Ranking MLB’s best heading into winter
With the 2017 Major League Baseball season in the books and the Houston Astros crowned World Series champions, it’s officially not too soon to look ahead to 2018.
A few teams clearly stand above the rest heading into the offseason, while other potential contenders will look to strengthen their squads via free agency and trades during the winter.
While the complexion of teams will change, the cores will remain the same. And with that, we polled our staff of MLB writers and editors for their way-too-early favorites for next year.
Without further ado, some 100 days before pitchers and catchers wander into camp, a preliminary top five.
1. Houston Astros
Texas remains the epicenter of football, even after the Astros brought home the Lone Star State’s first World Series title. So in the parlance anyone there can appreciate: The Astros return al- most all of their starters on both sides of the ball and in George Springer have an athletic playmaker who can wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Yes, the Astros are primed to dominate again. And while winning a World Series in November can create a quick and untenable turnaround, consider this blessing in disguise: Injuries limited the workload on top starters Dallas Keuchel (1452⁄ in3 nings), Lance McCullers (1182⁄ innings) 3 and Charlie Morton (1462⁄ 3). They’ll also have Justin Verlander for a full season.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
A gut-wrenching end to the season doesn’t detract from their overwhelming depth that is very well-suited to the 162-game grind. Expect even more 10day disabled list stints and a flurry of starting pitchers to shoulder the load as the club works its way back from this 15game postseason. They’ll even have some financial flexibility: Carl Crawford’s $21.8 million salary is off the books, though the Dodgers might prefer trying to reset their luxury tax obligations.
3. Washington Nationals
New manager Dave Martinez has a tall task: Exceed or match Dusty Baker’s 97 wins, and then win a World Series. Simple, right? Fortunately, the Nationals return loaded with depth, a 1-2 starting combo of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and a dynamic prospect in Victor Robles to unleash as they see fit.
4. Cleveland Indians
That 22-game winning streak seems like a long time ago, huh? ALDS tumble notwithstanding, the Indians will flirt with another 100-win season. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who turns 24 this month, looks primed for an MVP season. Assuming good health, they could trot out a starting rotation where the top four (Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Danny Salazar) all average at least 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
5. Chicago Cubs
A significant offseason reboot has arrived — say goodbye to Jake Arrieta and John Lackey — but the core remains. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras could make any team solvent. Theo Epstein and his front office mates have a tricky challenge ahead — remaking the rotation and bullpen but presumably saving cash for next year’s free agent frenzy, along with the huge raises coming soon to Bryant and Co.