The land of chaos. That is what the National League has been over the last three seasons. Just don’t tell that to anyone in Los Angeles. Narratives aside, what kind of baseball will we see? The predictable powers or even more deus ex machina than in previous years. Give me 15 more teams to look at!
Atlanta Braves (Attaboys): For some reason I often compare the Braves to the Milwaukee Bucks. The reasoning is because they each have won a championship during this window, but you kinda get the feeling that they should have more than one ring, especially with how much talent and excellent coaching they have. At least the Braves don’t have Jimmy Haslam in charge of the franchise. Although their owners are cheap compared to the Bucks, but that’s only because they love those team-friendly deals to keep them under the luxury tax. This offseason they did just that. They brought in Chris Sale hoping that he can stay healthy unlike the past few seasons. Although I really like their acquisition of Jarred Kelenic. He showed flashes of what he could be in Seattle, but now with a legitimate cast around him in the lineup he should become a fan favorite in no time. All the Braves know right now is simple. They must overcome the brick wall of a city that has held the ATL back since the early 1990s. Yes they have their ring, but they don’t want the same legacy that their great teams from the Bobby Cox Era had. They want more than one trophy to show for.
Miami Marlins (Honk Shoo): On paper the Marlins have forged a solid playoff contending club with many of their players showcasing high upside. That’s good, but when you look deeper into the organization, it’s been the same song and dance for roughly their entire existence. Ever since Jeter left the organization has been facing an identity crisis and who knows how they’re going to get out of it. (That’s why Kim Ng left town the first chance she got) Enough off the field rumors aside we must talk about the real priorities. That being their pitching staff. Even if Sandy Alcantara is out for the year, their rotation is still going to be potent. It all depends on the health of Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez. And they’re getting Sixto Sanchez back at long last. It’s a Christmas Miracle in March I tell you! The fate of Miami to me comes down to their lineup. Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm, and Jake Burger have taken massive jumps over the years, but lack consistency (Especially Burger, Jazz, and Josh Bell). It’s ok, they’ll go out and add Burger’s old teammate in Tim Anderson to fortify the infield. This team is the sleeper of sleepers. If they play up to their potential, the Marlins could make some noise this season, and that fanbase and ballpark needs it badly! (LoanDepot Park cannot be only attractive because of that strip club in left field. THEY WANT A WINNER!)
New York Mets (The Cohen Tax): LOLMETS! The most hilarious sighting of baseball nerds like me, and especially Phillies and Braves fans. This iteration in the eyes of ESPN is a dark horse playoff contender but from how I see it, they’ve got massive flaws and are counting on the entire roster to have a massive bounceback season. BUT HEY THEY GOT EDWIN DIAZ BACK! You better hope that his knee injury last year was a fluke. The real dilemma that the Mets are facing involves that of a certain polar bear. Who knows how long Pete Alonso is staying in Queens, and if things go south he might be on his way out of town. You know what screams LOLMETS? Kodai Senga is out for the first three weeks at minimum. The one bright spot of last year’s disaster has already been struck down. And they think that Luis Severino, and Sean Manaea are going to fix that mess, yeah in your dreams. I still can’t believe that Daddy Steve lost the bidding for Shohei. I really thought he was going to become the first ever billion dollar player. Knowing the Mets they would have pulled that off if they didn’t crap the bed last year.
Philadelphia Phillies (DONG!): The Phillies to me are the exact same team that the Orioles under Buck Showalter were. A team that lives and dies by the long ball. And they have the big guns to pull that off. Adding Whit Merrifield as the infield wingman to Trea Turner to me is a low key steal. And even if Rhys Hoskins is gone, they’ve found his replacement. That being Bryce Harper at 1st base now at full time. The big moves they made this offseason were extending both Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler. You must keep that deadly 1-2 punch together at all costs. Philly knows what they want. Another championship. It’s been over 15 years since they’ve won one, and they will do everything they can to taste that feeling again. Lets just hope that the entire pen doesn’t crumble like they’ve done nearly every year for the last six years.
Washington Nationals (The Scrappy Nats): Last year the Nationals went from a team that looked to be tanking to a squad that was within one game of getting out of the basement of the NL East. They’re not ready to compete for a playoff spot yet, but they have some intriguing pieces to work with. CJ Abrams has become the face of the franchise, and Lane Thomas has come into his own. Not to mention they could be joined by both Brady House and Dylan Crews sometime in the next year or so. The pitching staff is in the same boat. Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore have become the heads of the rotation, but it needs more work. Their time hasn’t come yet, but with how Mike Rizzo has been building the roster as of late, it may be coming sooner than expected. (He’s one of the better GMs in the game for a reason) Hopefully once the Lerners officially sell the team, things should get better or so we think. (The franchise hasn’t been the same since Ted died, but who knows how long they’ll stay)
Chicago Cubs (The Revenge of Wrigleyville): I really want to see playoff baseball return to the North Side. (That fanbase goes nuts come playoff time, and I also am biased because I covered them for 6 years) Especially after what the Cubs have been through the last few years. Even if their golden core has been gone for a few years, it won’t stop Tom Ricketts and Jed Hoyer from building this team back up. You know how the narrative is that Chicago has been owned by Wisconsin as of late? WELL LET’S GET SOME REVENGE BY TAKING CRAIG COUNSELL AWAY FROM THE RIVAL BREWERS! Who cares if they lost bidding wars for both Ohtani and Yamamoto, they’ve found their pocketful of sunshine in Shota Imanaga! (Another solid arm for their rotation) And they were able to re-sign Cody Bellinger. The pieces are there for a return to NL Central supremacy especially if Justin Steele dominates like he did last year. Wait a minute, they added Michael Busch as well this offseason? I thought that there was no way that the Dodgers would trade their top prospect away. You watch, he’s going to become a stud if they develop him properly. Thank god they don’t have to hear the name Patrick Wisdom again. My gosh what a one year wonder he was. (My guess is that LA was clearing up space for two certain players from the Land of the Rising Sun)
Cincinnati Reds (CockyTown): The team that made every hater of theirs eat massive amounts of crow last year until September is trying to take that next step and emerge into something that the organization hasn’t been in a while. A legitimate dynamo. It sucks that Joey Votto isn’t around to see this team thrive, but hey new heroes will hopefully take flight. Those being Elly De La Cruz and Matt McClain who they hope will become as potent as a duo named Larkin and Davis were 30 years ago. Did I mention that the pitching staff will be improved especially now that the ace of the staff in Hunter Greene is now healthy. (Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott are also poised for breakouts) There is one red flag, and it’s not a good red flag. TJ Friedl is out with a broken wrist, and their top prospect has been suspended. If they somehow pull off what the Orioles did last year, that city will have two legitimate reasons to be as insufferable as any sports town in America. How’s Joe Burrow’s wrist doing anyway?
Milwaukee Brewers (A Franchise Full of Strangers): Two steps forward, one step back. It may be a dancing format, but it also applies to the Milwaukee Brewers. Even if there is promise coming through the farm system at long last, the BrewCrew must watch two franchise faces leave town. Craig Counsell gets poached by big brother to the south, and Corbin Burnes got poached by their big brother during the 70s and 80s. (That and Brandon Woodruff is going to be out all year) Even if there has been change to this roster, they still will make a push towards playoffs. They still have Freddie Peralta leading the rotation, plus they signed Rhys Hoskins to give Yelich and William Contreras more breathing room. Their biggest move of the offseason was extending their top prospect Jackson Chourio before he’s even made his big league debut. They really think he’s going to be the next Robin Yount. That’s lofty expectations right there, but hey at least give the guy some hope. At least they didn’t blow it up. If they did so, the Curse of Milt Mason would really be in full effect. AGAIN!
Pittsburgh Pirates (Waiting For Skenes): The Pirates from how I see them are the great unknown. If everything goes according to plan, they could shock the baseball world. If not well it’s typical for this franchise that knows nothing but having their treasure chest being taken away from them. But this time, THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT! Their potential savior in Paul Skenes has been dominating in Spring Training, Oneil Cruz is healthy, Mitch Keller got extended to the surprise of everyone, and Henry Davis may take that Year 2 jump. (Cutch is back too and is about to hit HR #300) That’s nice, but they still have many flaws, and the veteran signings like Yasmani Grandal, and Aroldis Chapman may fill solid roles, but once again, there needs to be improvement. This is a crucial year for this rebuild. If they don’t break through, the organization is going to panic. Although I will say this, as Baltimore, and Cincy can attest, if the secondary option to the football team has an outstanding season, the insufferability will be at extreme levels.
St Louis Cardinals (BOYS CLUB TERRITORY!): Nothing brings me more joy than seeing the St Louis Cardinals become an organizational gongshow yet pretend that everything is perfect and falling into place. This is a team that had its worst season in almost 20 years, and they’re still doubling down on nostalgia, loyalty and nepotism. You know what, speaking of which it’s time to bring back the old gang. Even if Pujols, Yadi, and Wainwright have all retired, let’s bring back Matt Carpenter, and Lance Lynn! Not to mention adding Sonny Gray, and Kyle Gibson to the rotation even if they aren’t what they once were. Speaking of veteran influence, remember that Giants team that kicked the Cardinals asses in the early 2010s, they’ll steal one of their major contributors in Brandon Crawford. Something truly out of left field. Let me guess. They’re going to put all of their eggs in the basket of Arenado, and Goldschmidt once again. This tale usually doesn’t end well. St Louis needs an overhaul to the way they run things. And from how I see it until the DeWitt Family sells the team it’s going to be the same song and dance over and over again. (They were great owners. But now they are past their expiration date)
Arizona Diamondbacks (Return of the BattleSnakes): I love how most of the media is once again sleeping on the Diamondbacks not even a year after making the World Series. The actions of a certain rival they bested last year will do that. Now Arizona is out to prove that their 2023 run wasn’t a mirage like their Wild Card appearance in 2017 was. I don’t think it will be. Why? They took a pennant winning roster and made it even better. (It’s too bad that they didn’t send Greg Schulte out on top, you can thank Texas for ruining the party) Eugenio Suarez and Joc Pederson should fill the voids that Tommy Pham and Evan Longoria did last year. You know what’s better? They took an already deadly rotation and made it even better. Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery come on down and witness another serious push towards a 2nd championship. The pieces are once again in play, and despite a loaded NL West. Not to mention Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, and Alek Thomas will have another year under their belts which means that each of those guys will be dynamos for a long time to come. (Now how are the Chase Field renovations going?)
Colorado Rockies (Monfortism): It’s the same song and dance with the Rockies year after year after year. They spend just enough money to get the fans interested and fill Coors Field with 35,000 a night, and then they’ll throw a pie in their face by being completely terrible outside of Mile High. (Hugh Culverhouse would be proud of such actions) It’s looking like one of those seasons again. You can sign Dakota Hudson and Jacob Stallings in hopes of bounce back campaigns, and extend a rising star in Ezequiel Tovar all you want, plus Brendan Rodgers is now healthy, and Nolan Jones has become a stud in the outfield, it doesn’t matter. Everyone else in the division is loading up while Colorado is just hoping for a bunch of magic beans to fall their way. I mean their lineup has promise, but it all depends on one thing. Kris Bryant must go back to Cubs form if they have any chance. I’m more optimistic about them than most people are, and that’s because I got fooled last year by Arizona. If the other team from Salt River Fields shocks the baseball which is highly doubtful there must be some kind of pixie dust that is grown out of that field.
Los Angeles Dodgers (Operation Break The Internet): The Dodgers are not only out for blood, they’ve been injected with superpower juice so that they can attempt to overtake the 1998 Yankees as the Greatest Baseball Team Ever Assembled. They don’t want to end up like their NBA brother in the Lakers where they’ll best be remembered for winning a Mickey Mouse championship. Throw every single prospect and rising star out the window. STACK FREAKING EVERYTHING SO THAT IT ULTIMATELY BECOMES UNFAIR! Just like the Great Bambino before him, Shohei Ohtani ditched his first love for that team’s greatest rival in an attempt to expand his legacy. ($70M A YEAR!? WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK!?) And he’s not alone either. They’ll poach Boston in a bidding war for his BFF in Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well who like Shohei is a machine on the mound. Not to mention Kershaw, Buelher, and Dustin May are all coming back from injuries, and they also added Tyler Glasnow in a trade with Tampa. (Teoscar Hernandez too) On paper this looks to be possibly the most dominant team baseball has ever assembled, but it also could give us the greatest single season failure the game has ever seen. Dave Roberts’ seat in the organization is reaching near 3rd degree burns and I don’t know how long he can survive in that. There’s also an issue involving Shohei’s translator that shall not be mentioned. (Superteams and star filled squads from LA infested with drama, a deadly 1-2 punch) Other than that there’s no excuses for them this year. Let me guess, they’re going to get Mike Trout at the deadline to further gloat about how great they are? (It’s coming too just you watch)
San Diego Padres (God Hates the Friars): This offseason brought the Padres the Qualcomm Special. They had to shed a ton of payroll to get under the luxury tax and they no longer can boast that they have a roster full of name brand superstars. (The price of being a small market franchise) That’s not even the worst part. That comes in their owner Peter Seidler suddenly dying in the offseason. Things like these would normally sink a franchise. Not here. San Diego still believes that even with a gutted pitching staff despite a trade for Dylan Cease that they have enough gas in the tank to make it far. Especially since top prospect Jackson Merrill is almost ready to enter the show. (Now you see why they traded Soto) You know what I find hilarious? They matched the Dodgers by adding overseas pitchers as well. Yuki Matsui and Woo-Suk Go may not be as dominant as Ohtani and Yamamoto but both of them should do well there. Please fix your issues in the clutch for crying out loud. I know you have Fernando Tatis Jr who literally is baseball’s version of Ja Morant both on and off the field, but even with those distractions you better not come up short again. Although knowing the luck of their city and the fact that there are three other teams that have better rosters than them in their own division they probably will.
San Francisco Giants (Trying to Make It Back): For the last few seasons the Giants have gone big game hunting only to get one upped by rivals or trolled at the 11th hour. This time however they were able to get marquee free agents to come to the Bay Area. First comes a potential generational talent from overseas in Yung Ho Lee who should patrol the outfield right away. (Fight fire with fire. Classic San Fran strategies) And they brought in two power bats in Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman. Speaking of Chapman doesn’t it feel good to be back in the Bay except on the other side of it? Yup, it should. And don’t worry Giants fans, I didn’t forget about the pitching staff. They nabbed Robbie Ray in a deal with Seattle, they signed Jordan Hicks who even though he isn’t a prototypical starter will probably fill that role because they did so with Logan Webb when he first got there. And they added the reigning Cy Young winner in Blake Snell to tick off Friars fans. San Francisco has been plotting their revenge on the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, and the moves they made justify that thinking. Man the NL West is stacked! PAUSE.
There are a few teams who are all but locks for the playoffs in the Senior Circuit but everywhere else is up for grabs. From what I see, this is going to be as chaotic a Wild Card race as last year was.
NL East:
- Braves 103-59 #2
- Phillies 95-67 #5
- Marlins 86-76
- Nationals 73-89
- Mets 73-89
NL Central:
- Cubs 93-69 #3
- Reds 90-72
- Brewers 85-77
- Pirates 75-87
- Cardinals 69-93
NL West:
- Dodgers 107-55 #1
- Diamondbacks 101-61 #4
- Giants 94-68 #6
- Padres 83-79
- Rockies 67-95
NL Wild Card:
#4 Diamondbacks over #5 Phillies 2-1
#3 Cubs over #6 Giants 2-0
NLDS:
#1 Dodgers over #4 Diamondbacks 3-2
#3 Cubs over #2 Braves 3-1
NLCS:
#1 Dodgers over #3 Cubs 4-1
World Series:
#1 Rangers over #1 Dodgers 4-2
NL MVP: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
NL Cy Young: Zach Wheeler, Phillies
NL Rookie of the Year: Jackson Chourio, Brewers
NL Manager of the Year: Craig Counsell, Cubs
NLCS MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
World Series MVP: Evan Carter, Rangers
Bragging Rights Sports 