Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 2, 2018 22:16:05 GMT -5
1) Chicago White Sox
2018: 103-59, AL Central Champion. Beat Cleveland 4-2 in ALDS. Beat Texas 4-3 in ALCS. Beat Chicago Cubs 4-3 in World Series.
Who They Were: Carlos Martinez turned in a season for the ages and a young lineup featuring Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada developed ahead of schedule. Despite some bumpy moments in the postseason, Martinez, A.J. Cole, Anderson, and Devers were able to carry them to a championship. With all the youth, they built a team geared for long-term success.
Offseason Review: Chicago took some risks, swapping out Chris Koch and David Peralta in the offseason for Josh Hader and Jacob Nottingham. Peralta had an OPS well over .900 last year, but the team is hoping Nottingham can provide more punch from the catcher spot, while big names Robinson Cano and Andrew McCutchen can perform offensively. Like last year, the talent is immense but concentrated.
On the Farm: Their most talented prospects are pitchers who have been hurt, and there isn't much behind them. Brian Clarke can provide bullpen depth when he's recalled, and Brendan McKay's bat isn't far off from being major league ready.
Best Case Scenario: The Cardinals continue to regret trading away Carlos Martinez
Worst Case Scenario: The team doesn't hit outside its stars, the arms regress, and the White Sox win 86 games.
Key Questions: Despite a horrendous playoffs Eric Hosmer was a solid bat during the regular season. Who will play first base for you in his stead this season?
You have a lot of options for the fifth spot in your rotation. Who is the frontrunner for now and why?
2) Cleveland Indians
2018: 97-75, AL Wild Card. Defeated New York Yankees in Wild Card Game, lost to Chicago White Sox in ALDS.
Who They Were: Cleveland was a potent team, but perhaps a smidge worse than their 2017 version that won the AL pennant. They were second in the AL in home runs for the second consecutive year, but a drop from second in OBP to 11th resulted in their offense dropping from first to fourth. The team still mashed, but missed the on base ability of Carlos Santana. The pitching staff also likely missed the pitching of Danny Salazar and saw its bullpen underperform. The sheer star power assembled saw the team win 97 games though. If Giancarlo Stanton didn't have a historically inept postseason, maybe they could have earned a return trip to the World Series.
Offseason Review: Cleveland's biggest move was an out-of-nowhere blockbuster where they shipped out superstar Francisco Lindor for Addison Russell, Carl Edwards Jr., and prospects. Aside from that, Cleveland really fortified their pitching depth in order to push for an AL Central crown. They acquired the solid Jose Quintana from Boston and signed Sergio Romo and Mark Melancon to add to Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, and Edwards Jr. There are fears the offense will take a step back, but they may have the best staff in the division, which is saying something considering the golden arm their chief rival has.
On the Farm: For most talented teams in small markets, the farm systems have trouble getting replenished when the team is good. However, Cleveland has been able to keep their minor leagues in decent shape. Shawn Armstrong is good insurance in the bullpen, Brian C. Miller may be ready to make the jump this season, and Carlos Sepulveda, one of the jewels in the Lindor trade, may soon be the best second baseman on the team. Ian Happ, forgotten prospect, still has superstar potential.
Best Case Scenario: The stars on offense still produce without Lindor and playoff pitch counts don’t slow down Cleveland's staff on the way to a deep postseason run.
Worst Case Scenario: The team can't get on base, the veteran pitchers age, and high 80s in wins results in a missed postseason.
Key Questions: You acquired a lot of prospect capital this offseason. Would you hesitate to trade those prospects to improve the major league club, or do you want to use them to build for the long haul?
You got very little production out of your third basemen last year. Who starts there this season and why?
3) Minnesota Twins
2018: 68-94, Third Place AL Central
Who They Were: Despite a decent assortment of young talent, the Twins were bottom five in runs scored and allowed on the way to a 94-loss season. The biggest culprit offensively was a lineup that finished last in strikeouts as Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano both fanned over 200 times. Also, three different pitchers produced -0.5 WAR or worse, led by a -1.8 campaign by Phil Hughes. Sano and Buxton each hit over 30 home runs though, highlighting their powerful bats.
Offseason Review: Minnesota has mostly remained quiet this offseason, hoping internal improvements are enough to catapult the team forward. Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, and Nick Gordon are each 25 years old or younger, so there's still room to grow, and other powerful, yet risky, bats buffer them. The pitching staff, however, lacks the upside the offense does and the worst performer in 2018, Phil Hughes, is still a key figure.
On the Farm: It's a strong system with some of the most exciting talent still a few years away, but strong depth making its way in the upper minors. If Hunter Greene's changeup comes around, he's the real deal, while Jermaine Palacios and Alex Kiriloff can be solid depth pieces starting next year.
Best Case Scenario: The supporting offensive talent isn't as moribund last year raising the offense's floor. Phil Hughes can't be as bad, Berrios drops another half a run off his ERA, and the team wins 80-something games.
Worst Case Scenario: The stars are okay, the support players are terrible, and the team loses more games than last year.
Key Questions: Most first basemen nowadays are expected to be superstars. Do you think Kennys Vargas hits well enough to justify being your starting first baseman?
Your pitching was awful last year. What steps do you have to take to become an above average staff?
4) Detroit Tigers
2018: 59-103, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Detroit continued to send away its high-priced veterans and begin its rebuild. Ian Kinsler did not return, and Justin Upton was traded, while few veterans were brought in. While some lower profile veterans survived the purge, only Miguel Cabrera was left as a superstar talent. The Tigers predictably struggled and scored the fewest runs while yielding the third most runs in the American League.
Offseason Review: The team traded German Marquez to Milwaukee for a prospect package in the hopes of the quantity being better than Marquez. Nelson Cruz and Chris B. Young were allowed to walk, while Melky Cabrera was signed to provide come competency. Right now they're still biding their time until they can develop the prospects needed to become competitive again.
On the Farm: For a team implementing a rebuild, it's not very good, with the most talented players very young and forever away. Griffin Canning and Matt Manning can provide rotation depth next year, but right now the team will be waiting for teenagers Brice Turang and Juan Aguilar to develop from way down in the low minors.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is respectable and Jordan Zimmerman pitches well enough to return an asset.
Worst Case Scenario: Nicholas Castellanos turns in another terrible year, Miguel Cabrera diminishes, and there's no reason to pay attention.
Key Questions: Your team has some budget room this season with the Reds on the hook for some of Homer Bailey's contract. How do you plan on using it this season?
Who is the player you need to see produce the most this year to accelerate your rebuild?
5) Kansas City Royals
2018: 53-109, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: After ownership dramatically slashed Kansas City's budget in 2017, the Royals were left to rebuild last year. They used their budget room to acquire toxic contracts with some prospects attached, but its resulted in a moribund roster. Kansas City scored the second fewest runs and allowed the second most runs in AL. Nobody hit more than 14 home runs, and seven of the 11 pitchers who started for the team had negative WAR. After early struggles, Japanese import Hayato Sakamoto turned in a nice year with a .300 average, but the team lacked star power.
Offseason Review: The Royals made a slew of small trades, Rule 5 acquisitions, and waiver claims hoping to continue to churn rubble and hope gold emerges. Garin Cecchini was traded with his trade value at its highest, and several role players like Brandon Moss and Joaquim Soria have moved on. The process is sound enough for teams in rebuilds. However, despite leading the league in walks, Trevor Cahill is back to keep the ball on the ground. He'd be a nice back end starter on some teams. The fact that he's Kansas City's ace sums up their dire straits. The team is seriously lacking impact players.
On the Farm: It's a pretty good system with all the moves they've made. The best chances of stardom are still in the low minors, but Joe Rizzo looks like a good hitter and he may be ready for the majors immediately. Justus Sheffield and Tim Lopes had rough looks with the big club, but are well regarded and may produce in a second go around. Jeifrey Nunez breaks up the dichotomy of decent but safe prospects in the upper minors and explosive lottery tickets in the lower minors by being a dynamic arm ticketed for Double A. Controlling his changeup may be the difference between a pretty good starter and a reliever.
Best Case Scenario: The churning reveals a few solid role players and the team only loses in the double digits.
Worst Case Scenario: The baseball equivalent of sirens and hazmat suits.
Key Questions: You got a nice season from Garin Cecchini and flipped him for some assets. Which players on your team right now do you feel can be the next Cecchini?
Joe Rizzo really blew up in your minors last season. Will he start with your big club or season in the minors some more?
2018: 103-59, AL Central Champion. Beat Cleveland 4-2 in ALDS. Beat Texas 4-3 in ALCS. Beat Chicago Cubs 4-3 in World Series.
Who They Were: Carlos Martinez turned in a season for the ages and a young lineup featuring Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada developed ahead of schedule. Despite some bumpy moments in the postseason, Martinez, A.J. Cole, Anderson, and Devers were able to carry them to a championship. With all the youth, they built a team geared for long-term success.
Offseason Review: Chicago took some risks, swapping out Chris Koch and David Peralta in the offseason for Josh Hader and Jacob Nottingham. Peralta had an OPS well over .900 last year, but the team is hoping Nottingham can provide more punch from the catcher spot, while big names Robinson Cano and Andrew McCutchen can perform offensively. Like last year, the talent is immense but concentrated.
On the Farm: Their most talented prospects are pitchers who have been hurt, and there isn't much behind them. Brian Clarke can provide bullpen depth when he's recalled, and Brendan McKay's bat isn't far off from being major league ready.
Best Case Scenario: The Cardinals continue to regret trading away Carlos Martinez
Worst Case Scenario: The team doesn't hit outside its stars, the arms regress, and the White Sox win 86 games.
Key Questions: Despite a horrendous playoffs Eric Hosmer was a solid bat during the regular season. Who will play first base for you in his stead this season?
You have a lot of options for the fifth spot in your rotation. Who is the frontrunner for now and why?
2) Cleveland Indians
2018: 97-75, AL Wild Card. Defeated New York Yankees in Wild Card Game, lost to Chicago White Sox in ALDS.
Who They Were: Cleveland was a potent team, but perhaps a smidge worse than their 2017 version that won the AL pennant. They were second in the AL in home runs for the second consecutive year, but a drop from second in OBP to 11th resulted in their offense dropping from first to fourth. The team still mashed, but missed the on base ability of Carlos Santana. The pitching staff also likely missed the pitching of Danny Salazar and saw its bullpen underperform. The sheer star power assembled saw the team win 97 games though. If Giancarlo Stanton didn't have a historically inept postseason, maybe they could have earned a return trip to the World Series.
Offseason Review: Cleveland's biggest move was an out-of-nowhere blockbuster where they shipped out superstar Francisco Lindor for Addison Russell, Carl Edwards Jr., and prospects. Aside from that, Cleveland really fortified their pitching depth in order to push for an AL Central crown. They acquired the solid Jose Quintana from Boston and signed Sergio Romo and Mark Melancon to add to Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, and Edwards Jr. There are fears the offense will take a step back, but they may have the best staff in the division, which is saying something considering the golden arm their chief rival has.
On the Farm: For most talented teams in small markets, the farm systems have trouble getting replenished when the team is good. However, Cleveland has been able to keep their minor leagues in decent shape. Shawn Armstrong is good insurance in the bullpen, Brian C. Miller may be ready to make the jump this season, and Carlos Sepulveda, one of the jewels in the Lindor trade, may soon be the best second baseman on the team. Ian Happ, forgotten prospect, still has superstar potential.
Best Case Scenario: The stars on offense still produce without Lindor and playoff pitch counts don’t slow down Cleveland's staff on the way to a deep postseason run.
Worst Case Scenario: The team can't get on base, the veteran pitchers age, and high 80s in wins results in a missed postseason.
Key Questions: You acquired a lot of prospect capital this offseason. Would you hesitate to trade those prospects to improve the major league club, or do you want to use them to build for the long haul?
You got very little production out of your third basemen last year. Who starts there this season and why?
3) Minnesota Twins
2018: 68-94, Third Place AL Central
Who They Were: Despite a decent assortment of young talent, the Twins were bottom five in runs scored and allowed on the way to a 94-loss season. The biggest culprit offensively was a lineup that finished last in strikeouts as Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano both fanned over 200 times. Also, three different pitchers produced -0.5 WAR or worse, led by a -1.8 campaign by Phil Hughes. Sano and Buxton each hit over 30 home runs though, highlighting their powerful bats.
Offseason Review: Minnesota has mostly remained quiet this offseason, hoping internal improvements are enough to catapult the team forward. Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, and Nick Gordon are each 25 years old or younger, so there's still room to grow, and other powerful, yet risky, bats buffer them. The pitching staff, however, lacks the upside the offense does and the worst performer in 2018, Phil Hughes, is still a key figure.
On the Farm: It's a strong system with some of the most exciting talent still a few years away, but strong depth making its way in the upper minors. If Hunter Greene's changeup comes around, he's the real deal, while Jermaine Palacios and Alex Kiriloff can be solid depth pieces starting next year.
Best Case Scenario: The supporting offensive talent isn't as moribund last year raising the offense's floor. Phil Hughes can't be as bad, Berrios drops another half a run off his ERA, and the team wins 80-something games.
Worst Case Scenario: The stars are okay, the support players are terrible, and the team loses more games than last year.
Key Questions: Most first basemen nowadays are expected to be superstars. Do you think Kennys Vargas hits well enough to justify being your starting first baseman?
Your pitching was awful last year. What steps do you have to take to become an above average staff?
4) Detroit Tigers
2018: 59-103, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Detroit continued to send away its high-priced veterans and begin its rebuild. Ian Kinsler did not return, and Justin Upton was traded, while few veterans were brought in. While some lower profile veterans survived the purge, only Miguel Cabrera was left as a superstar talent. The Tigers predictably struggled and scored the fewest runs while yielding the third most runs in the American League.
Offseason Review: The team traded German Marquez to Milwaukee for a prospect package in the hopes of the quantity being better than Marquez. Nelson Cruz and Chris B. Young were allowed to walk, while Melky Cabrera was signed to provide come competency. Right now they're still biding their time until they can develop the prospects needed to become competitive again.
On the Farm: For a team implementing a rebuild, it's not very good, with the most talented players very young and forever away. Griffin Canning and Matt Manning can provide rotation depth next year, but right now the team will be waiting for teenagers Brice Turang and Juan Aguilar to develop from way down in the low minors.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is respectable and Jordan Zimmerman pitches well enough to return an asset.
Worst Case Scenario: Nicholas Castellanos turns in another terrible year, Miguel Cabrera diminishes, and there's no reason to pay attention.
Key Questions: Your team has some budget room this season with the Reds on the hook for some of Homer Bailey's contract. How do you plan on using it this season?
Who is the player you need to see produce the most this year to accelerate your rebuild?
5) Kansas City Royals
2018: 53-109, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: After ownership dramatically slashed Kansas City's budget in 2017, the Royals were left to rebuild last year. They used their budget room to acquire toxic contracts with some prospects attached, but its resulted in a moribund roster. Kansas City scored the second fewest runs and allowed the second most runs in AL. Nobody hit more than 14 home runs, and seven of the 11 pitchers who started for the team had negative WAR. After early struggles, Japanese import Hayato Sakamoto turned in a nice year with a .300 average, but the team lacked star power.
Offseason Review: The Royals made a slew of small trades, Rule 5 acquisitions, and waiver claims hoping to continue to churn rubble and hope gold emerges. Garin Cecchini was traded with his trade value at its highest, and several role players like Brandon Moss and Joaquim Soria have moved on. The process is sound enough for teams in rebuilds. However, despite leading the league in walks, Trevor Cahill is back to keep the ball on the ground. He'd be a nice back end starter on some teams. The fact that he's Kansas City's ace sums up their dire straits. The team is seriously lacking impact players.
On the Farm: It's a pretty good system with all the moves they've made. The best chances of stardom are still in the low minors, but Joe Rizzo looks like a good hitter and he may be ready for the majors immediately. Justus Sheffield and Tim Lopes had rough looks with the big club, but are well regarded and may produce in a second go around. Jeifrey Nunez breaks up the dichotomy of decent but safe prospects in the upper minors and explosive lottery tickets in the lower minors by being a dynamic arm ticketed for Double A. Controlling his changeup may be the difference between a pretty good starter and a reliever.
Best Case Scenario: The churning reveals a few solid role players and the team only loses in the double digits.
Worst Case Scenario: The baseball equivalent of sirens and hazmat suits.
Key Questions: You got a nice season from Garin Cecchini and flipped him for some assets. Which players on your team right now do you feel can be the next Cecchini?
Joe Rizzo really blew up in your minors last season. Will he start with your big club or season in the minors some more?
