2017 Pre-Season Profile: Oakland Athletics

#25

Over the past few years, the Oakland A's have hit the reset button Moneyball style.  After a few seasons at the bottom of the division, will 2017 see some progress back to the top of the division with this new core?

My 2016 Predictions

5th in AL West

Half of the A's Opening Day lineup will be traded before the end of the season.

2016 Results

69-93, 5th in AL West

No one expected much from the A's in 2016, and they didn't disappoint.  The makeshift lineup put together led the A's back to the cellar for a second straight year.  This was another transition year as their farm system was being restocked.  As for my prediction, it came up just a bit short.  Four of the ten Opening Day starters (Billy Burns, Josh Reddick, Aaron Hill, Billy Butler) were traded by the end of the season, however Danny Valencia was traded this offseason so I am going to label this prediction as fulfilled.

Additions / Subtractions

The A's have made their offseason strategy an art form.  They buy low on some solid veterans looking to prove themselves, then flip them at the Trade Deadline for more prospects to build their farm system.  Like I said, a good portion of their lineup was flipped last year with Valencia traded this offseason.  The new crop of vets to land in Oakland includes Trevor Plouffe, Rajai Davis, Matt Joyce, and Santiago Casilla.

Most Important Hitter

Khris Davis

One highlight of the 2016 Athletics was the emergence of Khris Davis.  He exploded for 42 home runs and 102 RBI's while becoming the A's best player.  Now he will have a target on his back as he will not catch anyone by surprise this year.  Can he repeat his production from last year?  If so, he is on the verge of becoming a superstar that could lead the next great A's run (or be traded, depending on what Billy Beane wants to do).  If he can't, the A's are further away from success than they want to be.

Most Important Pitcher

Sonny Gray

In 2015, Sonny Gray emerged as the next great A's ace, verging on the brink of being a superstar.  In 2016, he battled injuries to start the season.  When he came back, he was a different pitcher, finishing the year with a 5.69 ERA.  If the A's want to have any chance of being relevant in 2017, Sonny Gray needs to be his 2015 version and not his 2016 version.

Player to Watch

Franklin Barreto

Any hardcore Athletics should already know the name of Franklin Barreto.  The 21 year-old infielder is not only A's top prospect and baseball's 52nd best prospect overall, he was also the key piece sent back to A's in the Josh Donaldson trade with the Blue Jays.  Knowing that, it's obvious to see why his debut is so anticipated.  Barreto's career is the only thing that could prevent the Donaldson trade from going down as one of the worst trades in baseball history.  2017 is the first chance we have to see young Barreto on the field in Oakland.  With Marcus Semien seemingly having shortstop locked up, second base is more likely to be the position at which he makes his debut.

2017 Prediction

4th in AL West

You have to give Oakland credit; they are never down for that long.  Their latest group of prospects are getting ready to hit the big leagues, while their latest group of veterans will most likely be shipped off for more prospects.  They have a chance of getting off to a fast start with the veterans, while the rookies will make the second half exciting.  When all is said and done, they still won't be very good, but they are at least heading in the right direction.

Fearless Prediction

Half of the A's Opening Day roster will be traded by the end of the season.

Yes, it is the same prediction as last year, but it doesn't make it any less relevant.  Look at their lineup.  Half of this lineup is in Oakland so that they can earn their way to a deadline trade.  Look for Trevor Plouffe, Rajai Davis, Matt Joyce, and maybe even players like Marcus Semien, Sonny Gray, and Stephen Vogt to be dealt before all is said and done.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Angels

#26

The Angels still boast the best player in baseball, but their production has been declining the last few seasons.  Will 2017 turn things around in Anaheim?

My 2016 Predictions

4th in AL West

This is Mike Scioscia's last season as Angels' manager.

2016 Results

74-88, 4th in AL West

The placement in the standings of the Angels at the end of the season I had right on as they slid one more spot down the AL West in 2016.  Mike Trout once again was dominant as he won another MVP, but the rest of the roster was underwhelming as the Angels found themselves heading in the wrong direction.  If Mike Scioscia was not such a quality and well respected manager, my prediction would have come true.

Additions / Subtractions

None of the moves the Angels made this offseason could be considered blockbuster, but there were several under-the-radar moves that could have an impact.  Luis Valbuena is a solid veteran bat, while Cameron Maybin, Danny Espinosa, and Ben Revere are high caliber defensive players.  The most notable change in the lineup might be the fact that for the first time since 2005, the Angels' rotation will not anchored by Jered Weaver, as he signed with the Padres in the offseason.

Most Important Hitter

Danny Espinosa

I think it is safe to say that the Angels now have the best defensive middle infield in all of baseball.  Andrelton Simmons is the consensus best glove man in the game, and with Danny Espinosa at second, they now have a perennial Gold Glove contender there as well.  With that said, Espinosa has the potential to impact the team with his bat as well.  His power numbers have been increasing the last few years.  If he can find a way to hit for a higher average as well, this might be one of the best moves of the offseason that no one is talking about.

Most Important Pitcher

Garrett Richards

For the past few seasons, Garrett Richards has been the best pitcher for the Angels.  The problem is he can't stay healthy.  In 2014, he tore his ACL covering first base, then an elbow injury knocked out most of his 2016 season.  Now he is expected to be their ace, but he can only do that if he is on the field.  If he can stay healthy, that will greatly benefit the Angels overall as he will anchor a below average rotation.

Player to Watch

Nate Smith

The biggest weakness of the Angels is definitely their development and farm system.  For the second straight year, their system boasts no top 100 prospects in the game.  On top of that, their top prospects are still at least a couple years away from being impact players at the major league level.  The best prospect that has a chance to make an impact this year is southpaw Nate Smith.  This 25 year old starting pitcher should make his debut in the Angels' rotation at some point this season and help give a spark.

2017 Prediction

5th in AL West

The Angels have farther to fall before they get back up again.  All the moves they have made are band-aids that don't really solve the issue.  They have no pitching and can't score runs.  Trout can only do so much, and Albert Pujols is now 37 years old (and shows his age more and more every year).  They need to think about rebuilding, but they have nothing with which to rebuild thanks to their empty farm system.  What that leaves is a mediocre team at best with nothing to get excited about on the horizon.

Fearless Prediction

This will be Mike Trout's last season as an Angel.

At first look, this might seem like an insane and ridiculous idea that will never happen.  I mean, who trades away the generation's best player.  When you think about it though, it's not as insane and implausible as you might think.  Mike Trout has been a big leaguer for 5 full seasons now, making the All Star Team all 5 years and finishing in the top two in the MVP voting each year.  He is only entering his age 25 season, which means he has a chance to even get better.  He is also under contract through 2020.  Looking at what the Angels have right now, unless they somehow sign every big free agent over the next four seasons, they will not be relevant again for at least four or five more years, even with Mike Trout.  As it is, Trout has only played in 3 postseason games so far in his career.  The only realistic way for the Angels to speed up this process is to overhaul their farm system, which can only happen fast by trading away their best players, which would be Mike Trout.  Can you imagine what kind of package a team would put together (Yankees, I'm looking at you) to bring in a generational talent like Mike Trout?  The choice the Angels have to make is either keep Trout and be irrelevant for the rest of his contract (which runs the risk of not being good again with him on your roster) or trade away the best player in the league and bring in an unprecedented haul of prospects (which has no guarantee of working out).  It's a tough choice to make, but the unpopular choice might be the right choice.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Milwaukee Brewers

#27

The Milwaukee Brewers have been irrelevant in the national baseball scene since winning the division in 2011.  How long will it be before they return to a position of significance?

My 2016 Predictions

5th in NL Central

Jonathan Lucroy will be traded to the Texas Rangers for Jurickson Profar.

2016 Results

73-89, 4th in NL Central

Last year, the Brewers finished a little higher than I had anticipated, but this was more because the Reds were a lot worse than I thought.  The Brewers I had about right.  There was nothing that made them stand out in any way.  They are a franchise stuck in mediocrity.  Outside of a resurgence in Ryan Braun and a surprise amount of production out of journeyman Chris Carter, there really wasn't much notable that took place in Milwaukee last season.  However, my fearless prediction last season is one I am most proud of out of all my pre-season picks of 2016.  I may have gotten the details of the trade wrong, but I was right that he was heading to the Texas Rangers.  I think my trade proposal would have gone well too.

Additions / Subtractions

The Brewers' offseason was confusing.  Chris Carter led the league in home runs, so they let him walk and sign elsewhere.  Instead, they replaced him with Eric Thames, a 30 year old player that has spent his last 4 seasons in Japan resurrecting his career.  That is about as unknown a commodity as you get.  Many also thought, just like they did about Lucroy last year, that they needed to trade Ryan Braun, as his stock will never be this high again after his strong 2016.  However, they kept their aging superstar even though they are in an obvious rebuild scenario.  Instead, the Brewers were frustratingly quiet.

Most Important Hitter

Jonathan Villar

One of the bright spots for the Brewers last year was the emergence of Jonathan Villar.  In his first year with the club after being traded from the Astros, Villar showed what kind of player he can be.  Another strong season in 2017 can make the Brewers better and also solidify his position as a potential cornerstone of the Brew Crew moving forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Junior Guerra

The biggest surprise of the 2016 Milwaukee Brewers was Junior Guerra, a 31 year old pitcher just finally getting a shot to prove himself in the big leagues.  He pitched so well, he is being counted on as a potential ace of the staff in 2017.  For the Brewers to move in the right direction, Guerra needs to show that 2016 was a sign of things to come and not a fluke.

Player to Watch

Lewis Brinson

Last year, I said a potential Jonathan Lucroy trade would help set the Brewers up for the future.  The acquisition of top prospect Lewis Brinson was proof that I was right.  Brinson is a highly-touted outfield prospect that seems to have all the tools.  If the Brewers season goes the way it is supposed to, look for Brinson to get his shot in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

2017 Prediction

4th in NL Central

The Brewers are not a bad team.  They are also not good team.  They also show very few signs of changing any of these facts this season.  They might be the most boring team in all of baseball to try and follow.  Their lineup has some flash, but their pitching is mediocre.  They are on a rebuilding track, but that track is looking like it will take longer than most fans want it to.  Look for this season to look a lot like last season: bright spots, but mostly disappointing.

Fearless Prediction

Ryan Braun will be traded by the end of the season.

I don't have as strong of a prediction on this one as I did with the Lucroy trade last year (my best guess is he will go to the Dodgers), but the reasoning is almost identical.  It is time to fully commit to the rebuild, and that means it is time for a guy like Ryan Braun to bring back some prospects.  Also, this trade would clear a spot in the outfield for Lewis Brinson to come in.  Look for this blockbuster trade to happen.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Minnesota Twins

#28

The Twins had a breakout year in 2015, followed by a terrible year in 2016.  Which season is the sign of things to come?

My 2016 Predictions

3rd in AL Central

Byron Buxton will either win Rookie of the Year or play less than 81 games.

2016 Results

59-103, 5th in NL Central

There were high expectations on the Twins entering 2016, and they disappointed in just about every way possible.  They became the first team since 2013 to lose 100+ games after almost making the playoffs the year before.  There wasn't much of a difference in the roster either.  It was a very confusing turnaround.  As for my prediction, I was close.  He did not win Rookie of the Year while playing in 92 games in 2016.

Additions / Subtractions

Once again, the Twins made very little noise in the offseason.  They have a very young core they believe and want to give every opportunity to succeed.  The only significant move made was replacing veteran catching Kurt Suzuki with former-Astro Jason Castro.  The biggest news of the offseason ended up being the move they didn't make.  All Star Brian Dozier is still a Twin when most of the offseason rumors had him being traded to the Dodgers.

Most Important Hitter

Byron Buxton

For several years, we have been hearing about how Byron Buxton is league's next superstar.
He was mentioned as a can't miss prospect in the same way Mike Trout was can't miss.  Over the last few years, Buxton has mostly disappointed with injuries to blame for some of it.  However, a lot of it has just been a lack of performance.  He is only entering his age 23 season, but you get the idea that the success of the Twins rests on his shoulders this season.

Most Important Pitcher

Phil Hughes

Phil Hughes has been around so long, you would think he was pushing 40.  In fact, he is only entering his age 31 season.  He has had quite an inconsistent career, with 2016 being derailed by injury.  He has had flashes throughout his career of brilliance.  This is a make or break year for Hughes.  If he pitches well, the Twins will have success.  If he struggles or gets hurt again, the Twins will struggle and Hughes will struggle to keep his roster spot.

Player to Watch

Fernando Romero

If Hughes loses his spot in the rotation, Fernando Romero might be the player in line to take his place.  Romero is a hard-throwing right-hander whose path to the big leagues was derailed for a couple years due to an elbow injury.  2016 was his first season healthy in awhile, and he impressed.  If he stays healthy, look for him to make his debut this season and be a major part of the Twins' plans moving forward.

2017 Prediction

5th in NL Central

Looking at successful 2015 and the dreadful 2016, you get the idea that the anomaly was the former instead of the latter.  They are a young team that had a season where they played way over their heads for one year.  They came crashing back to earth in 2016, falling as far as possible.  They won't be as bad as last year in 2017, but they won't be very good either.  Their starting pitching is below average, and their lineup has a fair amount of holes and question marks.  I would be surprised if they finished anywhere but the cellar.

Fearless Prediction

Brian Dozier will be traded mid-season.

Brian Dozier was almost traded in the offseason, and honestly he should have been.  He is in the prime of his career coming of his best season to date.  His stock will not get much higher than it was over the last few months.  With that said, once the Twins realize they don't have a shot this year, they will soon realize the best thing Dozier can do for his team is help them rebuild and get even younger.  He will be a coveted target at the Trade Deadline for sure.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: San Diego Padres

#29

The San Diego Padres have seen all sorts of extremes over the last couple years.  They were all in one year, then rebuilding the next.  What will 2017 hold?

My 2016 Predictions

5th in NL West

The Padres will trade over half of their starting rotation by the end of the season.

2016 Results

68-94, 5th in NL West

A combination of hitting a complete reset button on their franchise and having one of the most competitive divisions in baseball resulted in a dismal 2016 for the Padres.  The silver lining to their season was the experience they gave to all their youth, including rookie manager Andy Green.  As for last year's fearless prediction, I nailed it!  Starting pitchers that were traded during the 2016 season numbered 3 or 4 (could've been 5), depending on who you want to count.  Drew Pomeranz ended the season with the Red Sox, Andrew Cashner ended the year with the Marlins, and James Shields was traded to the White Sox.  Colin Rea, last year's player to watch, was traded to the Marlins with Cashner but given back after he needed Tommy John surgery just one start in.  Tyson Ross, the best of the group, very easily could have been traded as well if he hadn't gotten hurt on Opening Day and sat out the rest of the year.

Additions / Subtractions

With all the trades made during the season, the Padres were fairly quiet during the offseason.  They let Tyson Ross walk and brought in veteran starters Jered Weaver and Jhoulys Chacin to fill out a very young rotation.  The biggest move of the offseason was the commitment to Wil Myers, making him the cornerstone of the new look Padres for years to come.

Most Important Hitter

Wil Myers

With the Padres in full rebuild mode, Wil Myers is one of the few players in the lineup with extensive big league experience.  He is also coming off a breakout All Star season in 2016.  He could easily emerge as a borderline superstar in 2017, which would allow all the youngsters in the lineup to relax and play without too much pressure.

Most Important Pitcher

Brandon Maurer

When the Padres traded Fernando Rodney last season, it opened up the competition at the back end of their bullpen for closer.  The most talented arm back there that should emerge is Brandon Maurer.  If he does, they potentially have a star in the making anchoring their bullpen.  He needs to be dominant if the bullpen is going to be serviceable this season.

Player to Watch

Manuel Margot & Hunter Renfroe

I couldn't just pick one.  These two outfield prospects are two of the most prized possessions of the Padres' farm system, and both are projected to make a huge impact this season.  Twenty-two year old Margot, one of the players acquired in the trade that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox, is the Padres' top prospect and is competing for the starting centerfield job.  Twenty-five year old Renfroe is a former first round pick of the Padres and is projected to be the starting rightfielder on Opening Day.  These two should forever be linked as cornerstones of the Padres' new core.

2017 Prediction

5th in NL West

The Padres are not quite ready to crawl out of the cellar of the NL West.  This is more due to the strength of the division than anything.  However, the pitching staff, which was once their strength, is now something that has a lot of learning still to do.  They will be fun to watch moving forward, but they are a few years away from being good.

Fearless Prediction

Margot and Renfroe will finish in the top 3 of Rookie of the Year voting in 2017.

I really want to predict that one of them will win this award, but any rational prognosticator would be crazy to pick anyone but the Braves' Dansby Swanson as the pre-season Rookie of the Year.  With that said, I see these two having a great year that might even get people talking about the Padres (which is a feat in itself).

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Cincinnati Reds

#30

It's that time of year again!  Time to look at the upcoming baseball season.  This year, as I go through each team and their outlook for this season, I am going through by my own pre-season power rankings.  We start with the end with one of the few teams that know they have no shot entering this season: the Cincinnati Reds.

My 2016 Predictions

4th in NL Central

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

2016 Results

68-94, 5th in NL Central

Somehow, I gave the Reds too much credit last season.  I knew they weren't going to be good.  I had no idea just how bad they would be.  They were stuck in a weird spot of trying to rebuild while holding onto some franchise favorite veterans.  Finishing in the bottom 5 of the entire league, it's a miracle my Fearless Prediction was wrong!

2017 Additions / Subtractions

At the 2015 Trade Deadline, the Reds finally started the slow rebuild process when they traded Johnny Cueto to the Royals.  Then, in the 2016 offseason, they traded Todd Frazier to the White Sox.  They continued the process at the 2016 Trade Deadline when they traded Jay Bruce to the Mets.  This offseason kept the slow dismantling moving by trading Brandon Phillips to the Braves.  Outside of this and additions of veteran pitchers Scott Feldman and Drew Storen, the Reds were pretty quiet as they allow their young players (Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler, Eugenio Suarez, Jose Mazara) try to establish themselves.

Most Important Hitter

Joey Votto

Last year, I said the Reds' Most Important Hitter was Jay Bruce, not because of what he would contribute to the team, but because of what he would get the team in the trade market.  Joey Votto, one of the only members of the old guard left, could be serving a similar purpose in 2017.  First off, Votto is one of the best hitters in baseball, a fact that has been true for all the 2010's.  He is the Reds best player, which is why he is still around.  The Reds need to make a decision on what they want to do with Votto.  Do they keep him to mentor their young crop of hitters, possibly dooming him to play for mediocre teams for the rest of his career?  Or do they trade him and his big contract to continue to add to their young talent base?  This question will likely be answered in 2017.  If they still have him at the end of the season, he is staying put.  If they don't, he will bring a healthy batch of prospects.

Most Important Pitcher

Brandon Finnegan

If the Reds want to win anytime soon, some of their young talent needs to start emerging.  Brandon Finnegan was the centerpiece in the package the Reds got back from the Royals for Johnny Cueto in 2015.  In 2016, Finnegan had an average season in his first full year in the big leagues.  Now, it is time for him to take a step forward and emerge as a possible ace moving forward.  If he does that, the Reds might not be as terrible as you think.

Player to Watch

Amir Garrett

A rebuilding team like this is usually a revolving door of rookies throughout the season.  One of the more intriguing prospects bound to make his debut this year is left-handed flamethrower Amir Garrett.  This 24 year old is still a little rough around the edges, but he has the potential of being a front-line starter for years to come.

2017 Prediction

5th in NL Central

Being at the bottom of my Pre-Season Power Rankings, this prediction is fairly anticlimactic.  The Reds have some potential, with guys like Duvall and Schebler flashing some greatness last year.  However, they still have such a long way to go, mainly because they refuse to fully commit to the rebuild.  Why are guys like Votto, Zack Cozart, and Devin Mesoraco still on the roster?  There is nothing exciting about a team that is going nowhere.  That's where the Reds are.  Either sell the farm and rebuild or reload and try to win with what you have.  Being caught in the middle never works.

Fearless Prediction

Zack Cozart will be traded before the All Star Break.

I really thought about going with the same prediction as last year, but I thought that might be too obvious.  Of all the veterans still on the roster, Zack Cozart seems to be the logical next choice to be traded.  Jose Peraza, slated to be the starting 2nd baseman, is the shortstop of the future.  He can't move over till Cozart is gone though.  Look for a team that has a key injury to an infielder to make a move for Cozart, who still has something left to prove in this league.