Yasiel PuigMasterpress/Getty Images
15. Cincinnati Reds
At a time when more and more teams are either sitting on their hands during the offseason or blowing up the roster to rebuild, the Reds are going for it.
After Cincinnati finished 25th in the majors with a 5.02 starters ERA, veteran additions Sonny Gray, Alex Wood and Tanner Roark will now flank breakout candidate Luis Castillo. An improved starting staff alone could be enough to vault them into the wild-card picture.
Yasiel Puig is also an impact addition to the lineup, while top prospect Nick Senzel could take over as the starting center fielder before the All-Star break. They’re still facing a tough battle, but the arrow is pointing straight up in Cincinnati.
14. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history the last two years, and it’s largely thanks to a vastly improved starting rotation—led by Kyle Freeland and German Marquez.
While the starting staff returns intact, the bullpen lost its most consistent late-inning arm in Adam Ottavino. The underperforming trio of Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw will need to turn things around, or the relief corps could be a real issue.
What they won’t have an issue with is scoring runs. Outfielder David Dahl is a major breakout candidate, rookie Garrett Hampson is ready to make his mark, and Daniel Murphy could be the steal of the offseason on a two-year, $24 million deal if he returns to form.
13. Tampa Bay Rays
A 19-9 September led the Rays to a surprise 90-win season, and there’s reason to believe they can improve on that in 2019.
Charlie Morton will be a major addition to the starting rotation and slot in behind AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, while a full season of Tyler Glasnow and a healthy Brent Honeywell (Tommy John surgery) could further bolster the staff. The unheralded relief corps remained intact—aside from veteran Sergio Romo (Miami Marlins)—and the “opener” approach will be utilized once again.
The big question is whether they have enough offensive firepower. Catcher Mike Zunino is a major upgrade behind the plate from the group that was left after the team dealt Wilson Ramos last July. And Avisail Garcia was a nice buy-low pickup after the White Sox non-tendered him. Still, they’ll only go as far as the pitching staff can carry them.
12. Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers fans are no doubt tired of hearing how their team overperformed last season, how several players are destined to regress after career years and how an over-reliance on the bullpen could lead to real issues. The thing is, all those points have merit.
Past success doesn’t guarantee future results. Ask the 2018 Twins. The addition of Yasmani Grandal is nice, but the starting rotation is still weak, and they’re one injury to someone like Josh Hader or Corbin Burnes away from being in serious trouble.
They’re not the most talented team in the NL Central, and a lot will need to go right again for them to repeat as division champs. Wild-card contention seems more realistic.
11. New York Mets
Over the past several offseasons, the Mets have sat on their hands and hoped for the best.
Not this year. They’ve added Cano, Diaz, Jed Lowrie, Ramos, Jeurys Familia, Keon Broxton, Justin Wilson and J.D. Davis, and they’ll receive an in-house boost from slugger Pete Alonso when he gets the call.
Once again, it will all boil down to the health of the starting rotation. They’re lacking in depth behind Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and Jason Vargas, but if that group can stay healthy, it’s as good a rotation as any.
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