Burning questions left unanswered
Bryce Harper is in the City of Brotherly Love, and Manny Machado is in sunny San Diego. The two-time defending National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers have these obstacles in their path toward another October. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are ready to challenge the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. But what about the Washington Nationals without Harper? Where will they go from here?
In the American League, the defending world champion Boston Red Sox face a strong challenge again from the New York Yankees, but don’t sleep on the Tampa Bay Rays. Rookies Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays) and Jesus Luzardo (Oakland Athletics) are primed to make an impact. And can the Minnesota Twins or Chicago White Sox challenge the Cleveland Indians in the Central?
With all this in mind, here are burning questions around Major League Baseball for 2019.
Does Machado make the Padres contenders?
Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal, and the Padres suddenly are an interesting team due to their massive collection of touted prospects. The Dodgers have owned the NL West for years, but the Padres might be ready to challenge them soon, though their pitching is still suspect.
Does Harper put the Phillies over the top?
With all of their smart acquisitions this winter — adding outfielder Andrew McCutchen, reliever David Robertson, catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura — Philadelphia is now an indisputable NL force. And Bryce Harper becomes a 60-homer threat playing his home games at Citizens Bank Park.
Can the Red Sox repeat?
The Red Sox return a potent lineup, led by 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts, and a formidable rotation led by David Price and Chris Sale, but Boston’s bullpen is a big question mark, and the Yankees are coming for them.
Do the Yankees have the best bullpen?
The bridge to All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is electric, with proven late-inning arms Zack Britton, Dellin Betances and Adam Ottavino serving as the key setup men in a deep bullpen.
Can the Dodgers three-peat in the NL?
The back-to-back NL champion Dodgers have lowered their payroll but still managed to acquire outfielder A.J. Pollock, reliever Joe Kelly and catcher Russell Martin. But Los Angeles passed on acquiring a front-line star who could have perhaps helped the Dodgers end their World Series drought; they last won the title in 1988.
Will Goldschmidt get the Cardinals into playoffs?
Seeking to end their threeyear playoff drought, the Cardinals acquired slugger Paul Goldschmidt from the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. He has one year left on his deal and can be the middle-of-theorder slugger this Cardinals lineup has lacked in recent years.
Do the Astros have enough starting pitching?
Without Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton, the once ridiculously deep Astros rotation isn’t the same, but they still have Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole at the top.
Will the Mets’ offseason moves pay off?
New Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen had a busy offseason, acquiring Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Wilson Ramos and Jed Lowrie, among others. He is hoping the Mets can contend after consecutive fourth-place finishes in the NL East.
Who is winning the AL Central?
Is this another walk for Cleveland, or do the Twins and White Sox have enough to challenge, perhaps leading the Indians to trade ace Corey Kluber this summer?
Was it too quiet an offseason for the Cubs?
Due to payroll concerns, the Cubs had a quiet winter despite a disappointing end to their 2018 season. They acquired infielder Daniel Descalso and reliever Brad Brach, but neither signing moves the needle. The Cubs are hoping their core will again lead the way.
Is Arenado worth $260 million?
The Rockies have signed Nolan Arenado to an eight-year, $260 million contract. Will he prove quickly that his contract is a better value than Manny Machado’s $300 million with San Diego or Bryce Harper’s $330 million with Philadelphia?
Can the Athletics win the AL West?
And we’ll be watching to see how much of an impact lefty phenom Jesus Luzardo will make on their starting rotation.
Do the Reds have enough to compete?
The Reds were active this offseason: Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Tanner Roark, Sonny Gray and Matt Kemp give them a more formidable roster, but it still will be difficult for them to crack the top three in the NL Central.
Are the Angels contenders again?
As longtime manager Mike Scioscia yields to skipper Brad Ausmus, the Mike Trout-led Angels try to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Can the Rays make the postseason?
They have pitching, but their route to October might be the toughest in baseball, competing in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox.
Will Guerrero win the Rookie of the Year award?
The young slugger’s arrival to the Blue Jays might be slightly delayed, but Guerrero’s debut with Toronto is greatly anticipated.
Can it get any worse in Baltimore?
The Orioles lost a franchiserecord 115 games last year, and unfortunately for new manager Brandon Hyde, it’s a record they could threaten again in 2019.
Will there be a busy trade deadline?
New San Francisco Giants GM Farhan Zaidi opted not to tear down his roster this winter, but it could come this July. Madison Bumgarner will be a free agent after the season, and with the Giants not expected to contend, he could be a top trade candidate this summer.
Is the DH coming for everybody?
The DH won’t be implemented into the National League this season, but the rumblings and discussions could lead to it being installed in the future. NL teams could start factoring that into their roster decisions, knowing that aging players could possibly shift into that role later in their careers.