MLB: 5 Teams That Could Find Themselves in Contention in 2017

At this point in the MLB season we have a good idea of which teams will be vying for playoff spots over the final six weeks, and a number of teams that aren’t close. Which of those teams could move their way up the standings next year and potentially push for a playoff spot?

First let’s go over some ground rules that I arbitrarily made up before writing this piece. Of the teams that are mentioned, three are mathematically still alive in the playoff hunt but realistically don’t have much of a shot of punching their ticket to October, while the remaining two teams are still very much technically in the wild card race in their respective leagues, but are by no means considered the favorites to clinch, and are hovering right around .500.

Second, I left the Houston Astros off this list, not because I don’t think that they will compete next season, but because that wouldn’t be much of a shocker to anyone. One team on the list has the same winning percentage as the Astros this season, but will be undergoing some major roster shakeups (spoiler: it’s the Yankees) as they look to get younger.

The Mets were left off of the list as well, which may prove to be a poor decision on my part, but as we have seen this year, if their starting rotation isn’t producing at an elite level one through five, then their offense just isn’t potent enough to make up the difference. Add in the fact that Yoenis Cespedes could elect free agency after the season, and the proposition of a return to the playoffs just may not be in the cards. If Cespedes returns to New York, I’ll reassess, but for now I’m operating under the assumption that he won’t be back.

Those are the ground rules. Now on to the teams!

Next: Since This One Has Already Been Spoiled