Call to the pen
Fansided

10 Major League Baseball teams that are looking ahead to next year or beyond

By Michael Cahill

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (79) returns tot he dugout after the third out of the top of the first inning of the MLB Cactus League Spring Training game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.Los Angeles Angels At Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (79) returns tot he dugout after the third out of the top of the first inning of the MLB Cactus League Spring Training game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.Los Angeles Angels At Cincinnati Reds /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 05: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 05, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Reds

Let’s be real: this team isn’t going anywhere under their current ownership regime.

The Castellinis tore down their team when they should’ve been building. They had star players in Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos, Joey Votto, and Luis Castillo and good complementary pieces in Eugenio Suarez, Amir Garrett, Mike Moustakas, and Tyler Naquin.

They also knew that their farm system was really good. Jonathan India made his debut last season and played really well, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors. Unfortunately he hasn’t played much this year due to injury. They also have Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft who have made debuts this year.

They were in most teams’ dream scenario: talented stars on the MLB roster, talented, controllable young pitchers nearing their call up. And man, did they blow it.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have a decent little team, but they’re not contending this year.

Guys like Kyle Hendricks, Marcus Stroman, Willson Contreras, Frank Schwindel, Patrick Wisdom, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki are solid players, but not the kind of guys who lead a team to October. They don’t really have much in the bullpen either, and while that is usually the easiest thing to acquire at the trade deadline, there’s no reason for a 4th place team to do that.

They have some good prospects in their system, but most won’t be ready until 2024. Only two of their top ten prospects are supposed to be ready this year: Brennen Davis, who is a potential super star, and Caleb Killian, who looks like a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Those guys coming up aren’t enough to get this team to the playoffs.

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