Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 17, 2020 17:04:29 GMT -5
The Chicago White Sox continued their run as one of the handful of dominant franchises since 2018, but they only have that one title to crown their accomplishments. While their chief rival, the Cleveland Indians are beginning a rebuild, the Kansas City Royals have risen suddenly to take their place as challenger in the division. Minnesota remains a competent franchise, and long dormant, Detroit has begun putting pieces together to build a competitive team.
1) Chicago White Sox
2022: 99-63, AL West Champion. Lost to Toronto 4-2 in ALDS
Who They Were: Chicago was a juggernaut once again, as they have been since 2018. They led the league in runs scored and runs allowed, only the third time that's happened in PBA history, with the other two times being the 2019 and 2020 crosstown rival Chicago Cubs. It was the White Sox' third straight year leading the league in runs scored as Rafael Devers led the league in runs, hits, OPS and WAR in capturing the MVP, while Carlos Martinez went 17-1 in a Cy Young Season. The offense disappeared in the playoffs, leading to another disappointing ALDS exit.
Offseason Review: The White Sox lost some pitching depth losing Joe Musgrove, and a dynamic infielder in Dansby Swanson. Chicago will look to replace Musgrove with Adalberto Mejia, who was solid over several seasons with the Padres. Trea Turner will try to approximate Swanson's production, with Jonathan India and Shane Shifflett also in tow.
On the Farm: Chicago has the worst system in the division, but it's still in the top half of the league. A trade last year netted number one draft pick Pat French, who has ace potential and is the only star prospect in their minors. That being said, there are some good relief arms in the mid-minors who can provide help pretty soon, plus Livan Soto provides a tremendous glove if Mike Ball prefers to go to a defensive option if Turner struggles.
Best Case Scenario: 105 wins and a second World Series win
Worst Case Scenario: Another regular season juggernaut and playoff disappointment
Key Questions: You have a lot of options at Shortstop this season. Who gets the first crack and why?
Jonathan Holder constantly grumbled about being a Starting Pitcher last year in Colorado. Will you give him a crack despite questionable stamina?
2) Kansas City Royals
2022: 94-68, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: A 21-game improver over 2021, Kansas City was perhaps the PBA's biggest surprise team, shooting up from irrelevance to make the postseason. The team led the league in batting average and walks, and was second in stolen bases. They relied on getting on base, taking the extra base, and using their contact skills to bring in runs. While their pitching was mediocre, they were second best at avoiding walks, allowing the second best defense according to Zone Rating to make plays.
Offseason Review: Kansas City lost Yoan Moncada, whose speed and contact ability were instrumental to what the Royals were building. They also lost speed-and-defense oriented Mallex Smith and some bullpen parts. However, they added more oomph to balance their team. Slugger Patrick Leonard was added from Tampa Bay to give the team more pop at the plate, while Taylor Trammel provides speed and defense like Smith, but is younger and cost-controlled. Mark Melancon and Tyler Lyons are bullpen upgrades over Jared Lakind, and Jacob deGrom could be the front-end anchor the rotation could use. It's possible the shape of the team is a little different with Moncada in Tampa Bay, but the offense may be more dynamic if not as resilient.
On the Farm: Years of picking high in the lottery have given Kansas City a deep farm. Grant Burton opens the season as the starting Center Fielder after consecutive Minor League All-Star nominations. They're still a few seasons away, but Jimmy Whitaker and Roger Airhart are first round picks with major upside in the low minors. The team is laden with veteran depth in the upper minors so the team should handle injuries reasonably well, and has big-ticket prospects in the low minors, whether using them to acquire major league talent or to cultivate the next wave of talent. It's a good position to be in.
Best Case Scenario: I can't envision them overtaking Chicago, but a Wild Card nomination and ALDS win are in the cards.
Worst Case Scenario: The hitters regress and a middling rotation can't pick up a team that wins 85 games.
Key Questions: You've been trying to trade Joe McCarthy all offseason, but he was able to slug a little bit for you and get on base. Why the rush to trade him?
You're assembling a quality team, but Chicago appears dominant atop the division. How do you feel your team stacks up there?
3) Minnesota Twins
2022: 84-78, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins finished in third place last year, the fourth time in five years they've had that distinction. That being said, they've won at least 80 games three of the past four years, and had a nice run last year, despite fluid management situations, a rebuild, and the trading away of two young stars during that time period. Alex Kiriloff had a wonderful season with a .311 average, 106 RBIs, and 25 home runs, while Luis Robert finally put together his prodigious offensive gifts into a productive season. Felix Jorge, Osiris German, and Dan Strailey meanwhile turned into the last talked about trio of 3-WAR pitchers in baseball.
Offseason Review: Strailey is gone, as is slugging Lewin Diaz and prospect Nick Allen. Dalton Rone is on board to provide speed, defense, and contact skills but doesn't have the ceiling Allen has. The Twins added some prospects, and power-sapped Sam Travis, but should be materially worse on the field this year compared to last. That being said, Minnesota is extremely young and should count on small improvements from its existing talent base.
On the Farm: It's an explosive system that could put a bunch of top-tier talent on the field in two years. The Twins have selected for tall, thick pitchers, and Big Herman Todd and Daddy Long Legs Pat Cypert could be excellent if they can hone their mechanics. Dutch star Walter Russchen can fly, has a lightning quick bat, and should develop power as he ages. He's still in the low minors, but had a nice showing for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic last season, with a .370 average. Bo Bichette is notable as he's largely failed the last two seasons, and will go back to Triple-A to develop confidence to try and salvage his career.
Best Case Scenario: 80 more wins and a third place finish.
Worst Case Scenario: Too much talent has left the organization for the team to recover. The team doesn't win seven more games than their base runs expects and they finish 74-88.
Key Questions: What was the driving factor behind the Nick Allen trade?
Felix Jorge came into his own last year as a solid arm. Will you look to trade him to continue building up young assets?
4) Detroit Tigers
2022: 76-86, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: After five bleak seasons, Detroit showed a huge improvement last year with 76 wins and an inspiringly competitive bunch. The team has painstakingly waited for the drafts of years past to bear fruit and that started happening. Brice Turang was a 22-year-old star, hitting .296, slashing 39 doubles, and stealing 31 bases as a Shortstop in winning Rookie of the Year. Mathew Annunziata complemented him with a 20-home run campaign to provide an up-and-coming left side of the infield. Jacob Pearson, Amari Maggette and Ian Happ provided a young speed-and-defense based outfield to help the young staff, and veteran Chris Davis hit 40 home runs to provide some fireworks to a power-starved team. On the pitching side, Gregory Reinoso looked like an ace, Griffin Canning and Asa Lacy had promising campaigns, and the middle of the rotation was solid enough. With some young talent, competence across the board, and a sprinkling of fun veterans, Detroit looked like a team ready to step into the sunshine.
Offseason Review: With the team building its talent base, the stopgap veterans are largely gone. Dan Vogelbach will look to continue to disappoint teams, but he's less likely to fall off a cliff than Davis. George Springer is on board to provide a little bit of power as the veteran slugger this year.
On the Farm: Former top prospects continue to find themselves on the major league roster, with Matt Manning likely holding down a starting spot this year. There aren't too many immediate graduations though. Most of the system's top players are position players with number three overall pick last year, Roderick Dalton, the most exciting of the bunch. Oraj Anu is a speed-and-defense outfielder that looks like a natural fit with the club, and could be up as early as this year. Mike Fitzgerald is a more offensive-inclined slugger that may need another couple more years of seasoning. The fact that there aren't more players graduating up may put a yellow light on the rebuild, but the team's finances are clean going forward.
Best Case Scenario: Asa Lacy becomes Acy Lacy.
Worst Case Scenario: Everything stalls and Detroit wins 72 games.
Key Questions: Amari Maggette struggled offensively last year. Do you expect more upside from him or do you think he's mostly going to be a speed-and-defense player?
Chris J. Shaw hasn't had positive WAR since 2020. Where does he fit in to your rebuild?
5) Cleveland Indians:
2022: 69-93, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: Cleveland got old in a hurry. Cleveland was the second-to-worst pitching team in the American League. Eight pitchers recorded a positive WAR for the club, while 11 were in the negative. Veteran hitters Jose Abreu, J.D. Martinez, Jonathan Schoop, and Kole Calhoun combined for almost 1400 at bats and -1.6 WAR. There were just too many dead spots on the team for the team's stars to overcome.
Offseason Review: Realizing the team's lack of depth, and the financial abyss created by David Springgay cutting Giancarlo Stanton, new GM Chris Stephan undertook a rebuild. Cleveland's recent time competing with Chicago for AL Central supremacy will be on pause for a few seasons. Evan Skoug, Emmanuel Tapia, Jose Quintana, and Mark Melancon are out, with the league's 5th best system the result. Outside of a pretty talented bullpen, partially the result of Andrew Miller refusing to waive his no-trade clause, it should be a lean pair of seasons going forward.
On the Farm: It's a terrific system, with a few players in the upper minors, and then the next best prospects still teenagers. Ulysses Cantu should be ready to provide competent Third Base play soon, while Kristofer Armstrong, Luis Esperaza, and Jorge Guerra are a year or two away from being a cheap, serviceable trio of PBA arms. The real exciting stuff will likely take a decade to develop though. Alfredo Murillo throws hard and has good mechanics, but doesn't have an offspeed pitch. He's still 17 and has a decade to learn a changeup, and will be a star if he does. Four Eyes Retana sees pitches clearly and sees exactly where to be on ground balls, but is still only 18. With patience and development luck, those two can lead the next great Indians team in 2030—roughly the time period, Stanton's dead money comes off Cleveland's books.
Best Case Scenario: The bullpen holds together and the team only loses 99 games.
Worst Case Scenario: There's such a dearth of talent, it's possible the club loses 115 games, it's that bleak.
Key Questions: Which players are you most excited to evaluate in your major leagues this year?
Dylan Bundy has never been able to stay healthy. Any thoughts of moving him to the bullpen?
1) Chicago White Sox
2022: 99-63, AL West Champion. Lost to Toronto 4-2 in ALDS
Who They Were: Chicago was a juggernaut once again, as they have been since 2018. They led the league in runs scored and runs allowed, only the third time that's happened in PBA history, with the other two times being the 2019 and 2020 crosstown rival Chicago Cubs. It was the White Sox' third straight year leading the league in runs scored as Rafael Devers led the league in runs, hits, OPS and WAR in capturing the MVP, while Carlos Martinez went 17-1 in a Cy Young Season. The offense disappeared in the playoffs, leading to another disappointing ALDS exit.
Offseason Review: The White Sox lost some pitching depth losing Joe Musgrove, and a dynamic infielder in Dansby Swanson. Chicago will look to replace Musgrove with Adalberto Mejia, who was solid over several seasons with the Padres. Trea Turner will try to approximate Swanson's production, with Jonathan India and Shane Shifflett also in tow.
On the Farm: Chicago has the worst system in the division, but it's still in the top half of the league. A trade last year netted number one draft pick Pat French, who has ace potential and is the only star prospect in their minors. That being said, there are some good relief arms in the mid-minors who can provide help pretty soon, plus Livan Soto provides a tremendous glove if Mike Ball prefers to go to a defensive option if Turner struggles.
Best Case Scenario: 105 wins and a second World Series win
Worst Case Scenario: Another regular season juggernaut and playoff disappointment
Key Questions: You have a lot of options at Shortstop this season. Who gets the first crack and why?
Jonathan Holder constantly grumbled about being a Starting Pitcher last year in Colorado. Will you give him a crack despite questionable stamina?
2) Kansas City Royals
2022: 94-68, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: A 21-game improver over 2021, Kansas City was perhaps the PBA's biggest surprise team, shooting up from irrelevance to make the postseason. The team led the league in batting average and walks, and was second in stolen bases. They relied on getting on base, taking the extra base, and using their contact skills to bring in runs. While their pitching was mediocre, they were second best at avoiding walks, allowing the second best defense according to Zone Rating to make plays.
Offseason Review: Kansas City lost Yoan Moncada, whose speed and contact ability were instrumental to what the Royals were building. They also lost speed-and-defense oriented Mallex Smith and some bullpen parts. However, they added more oomph to balance their team. Slugger Patrick Leonard was added from Tampa Bay to give the team more pop at the plate, while Taylor Trammel provides speed and defense like Smith, but is younger and cost-controlled. Mark Melancon and Tyler Lyons are bullpen upgrades over Jared Lakind, and Jacob deGrom could be the front-end anchor the rotation could use. It's possible the shape of the team is a little different with Moncada in Tampa Bay, but the offense may be more dynamic if not as resilient.
On the Farm: Years of picking high in the lottery have given Kansas City a deep farm. Grant Burton opens the season as the starting Center Fielder after consecutive Minor League All-Star nominations. They're still a few seasons away, but Jimmy Whitaker and Roger Airhart are first round picks with major upside in the low minors. The team is laden with veteran depth in the upper minors so the team should handle injuries reasonably well, and has big-ticket prospects in the low minors, whether using them to acquire major league talent or to cultivate the next wave of talent. It's a good position to be in.
Best Case Scenario: I can't envision them overtaking Chicago, but a Wild Card nomination and ALDS win are in the cards.
Worst Case Scenario: The hitters regress and a middling rotation can't pick up a team that wins 85 games.
Key Questions: You've been trying to trade Joe McCarthy all offseason, but he was able to slug a little bit for you and get on base. Why the rush to trade him?
You're assembling a quality team, but Chicago appears dominant atop the division. How do you feel your team stacks up there?
3) Minnesota Twins
2022: 84-78, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins finished in third place last year, the fourth time in five years they've had that distinction. That being said, they've won at least 80 games three of the past four years, and had a nice run last year, despite fluid management situations, a rebuild, and the trading away of two young stars during that time period. Alex Kiriloff had a wonderful season with a .311 average, 106 RBIs, and 25 home runs, while Luis Robert finally put together his prodigious offensive gifts into a productive season. Felix Jorge, Osiris German, and Dan Strailey meanwhile turned into the last talked about trio of 3-WAR pitchers in baseball.
Offseason Review: Strailey is gone, as is slugging Lewin Diaz and prospect Nick Allen. Dalton Rone is on board to provide speed, defense, and contact skills but doesn't have the ceiling Allen has. The Twins added some prospects, and power-sapped Sam Travis, but should be materially worse on the field this year compared to last. That being said, Minnesota is extremely young and should count on small improvements from its existing talent base.
On the Farm: It's an explosive system that could put a bunch of top-tier talent on the field in two years. The Twins have selected for tall, thick pitchers, and Big Herman Todd and Daddy Long Legs Pat Cypert could be excellent if they can hone their mechanics. Dutch star Walter Russchen can fly, has a lightning quick bat, and should develop power as he ages. He's still in the low minors, but had a nice showing for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic last season, with a .370 average. Bo Bichette is notable as he's largely failed the last two seasons, and will go back to Triple-A to develop confidence to try and salvage his career.
Best Case Scenario: 80 more wins and a third place finish.
Worst Case Scenario: Too much talent has left the organization for the team to recover. The team doesn't win seven more games than their base runs expects and they finish 74-88.
Key Questions: What was the driving factor behind the Nick Allen trade?
Felix Jorge came into his own last year as a solid arm. Will you look to trade him to continue building up young assets?
4) Detroit Tigers
2022: 76-86, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: After five bleak seasons, Detroit showed a huge improvement last year with 76 wins and an inspiringly competitive bunch. The team has painstakingly waited for the drafts of years past to bear fruit and that started happening. Brice Turang was a 22-year-old star, hitting .296, slashing 39 doubles, and stealing 31 bases as a Shortstop in winning Rookie of the Year. Mathew Annunziata complemented him with a 20-home run campaign to provide an up-and-coming left side of the infield. Jacob Pearson, Amari Maggette and Ian Happ provided a young speed-and-defense based outfield to help the young staff, and veteran Chris Davis hit 40 home runs to provide some fireworks to a power-starved team. On the pitching side, Gregory Reinoso looked like an ace, Griffin Canning and Asa Lacy had promising campaigns, and the middle of the rotation was solid enough. With some young talent, competence across the board, and a sprinkling of fun veterans, Detroit looked like a team ready to step into the sunshine.
Offseason Review: With the team building its talent base, the stopgap veterans are largely gone. Dan Vogelbach will look to continue to disappoint teams, but he's less likely to fall off a cliff than Davis. George Springer is on board to provide a little bit of power as the veteran slugger this year.
On the Farm: Former top prospects continue to find themselves on the major league roster, with Matt Manning likely holding down a starting spot this year. There aren't too many immediate graduations though. Most of the system's top players are position players with number three overall pick last year, Roderick Dalton, the most exciting of the bunch. Oraj Anu is a speed-and-defense outfielder that looks like a natural fit with the club, and could be up as early as this year. Mike Fitzgerald is a more offensive-inclined slugger that may need another couple more years of seasoning. The fact that there aren't more players graduating up may put a yellow light on the rebuild, but the team's finances are clean going forward.
Best Case Scenario: Asa Lacy becomes Acy Lacy.
Worst Case Scenario: Everything stalls and Detroit wins 72 games.
Key Questions: Amari Maggette struggled offensively last year. Do you expect more upside from him or do you think he's mostly going to be a speed-and-defense player?
Chris J. Shaw hasn't had positive WAR since 2020. Where does he fit in to your rebuild?
5) Cleveland Indians:
2022: 69-93, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: Cleveland got old in a hurry. Cleveland was the second-to-worst pitching team in the American League. Eight pitchers recorded a positive WAR for the club, while 11 were in the negative. Veteran hitters Jose Abreu, J.D. Martinez, Jonathan Schoop, and Kole Calhoun combined for almost 1400 at bats and -1.6 WAR. There were just too many dead spots on the team for the team's stars to overcome.
Offseason Review: Realizing the team's lack of depth, and the financial abyss created by David Springgay cutting Giancarlo Stanton, new GM Chris Stephan undertook a rebuild. Cleveland's recent time competing with Chicago for AL Central supremacy will be on pause for a few seasons. Evan Skoug, Emmanuel Tapia, Jose Quintana, and Mark Melancon are out, with the league's 5th best system the result. Outside of a pretty talented bullpen, partially the result of Andrew Miller refusing to waive his no-trade clause, it should be a lean pair of seasons going forward.
On the Farm: It's a terrific system, with a few players in the upper minors, and then the next best prospects still teenagers. Ulysses Cantu should be ready to provide competent Third Base play soon, while Kristofer Armstrong, Luis Esperaza, and Jorge Guerra are a year or two away from being a cheap, serviceable trio of PBA arms. The real exciting stuff will likely take a decade to develop though. Alfredo Murillo throws hard and has good mechanics, but doesn't have an offspeed pitch. He's still 17 and has a decade to learn a changeup, and will be a star if he does. Four Eyes Retana sees pitches clearly and sees exactly where to be on ground balls, but is still only 18. With patience and development luck, those two can lead the next great Indians team in 2030—roughly the time period, Stanton's dead money comes off Cleveland's books.
Best Case Scenario: The bullpen holds together and the team only loses 99 games.
Worst Case Scenario: There's such a dearth of talent, it's possible the club loses 115 games, it's that bleak.
Key Questions: Which players are you most excited to evaluate in your major leagues this year?
Dylan Bundy has never been able to stay healthy. Any thoughts of moving him to the bullpen?
