Four Teams Who Look Like They've Already Given Up on This Season

With about a month-and-a-half left of the 2013 MLB regular season, there are still several teams in the hunt for October baseball. At least half of the teams in the sport are within striking range of a playoff spot, thanks, of course, to the added wild card spot in each league.

Unfortunately for the rest of the clubs, the 2013 season is pretty much a lost cause at this point. Some teams have already raised the white flag by letting go some of their contract-heavy veterans, while others have continued to fight, hoping to catch fire at the season's end. 

The following clubs have seemingly given up on this season, and are prepared to play spoiler for the rest of the year, eyes fixed towards the future. 

Houston Astros

Well, it was no surprise that 2013 would be a tough year for the Houston Astros. In the midst of a re-building phase, the Astros joined the American League West for the first time. The division includes the likes of the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Oakland A's—each of whom have finished in the top of the division in recent years—not to mention the Seattle Mariners.

So to say the Astros had their work cut out for them would be an understatement. But add to the fact that the team's highest-paid player at the start of the season was Bud Norris at $3MM, as well as their first-time manager Bo Porter, and the Astros were in for a long ride in 2013.

The team has seemingly come to grips with their current situation, and are letting the young kids play. The 'Stros traded Norris to Baltimore and closer Jose Veras to Detroit. They have since released fellow veterans Carlos Pena and Ronny Cedeno. 

The club sits with a 39-81 record entering play on Friday. And while the young guns are getting the chance to show their skill sets, the Astros' season was over pretty much before it started in 2013. 

Chicago White Sox

The 2013 season will end up being a forgettable one for Robin Ventura and the Chicago White Sox. Entering play on Thursday, the South Siders were sitting in last place in the AL Central, some 27 games under .500. In fact, if it weren't for the Houston Astros being in the American League for the first time, the White Sox would be owners of the worst record in the league.

The team recently spun an ugly 10-game losing streak in which they were outscored 40-18. Last week, they completed a waiver-trade, sending outfielder Alex Rios to the Texas Rangers for young infielder Leury Garcia. 

Specifically, Paul Konerko is having quite possibly the worst season of his career. The all-star first baseman is hitting an unsightly .240 with just nine home runs and 40 RBI. He is in the final year of his contract, and it remains to be seen whether the 37-year-old, who has been nursing a back injury, will make one last attempt at the game, or hang up the cleats after this season.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies were not supposed to be on this list. The Phillies were supposed to be duking it out with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals in a three-team race to the top of the NL East. 

But a combination of injuries and aging veterans have derailed the 2013 season for the Phillies, as they enter play on Friday in fourth place in the division, 14 games under the .500 mark. 

Unlike some of the other clubs on this list, however, the Phillies held on to their aging veterans at the July 31 deadline. Despite rumors surrounding Michael Young, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and others, the Phillies were very quiet in the trade market (though they did recently release outfielder Delmon Young). 

Still, the Phillies are 3-7 over their last 10, and have lost 19 of their last 23 overall. They did give Utley a contract extension last week, but in all, the 2013 season is a lost cause for the Phils.

Chicago Cubs

It's just another long season on the North Side of Chicago in 2013. The Cubs currently sit 19 games out of first place with a 52-68 record entering play on Friday. 

Their pitching has been bad, and their offense has been worse. They were busy dealing at the trade deadline, sending Matt Garza to the Rangers, Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees, Scott Feldman to the Orioles, and Scott Hairston to the Nationals. 

On the bright side, they've gotten a good look at Junior Lake, who has been quite impressive over his first month in the big leagues. But at this point in the season, the Cubs are just playing until the season ends, and no more.