Hope abounds firstly of the yr — particularly within the baseball world. With the season getting nearer (nearly 50 days till the beginning of Spring Coaching), now’s the time to start out daydreaming about summer season days spent watching your favourite crew on the ballyard.
With that optimism in thoughts, this is one daring prediction for every MLB crew in 2024.
Blue Jays: Bo Bichette will set up himself amongst AL’s superstarsThere’s nonetheless one other stage to Bichette’s sport. He’s confirmed that he’s able to hitting .300 yearly and he ought to proceed to pile up the counting stats in 2024, provided that he’s on the market almost every single day, however he is usually a celebrity. Final season, one main shock was Bichette’s lack of stolen bases. I’d projected a run at a 30-30 season, which by no means got here near occurring in ’23, however this might be the season that Bichette places all of it collectively and cracks the highest 5 of AL MVP voting. The expertise is there, the shot at taking part in 162 video games is there and he ought to have a greater offense round him. That is Bichette’s crew. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: They are going to attain the postseason once more in 2024The AL East is a juggernaut division, and all 5 groups could have respectable postseason aspirations heading into 2024. The Orioles would be the reigning champions, nevertheless it’s by no means simple to compete with the Blue Jays, Rays, Crimson Sox and Yankees. Baltimore’s younger core — a bunch that includes catcher Adley Rutschman, infielder Gunnar Henderson and extra — is just getting higher, although. It will be fairly shocking to see the O’s go from being the AL’s high crew to lacking the postseason after they seem arrange for long-term success. Will the Orioles win greater than 100 video games once more? That might be robust. It’s additionally attainable they received’t repeat as division champions, contemplating 4 groups have received an AL East title over the previous six seasons. However Baltimore has an excessive amount of expertise to not make it to October, so it should earn consecutive postseason berths for the primary time since 1996 and ‘97. — Jake Rill
Rays: The postseason dropping streak will endThis prediction contains an assumption that the Rays will do effectively sufficient in one other brutal AL East battle to succeed in the postseason for a sixth straight yr, a powerful accomplishment in its personal proper contemplating how they’ve persistently turned over their roster. After all, that streak hasn’t led to a lot October success for Tampa Bay lately. The Rays have been bounced of their first playoff matchup every of the previous three years, and their final win in a postseason sport got here in Sport 1 of the 2021 AL Division Sequence towards the Crimson Sox. They’re 0-7 since then. We’ll say that skid will finish in 2024, even with out co-aces Shane McClanahan (injured) and Tyler Glasnow (traded). — Adam Berry
Crimson Sox: The Crimson Sox will win extra video games than they did in 2023The bar is low, however after going 78-84 in back-to-back seasons, ending above .500 looks like a good objective. The 2023 Crimson Sox exemplified what it means to have a roller-coaster season, discovering themselves on sizzling streaks earlier than going ice chilly. With little rotation depth, a revolving door at shortstop earlier than Trevor Story’s return and weak protection at second base, Boston was not often at full pressure at any level final season.
If the Crimson Sox can discover a method so as to add two to 3 strong starters and a defensive second baseman this offseason (which they appeared to do by buying and selling for Vaughn Grissom), they’ll instantly put themselves in a greater place getting into Spring Coaching. — Molly Burkhardt
Yankees: Aaron Decide will attempt to break his residence run recordHelped by Juan Soto’s safety and aware of any Nineteen Sixties-era concrete boundaries ringing the outfield, Decide will make one other run on the single-season AL residence run file, trying to eclipse the 62 he belted in 2022. Regardless of lacking 51 video games on the injured checklist in ’23, Decide’s 37 homers had been the fourth most within the AL, becoming a member of Mark McGwire as the one Main Leaguers to hit at the least 37 homers whereas taking part in in 106 video games or fewer (McGwire achieved that feat in 1995 with the Athletics). — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: Tanner Bibee will likely be an AL Cy Younger finalistRookies can typically expertise a sophomore hunch, however Bibee is primed to skip that step. He ended his first season with a 2.98 ERA in 25 outings, with 141 strikeouts in 142 innings. Bibee was compelled to overlook his previous couple of begins on account of proper hip irritation, which left a mighty chip on his shoulder, as he desperately needed to spice up his numbers for a fair higher case for the AL Rookie of the 12 months Award. He displayed an incredible capacity to adapt on the fly in 2023, and with expertise below his belt, he can take an enormous step in ’24. — Mandy Bell
Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. will likely be an All-StarIf there was an All-Star Sport for the second half of the yr in 2023, Witt possible would have earned a nod. He broke out of an early-season hunch and by no means seemed again on his option to a 30-homer, 49-steals sophomore marketing campaign. Witt completed seventh within the AL MVP voting due to his all-around play, so perhaps this isn’t a loopy prediction. However to be an All-Star, gamers should begin the season sturdy. That’s key for the Royals on the whole in ’24, ensuring their April play isn’t as poor because it’s been in previous years. Witt will likely be a vital piece of that. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: The sluggish begins will endThe Tigers have struggled with gradual begins below A.J. Hinch, however that is the yr they’ll change that. With 17 of their first 31 video games at residence (all however 5 of them day video games), 18 of their first 31 towards AL or NL Central foes and 7 video games towards the defending AL Central champion Twins, there’s a chance to construct momentum from the outset if they will put their rotation so as and discover offense in sometimes chilly Michigan circumstances. That might be crucial earlier than Detroit’s schedule will get robust in Might and June. — Jason Beck
Twins: Pablo López will win the AL Cy YoungIn López’s first season with the Twins, he took an enormous step ahead and cemented himself because the ace of Minnesota’s pitching employees — and put a bow on it with two spectacular playoff performances. He’s going to take one other step.
Coming off one other wholesome season and with a full offseason to work with the Twins’ pitching minds, López will enhance considerably on what Statcast indicated was a really unfortunate 3.66 ERA in 2023 and add to the 234 strikeouts that positioned him second within the AL. That will likely be sufficient to make him the very best within the league. — Do-Hyoung Park
White Sox: They are going to be higher in 2024 than they had been in ’23Will Chicago make the playoffs or end at .500? I might say no to each of these questions, though something is feasible if not believable within the AL Central. However the White Sox could have a greater crew than final yr: Not essentially extra expertise, however a greater general match. So 70 wins doesn’t appear unattainable.
It’s simple to see why White Sox followers could be irked by such a prediction, with 70 wins standing as a great factor with the final rebuild promising a championship window lingers not that far off within the distance. Let’s even be sincere: The 2023 crew completed at 61-101, so the bar isn’t particularly excessive for enchancment. — Scott Merkin
Angels: Mike Trout could have one other MVP-caliber seasonTrout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, didn’t fairly have his regular numbers when he suffered a left hamate fracture on a swing on July 3 that basically ended his season. However he was heating up at that time and it’s possible he would’ve had one other unbelievable second half. It was a fluke harm and Trout in any other case stayed wholesome. He might additionally get extra at-bats at designated hitter now that Shohei Ohtani isn’t on the roster, which might hold him contemporary. Trout, 32, will likely be on a mission to show he’s nonetheless one of many sport’s finest gamers and can as soon as once more show why he’s the very best participant of his era. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Yordan Alvarez will win the AL MVP in 2024Alvarez will likely be trying to be part of Jeff Bagwell (1994) and Jose Altuve (2017) as Astros’ MVP winners. Alvarez completed third behind Decide and Ohtani within the AL MVP voting in 2022 and was thirteenth in ’23, regardless of taking part in in solely 114 video games. He missed six weeks with a proper indirect harm and nonetheless mashed 31 homers and drove in 97 runs, whereas slashing .293/.407/.583. If Alvarez will get 600-plus plate appearances, look out. He’s not solely an elite energy hitter, however he is the most effective all-around hitters within the sport. Hey, and Ohtani is now within the NL. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: Brent Rooker will likely be an All-Star againRooker’s sharp drop in manufacturing following a robust first month through which he carried out as the most effective hitters within the Majors led to some viewing his 2023 All-Star choice as considerably of a fluke. However he turned issues round with eight residence runs over the ultimate month and nonetheless completed his first full massive league season with 30 homers and a .817 OPS. With Ohtani now within the NL, that’s one much less designated hitter to compete with for a second consecutive All-Star choice in ’24. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: Julio Rodríguez will make a severe run on the AL MVP AwardThe most notable blockade has been lifted after Ohtani jetted for the Dodgers and the NL, thus widening the sphere of contenders. And with Rodríguez primed to take one other massive step ahead in 2024 — and with much more of a highlight on him to steer the Mariners’ offense after the departures of key contributors Eugenio Suárez, Teoscar Hernandez and Jarred Kelenic — 12 months 3 seems like one through which that Rodríguez might obtain sustained success for the 162-game marathon. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: Corey Seager will win the AL MVPSeager had one in every of his finest seasons in 2023, ending second within the AL in batting common (.327), slugging share (.623) and OPS (1.013) en path to a second-place end within the AL MVP race. He performed simply 119 video games due to accidents, however nonetheless hit 33 residence runs and 96 RBIs. Seager received a Silver Slugger Award, was an All-MLB First-Group shortstop and was the starter on the place within the All-Star Sport, whereas additionally ending as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award.
With Ohtani’s exit to the NL, Seager’s possibilities at his first MVP Award have elevated considerably. And if he performs wherever close to his 2023 stage, he’ll be a finalist once more on the very least. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: Max Fried will win the NL Cy Younger AwardWe’ll save the seventh straight division title and the third straight 100-win season predictions for later. The Braves received 104 video games with Fried making 13 wholesome begins. We don’t know if Fried will likely be in Atlanta past the 2024 season. However we actually know what sort of a competitor he’s. As Fried distances himself from 2023’s injury-blemished season and prepares for his closing season earlier than hitting the free-agent market, he appears primed to win the Cy Younger Award, which he strongly vied for in ’20 and ’22. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: Jazz Chisholm Jr. will return to All-Star formA yr in the past, All-Star second baseman Chisholm instructed the group he would transfer to heart area if it meant including offense, paving the way in which for the acquisition of Luis Arraez and a postseason berth. After early rising pains in heart, Chisholm completed within the 87th percentile for Outs Above Common. Barring a change of plans, he will not should take care of studying a brand new place on the fly in 2024. The important thing for Chisholm, who turns 26 on Feb. 1, is staying on the sphere. He managed to knock 19 homers and steal 22 bases in simply 97 video games. — Christina De Nicola
Mets: The crew will likely be higher in 2024 than it was in ’23Frankly, this shouldn’t be that a lot of a leap. Based mostly on run differential, the Mets’ anticipated (Pythagorean) file in 2023 was 80-82 — 5 video games higher than their precise mark of 75-87. They’ll have All-Star nearer Edwin Díaz again and may proceed to amass pitching depth in January. Youthful gamers resembling Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos have an opportunity to interrupt out. Whereas the last word ceiling won’t be there but for the Mets, they’re going to be a greater crew, full cease, with an opportunity to problem for a Wild Card berth. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: Hunter Harvey will take over as closerHarvey picked up his first profession save final Might, and he has proven the potential to earn the nearer job in 2024. He has handled accidents up to now, however he’s coming off his strongest Main League season. Harvey posted a 2.82 ERA throughout a career-high 60 2/3 innings and 57 appearances, and he was simply one in every of 4 relievers in 2023 with at the least 10 saves and 19 holds. He tied for fourth amongst NL relievers with 5.15 SO/BB fee and he ranked fifth with a 0.94 WHIP. If Harvey stays wholesome, he’s more likely to emerge because the ninth-inning go-to man. — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: A real race within the NL EastA few weeks in the past on the Winter Conferences, the Phillies acquired requested concerning the 14-game distinction between themselves and the Braves within the NL East. “Is it actually that broad a niche,” they puzzled? Definitely, two consecutive victories within the NL Division Sequence say it isn’t, however the Phils wish to problem for a division title in 2024. To do it, they should keep away from one other gradual begin. Philadelphia was 25-32 on June 2, nevertheless it went 65-40 (.619) the remainder of the way in which, which was the third-best file within the NL behind Atlanta and Los Angeles. Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned they’ve began speaking about how they will get off to a greater begin. The guess right here is that it occurs and the NL East turns into a real race. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: Freddy Peralta will win the NL Cy Younger AwardPeralta had a 2.81 ERA whereas making the All-Star crew in 2021, solely to see ‘22 ruined by a proper shoulder harm. Final season, he was wholesome once more and had a 2.81 ERA after the All-Star break as he discovered confidence in his well being and rounded into type. A full season of that stage of output could be large for the Brewers, who minimize free longtime ace Brandon Woodruff this offseason and should commerce Corbin Burnes earlier than subsequent yr’s Commerce Deadline, lest they lose him by way of free company for less than a Draft decide. Peralta is poised to step to the entrance of a Milwaukee rotation that has been the energy of the crew. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: Dependable pitching might result in NL Central contentionWith the Cubs and Reds caught in impartial, the Brewers seemingly heading in reverse with the lack of supervisor Craig Counsell and the possible buying and selling of Burnes and the Pirates nonetheless coasting, the Cardinals will pull off a worst-to-first surge and cruise to the NL Central crown in 2024. Thoughts you, that’s not fairly the accomplishment it is likely to be in another division, however it should at the least get them again within the playoffs. Nevertheless, with out one other pitching addition, the Playing cards nonetheless have a protracted option to go to be World Sequence contenders. — John Denton
Cubs: North Siders get again to playoffsThe Cubs had been higher beneath the hood than their 83-win end would point out final season. That’s a part of the explanation the North Siders made the shocking determination to rent supervisor Craig Counsell. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer feels Counsell can squeeze extra out of Chicago’s roster.
The offseason is way from completed and the Cubs nonetheless have a number of areas to deal with, however there’s a strong basis with a rising checklist of prospects climbing to the Majors. The Brewers look susceptible on the high of the division and Chicago will not be a World Sequence favourite, however there’s undoubtedly a path to returning to the October dance. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: Ke’Bryan Hayes will win his first Platinum GloveFernando Tatis Jr. received it final season in his first season as a full-time outfielder, and a part of his success was as a result of runners saved testing his arm. Skilled baseball gamers will regulate to that and study to not get grasping attempting to take an additional base, however there’s no adjustment to be made towards Hayes’ protection. You may’t simply not run to first base. He’s going to proceed making these unbelievable performs — and proceed to make them look ridiculously simple. — Jake Crouse
Reds: Cincinnati will make the postseasonThis is not too daring of a prediction since Cincinnati received 82 video games and simply missed the playoffs final season. Whereas it is unlikely that the entire Reds’ younger gamers from 2023 could have a greater sophomore season, a number of ought to nonetheless have the ability to construct upon their rookie success and make ahead progress in ’24. If that occurs and Cincinnati can hold tempo with its NL Central rivals, there’s each cause to really feel just like the Reds might be a playoff crew come October. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: Arizona will likely be playoff certain againFor the primary time since 2001-02, the D-backs will seem within the postseason in back-to-back years.
Arizona’s younger gamers flashed their potential in 2023, and with a yr of expertise below their belts, they need to be able to take one other step ahead. Mix that with the additions that the crew has made this offseason and it appears affordable to anticipate a return to the postseason.
And because the D-backs confirmed final yr, when you get in, something can occur. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: Dodger Stadium will likely be extra electrical than ever beforeLook, the Dodgers have had some massive seasons over the previous decade-plus. They draw sellout crowds yr in and yr out, with postseason appearances being a daily characteristic. They’re no strangers to star energy. However they’ve by no means had the $700 million man on their roster. Ohtani attracts a crowd all over the place he goes — simply think about the power when he steps to the plate for the primary time at residence. (And, for that matter, when he first takes the mound after his restoration from proper elbow surgical procedure is full.) — Sarah Wexler
Giants: A Big will win NL Rookie of the YearThe Giants haven’t produced a ROY winner since Buster Posey in 2010, however they might be effectively positioned to finish that drought quickly. San Francisco graduated 12 prospects to the Majors this previous season, a lot of whom will retain their rookie standing heading into ’24. If that younger core continues to develop as anticipated, the Giants might have a number of ROY candidates, together with heart fielder Jung Hoo Lee, left-hander Kyle Harrison and shortstop Marco Luciano. — Maria Guardado
Padres: San Diego will win extra video games than it did in ’23We can all agree that the 2023 season was an odd one, proper? The Padres completed 9-23 in one-run video games. They began the yr 0-12 in extra-inning video games.
