15. Seattle Mariners
Jerry Dipoto made some moves this offseason. There’s the least shocking news of anything that happened since last season ended, but will they be enough to move Seattle into the postseason for the first time since 2001? Signing the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner (Robbie Ray) and trading for Adam Frazier, Eugenio Suarez, and Jesse Winker certainly remakes a lineup that could contend for that elusive postseason spot and more in 2022.
14. Detroit Tigers
New shortstop Javier Baez and catcher Tucker Barnhart give the Tigers a new look in the field and Michael Pineda and Eduardo Rodriguez changes the view for Detroit on the mound. With Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson injecting some new blood into the lineup as well, Detroit could be a team to watch in what should be a fascinating American League Central.
13. Philadelphia Phillies
Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber join Bryce Harper in the lineup and a Philadelphia bullpen that has been such a problem for the last two seasons has been retooled with Jeurys Familia, Brad Hand, and Corey Knebel. The Phillies addressed their biggest needs in the offseason. Is it enough to compete with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves in the division?
12. St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is starting the season with some injuries on the pitching front that are going to be something for Cardinals fans to watch. The Cardinals made it into the Wild Card Game last season, but made a quick exit in Los Angeles. The roster from last season remains largely intact, with the biggest offseason signing coming in pitcher Steven Matz. The battle between St. Louis and Milwaukee in the National League Central should be one of the best races within any division.
11. San Francisco Giants
Last season’s surprise team won a franchise-record 107 games and captured the National League West. A new-look rotation that includes Alex Cobb and Carlos Rodon and a new backstop in Joey Bart (following the retirement of Buster Posey) will provide some intrigue in the battery. Joc Pederson will bring an extra bit of fascination to the Dodgers-Giants rivalry this season as he brings his World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves last season to the San Francisco outfield.