MLB Rankings: Five teams that improved most for 2021
Major League Baseball’s spring training took full effect today as camps are now full with pitchers, catchers, and all position players. In one week, spring training games will begin which means we’re just a few, short weeks ahead of the 2021 campaign. With the regular season looming, it’s a great time to check out some MLB rankings for the teams that improved most heading into the season.
The offseason got off to a rather slow start, but teams kicked things into full gear as the calendar turned the last page of 2020. The league has seen some blockbuster signings and offseason trades while most of the league’s top free-agents have found places to call home.
MLB Rankings: Check out the five most improved teams heading into 2021
While this list of most improved teams possesses one of the usual players, there are quite a few surprises. Four of these teams, specifically, are usually not thought of as major offseason buyers. Perhaps, the tides of the MLB are changing.
New York Mets
Under the guidance of new principal owner Steve Cohen, the New York Mets completely changed their narrative this offseason. From lovable losers to a team that others should fear in free agency. Cohen and his staff made this clear with the offseason’s biggest blockbuster trade, acquiring superstar Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians.
New York now has one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball on top of a young core of superstar talent. Lindor sits as the face of the franchise now while the Mets added some serious depth to the roster. The Mets may have missed out on Trevor Bauer and JT Realmuto, but this roster is drastically improved after bringing in names such as Trevor May, James McCann, Jonathan Villar, Albert Almora Jr., and Aaron Loup.
From a team that finished eight games under .500 and fourth in the NL East to a potential World Series candidate, the Mets are the most improved team heading into 2021.
The San Diego Padres are serious World Series contenders
The San Diego Padres began their serious aspirations for a World Series title back in 2019. Over the past two seasons, Fernando Tatis Jr. has emerged as a bonafide superstar while San Diego also brought in big names like Mike Clevinger and Manny Machado.
Despite the additional star power, the Padres fell short last season. San Diego finished six games back of the eventual-champion Dodgers. Instead of remaining with that roster construction, management went back to the drawing board. The Padres are now one of the biggest offseason spenders.
In December, San Diego brought in starting pitching help with Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. The team also solidified its bullpen with the addition of veteran Mark Melancon. Padres management didn’t shy away from improving its lineup and positional player depth. Japanese sensation Ha-Seong Kim was signed for depth behind Tatis Jr. and Machado while he’ll compete for a starting role at second base. Jurickson Profar was also re-signed.
San Diego’s biggest offseason splash came with the record-breaking 14-year, $340 million contract extension for Tatis Jr. The Padres now have a deep roster, from top to bottom, and will play meaningful baseball this October.
Los Angeles Dodgers: looking to repeat
It’s easy to groan seeing the Los Angeles Dodgers on this list. This team won the 2020 World Series, after all. There’s no doubt that the Dodgers should be considered title favorites again in 2021.
The signing of Trevor Bauer alone earns the defending champions a spot on this list. Bauer was the league’s top-rated free agent after his NL Cy Young Award-winning performance a year ago. Adding the best starting pitcher in baseball to a World Series roster could be seen as unfair. Los Angeles also addressed some of the roster’s biggest needs this offseason in adding Corey Knebel and Tommy Kahnle for bullpen depth. Justin Turner returned for two more years.
Los Angeles is another incredibly deep roster from top to bottom while adding the top free-agent in the game. Be on the lookout for 19 awesome divisional rivalry games between the Dodgers and Padres this season.
Toronto Blue Jays: inking their top target
The Toronto Blue Jays may have had greater aspirations heading into this offseason, but this team still earns a spot on this list. The Blue Jays signed their biggest free-agent target in George Springer. Adding Springer meant adding a superstar talent to rally the franchise around. Toronto also brought in Marcus Semien, another of the league’s top free agents, giving this franchise a number of different All-Star level talents.
Ken Giles did depart in free agency, however, the Blue Jays added a number of bullpen depth pieces in Kirby Yates, Tyler Chatwood, and David Phelps. While the franchise was unable to sure up its starting pitching behind Hyun-Jin Ryu, they did add Robbie Ray and Steven Matz. Both Ray and Matz could rally for successful seasons next year, as this pair both own at least one season with sub-3.50 ERAs.
Toronto’s improvement makes the AL East interesting behind both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. The Boston Red Sox did not make this list, but they were also busy this offseason, and it should be a year of competitive baseball in the division.
Chicago White Sox: it’s all about the young core
It’s all about the young core in Chicago. The Chicago White Sox may have the best core of young talent in baseball with Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Lucas Giolito, Jose Abreu, and Tim Anderson. There are other big names in the pipeline, too.
With all of this young talent, Chicago took a massive step last season. The White Sox finished 10 games over .500 last season, for second in the AL West, while making its first postseason appearance since 2008.
Then, they got busy in the offseason. Chicago added some key pieces with the signing of baseball’s premier closer Liam Hendriks and trading for starting pitcher Lance Lynn. Despite some of the controversy around this move, the White Sox also hired a manager with World Series experience in Tony La Russa.
Next. The five worst 2020-21 offseasons. dark
Adam Eaton returns to the Windy City after a dynamic four-year run with the Washington Nationals, creating some additional outfield depth. This roster is much better than it was a year ago and should be a lot of fun to watch in 2021.