Predicting the Next World Series Appearance for All 30 MLB Teams

As the Major League Baseball season inches towards its conclusion, many teams are fighting to stay alive, while others have conceded defeat and became sellers at the deadline.

Buyers have made moves in hopes of competing for a World Series berth this season, while sellers hope to compete in future seasons based on their transactions.

While it's an entirely inexact science to predict when a team may make it to the October Classic next, we're free to speculate as to when it could possibly happen.

Rather than even attempt to predict an exact year when teams may find their way into the World Series, the teams have been lumped into three categories for future World Series appearances: Less Than Five Years, Five to 10 Years and More Than 10 Years.

As has been seen all too often, anything can happen as the season progresses, but that certainly shouldn't stop us from speculating along the way.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently sitting one game back in the NL West and are inching closer to the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants are fighting off injury concerns to keep their lead atop the division and very well may end up on top at the end of the season.

Either way, the Diamondbacks will need to develop their established farm system if they hope to produce a product that can consistently contend for a division championship.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Atlanta Braves

With newly acquired talent as well as homegrown prospects, the Atlanta Braves have the look of a team that is prepared to contend for a division title.

Currently sitting in good position for a wild-card berth, the Braves would like nothing more than to spoil the party for the Philadelphia Phillies en route to a World Series appearance.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Baltimore Orioles

Even though the standings may not indicate it, the Baltimore Orioles have made subtle steps to improve the overall direction of their franchise.

Veteran acquisitions like Vladimir Guerrero haven't turned the team into a playoff contender in the always tough AL East, but these players can still provide proper direction for young players who will eventually be the face of the franchise.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Boston Red Sox

After going on a spending spree this past offseason, the Boston Red Sox looked like the team to beat in the American League heading into 2011.

With a 68-41 mark right now, it looks like they still very well may be the team to beat.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Chicago Cubs

Many analysts were surprised that the Chicago Cubs didn't shed more payroll at the trade deadline in an effort to free up space for more forward-looking acquisitions.

With a few solid prospects in the farm system and a budding star in Starlin Castro, the team will certainly see better seasons ahead, but a World Series appearance will likely continue to elude the franchise.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Chicago White Sox

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams made it clear that the team was "going all in" with the offseason acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn.

Things haven't gone as planned for the White Sox, as they currently sit in third place in the AL Central, five games under .500.

The team has a number of questions heading into the offseason with multiple impact players heading into free agency. At the same time, the team isn't hesitant to make big deals happen, and the White Sox are a team that can't be counted out for long.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

Cincinnati Reds

Coming off a 2011 postseason appearance, the Cincinnati Reds are once again seeking to spend their October in postseason play.

Currently sitting 7.5 games out in the NL Central, it will be an uphill battle for the Reds as they look to edge past NL powerhouses.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians surprised everyone this spring when they came out of nowhere and took a significant lead in the AL Central.

The Indians have since come back to earth somewhat and currently find themselves three games out in the division.

Only time will tell as to whether the addition of Ubaldo Jimenez is enough to propel the team deep into the postseason, but either way, it's clear that there's significant optimism in Cleveland.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Colorado Rockies

After sending their ace to Cleveland, the Colorado Rockies have clearly conceded their stake in the division and find themselves in rebuilding mode.

With a strong farm system, it's likely that the team can't be counted out for long, but the Rockies will no doubt endure their fair share of growing pains before making their way back to postseason relevance.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers currently sit in first place in the AL Central at 59-51, four games clear of the second-place Cleveland Indians.

With a number of offensive weapons, the Tigers will be a dangerous team this fall assuming they can hold off their division foes.

With improved pitching beyond ace Justin Verlander, the team may very well represent the American League in the World Series in the near future.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Florida Marlins

Currently sitting 16 games out in the tough NL East, the Florida Marlins find themselves at a disadvantage with the Philadelphia Phillies putting a contender on the field time and time again.

The Marlins will need to work towards bolstering their farm system as they move into a new stadium that will hopefully generate the revenue needed to increase payroll and compete for postseason play.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Houston Astros

In trading away Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Houston Astros sent away a cornerstone of the franchise in favor of prospects that will help in future seasons.

Currently sitting 24.5 games out in the NL Central with baseball's worst record, Astros fans likely can't wait for brighter days to come.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Kansas City Royals

Despite finding themselves in the cellar of the AL Central, the Kansas City Royals have plenty to look forward to (eventually).

The Royals have arguably the strongest farm system in baseball and in a handful of years could very well find themselves with one of the best problems in baseball...deciding which of the many young stars in the system need to go.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

With the Texas Rangers failing to live up to the billing of the expectations set forth after a 2010 World Series berth, the Anaheim Angels hope to swoop in and steal the division away.

Strong pitching and consistent hitting may be enough for the team to overtake the Rangers as the season progresses. But if not, the team has a deep enough talent base to hope for success in seasons to come.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

Los Angeles Dodgers

Embattled owner Frank McCourt has seen his Dodgers fall near the bottom of the NL West with no sign of immediate recovery.

Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw give fans in Los Angeles reason to believe that there may be brighter days ahead, but the franchise appears to have too many factors keeping it from contending for a crown in the coming years.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Milwaukee Brewers

The post-All-Star game acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez was a clear sign that the Milwaukee Brewers plan on leaving it all on the table this season as they continue their quest for a World Series trophy.

With Prince Fielder likely testing the waters of free agency during the upcoming offseason, this is clearly the best chance the team will have in the near future.

After giving up a significant amount of young talent to Kansas City in exchange for Zack Greinke, the team may be left with some holes to fill in its farm system, which ranked last in baseball this past offseason.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have been hit hard by the injury bug in 2011, with seemingly every Opening Day starter coming down with some sort of ailment along the way.

As they find themselves a number of games back in the Central division, it seems like this might not be the year from the Twins.

With a significant revenue stream coming from the new stadium, the team needs to make moves that will bring the franchise over the hump and end the streak of disappointing Octobers that the team has endured.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

New York Mets

The New York Mets made perhaps the biggest move during the trade deadline in not dealing Jose Reyes out of the Big Apple.

Reyes has the talent it takes to be the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come, and the team has made it clear that it'll be doing whatever possible to keep him around.

Still, despite being a .500 team, the Mets are in an unenviable position, as they're always looking a ways up at the dominant Phillies in the standings.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

New York Yankees

It's hard to count the New York Yankees out in a playoff race no matter where they stand.

Ownership is clearly committed to making the team better in any way possible, and despite failing to make big acquisitions during this trade deadline, the possibility of the team making moves on the waiver wire cannot be discounted.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Oakland Athletics

Athletics general manager Billy Beane has worked hard at acquiring the talent that's necessary to compete in this league. With five playoff berths since 2000, the team clearly has had a formula for success in the past.

With a weak talent pool in the minors, Bean will need to get creative as he looks to inch his team back up over .500 and ultimately back into October baseball.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Philadelphia Phillies

It's still very early in the second half of the season, but it sure looks like the Phillies are the team to beat in the NL East.

With an immense amount of talent in both the rotation and the lineup, it looks like Philadelphia is set to make trips deep into October baseball for years to come.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Pittsburgh Pirates

One of baseball's biggest surprises in 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates were actually buyers at the deadline as they look to contend with the Brewers, Cardinals and Reds for the NL Central crown.

Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick will no doubt help the team with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, but the team will face a tall task to make a World Series appearance and will need to work on bolstering their long-term contracts if they hope to build a nucleus that's made to succeed for years to come.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

San Diego Padres

Despite having one of the biggest targets in the 2011 MLB trade market, the San Diego Padres failed to capitalize on closer Heath Bell.

The Padres are currently 14.5 games out of first place in the NL West and are showing no signs of improvement in the division any time soon.

With a few notable prospects in their system, however, the Padres may have enough of a baseline to inch their way back to respectability in the division in a handful of years.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

San Francisco Giants

The reigning World Series champions, the Giants once again find themselves atop the NL West and will likely make another trip to the postseason.

They're certainly missing the services of Buster Posey and may ultimately come up short of defending their title, but there's no reason to believe they won't succeed for years to come.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Seattle Mariners

When Felix Hernandez takes the mound, the Seattle Mariners clearly stand their best chance to win. With dominating stuff, he's the most electrifying member of the team and warrants the attention he so often gets.

Unfortunately for King Felix, a sometimes nonexistent offense fails to come through in the clutch.

The Mariners will ultimately rid themselves of expensive contracts that aren't living up to their billing, and when they have room to work with, they should be able to use their minor league system to eventually compete for an AL West title.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

St. Louis Cardinals

All eyes will be on the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason as they look to keep the face of their franchise around for years to come.

Albert Pujols is leading the Cardinals towards the top of the NL Central this season and with a strong push may end up getting the team into postseason play once again.

It does appear that the team may be a few pieces away from contention for a World Series crown, but if the Cardinals are able to retain Pujols, they'll clearly be headed in the right direction.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

Tampa Bay Rays

When teams like the Tampa Bay Rays enter a season, they have to feel like they're at an immediate disadvantage when the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are breathing down their necks.

Still, the Rays have been competitive in the past, and with some savvy decision-making by management, it's quite possible that the farm system could work together with the stars of today to make a run at the division.

Next World Series Appearance: Five to 10 Years

Texas Rangers

Just one year removed from their last World Series appearance, the Texas Rangers are poised to  play deep into October once again.

With a balance of pitching and offense on the roster, there's no reason to believe that the team can't compete with the league's best when it's hitting on all cylinders.

Next World Series Appearance: Less Than Five Years

Toronto Blue Jays

Despite having one of the most intimidating offensive talents in recent years, the Toronto Blue Jays appear poised to fall victim to the competition in the dominant AL East once again.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years

Washington Nationals

With top prospects in their minor league system, the Washington Nationals have a bright future ahead of them. The contract to Jayson Werth may have been larger than he was seemingly worth; nonetheless, the move proves that the team is committed to fielding the best possible lineup.

Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper will be playing together for the Nationals in the near future, and when their nucleus starts to mold, the sky will be the limit for the franchise.

Next World Series Appearance: More Than 10 Years