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MLB: New Year’s Resolutions for All 30 Clubs

By Jason Burke

Aug 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the MLB logo with Colorado Rockies batting gear on it during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Colorado Rockies won 12-9. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the MLB logo with Colorado Rockies batting gear on it during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Colorado Rockies won 12-9. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during today. MLB.
Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during today. MLB. /

San Diego Padres

Survive 2017 and have fun?

Arizona Diamondbacks

The DBacks spent some money last winter and those moves didn’t quite pan out. With a healthy outfield headed into 2017, their pitcher’s performances should rise solely based on the improved defense playing behind them. It’ll be hard for Shelby Miller to duplicate his horrendous 2016 season. Zack Greinke has either completely lost it, or will come better prepared to handle pitching in the desert next season. There is some room for optimism here. The Diamondbacks need to be cautiously aggressive with their next slew of moves. Their window is now, while they have Paul Goldschmidt, so adding on could be prudent, but not at anything close to the cost that it took to acquire Miller.

Colorado Rockies

This one is easy. Just don’t have the worst ERA in baseball. Ok, they had the 28th ranked team ERA in 2016 (4.92) ahead of just the Twins and Diamondbacks, but in 2014 and 2015 they ranked dead last. In 2013, they also ranked 28th, but then fell back. This is the time for the Rockies to start building towards a playoff run and they’re going to need some solid pitching performances to do it. They’ll have to battle the thin air and opposing batters, but they have the talent to start making the climb closer to the middle of the pack.

San Francisco Giants

While the Giants have been one of the premier franchises since winning their first of three World Series titles in 2010, there is still something that they haven’t done: Reach the playoffs in an odd-numbered year. They’ve fixed their bullpen woes by signing Mark Melancon. They have at least four solid starting pitchers in their rotation. Their core players haven’t aged terribly just yet. This is the year that that streak should break. If they somehow miss out on the dance this year then they’re obviously cursed.

Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s the one thing that most baseball fans can tell you about the Dodgers in recent years? They spend gobs and gobs of money. In 2017 it’s time to make all of that money well spent. They have shown that they can win the division, but they have yet to make it to the World Series. After bringing back most of their own guys this winter, they’re going to attempt to make another run with the squad they’ve had. Either they’re geniuses or they could have used a tweak or two (like to the bullpen). The Dodgers resolution should be to at least make the World Series in 2017, which would show that (presumably) the Cubs can be beaten, and that all of the money that they’re spending was well worth it. Of course winning the darn thing is the ultimate goal, but baby steps.

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