MLB Preview: The Future Is Bright for These 5 MLB Franchises

When you throw out the perpetual elite like the Yankees and Red Sox, Major League Baseball goes through constantly changing cycles of "haves" and "have nots."  Take a look at any five-year period and you will see teams that rose up for a short period of greatness, only to fall back to the pack of mediocrity. For example, several teams (Cardinals, Phillies, Twins, Dodgers) have dominated during the last five years but may soon see their window closing, if it hasn't already.  

Since 1995, only four franchises (Pirates, Royals, Blue Jays, Nationals) have failed to make the playoffs at least once.  Every other team has reached the postseason at least twice during that time span.  The late 90's Indians, early 00's Mariners, and late 00's Dodgers are all examples of teams who saw a brief window for greatness only to crash land without a title, making way for new teams in their place.  

So whose turn is it?  Here are five teams witnessing the dawn of a new age, the opening of a championship window  that surely won't last forever.  As the main criteria, I will be looking at each franchise's current collection of young talent, their current willingness/ability to spend the cash money, and the likelihood of them being able to hold on to their current stars.  

For all the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Rangers, Phillies, Braves, Cardinals and Giants fans out there, there's no need to feel slighted.  These teams' are currently in win-now mode.  Their championship windows are wide enough to drive a ticker tape parade through.  However, as Phillies and Rangers fans are painfully aware at the moment these chances probably won't last forever.  

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are a bit of an anomaly on this list since they've remained in the hunt for much of the past decade.  However, in a single day this off-season, the Angels went from fading franchise to World Series contender.  

Youngsters: The Angels are built to win now.  Like right this second.  Similar to the Phillies a few years ago, the Halos have gone all in.  However, before Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson arrived, the Angels were developing some nice young talent.  Overshadowed by Pujols in 2012 will be super-prospect Mike Trout, who got his feet wet in 2012, and Rookie of the Year runner-up Mark Trumbo, who is a 30 HR 100 RBI candidate.  

Cash to Spend:  Nobody spent more this offseason than the Angels.  Owner Arte Moreno has shown a willingness to spend whatever is necessary since coming to Southern California.  While payroll is currently through the roof, be assured the Angels will be willing to shell out more if they find themselves a piece of the puzzle short.

Star Retention:  The key players are locked in.  Pujols, Wilson, Jered Weaver, and Howie Kendrick are all Angels through at least 2016.  Trumbo, Trout and closer Jordan Walden won't be hitting free agency any time soon.  

Bottom Line:  The Angels championship window starts now.  

Washington Nationals

Youngsters:  No farm system is as widely publicized or as hotly anticipated as that of the Washington Nationals.  Celebrity farmhands Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper give the Nationals one of the most anticipated 1-2 prospect punches in baseball history.  Strasburg's Tommy John delay was frustrating, but he is now able to time his return with the rise of Harper.  

Beyond the young comic book sluggers, the Nats are stacked with up-and-comers.  The lineup already features potential breakout stars in Michael Morse and Wilson Ramos.  The middle infield of Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa shows potential.  

Cash to Spend:  The Nats gave a ridiculous contract to Jayson Werth last season, and seem to be involved in just about every free agent rumor this off-season.  Money does not seem to be an issue. Only their willingness to spend is a good sign for Nats fans going forward, even if it doesn't result in Prince Fielder.  

Star Retention:  The Nats are in perpetual extension talks with their only proven All-Star Ryan Zimmerman.  With third baseman Anthony Rendon in the pipeline and talks with Fielder ongoing, Zimmerman's status remains in the air.  However, winning cures many issues, and the Nats have yet to do so.  If they are successful in 2012, these issues will work themselves out.  

Bottom Line:  A lineup of Desmond, Valencia, Zimmerman, Fielder, Morse, Harper, Werth and Ramos has fans drooling.  With the addition of Gio Gonzalez alongside young guns Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman, the Nationals are on the brink of something special.  

Toronto Blue Jays

The addition of a second wild card breathes new life into the Toronto Blue Jays rebuilding process. Granted, the Jays haven't finished higher than fourth in the AL East since 2007, but it's tough to stay motivated when you are eliminated by July.  

Youngsters:  The Jays are finally reaping the fruits of the Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum deals as SP Kyle Drabek and fan favorite 3B Brett Lawrie figure huge into the 2012 plans.  Fans need to have patience with Drabek, the organization's 2010 minor league pitcher of the year who flopped miserably in 2011.  

He could soon be flanked by stud prospects Drew Hutchison and Deck McGuire.  Catcher J.P. Arencibia disappointed last year and may quickly be replaced by minor league star Travis D'Arnaud. In short, the Jays' system is overflowing with potential.  How it all fits together remains to be seen.  

Cash to Spend:  GM Alex Anthopoulos has done a masterful job at building the Jays from the ground up, knowing that they will never contend money-wise with the Yankees or Red Sox.  The Blue Jays sport a payroll in the lower half, but team president Paul Beeston has recently hinted at a willingness to open the pocketbook.  They were also rumored to have put in a high bid on Yu Darvish.  

Star Retention:  The only star here is out-of-the-woodwork slugger Jose Bautista.  The Blue Jays did well locking Bautista down for a relatively low amount, especially if he keeps hitting.  Hopefully Anthopoulos' patience extends to keeping Bautista around rather than shipping him away for a package of more prospects.  

Bottom Line:  Everything is up in the air at this point, but the Blue Jays have done as well as they could to position themselves for their first playoff run since Joe Carter walked off the 1993 World Series.  

Miami Marlins

The Marlins blew onto the scene this offseason as they prepare to move into a new stadium and reincarnate as the Miami Marlins.  They have been involved in virtually every free agent rumor, making big runs at both C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols.

Youngsters:  The Marlins have long been a farm system for the rest of the league.  They finally made a stand, however, by locking up star shortstop Hanley Ramirez and ace Josh Johnson to long-term deals.  One can only assume they are now willing to do the same with other young guns.  All the talent is in the majors right now: Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez.  The farm system has finally become the major league team.  

Cash to Spend:  The always frugal Marlins went out ready to buy this off season.  Big contracts for Jose Reyes and Heath Bell are proof.  As the roster stands now, however, the Marlins may still only be fringe playoff contenders next season.  On the bright side, the days of mass fire sales seem to be over.  The Marlins will make a play at any free agent they deem necessary.  

Star Retention:  Ramirez, Johnson, Reyes and Bell are in Miami for the foreseeable future.  Top slugger Stanton is under team control for at least four more seasons.  If the nucleus falls apart, it will not be for lack of effort.  

Bottom Line:  At no time in the Marlins' 20 year history has management made such a concerted effort at long-term success.  

Arizona Diamondbacks

A quiet rebuilding process came to fruition last season as the Diamondbacks made a surprise playoff run and seem positioned to compete out West for years to come.  

Youngsters:  The Diamondbacks are stacked with young players entering their prime.  Justin Upton seems like a veteran but is still only 24.  Catcher Miguel Montero busted out in a big way last season and should challenge Buster Posey and Brian McCann for top NL catching honors.  Paul Goldschmidt showed flashes of big league power last season.

When it comes to the future, however, the D-Backs will rely on their pitching staff.  A Big Three of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Trevor Cahill can hold their own against the Giants and are under team control for several years.  Also keep an eye on top pick and former UCLA star Trevor Bauer, who racked up 15.1 K/9 last season in the minors.  

Cash to Spend:  The D-backs wont have any tough decisions with their young guns for a while, but are they willing to splurge on the free agent market to help put the roster over the top?  The farm system isn't exactly spilling over with young hitters, and the D-backs ranked near the bottom in payroll last season. They may have to go after a big name hitter or two in order to establish themselves as perennial contenders.  

Star Retention:  The Diamondbacks are not a team of stars.  Their two biggest names, Upton and Kennedy, are under team control until 2016.  Barring a fire sale, they should be around for a while.  

Bottom Line:  Right now, the Diamondbacks look ready to contend in the West.  If they are willing to spend the cash, they can make the leap to championship contender.