MLB Predictions: Strengths and Weaknesses for Every MLB Team
As baseball's opening day approaches teams are sizing up their division chances. Spring brings excitement to every team. Even those teams whose chances look bleak have the potential to catch lightning in a bottle and make this season memorable.
For every team, it will take more than dumb luck to reach the postseason. They’ll need to play from their strengths and hope that there weaknesses can be covered or muted by breakout stars or exceptional play. So here’s a look at each teams strengths and their glaring weaknesses and what it means to each team.
Atlanta Braves
1 of 30
Strengths:
Starting rotation. Bullpen. Middle of the lineup.
Weaknesses:
Uncertainty with the rest of lineup.
The Breakdown:
It won’t be easy for people to forget about the Atlanta Braves. With the Philadelphia Phillies being in the same rotation there are plenty of people who will forget that Atlanta may have the best collection of arms (from first to last inning) in baseball.
They’re offense won’t be too bad either. Dan Uggla was the major pick up in the offseason and should make the meat of their order very tough to handle. However, the real key will be how Chipper Jones does. In edition to being one of the best leaders in the clubhouse, he’s also been one of their best players. However, Chipper hasn’t been able to prove he’s still got it at his advanced age. If he doesn’t soon it could create problems in a lineup that doesn’t have more than a few reliable hitters.
Florida Marlins
2 of 30
Strengths:
The starting rotation. Their offense.
Weaknesses:
The bullpen. Defense.
The Breakdown:
The Marlins are working with a ton of young talent. It’s the kind of thing that brings your season a pleasant surprise or it leaves your season in the tank. The Marlins made it their duty this offseason to address their bullpen and defensive needs.
In order to do that they did something very un-Marlin-like. They spent money. Now the Marlins have to see if their work paid off. It looks as if they are going to be a better team than last year, but it will all hinge on their bullpen.
Last season, their bullpen was horrible, this year if it’s just “ok” they’ll be able to cause real trouble for the rest of the division, even if they can’t win it.
New York Mets
3 of 30
Strengths:
Solid rotation, solid offense.
Weaknesses:
Injury issues
The Breakdown:
There is no reason, on paper, to think the Mets can’t have a very productive season even if it doesn’t result in a wild card berth. However, every year they manage to be wholly disappointing. The key to the Mets this year will be staying healthy.
They are going to be without their staff ace Johan Santana, but as long as the rest of the team can stay healthy they should be able to weather the storm. The Mets have a strong lineup and they are new team with new management from top to bottom.
Still, you always have to wonder what is going to go wrong.
Philadelphia Phillies
4 of 30
Strengths:
Rotation
Weaknesses:
Durability. Replacing Jayson Werth.
The Breakdown:
The Phillies are expected to run away with the National League, and who can blame anyone for thinking that way. The Phillies have the best rotation in baseball by a mile, assuming everyone plays to their potential.
The only issue for the Phillies will be what they don’t know. You can’t predict injuries, but you can fear them because the Phillies have had a string of injuries over the last year. You can’t predict slumps either. The Phillies had trouble at times scoring runs last year and they are going to have to hope they find a way to score runs. They might miss Jayson Werth more than they think. But it’s going to be hard picking against them this year.
Washington Nationals
5 of 30
Strengths:
Improved defense.
Weaknesses:
Rotation, closer. Starting lineup.
The Breakdown:
The Nationals have really put the effort in to try and climb out of the bottom of the NL East. They gave big money to Jayson Werth and they made plenty of other key offseason moves. However, the Nationals still have a long way to go to be a legit team.
They had a lot of rotation problems last season which they are certain was due to health. That’s why they didn’t make any moves for that. They are still without a definite closer and they are going to have to find a true leadoff hitter if Morgan doesn’t find a way to get on base more.
The arrow is pointing up, but by season’s end they should still be in the cellar.
Chicago Cubs
6 of 30
Strengths:
Closer
Weaknesses:
Starting rotation, bullpen, lineup.
The Breakdown:
This is not doom and gloom for the North Siders, but rather it’s a wakeup call that they are in a rebuilding year whether they want to admit it or not. They have no obvious answers at any one area of their ball club.
Getting Matt Garza from the Rays was a smooth move, but it’s only solving one issue. They still have to figure out what they have with Carlos Zambrano and if they can ship his contract off. They also have a very good closer who looks like he will only get better. However, they need to find a way to get to him.
The Cubs should be improved a bit because Quade seems to know how to get the best out of this team, but you can only expect so much.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Strengths:
Their lineup, several pieces of their starting staff and bullpen
Weaknesses:
The back end of the rotation.
The Breakdown:
The Reds really feel as if they are the best team in the NL Central and it’s hard to argue with them. They have found that they have strong pitching up from, a solid group of young hitters, and the phenom Aroldis Chapman coming out of the bullpen.
The issue here might have more to do with the manager than anything else. Baker is one of the great underdog managers ever. He does his best work when no one expects it. However, this year the expectations are high, how will his team perform.
Houston Astros
8 of 30
Strengths:
Top of the rotation. Young players
Weaknesses:
Young players. Carlos Lee.
The Breakdown:
The Astros have young players listed as both a strength and a weakness because it depends on your perspective. There are plenty in the organization who believe that the younger players will take the next step and make a Astros team a sleeper team in the Central.
There are those that see a young team, surrounded by veterans like Brett Myers and Carlos Lee, and know that it is only a matter of time before they fail. The Astros believe they have the pieces in place to make noise this season. There is reason to believe they’ll have to wait.
Milwaukee Brewers
9 of 30
Strengths:
Rotation and bullpen
Weaknesses:
Lineup (depending on Prince Fielder)
The Breakdown:
The Brewers think they have a chance because they assembled their deepest rotation in years. They have a strong 1-5 that could prove to be huge for a team that struggled to keep runs off the board last year.
However, the biggest key for the Brewers is Fielder. They know they need him to be in top form if they have any hope of making a playoff run. He had a bad year last year and when he’s off it affects the entire lineup. If right this year Fielder will make Milwaukee a dangerous team, but that’s a big if at this point.
Pittsburgh Pirates
10 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup
Weaknesses:
Pitching
The Breakdown:
At some point something has got to give for the Pirates. There needs to be a point where the Pirates either get it together or continue to be a farm system for the rest of major league baseball. The likelihood is that the Pirates are making a slow move to respectability, but just too slow.
They have some young talent in their lineup that has a year of experience under the belt, but they are going to need more than that to be anything more than bottom feeder in the NL.
St. Louis Cardinals
11 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup
Weaknesses:
Starting pitching.
The Breakdown:
The Cardinals are dealing with two very big issues: Pujol’s contract talks and the fact that they have lost Adam Wainwright for the entire season. Couple these things together and you have a mess in St. Louis.
The good news is for this season they should be able to put runs on the board. Their 3-4-5 hitters are among the best in the game as a unit, but they are going to need to muster up all the offense they can because they will be a little short on the pitching side.
Arizona Diamondbacks
12 of 30
Strengths:
Top of the rotation, closer
Weaknesses:
Back of the rotation, offense
The Breakdown:
The Diamondbacks believe they can win this year. Forget for a minute that they have shipped out Mark Reynolds and let Adam Laroche walk, they just believe they have what it takes. The problem is they already had offensive problems last season. Now they are hoping to erase them with less offense.
They also have rotations issues. While their first three starters are set, the back end is up for grabs. The bullpen won’t be horrific, but there is still some question to whether or not J.J Putz can close for a while season.
There are just too many questions for the Diamondbacks. Continue the rebuild.
Colorado Rockies
13 of 30
Strengths:
Solid on offense, great ace in Jimenez, good defensive unit.
Weaknesses:
Middle relief.
The Breakdown:
The Rockies, figuring they don’t stumble out of the gate like they are accustomed to doing, could do some real damage in the division. Their offense should have good production out of Troy Tulowitski and Carlos Gonzalez. The only issue they might have is their middle relief. Still, assuming they keep that under control you could be looking at a very good Rockies team.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Strengths:
Young team, improved rotation.
Weaknesses:
Questionable offensive pieces. Closer.
The Breakdown:
The Dodgers are hoping to start anew this season with Don Mattingly at the helm instead of Joe Torre. There is no doubt that Mattingly will have his hands full with a group of young players that are going to have to produce because ownership can’t go out and get anything else.
The McCourts are in the middle of a divorce which keeps their payroll pretty tame. They were able to make a couple of key additions by getting pitcher Jon Garland and shortstop Juan Uribe. Uribe in particular should bolster a lineup that needs pop. What it needs more is for Matt Kemp to find that breakout season he was supposed to have last year. If they click on all cylinders they could cause damage, but that’s a big if.
San Diego Padres
15 of 30
Strengths:
Back end of the bullpen. Starting rotation. Defense.
Weaknesses:
Too many unproven players. Offense.
The Breakdown:
The Padres are convinced that they won’t need Adrian Gonzalez to win 90 games like they did last year. However, try telling that to the 16 new starters they could end up having on this roster. The Padres are banking on a lot of what ifs in order to get them to be a factor in the division race this year.
Most people believe that they overachieved last season, therefore, reality should catch up with them sooner or later. They have some unproven players so catching lightning in a bottle won’t be impossible, but don’t count on it.
San Francisco Giants
16 of 30
Strengths:
Starting pitching. Pennant race experience.
Weaknesses:
Offense.
The Breakdown:
It’s hard to argue that the defending World Series champs are not going to repeat again as division winners, but the fact is that this team has some glaring weaknesses in their lineup. They’ll get a boost to their offense by having Buster Posey for the whole season, but that won’t be enough.
They have retained the services of Aubry Huff but they are dreaming to think they can get that production out of him again. There other big bat, Juan Uribe, is now a Dodger leaving a big weight on Posey’s shoulders.
Still, the Giants have great starting pitching and if Brian Wilson can get past the injury bug that’s bit him they should be good in the back end too. There is no reason the Giants can’t compete again but their road won’t be easy.
Baltimore Orioles
17 of 30
Strength:
Rotation
Weaknesses:
Lineup
The Breakdown:
The Orioles have had 13 straight losing seasons and they have vowed to stop it. They have brought in Vladimir Guerrero and they should have a little more pop in their lineup but this is the same lineup that had just one hitter over .300 last year.
Their rotation should be solid and if they find themselves a fifth starter they could surprise people with their first winning season in recent memory.
Boston Red Sox
18 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup, rotation
Weaknesses:
Closer
The Breakdown:
The Red Sox went for broke this offseason and picked up Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. That should give their lineup the punch they need to win games. Of the Red Sox have the starting rotation to compete in the AL East if they manage to stay healthy, which they had trouble doing last season.
Jonathan Papelbon had a very rocky season last year and so keeping him on track should be a key to their season, but the Red Sox were smart and they brought in former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks. If Papelbon falters they can use Jenks to be their closer and they might not miss a beat.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Strengths:
Bullpen, lineup
Weaknesses:
Rotation
The Breakdown:
When you are bringing in Bartolo Colon to audition for a spot in your starting rotation, you have far more problems than you realize. The Yankees are a team that hasn’t lacked an offensive punch for years, but their pitching has been a problem since the end of the Joe Torre days.
If the Yankees can have a lead into the later innings they have a fierce back end of the bullpen, but everyday other than when Sabathia pitches will make that a big question mark.
Tampa Bay Rays
20 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup, starting rotation
Weaknesses:
Bullpen
The Breakdown:
The Rays are far from a team that won the AL East last year. This year they have to face the fact that they lost Crawford and that they are going to be counting on Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez to help provide pop to a good lineup.
They are going to need runs because they have a bullpen that may not hold leads. They will have the benefit of a solid starting rotation but if they have a bad day on the mound there is no counting on their bullpen to help them out.
Toronto Blue Jays
21 of 30
Strengths:
Bullpen
Weaknesses:
Lineup
The Breakdown:
The biggest question for the Blue Jays is: can Jose Bautista repeat his 2010 performance. In all likelihood he won’t be able to. It’s a tall order and if he does fail it could prove costly to a Blue Jays team that doesn’t have any really scary hitters.
Their rotation won’t be bad but they should be helped by a bullpen that added depth to the back end. The Blue Jays are constantly having to fight an uphill battle in the AL East, and it won’t be any easier this season.
Chicago White Sox
22 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup, starting rotation
Weaknesses:
Bullpen
The Breakdown:
The White Sox, on paper, have the best team in the AL Central, but every year the Twins come out on top. If the White Sox are going to win the division they are going to need Adam Dunn to earn every penny of his free agent money, Jake Peavy to be healthy and the bullpen to figure out who will be doing what.
The Sox have as much talent as anyone and if Beckham has a strong year and Brent Morel works out at third base, the White Sox could finally unseat the Twins as the kings of the Central.
Cleveland Indians
23 of 30
Strengths:
Bullpen
Weaknesses:
Lineup, rotation
The Breakdown:
The Indians are the youngest team in the majors and with that is going to come growing pains. Grady Sizemore will be back and healthy and that should help but this is a very short window for the Indians. They want to win but just won’t have the horses yet.
This season is about developing that starting rotation and seeing if they can find some bright spots in the offense. If they can get a good effort out of their starting pitchers they will have the bullpen to get some wins, but they should stay near the bottom of the AL Central.
Detroit Tigers
24 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup, Rotation
Weaknesses:
Health
The Breakdown:
Looking at the Tigers on paper it’s clear that there are very few things for them to work out in Spring Training. Assuming that Miguel Cabrera stays on the straight and narrow they should be well on their way to a competitive season in the AL Central.
Still, the thing that should worry Tigers fans is injuries. It’s not that any other team shouldn’t worry about that, but the Tigers seemed snake bit last season. If they stay healthy they have a chance at the AL Central.
Kansas City Royals
25 of 30
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Rotation, lineup
The Breakdown:
The Royals have made great strides, but they still seem to be a couple of years away from contending. Trading Zack Greinke brought them back some very good prospects that should help the team this year. However, as with all young teams the youth they have could be the gift and the curse for them.
Minnesota Twins
26 of 30
Strengths:
Lineup
Weaknesses:
Bullpen
The Breakdown:
The Twins are always a danger to win the division, but they certainly didn’t keep up with their division rivals in the offseason. Being a small market team they have to be choosy about who they pay and that led to them saying goodbye to most of their bullpen.
The good news is that Justin Morneau and close Joe Nathan are back this season and that should help bolster a lineup that already has heavy hitters, and a bullpen that will be in desperate need of an anchor.
Los Angeles Angels
27 of 30
Strengths:
Rotation, bullpen, lineup
Weaknesses:
None
The Breakdown:
Vernon Wells was added in the offseason and Kendry Morales is back and ready to play. The Angels didn’t have any fun watching the Rangers head to the World Series and so they would love nothing more than to unseat the Rangers from the AL West throne.
The reality is that there are very few issues for the Angels. Besides a defensive lapse or two they should be poised to take back the West.
Oakland Athletics
28 of 30
Strengths:
Rotation, bullpen
Weaknesses:
Offense
The Breakdown:
The A’s were once the toast of the West but they had found themselves on hard times. So, what Billy Beane has been doing the last couple of years is acquiring pitching depth and he did it again in the offseason as well.
When you couple the moves he made there with the already potent bullpen, the A’s should have the pitching to compete. The question is if the moves they made to bolster their lineup in during the winter will equate to more runs.
Seattle Mariners
29 of 30
Strengths:
Top of the rotation, closer
Weaknesses:
Lineup
The Breakdown:
It wasn’t the way it was supposed to workout, but the Mariners were horrendous last season. They couldn’t get any runs on the board. They had players that were expected to do well perform that didn’t. So if they get some help from the back of their rotation, and they get their offense to put up some of the numbers they are capable of then they could get back to respectability.
If they don’t they may have to blow the whole team up and start from scratch.
Texas Rangers
30 of 30
Strengths:
Bullpen, lineup
Weaknesses:
Rotation
The Breakdown:
The Rangers lost big when they lost out on Cliff Lee. While he’s only one piece of their rotation, he was going to be a big piece. Now they will look to replace him with Brandon Webb. If Webb works out they will forget about Lee, but if he doesn’t they will miss him dearly.
Luckily for the Rangers they have one of the leagues best bullpens (which could be jeopardized if Neftali Felix moves from the closer to a starter. If they can manage to keep him closing they would be the frontrunner in the AL West).
