Optimism. It’s something that we have come to expect less and less in many facets of our lives. The 2021 Major League Baseball regular season is fast approaching, and the beginning of baseball season is one place where boundless optimism still reigns.
The regular season is scheduled to open on April 1st. With it, salvation from the winter doldrums, that only baseball can bring. We are looking at a full 162-game schedule, and the offseason has provided a massive wave of intriguing transactions. The superstars of the sport have been on the move this winter. Larger than life free-agent signings and game breaking multi-player trades have altered the landscape of the league. Some teams have bolstered their already powerful rosters, while others have added key pieces in the hopes of taking that next step. Even teams considered to be “rebuilding” have made shrewd transactions to keep themselves competitive, simultaneously improving their farm systems and giving their fans hope for years to come.
From die-hards to new fans, anyone and everyone who follows Major League Baseball has a reason to be optimistic this season. If not for their specific team, just for the fact that soon, there will be baseball. With such a staggering amount of offseason activity, it seemed logical to break down the league team by team. The following is a brief highlight of each American League team’s significant offseason transactions so far and a description of how those moves may impact each team’s goals for this season. Foremost of which is to win baseball games.
AL East
Baltimore Orioles:
The Orioles look to stay relevant this season by utilizing a young core backed by some experienced veterans. The addition of Freddy Galvis to the infield, plus Felix Hernandez and Matt Harvey on minor league contracts, could add some much-needed experience to the roster. O’s fans should be excited to see the debut of a few highly touted prospects this season. The largest question associated with Orioles prospects is: when will No.1 pick Adley Rutschman break the majors? While fans would like to see Rutschman start the season with the team, it is likely that the team and GM Mike Elias will take a more conservative approach. We may see him in late 2021 or 2022.
The Orioles are in a tough division, but fans should look forward to watching an exciting young team in 2021.
Boston Red Sox:
The Red Sox finished last in the AL East in 2020, only two seasons after taking home a world championship in 2018. The loss of Mookie Betts and Manager Alex Cora clearly caused some issues. Coupled with an injury-plagued starting rotation, and the recent trade of fan-favorite Andrew Benintendi, the Red Sox are looking at what could be another uphill battle. The Boston faithful have every reason to be hopeful this season. 2021 will see the return of Alex Cora as the club’s manager. Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez, and Alex Verdugo should provide the foundation for a potent offense. Add in the recent acquisition of Marwin Gonzalez and Franchy Cordero, and the Red Sox will have one of the more well-rounded lineups in the American League. If Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, and the rest of the starting rotation can find their footing somewhere along the way, the Red Sox will be primed for a strong bounce-back season.
New York Yankees:
Starting Pitching was the name of the game for Brian Cashman and the Yankees this offseason. After re-signing their most consistent player of the last three years in DJ LeMaheiu, Cashman, and the Yankees front office added some starting depth behind ace Gerrit Cole. Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon look to slot in behind Cole, filling in the spots left by the departures of James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka. Jordan Montgomery looks to be the strongest candidate for the number four spot in the rotation. There is a wealth of young arms that will have a shot at cracking the fifth spot, including Deivi Garcia, Domingo German, Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Clark Schmidt, not to mention Luis Severino, who is due back from Tommy John surgery in June. The Yankee’s offense, including Lemaheiu, Aaron Judge, and Gleyber Torres, is expected to continue slugging balls out of the hitter’s dreamland that is Yankee Stadium. That is if the swarm of injury bugs that seems to hang around them remains at bay. The Bombers recently added Jay Bruce on a minor league deal, which may help shore up the lack of offense from the left side of the plate. If Cashman’s policy of adding high-risk, high-reward players pays off, and the Yankees remain healthy, they are looking at another winning season in a division that continues to become more competitive.
Tampa Bay Rays:
The Rays will look to repeat their American League Championship season. Kevin Cash’s inventive management of the pitching staff promises to factor into that. The Rays parted ways with starters Blake Snell and Charlie Morton this offseason but have made some acquisitions that will undoubtedly make up for it. Chris Archer returns to the team from Pittsburgh, and veterans Rich Hill, Colin McHugh, and Michael Wacha were added in support of Tyler Glasnow and Ryan Yarbrough. It is likely that the Ray’s use every strategy they have to get the most out of their deep pitching staff this season. The Ray’s offense is just as dangerous, especially if Randy Arozarena can pick up where he left off after last year’s postseason performance. The Rays current active roster is not their only advantage. According to Baseball America’s ranking of Major League farm systems, the Rays sit atop the list, Meaning they should be good for years to come. Headlining their system is MLB’s #1 prospect, Wander Franco. It is unlikely that Franco is on the Major League squad on opening day, but he is expected to play this season. With a strong combination of young talent, veteran guidance, and dynamic coaching, the Ray’s are primed for another impressive season.
Toronto Blue Jays:
When it comes to teams that “won” the offseason, the Blue Jays are a top contender. Big names like George Springer, Marcus Semien, and Kirby Yates headed to Toronto this winter. Tyler Chatwood, Steven Matz, and Robbie Ray join Hyun Jin Ryu on what appears to be a very good starting rotation. On offense, Springer and Semien join the phenomenal young trio of Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio to round out what looks to be a very fast and very powerful lineup. The Jays have confirmed that they will start their season in Florida. According to a report from Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson Smith, the Blue Jays will open up their 2021 campaign hosting games at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida. The Blue Jays will then take nearly two weeks to assess the possibility of moving back to Toronto for their next home series starting on May 14.Wherever they play this season, the Blue Jays are must-watch baseball, fielding one of their strongest and most complete teams in recent years.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox:
The White Sox are starting to look like a complete team and a contender in the AL Central. Liam Hendricks joined the club this offseason, greatly improving the back end of the bullpen for Chicago. Veteran righty Lance Lynn joins the rotation and will likely follow Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchal. Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease will likely start games as well. Adam Eaton returns to the south side of Chicago in an offense that is loaded with young talent. Yasmani Grandal, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, and reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu are just some of the big names that will compose a formidable Chicago lineup. The AL Central may be a much closer race than it has been in a few years. The White Sox have a very good chance of being one of its top teams.
Cleveland Indians:
The Indians made some monumental trades this offseason. The biggest of which sent star shortstop Fransisco Lindor and righty Carlos Corrasco to the New York Mets for infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario. Righty Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene also went to New York in the deal. Cleveland lost reliever Brad Hand and first baseman Carlos Santana, via free agency, while reliever Adam Cimber was traded to Miami for cash considerations. In terms of additions, the Tribe signed a pair of free agent outfielders in Billy Hamilton and Ben Gamel to minor league deals. Outfielder Eddie Rosario also signed with the team this offseason.
Cleveland’s strength comes from its young pitching rotation, led by Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber. Despite losing Santana and Lindor, the Indians should get big production from Jose Ramierez, Franmil Reyes, and Eddie Rosario. The AL central will be competitive, and Cleveland may not have the team it used to, but that is no reason to count them out in 2021.
Detroit Tigers:
The Tigers are in the process of rebuilding their organization in terms of player talent. Baseball America currently has their farm system ranked fourth, while MLB Pipeline has two notches higher at number two.
The Tigers’ system has produced lots of strong arms including Matt Manning and Casey Mize. Drafting Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene should add some position depth to the Tigers organization. As with any big-league team, the Tigers want to win baseball games now, and have made some smart moves this offseason. Outfielders Robbie Grossman, Nomar Mazara and catcher Wilson Ramos have signed with the club. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop re-signed with the team as well. The Tigers are young and developing but are not to be underestimated in 2021.
Kansas City Royals:
KC is another young team from the AL Central. The Royals recently traded several players to Boston for outfielder Andrew Benintendi. He joins a productive outfield featuring Whit Merrifield, and Jorge Soler. Carlos Santana signed with the club in December and will likely start at first base. Mike Minor also signed in December, with the aim of adding some skill and experience to the starting rotation. Some would consider the Royals to be a year or two away of being competitive in their division. The signings made this offseason should mix well with the talent that is already there, making KC a much better team than some people might expect.
Minnesota Twins:
The Twins will look to slug their way to another winning season behind what may be the most powerful lineup in the sport. Josh Donaldson, Miguel Sano, Max Keppler, and Nelson Cruz are just some of the big bats in that lineup. Platinum glover Andrelton Simmons also signed with Minnesota. He will help tighten up an already tough defense, featuring another Platinum Glover in Byron Buxton. The Twins may still be in the market for some starting pitching, likely targeting one of their best starters in recent years in Jake Odorizzi. Alex Colome was brought on to help in the bullpen. If Minnesota lands another starter before the season begins, they will likely be in the mix to win another division title.
AL West
Houston Astros:
If the Astros’ offseason has told us anything, it is that they are confident in the group of players they already have on the team. The Astros lost a great player in George Springer, but re-signed outfielder Michael Brantley who will support the lineup among other productive teammates like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. Manager Dusty Baker’s team should have no problem plating runs this season. The questions for this team reside in the strength of their pitching. This largely depends on the health of ace Justin Verlander after having Tommy John surgery. If Verlander is not quite his old self, the Astros still have Zack Grienke, Jose Urquidy, and Forest Whitley to start games. They have also enlisted the help of Ryne Stanek to support the bullpen. The Astros have an excellent mixture of pitching, hitting, defense, and coaching. once again putting them in the mix to be one of the better teams in the American League.
Los Angeles Angels:
Everyone knows that the Angels have the best player in the game at center field. They also know that Anthony Rendon and Justin Upton bat in the same lineup, creating a real problem for any pitching staff. But what about the Angels’ pitching staff this season? It has been reported that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not have any restrictions as far as his pitching goes this season. In his first bullpen session with new catcher Kurt Suzuki, Ohtani topped out at 90 mph. Alex Cobb, Jose Quintana, and Raisel Iglesias are some of the new faces in L.A. that will be options to join Ohtani, Dylan Bundy, and Griffin Canning in the Angels rotation. Dexter Fowler was also brought in and will likely play the outfield alongside Mike Trout and Justin Upton. Former 10th overall pick Jo Adell will also be an outfield option for L.A. this season. The Angels have been trying to build a complete team around Mike Trout for several years, and the current squad appears to be the best yet.
Oakland Athletics:
The A’s recently inked closer Trevor Rosenthal, with the intention of filling the role vacated by All-Star Liam Hendriks. “Rosenthal’s addition caps off what has been a full rebuild of the A’s bullpen. Having lost right-hander Joakim Soria in addition to Hendriks, the club has added multiple veterans to make up for the key losses. After trading for left-hander Adam Kolarek and signing Sergio Romo, the A’s also signed reliever Yusmeiro Petit.”
The A’s made a trade with division rival Texas, that sent slugger Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Hiem, and righty Dane Acker to the Rangers in exchange for shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Aramis Garcia. Andrus will join a very strong defensive infield that includes Matt Chapman and Matt Olson. The A’s brought back starter Mike Fiers this offseason. Fiers will join one of the most underrated rotations in the game, which includes Jesus Luzardo, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and A.J. Puk.
Seattle Mariners:
Seattle’s GM Jerry DiPoto typically makes a high volume of moves during the offseason, looking to improve his team in any way possible. This offseason has been uncharacteristically quiet for Seattle, save for the recent signing of free-agent and former Mariner James Paxton. It appears that this season, Seattle will rely on home-grown talent like last year’s AL rookie of the year Kyle Lewis. If Seattle can get off to a good start this season, do not count them out to make some moves to keep themselves in the race.
Texas Rangers:
Texas may very well be one of the biggest surprises coming out of the American League this season. They have made several moves this offseason to improve their team. The Rangers lost Lance Lynn, and Mike Minor, but have enlisted the help of Mike Foltynewicz to bolster their rotation. The Texas offense will be a difficult one for opposing pitching staff. They signed outfielder David Dahl, in addition to receiving first baseman Nate Lowe in a trade with Tampa Bay. Home-run machine Khris Davis came over in a trade with Oakland. These new additions, plus outfielder Joey Gallo will allow Texas to field a prodigiously powerful batting lineup this season.
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