Post by Commissioner Erick on Apr 4, 2019 17:52:58 GMT -5
1) Tampa Bay Rays
2020: 89-73, AL East Champion. Lost to Texas 4-3 in the ALDS.
Who They Were: After an 8-15 April, Tampa Bay surged in the Spring and catapulted past the Yankees to take the AL East. Largely fueled by their pitching, they relied heavily on Madison Bumgarner. After a down year in Texas, Bumgarner's 2.66 ERA was a career best as he went 19-5 with 0.99 WHIP in capturing the AL Cy Young Award.
Offseason Review: The Rays didn't make any additions this offseason, losing only ineffective reliever Danny Farquhar from their major league team. Their roster is mainly in its prime or just exiting so they should roughly be the same team, with enough talented youngsters as depth pieces to fill in as necessary.
On the Farm: The Rays don't have a talented system, though the talent that does exist is largely in the upper minors. Wyatt Cross and Joshua Lowe can challenge for starting spots this spring, and Kyle Wright could be a serviceable swingman. It'll be hard to use the minors to trade for a major upgrade though.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching behind Bumgarner is a little better and the Rays cruise to another AL East title.
Worst Case Scenario: The Rangers capture the AL West crown.
Key Questions: Casey Gillaspie had a brutal May last year and was benched for most of the summer, yet he produced every other month. Will you be more relaxed in letter your players play through slumps this year?
You didn't do anything to add new talent and you weren't returning a 90-win team. Are you concerned you have the horses to win another division crown?
2) New York Yankees
2020: 86-76, 2nd Place AL East
Who They Were: A losing August, September, and October resulted in a bitter collapse that had the 2019 AL champs team watching the 2020 postseason from home. A perennially untouchable bullpen was mortal, Aaron Judge and Ji-Man Choi combined for under 1.0 WAR, and the Yankees bench was deplorable. This led to a second place finish despite the team cranking out the second most home runs in the league.
Offseason Review: Despite having no money, the Yankees were able to upgrade their roster slightly. They unloaded ace reliever Jonathan Holder and perpetually injured WCB hero Michael Pineda, but Jesse Hahn should stabilize the rotation and Jorge Polanco provides depth and flexibility the Yankees sorely needed.
On the Farm: It's a good system with a decent amount of talent due up at the majors some point next season. Kevin Maitan is the top prospect, and while the bat has some questions, he could be a good shortstop or a great third baseman defensively. Meanwhile, scouts really like Tristan Beck's mechanics and he could be a plus starter in 2022.
Best Case Scenario: Every Yankees hitter hits like they did in 2019 instead of 2020.
Worst Case Scenario: Whatever it is, it involves Luis Cessa and Nathan Eovaldi remaining in the rotation.
Key Questions: You have a talented infield but signed Jorge Polanco regardless. What role do you see him filling this year?
You don't have nearly the volume of relief arms you had in the past. Does that concern you?
3) Boston Red Sox
2020: 70-92, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: With turbulent finances, the Red Sox fielded a team that only saw two pitchers produce greater than 0.8 WAR. Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia, and Rusney Castillo played out their final seasons with the franchise, with Pedroia putting up just a 59 wRC+ and Castillo producing a 56 wRC+.
Offseason Review: Boston let a lot of its incumbents leave this offseason. Sandoval was a serviceable third baseman, but carrying his eight-figure salary hamstrung the team. Pedroia and Castillo provided negative value at eight figures, and Robby Scott stayed on the team despite an 8.69 ERA and an 18-loss season in 2018. Boston didn't add much, but by getting so much bad money off the books, the team can rebuild around an assortment of impact youngsters at the major league level.
On the Farm: It's not the strongest system with Chris Berson a ways away as the premier player of note. There are a lot of speed and defense types in the mid-minors, but very little immediate upgrades are to be found.
Best Case Scenario: Between Zach Grienke, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber, there's enough high end talent to field a winning record without as many anchors on the roster.
Worst Case Scenario: There's no depth on the team, which could be a recipe for the fifth consecutive losing season in Boston.
Key Questions: You haven't made any free agent splashes, but still have some money to spend. How do you plan on upgrading the team this season?
Shelby Miller had a 6.08 ERA last season, but you signed him to a four-year contract. What do you see in Miller?
4) Toronto Blue Jays
2020: 77-85, 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The Blue Jays brought up a number of high end young prospects last season and suffered growing pains on the way to a 77-85 season. The team finished with a better record than in 2019 though, and saw six players produce at least 2.0 WAR at the age of 25 or younger.
Offseason Review: Toronto let Ryan Braun's disappointing Blue Jays tenure end, and only dipped into free agency to bolster their bullpen, plug a backup catcher spot, and yield a utility option in Yangervis Solarte that can fill in at any number of positions. For the most part, Brian Violette is happy to led the kids play. Luis Mesa and Kleininger Teran were hired as coaches with no coaching experience before this year, while Steve Gibralter is a first-year Scout. That could lead to a lack of development.
On the Farm: Toronto has graduated most of its top prospects, giving it a relatively weak farm, despite a very strong crop of young major leaguers with All-Star potential. Federico Pando is expected to be a huge power hitter, but he's only 19 and in Rookie Ball. Closer to the majors, Toronto has starting pitching in D'Mond LaFond and Alex Speas that can contribute this year, while Taylor Walls has the speed, defense, and approach to see some time in the majors once Troy Tulowitzki's next injury occurs.
Best Case Scenario: Toronto's bullpen is dominant and the youngsters blossom into stars together on the way to an 86-win season.
Worst Case Scenario: A bottom three pitching staff sinks the team to a 72-90 season.
Key Questions: Logan Warmoth didn't hit double figure home runs, wins a gold glove or hit higher than .277. He put up a 2.6 WAR season though and is still improving. Is he your shortstop of the future or do you need to see more from him with Taylor Walls in the minors?
Luis Alexander Basabe had a strong 2019 and a huge WBC last year, only to struggle in the majors. What's the long-term plan with Basabe and will you send him down if he struggles again?
5) Baltimore Orioles:
2020: 68-94: Last Place AL East
Who They Were: Baltimore's 5.76 ERA last year was the worst single-season team ERA in AL history. Even Manny Machado 5.9 WAR couldn't overcome that as the Orioles poor pitching and defense resulted in 94 losses.
Offseason Review: Baltimore lost some productive veterans, but also added a talented outfield trio in Adam Eaton, A.J. Pollock, and Michael Brantley. With Machado and Mark Trumbo in tow, that's the makings of a decent offense. The defense is still poor and only stopgaps were signed to help the team's rotation, which could lead to high scoring games in Camden Yards this season.
Best Case Scenario: The offense hits enough to overcome a ghastly pitching staff and defense to scratch together 77 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Jeff Jennings is serious about Francisco Liriano being the staff ace.
Key Questions: You have about 37 options for who will start the year in your rotation. Do any pitchers outside of the free agent veterans have a leg up?
Your squad isn't a World Series contender. Why spend on three veteran free agents this season?
2020: 89-73, AL East Champion. Lost to Texas 4-3 in the ALDS.
Who They Were: After an 8-15 April, Tampa Bay surged in the Spring and catapulted past the Yankees to take the AL East. Largely fueled by their pitching, they relied heavily on Madison Bumgarner. After a down year in Texas, Bumgarner's 2.66 ERA was a career best as he went 19-5 with 0.99 WHIP in capturing the AL Cy Young Award.
Offseason Review: The Rays didn't make any additions this offseason, losing only ineffective reliever Danny Farquhar from their major league team. Their roster is mainly in its prime or just exiting so they should roughly be the same team, with enough talented youngsters as depth pieces to fill in as necessary.
On the Farm: The Rays don't have a talented system, though the talent that does exist is largely in the upper minors. Wyatt Cross and Joshua Lowe can challenge for starting spots this spring, and Kyle Wright could be a serviceable swingman. It'll be hard to use the minors to trade for a major upgrade though.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching behind Bumgarner is a little better and the Rays cruise to another AL East title.
Worst Case Scenario: The Rangers capture the AL West crown.
Key Questions: Casey Gillaspie had a brutal May last year and was benched for most of the summer, yet he produced every other month. Will you be more relaxed in letter your players play through slumps this year?
You didn't do anything to add new talent and you weren't returning a 90-win team. Are you concerned you have the horses to win another division crown?
2) New York Yankees
2020: 86-76, 2nd Place AL East
Who They Were: A losing August, September, and October resulted in a bitter collapse that had the 2019 AL champs team watching the 2020 postseason from home. A perennially untouchable bullpen was mortal, Aaron Judge and Ji-Man Choi combined for under 1.0 WAR, and the Yankees bench was deplorable. This led to a second place finish despite the team cranking out the second most home runs in the league.
Offseason Review: Despite having no money, the Yankees were able to upgrade their roster slightly. They unloaded ace reliever Jonathan Holder and perpetually injured WCB hero Michael Pineda, but Jesse Hahn should stabilize the rotation and Jorge Polanco provides depth and flexibility the Yankees sorely needed.
On the Farm: It's a good system with a decent amount of talent due up at the majors some point next season. Kevin Maitan is the top prospect, and while the bat has some questions, he could be a good shortstop or a great third baseman defensively. Meanwhile, scouts really like Tristan Beck's mechanics and he could be a plus starter in 2022.
Best Case Scenario: Every Yankees hitter hits like they did in 2019 instead of 2020.
Worst Case Scenario: Whatever it is, it involves Luis Cessa and Nathan Eovaldi remaining in the rotation.
Key Questions: You have a talented infield but signed Jorge Polanco regardless. What role do you see him filling this year?
You don't have nearly the volume of relief arms you had in the past. Does that concern you?
3) Boston Red Sox
2020: 70-92, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: With turbulent finances, the Red Sox fielded a team that only saw two pitchers produce greater than 0.8 WAR. Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia, and Rusney Castillo played out their final seasons with the franchise, with Pedroia putting up just a 59 wRC+ and Castillo producing a 56 wRC+.
Offseason Review: Boston let a lot of its incumbents leave this offseason. Sandoval was a serviceable third baseman, but carrying his eight-figure salary hamstrung the team. Pedroia and Castillo provided negative value at eight figures, and Robby Scott stayed on the team despite an 8.69 ERA and an 18-loss season in 2018. Boston didn't add much, but by getting so much bad money off the books, the team can rebuild around an assortment of impact youngsters at the major league level.
On the Farm: It's not the strongest system with Chris Berson a ways away as the premier player of note. There are a lot of speed and defense types in the mid-minors, but very little immediate upgrades are to be found.
Best Case Scenario: Between Zach Grienke, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber, there's enough high end talent to field a winning record without as many anchors on the roster.
Worst Case Scenario: There's no depth on the team, which could be a recipe for the fifth consecutive losing season in Boston.
Key Questions: You haven't made any free agent splashes, but still have some money to spend. How do you plan on upgrading the team this season?
Shelby Miller had a 6.08 ERA last season, but you signed him to a four-year contract. What do you see in Miller?
4) Toronto Blue Jays
2020: 77-85, 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The Blue Jays brought up a number of high end young prospects last season and suffered growing pains on the way to a 77-85 season. The team finished with a better record than in 2019 though, and saw six players produce at least 2.0 WAR at the age of 25 or younger.
Offseason Review: Toronto let Ryan Braun's disappointing Blue Jays tenure end, and only dipped into free agency to bolster their bullpen, plug a backup catcher spot, and yield a utility option in Yangervis Solarte that can fill in at any number of positions. For the most part, Brian Violette is happy to led the kids play. Luis Mesa and Kleininger Teran were hired as coaches with no coaching experience before this year, while Steve Gibralter is a first-year Scout. That could lead to a lack of development.
On the Farm: Toronto has graduated most of its top prospects, giving it a relatively weak farm, despite a very strong crop of young major leaguers with All-Star potential. Federico Pando is expected to be a huge power hitter, but he's only 19 and in Rookie Ball. Closer to the majors, Toronto has starting pitching in D'Mond LaFond and Alex Speas that can contribute this year, while Taylor Walls has the speed, defense, and approach to see some time in the majors once Troy Tulowitzki's next injury occurs.
Best Case Scenario: Toronto's bullpen is dominant and the youngsters blossom into stars together on the way to an 86-win season.
Worst Case Scenario: A bottom three pitching staff sinks the team to a 72-90 season.
Key Questions: Logan Warmoth didn't hit double figure home runs, wins a gold glove or hit higher than .277. He put up a 2.6 WAR season though and is still improving. Is he your shortstop of the future or do you need to see more from him with Taylor Walls in the minors?
Luis Alexander Basabe had a strong 2019 and a huge WBC last year, only to struggle in the majors. What's the long-term plan with Basabe and will you send him down if he struggles again?
5) Baltimore Orioles:
2020: 68-94: Last Place AL East
Who They Were: Baltimore's 5.76 ERA last year was the worst single-season team ERA in AL history. Even Manny Machado 5.9 WAR couldn't overcome that as the Orioles poor pitching and defense resulted in 94 losses.
Offseason Review: Baltimore lost some productive veterans, but also added a talented outfield trio in Adam Eaton, A.J. Pollock, and Michael Brantley. With Machado and Mark Trumbo in tow, that's the makings of a decent offense. The defense is still poor and only stopgaps were signed to help the team's rotation, which could lead to high scoring games in Camden Yards this season.
Best Case Scenario: The offense hits enough to overcome a ghastly pitching staff and defense to scratch together 77 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Jeff Jennings is serious about Francisco Liriano being the staff ace.
Key Questions: You have about 37 options for who will start the year in your rotation. Do any pitchers outside of the free agent veterans have a leg up?
Your squad isn't a World Series contender. Why spend on three veteran free agents this season?
