Second half outlooks for all 30 teams
Jul 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals (54-43): See what Bryce Harper’s Real Potential is
With the Nats healthy and looking like they can be the best in the NL, it is imperative to see how their 21 year old star reacts to this. Harper now has the true chance to be a team leader and a hero, and shall the Nats hang on to make the playoffs, his potential will be on full display.
Atlanta Braves (54-45): Add Hitting
The Braves are still struggling to score runs, and any addition of a bat will drastically help the Braves, who have been nails otherwise this season. One or two decent hitters can turn the Braves into a real pennant contender.
Miami Marlins (46-52): Look Toward Next Year
The Marlins overall have still performed above expectations in 2014, even with the loss of Jose Fernandez. The Marlins have the main pieces to be a Wild Card contender in 2015, and should more toward offseason acquisitions than anything else.
New York Mets (46-53): Get Minor League Pitching Ready for 2015
The Mets have a very talented pitching core in the minors, and with a 1-2-3 punch of Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler, the Mets will be more than ready to polish up their hitting to reform themselves into a playoff contender.
Philadelphia Phillies (43-56): Begin the Rebuild Process
While the front office management believed this Phillies core had one more championship run in them, it has become quite obvious that this isn’t the case. The Phillies must begin this half of the season by trading off soem core pieces, and beginning to rebuild from the bottom up, which may be a long and painstaking process.
Milwaukee Brewers (55-45): Hang On
With just a .5 game lead in the NL Central, the Brewers are merely a piece of a four team divisional race. The Brewers have lost a lot of their early season spark, and now while they’re healthy, it is imperative for the Brewers to play their best baseball of the year, and go all in for a title.
St. Louis Cardinals (54-45): Overcome Adversity
Shall the Cardinals emerge as the division winner, it would be a great story for baseball. After losing Yadier Molina for an extended period of time, the Cards are now just .5 game out of first place, and need to use their veteran core to help forget about the issues the team has that they can not control, and simply focus on winning at all expenses.
Pittsburgh Pirates (52-47): Make a Substantial Deadline Buy
The Pirates are just 2.5 games out of first place, but making a big move at the deadline can enforce the fact that they do not want to be perceived as forgotten about in the division race. The Pirates are an up and coming team, so perhaps a veteran bat acquisition can drastically help the Pirates on the rest of the way.
Cincinnati Reds (51-48): Let the Rotation Stay Solid
The Reds possess a dangerous 1-2-3 punch in their rotation, involving Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Alfredo Simon, a rotation that can be devastating in October. Therefore, pitching isn’t the problem, leading to the need of an offensive acquisition to make the Reds unstoppable in the NL Central.
Chicago Cubs (40-57): There’s Always Next Year…Really
The Cubs may be the worst team in baseball this year, but with their highest ceiling prospects already at AAA, the Cubs should embrace the fact that they are losing this year, and come back with a rejuvenated and revamped team that will be a contender in 2015.
San Francisco Giants (55-44): Regain the Early Season Energy
The Giants looked unstoppable throughout the months of April and May, but since falling back down to earth, the Giants find themselves in a two way tie in the NL West with the arch-rival Dodgers. The Giants must find that early energy, most notably by revamping their bullpen, which should be a focus at this year’s trade deadline.
Los Angeles Dodgers (56-45): Add Offense at the Deadline
While the Dodgers may be tempted to trade for David Price, with a very good rotation as it is, hitting is what the Dodgers need. In a position to win the pennant, the Dodgers should acquire perhaps another outfield bat to pad up a lineup that occasionally struggles. Doing this can very well have the Dodgers run away with the NL West.
San Diego Padres (43-55): Acquire Hitting Prospects in Trades
The Padres have been doing this so far, and shall they move anyone else, that must continue. With the most abysmal hitting seen in years, the Padres can become competitive if they find a way to get a better lineup, something that must develop from the bottom up.
Arizona Diamondbacks (43-57): Build For Next Year
With this season long gone in the desert, it is vital for the D-Backs to remember that this same core of players produced two .500 teams in 2012 and 2013, and it’s very possible that Arizona can right the ship in 2015. The offseason will mean much more to the Diamondbacks, who should look to acquire a top-dollar free agent at that time.
Colorado Rockies (40-59): Acquire Pitching Prospects in Trades
The Rockies clearly have the hitting to be a contender, but the desperate need for pitching of all varieties is apparent. With the need to build pitching prospects in their farm, the Rockies should also look toward the offseason to acquire a free agent pitcher as well.