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

By Jason Burke

Aug 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros center fielder Teoscar Hernandez (35) is greeted by second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run on his major league debut against Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros center fielder Teoscar Hernandez (35) is greeted by second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run on his major league debut against Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Phillies

Consider me one of those fans that loves to watch teams in the process of rebuilding. The Phillies are one of those teams. They have stuck around the .500 mark this season when many pegged them to be the worst team in baseball at the onset of the MLB season. After unloading some of the players that built their names in Philadelphia, the Phillies have added some excellent pieces for their next run.

While the Phillies are still another year or two away from competing for a World Series title, their spot in the standings should show that they are headed in he right direction, sitting at 58-66 entering Sunday, eight games back of the second wild card spot.

Outside of the Washington Nationals, the NL East doesn’t offer up teams with a lot of staying power moving forward. The Atlanta Braves are still at least a couple of years away from respectability, and the Mets and Marlins are no guarantees. Thus, the Philllies and their young core could have a shot at contention.

The big question for the team this offseason will revolve around the health of two of their young starters in Aaron Nola and Vincent Velasquez. If they are ready to go for 2017, and maintain their health, pairing them with Jerad Eickhoff, and potentially a resurgent Jeremy Hellickson (if he accepts the qualifying offer he is likely to receive) would give the team a good but not great rotation.

The bullpen could still use some work, but certainly has some pieces in place in Hector Neris and Jeanmar Gomez, and potentially Edubray Ramos, David Hernandez (free agent) and Michael Mariot.

Add all of this to a talented, but unproven offense that includes Aaron Altherr, Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera (if he’s not traded), Tommy Joseph, Cameron Rupp, and potentially prospects J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams, and there is a lot of potential scattered around the field. There will be growing pains, but given that they play in the NL East, even their bad days could be enough to steal some wins.

Next: Whiff Part Two

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