It either breaks a player or makes them stronger. With his blazing stuff, he should fill that role nicely. And they’ll need it because a rival of theirs wants to become the next empire of the sport. I think you know who they are.
San Diego Padres (Memphis Grizzlies of Baseball): Behold Ladies and Gentlemen the most unlikable team in all of baseball. If you thought the arrogance coming out of Slam Diego last year was bad, wait until you see what their squad looks like this go around. You thought their lineup couldn’t get any scarier, how bout adding Xander Bogearts, Matt Carpenter, and the hitting sensei that is Nelson Cruz in what looks to be his last ride. That’s not all. They gave Yu Darvish a massive extension taking him into his 40s, and Robert Suarez was given a 5 year extension as well. (I wonder how much they are going to give Juan Soto?) Now everyone is going to ask, how is this team unlikable? That answer is simple. They have quite possibly the biggest bandwagon fan base in all of sports right now. (The Grizzlies are the only ones that can rival that) Oh if you think they’re insufferable and annoying right now, just wait until Fernando Tatis Jr comes back from his suspension. I hope this team crumbles in the postseason even if it’s the Dodgers that knock them off. (Tatis is literally baseball’s version of Ja Morant, I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP!)
San Francisco Giants (A Fading Dynasty): The Giants since losing to the Dodgers in 2021 have been described by one word. SNAKEBITTEN! Not only the regression last season but look at what happened this winter. They were minutes away from signing both Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa. There was one problem. (YoYo Sound) Both of their physical tests were disasters and they headed back to their original teams. Don’t you worry you’re getting two solid outfielders in Mitch Haniger, and Michael Conforto. It may have sucked to lose Carlos Rodon, but they got a nice consolation prize in Ross Stripling. He may not be what he was but look, Oracle Park is a pitchers boombox. I’m not sure if they can make the playoffs, but they have Wild Card upside if anything. Even if Brandon Crawford is the only one left from the dynasty years at least you can say you’re not the Angels or Rockies. (In fact that’s what their owner said) PAUSE.
The NL is hard to determine, especially the 3rd Wild Card spot. There are a bunch of teams that can make a strong case for a playoff berth. Lets see what we have in the predictions.
NL East
- Braves 103-59 #1
- Phillies 100-62 #4
- Mets 89-73 #6
- Marlins 76-86
- Nationals 58-104
NL Central
- Cardinals 91-71 #3
- Cubs 84-78
- Brewers 83-79
- Pirates 68-94
- Reds 56-106
NL West
- Padres 103-59 #2
- Dodgers 98-64 #5
- Giants 79-83
- Diamondbacks 72-90
- Rockies 69-93
NL Wild Card
#4 Phillies over #5 Dodgers 2-1
#3 Cardinals over #6 Mets 2-0
NLDS
#1 Braves over #4 Phillies 3-2
#2 Padres over Cardinals 3-0
NLCS
#1 Braves over #2 Padres 4-2
World Series
#1 Astros over #1 Braves 4-2
NL MVP: Trea Turner, Phillies
NL Cy Young: Corbin Burnes, Brewers
NL Rookie of the Year: Vaughn Grissom, Braves
NL Manager of the Year: Rob Thompson, Phillies
Bragging Rights Sports 