2020 Pre-Season Profile: Texas Rangers

#23

The Texas Rangers might be more frustrated with the delayed start to the season than any other team as they have to delay the opening of their brand new stadium.  When the stadium finally opens, will it lead to greater success for the Rangers in 2020?

2019 Predictions

#26 - 5th in AL West

MIH: Elvis Andrus

MIP: Jose Leclerc

PTW: Jonathan Hernandez

FP: No pitcher for the Rangers will throw over 150 innings in 2019.

2019 Results

#17 - 78-84, 3rd in AL West

The Rangers had much greater success in 2019 than I anticipated behind first year manager Chris Woodward.  Almost reaching .500, the Rangers took great strides forward in getting back to the top of the division and the league.  One of the only holdovers left from the World Series team, Elvis Andrus feels like he has been around forever even though 2019 was only his age 30 season.  He was once again solid at shortstop finishing as the team's 5th best overall player in terms of WAR.  Jose Leclerc, on the other hand, followed up a career year in 2018 with a lackluster season in 2019.  He is a bounceback candidate in 2020.  My Prospect to Watch, Jonathan Hernandez, ended up not having any impact at all, only pitching 16 innings in 9 games as he struggled with control.  The real stars of the season for the Rangers were veteran starting pitchers Mike Minor and Lance Lynn.  Both completely resurrected their careers in their early 30's by becoming the two best players on the team and making my Fearless Prediction look foolish.  Both pitchers ended up not only over 150 innings, but they both finished at the same total of 208.1 innings.

Additions / Subtractions

The offseason for the Rangers was an interesting one as they are trying to keep on their current trajectory while still opening up their new stadium with a bang.  So they traded outfielder Delino DeShields for ace Corey Kluber and signed veteran Todd Frazier to man the hot corner after losing out on the Anthony Rendon sweepstakes.  Then they also traded their young slugging rightfielder Nomar Mazara to the White Sox for a prospect.  Then they rounded out their rotation with veterean arms Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles.  So it was combination of wanting to win now but also not giving up the future at the same time.

Most Important Hitter

Willie Calhoun

Once the centerpiece of the package the Rangers got from the Dodgers for Yu Darvish, Willie Calhoun has greatly struggled so far in his big league career.  Only playing in 131 games over the last 3 seasons, Calhoun has hit .269 with 21 homers and an OPS+ of 96, making him an average hitter.  He took some decent strides in 2019, but now he will be expected to start to show some of that promise as he enters his age 25 season, especially after the Rangers traded DeShields and Mazara.  He needs to be an everyday player while also showing the superstar sparks that made him a top 10 prospect in all of baseball at one point for the Rangers to really take great steps forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Corey Kluber

It is rare that I name a new addition as a team's most important player, but I really think Corey Kluber is that for the Rangers this season.  Mike Minor and Lance Lynn anchored this rotation last season and did an admirable job, but you can't really depend on the same performance.  Kluber is an ace that really makes this rotation borderline elite ... if he is healthy.  He missed most of 2019 with injury which allowed the Rangers to buy low on the two-time Cy Young Award winner.  They got him for a bargain because it is a risk that he returns to his elite form in his age 34 season.  It is also the last year of his deal before he is a free agent.  So best-case scenario, Kluber returns to elite form and leads the Rangers to a successful season and chooses to re-sign after the season.  Not-too-bad-case scenario, Kluber returns to elite form but the Rangers struggle so they trade him mid-season and get some decent prospects back.  Mediocre-case scenario, Kluber pitches good but not elite so the Rangers try to trade him if possible or just ride him out for the season.  Worst-case scenario, the entire season is cancelled due to the current pandemic, Kluber becomes a free agent without ever pitching an inning for the Rangers, and the team literally gets nothing for their trade.

Prospect to Watch

Nick Solak

The Rangers have two players in the Top 100 Prospects, but neither of them crack the top 50 or will be ready until at least 2021.  In fact, the highest prospect that has a chance at having a big league impact in 2020 is their 5th best prospect Nick Solak.  This utility man barely maintained his prospect status in 2019 after playing in 33 games for Texas with some success.  He hit .293 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI's in 116 at bats which was good for a 123 OPS+.  He should see time in the outfield, at second or third, or possibly at DH in 2020.  If he keeps hitting like he did in his short time last year, the Rangers will find room for him in the lineup.

2020 Prediction

4th in AL West

The Rangers are definitely an interesting team that is taking steps forward, but their offseason lacked the splash to really make them competitive in the AL West.  If they had landed Rendon instead of the Angels, I probably would have them higher and in the hunt for a playoff spot.  Since they missed out on him (to a division rival no less), they are a team to watch but won't be knocking on the door of the playoffs.

Fearless Prediction

Three players on the Rangers' Opening Day roster retire after the 2020 season.

This is a bit of a far-fetched prediction, but hear me out.  The most likely to retire is Shin-Soo Choo who is entering his age 37 season.  He is still an effective hitter, but he is reaching an age that the end is near.  The next potential candidate for retirement is new 3rd baseman Todd Frazier.  Entering his age 34 season, the Toddfather has really turned into quite the journeyman the last few seasons.  His bat remains legit, but I could see the end on the horizon if this season goes sideways and there isn't a job waiting for him somewhere in 2021.  The next candidate is Corey Kluber.  Also entering his age 34 season, if the injuries don't clear up and he can't return to peak form, I could see an elite player like Kluber calling it quits if he can't be elite anymore.  The chances all three of these guys retire after this season?  Probably pretty rare, but I am going for broke here.

2018 Pre-Season Profile: New York Mets

#21

The New York Mets fought through injuries in 2017 to have a poor season in a poor division.  Will a return of some key pieces and a change in manager bring about a better result in 2018?

2017 Predictions

2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS

Noah Syndergaard will win the NL Cy Young.

2017 Results

70-92, 4th in NL East

The Mets have built their roster on a dynamic young pitching staff with just enough offense to support it.  Well, when only one of their five aces makes more than 20 starts in the season (including only 7 stars from Noah Syndergaard, the best of the bunch), it sets the team up for failure.  When Thor went down early in the season, obviously my prediction went out the window with his season.

Additions / Subtractions

The Mets made some very interesting moves over the offseason.  First, after trading away Jay Bruce to the Indians mid-season last year, the Mets were able to bring him back.  Then they brought in veterans Adrian Gonzalez and Todd Frazier to man the corner infield spots.  They brought in starter Jason Vargas to bring some stability to their oft-injured rotation.  The biggest move the Mets made was letting manager Terry Collins go and bringing in Mickey Callaway, former pitching coach of the Indians, as their new manager.

Most Important Hitter

Yoenis Cespedes

Like I said, their team is built around their pitching.  However, ever since the Mets traded for Cespedes in 2015, their offense has lived and died with his production.  When he is hot, the Mets are hot.  When he is cold, the Mets are cold.  If the Mets are going to have a successful season, Cespedes needs to be MVP caliber.

Most Important Pitcher

Noah Syndergaard

Before his injury last season, Noah Syndergaard had been emerging as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.  As such an imposing figure on the mound and with such electric stuff, it is easy to see why Thor is so good.  The Mets are expecting Syndergaard to be back to the freak he was before the injury, and the early returns from Spring Training say he is.  An injury-free season from Thor will make for a much better season for the Mets.

Prospect to Watch

Marcos Molina

One problem with the Mets is they currently have a poor farm system.  No players in their farm system are in baseball's Top 100 prospects, and none of their top 7 prospects are expected to make their debuts in the big leagues in the next year or two.  The best prospect that is closest to the Show is Marcos Molina, a 23 year old Dominican pitcher.  A recent elbow injury derailed some of his progress, and he has a lot of pitchers on the roster in front of him, but a lively arm like his might be able to help out the bullpen down the stretch.

2018 Prediction

4th in AL East

I do not have high hopes for the Mets this year.  A manager that is pitching-centric will help, but I don't know if we will ever see the Syndergaard/deGrom/Harvey/Matz/Wheeler rotation dominate the league like everyone thought they would when they first debuted.  Their offense is relying on comeback years from some aging veterans.  The arms are not going to stay healthy.  Add that to the fact that some of the other teams in the division have young cores that are ready to explode onto the scene, and the Mets will struggle to gain ground.  2018 could be entertaining for the Mets, but not successful.

Fearless Prediction

The Mets rotation will not see one trip through feature Syndergaard, deGrom, Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler again.

At this point, it looks like it would take an injury from Jason Vargas for this to happen in 2018 (and all of them to get and remain healthy).  It is easy to see a scenario where guys like Matt Harvey or Zack Wheeler end up traded or on other rosters by the end of the season.  With other starters like Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman in the fold, they are definitely starting pitcher wealthy and could part with some to build up the struggling farm system.  This dream rotation they built seems to be over before it ever really got started.  The encouraging part is the Mets might be better off without it.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago White Sox

#22

Many people say the Chicago White Sox won the offseason by how well they were able to reset their franchise and start their rebuild.  How much success will this lead to in 2017?

My 2016 Predictions

5th in AL Central

Manager Robin Ventura will be fired before the All Star Break.

2016 Results

78-84, 4th in AL Central

Going into the 2015 season, the White Sox were stuck in limbo.  Were they going for it, or were they rebuilding?  They were trying to do both at the same time, and instead did neither.  They were stuck in the middle going nowhere.  Robin Ventura wasn't fired before the All Star Break, but he was fired after the season was over.  Something needed to change either one way or another.

Additions / Subtractions

Finally, the White Sox decided to hit the reset button, and did so better than almost anyone has done in recent history.  The White Sox traded away two stars and single-handedly reset their farm system.  Chris Sale was sent to the Red Sox, and Adam Eaton was sent to the Nationals.  The prospects they brought back became five of their current top ten prospects in their system, including their top four prospects.  The only veteran talent the White Sox brought in this offseason was starter Derek Holland and outfielder Peter Bourjos.  Possibly the most significant addition the White Sox made was hiring new manager Rick Renteria, who is finally getting a fair chance as a manager after he was cast aside across town when Joe Maddon became available in 2015.

Most Important Hitter

Todd Frazier

With everything the White Sox did over the offseason, they could have done more.  All their veteran talent was on the trading market, but not all were able to be moved.  Todd Frazier is the biggest bat that is still on the team.  If he has another year like he did last year, the Todd-Father will be on the move for more prospects, making him quite the significant hitter for this team.

Most Important Pitcher

Jose Quintana

Quintana is an important pitcher for the same reason Todd Frazier is an important hitter.  Quintana is hands down the ace of this pitching staff now, however the Sox have been trying to move him as much as they wanted to move Chris Sale.  You have to give their front office credit though.  They refuse to settle for a sub-par offer on any of their stars.  This is how they got such big returns for Sale and Eaton.  Because of this uncompromising approach to their rebuild, Quintana is still on their roster.  This will serve them well because he is a great pitcher.  At the same time, he can still provide that big return the White Sox are looking for if another team gets desperate for a starter mid-season.

Player to Watch

Yoan Moncada

There are so many names that could be placed in this spot.  Easily, each of their top seven prospects could see time in the big leagues this year, highlighted by starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, who they picked up from the Nats in the Eaton deal.  However, the crown jewel of their farm system, as well as their offseason, is Yoan Moncada.  The centerpiece of the package the White Sox got back from the Red Sox in the Chris Sale deal, the 21 year old switch-hitting infielder is as close to a can't miss superstar prospect as they get.  This Cuban import will be a regular in Chicago before the end of the season.

2017 Prediction

4th in AL Central

The White Sox are going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.  They won't be very good just yet, but they will surprise some people as their youth will emerge hungry and ready to compete.  Their record will probably be worse than it was last year, but at least this franchise has a clear direction in where it is going.  They broke this franchise down to take it to new heights.

Fearless Prediction

Half of the White Sox' Opening Day lineup will not be on their roster at the end of the season.

Like I said, the White Sox had a great offseason as they started their rebuild, but they still can do more.  I don't think this team is done breaking down this roster.  Look for players like Todd Frazier, Jose Quintana, Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia, Peter Bourjos, Derek Holland, and closer David Robertson to be on the trading block throughout the season.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds finished 2015 in the cellar for the first time since 1983.  Will 2016 bring about a different result?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 5th in NL Central

2015 Result: 64-98, 5th in NL Central

No one in 2015 had the loss column hit triple digits, however the Reds are one of several teams that sure came close.  The Reds got caught with an aging core and not enough talent ready to play to replenish the declining talent.  Even if they did, they had too much money committed to their roster that they couldn't really get rid of many of their problems.  Needless to say, their season end up as a disaster with few prospects to be better soon.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

Starting at the 2015 Trade Deadline, the Reds started unloading some of their better talent to get back prospects that could bolster their farm system.  Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake was traded last season, then the offseason saw Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman moving on.  Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce were in serious trade talk as well, but the deals fell through.  They have started to show that their strategy is a franchise reset.

Most Important Hitter

Jay Bruce

Jay Bruce is one of the best hitters the Reds have left, however there is a different reason he is their most important hitter this year.  Bruce is the best trade chip the Reds still have.  If the season heads south quick, which a lot of people expect it to, the question stops being if Bruce gets traded, and switches to when Bruce gets traded.  How well the Reds orchestrate a trade of Jay Bruce will help determine how good they will be in the future and how long it takes them to get there.

Most Important Pitcher

Homer Bailey

The Reds are pretty shaky all around their lineup.  One of the biggest question marks entering the season for them is how good Homer Bailey will be.  Bailey missed most of last season with Tommy John surgery.  He might be ready in time for the season to start.  If this doesn't happen, or he struggles when he comes back, look for Homer Bailey's season to become an audition for all teams looking to trade for an established starter at the Trade Deadline.

Player to Watch

Jesse Winker

A team like the Cincinnati Reds usually has a lot of opportunities to get their prospects time in the big leagues.  As they are attempting to build from the ground up, their top prospects will slowly but surely work their way in.  Jesse Winker is their top prospect right now.  This left-handed hitting outfielder could be a call-up if a Jay Bruce trade ever gets finalized.

2016 Prediction

4th in NL Central

It looks like the Reds have a little farther to fall before they can bounce back.  The only reason they are not in last place is because of a team in their division that is even worse off (mainly, because they don't have Joey Votto).  The Reds will be in the bottom five of the league, especially considering how good the top three in the division are.  Hopefully, it can start to turn around soon, but not in 2016.

Fearless Prediction

Manager Bryan Price will be fired before the All Star Break.

When you have a team like the Reds, it is hard to determine whether the poor play on the field is a result of the aging roster or a bad manager.  Either way, the manager ends up getting blamed at some point.  Bryan Price barely made it to 2016 after their terrible 2015.  Pitching coaches rarely make good managers, and I don't think Price is an exception to that rule.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago White Sox

The White Sox seem to be a team stuck in mediocrity.  They are never good enough to make a serious run late in the season, but they are never bad enough to start over either.  They are a team that is stuck.  Will 2016 change anything?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 3rd in AL Central

2015 Results: 76-86, 4th in AL Central

Chicago tried to make some moves before 2015 to improve the team, but none of them seemed to work out.  This lead to another disappointing season for the White Sox with little to be hopeful for.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

Once again, the White Sox tried hard to improve this offseason by making improvements to their roster that will bring immediate results.  The biggest move was a trade for All Star third baseman Todd Frazier, however they gave up a lot to get him.  They also traded for Brett Lawrie, another third baseman, that they plan to play at second base.  The most underrated move made by the Chi Sox was signing catcher Alex Avila away from the Tigers.  Avila is a great game caller and can really help out the pitching staff.  They also lost some key contributors to free agency like Jeff Samardzija and Alexei Ramirez.  It could be argued the biggest move the White Sox made this offseason was the move that was never made.  They were connected to Yoenis Cespedes, but didn't sign him.  They were in talks with Justin Upton, but lost out there too.  Then there is Ian Desmond, who could fit right in at shortstop, but the White Sox seem unwilling (so far) to give up the draft pick to sign him.

Most Important Hitter

Adam LaRoche

One of the biggest signings of last offseason became the biggest disappointment for the White Sox in 2015.  Adam LaRoche truly showed signs of his age for the first time, hitting just .207 and 12 home runs after hitting .259 and 26 homers the year before for the Nationals.  If the White Sox want to start to show signs of improvement, LaRoche needs to have a bounce back year, and they need to hope the newly-acquired Frazier and Lawrie don't fall into a similar slump.

Most Important Pitcher

Carlos Rodon

Carlos Rodon had a strong rookie season in 2015 for the White Sox.  He should take some strides forward in his sophomore season.  The problem is after not re-signing Samardzija, they have a hole in their rotation that they didn't really address.  Behind Chris Sale, there is no true number two starter now.  Carlos Rodon needs to take some massive steps forward and become that top line starter behind Sale that the White Sox need.

Player to Watch

Tim Anderson

The White Sox's top prospect is projected to be ready at some point in 2016.  He is a natural shortstop, but look for him to make an appearance if there are any injuries or slow starts from Brett Lawrie at second base or Tyler Saladino at shortstop.

2016 Prediction

5th in AL Central

Despite the moves the White Sox made this offseason, they look more like Band-Aids to try and hold together a team that needs to be blown up and started over.  They refuse to go all in to win now by making the few extra moves needed to make them a contender, like signing Cespedes, Upton, or Desmond.  They have a legitimate ace in Chris Sale, but no help behind him.  At the same time, they refuse to rebuild by trading away top players to rebuild the farm system and build young.  Instead, they keep trading prospects away.  Todd Frazier is a nice pickup, but they need more than that to win.  Until they decide whether to go all in for now or for the future, they will never get better.

Fearless Prediction

Manager Robin Ventura will be fired before the All Star Break.

I think Robin Ventura has the potential to be a great manager.  The problem is if this season is disappointing at all, he is most likely to be blamed.  He barely made it through the 2015 season with his job.  Another mediocre to poor season will certainly cost him his job, whether it is his fault or not.