One storyline to follow for every MLB team heading into the 2023 season

Arizona signed Mark Melancon earlier than the 2022 season, and the returns have not been good. After struggling final season, Melancon is about to begin this yr on the injured checklist. Even earlier than his harm, the nearer was anybody’s guess with an extended checklist of candidates, together with Kevin Ginkel, Miguel Castro, Scott McGough, and Andrew Chafin.

The Braves let Dansby Swanson stroll in free company, successfully handing the shortstop job to Grissom. Whereas Grissom was spectacular offensively in his MLB debut final season, his debut trailed his bat. The transfer to shortstop is that rather more tough, and the aggressive Braves haven’t got time to attend on Grissom if he struggles.

The O’s made regular progress final season, however they had been nonetheless hesitant to make a splash throughout the offseason. Consequently, they’re relying on their younger hotshot prospects like Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Stowers, and Grayson Rodriguez to spice up the squad within the terrific AL East division.

Boston targeted on pitching throughout the offseason, however their lineup took a giant hit. The workforce changing Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez with Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida, strikes that weren’t standard with followers. It stays to be season if the Crimson Sox can have sufficient offense to tread water within the AL East.

A former Rookie of the 12 months and NL MVP, Bellinger could not discover his footing with the Dodgers during the last three seasons. The Cubs determined to attempt their hand, giving Bellinger $17.5 million within the hope {that a} change of surroundings will do him some good. Bellinger’s capability to rebound may decide the Cubs season.

Followers have been lower than passionate about Chicago’s offseason, and their pitching depth seems notably shaky. The workforce changed Johnny Cueto with Mike Clevinger and is left with an enormous void within the bullpen after Liam Hendriks was recognized with most cancers. The workforce cannot afford extra slip-ups of their pitching employees, which is not an amazing place to be in getting into a season.

Cincinnati continues to play for the longer term of their rebuild, however there’ll ultimately be motive for followers to attend residence video games once more. The farm system is loaded with blue-chip expertise, led by Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte. Their pending arrivals will probably be value watching.

Few organizations have finished a greater job producing expertise in current seasons, and Cleveland enters 2023 with a powerful MLB roster. Nonetheless, their subsequent tier of prime prospects may make large contributions later this season. Amongst them are catcher Bo Naylor, outfielder George Valera, and pitchers Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, and Gavin Williams.

The Rockies roster wasn’t in nice form getting into Spring Coaching, nevertheless it received worse following a serious shoulder harm for second baseman Brendan Rodgers. The workforce signed veteran Mike Moustakas in what seems to be a panic transfer after the veteran struggled to remain on the sector during the last three seasons. Younger third basemen Elehuris Montero and Nolan Jones are options if they will show satisfactory defensively. Regardless, it could possibly be one other lengthy yr in Colorado.

The Tigers had been anemic in all areas final season. There may be some motive for pleasure getting into 2023, notably with the beginning rotation. The Tigers added intriguing starters Matthew Boyd and Michael Lorenzen, and robust springs from Eduardo Rodriguez and Spencer Turnbull present a succesful rotation regardless of accidents to kids Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.

The reigning champs have the robust job of changing final yr’s AL Cy Younger winner, however they did not herald any new expertise from outdoors the group. As an alternative, the workforce is relying on younger starter Hunter Brown after his electrical arrival late final season whereas additionally hoping for repeat seasons from Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier.

The Royals have struggled to develop their younger expertise over the previous couple of years, notably pitching. A brand new teaching employees led by supervisor Matt Quatraro may make a distinction for younger pitchers like Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, and Jackson Kowar, who’ve but to succeed in their potential. These pitchers could possibly be on the skin wanting in on distinguished MLB roles to begin the yr, however their growth will probably be key in getting KC again to competitiveness.

The Angels have seen seven consecutive dropping seasons regardless of a few of the most proficient gamers within the sport, led by Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. The workforce took a brand new strategy throughout the offseason, including precious depth like Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury, Tyler Anderson, and Carlos Estevez. There’s motive for extra optimism, particularly with the pitching.

The Dodgers’ entrance workplace and possession was surprisingly reserved within the offseason, permitting Trea Turner to stroll and never making a high-dollar signing. There have been questions getting into Spring Coaching, and Gavin Lux’s season-ending knee harm now exacerbates the state of affairs. The workforce is about to make use of a mixture of Miguel Vargas, Chris Taylor, and Miguel Rojas to fill the center infield spots, and the outcomes stay to be seen.

Miami scored the fewest runs within the NL in 2022. To treatment the state of affairs, the Marlins employed a contact hitting technique throughout the offseason with newcomers Jean Segura, Luis Arraez, Yuli Gurriel, and Jose Iglesias whereas using an all-new teaching employees. There’s nowhere to go however up.

The Brewers’ farm system appeared prepared to assist late final season, and the door is open for them to contribute. Brice Turang has an opportunity to switch Kolten Wong at second base, whereas Garrett Mitchell is the workforce’s heart fielder after a late-season arrival. The proper subject state of affairs can be unclear with Tyrone Taylor nursing an harm, creating attainable taking part in time for Sal Frelick. Their contributions may decide Milwaukee’s prospects within the NL Central.

Accidents sidetracked the Twins final season, and the workforce has its justifiable share of harm considerations heading into 2023. Nonetheless, the Twins had been in a position to re-sign Carlos Correa whereas including Pablo Lopez and a number of other different position gamers, making a roster with extraordinary depth. With the returns of Byron Buxton, Alex Kirilloff, Tyler Mahle, and Kenta Maeda from accidents, the workforce could possibly be in for a rebound season.

Expectations could not be greater for the Mets after signing Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga throughout the offseason. Sadly, the harm bug has already hit in a giant method, because the workforce misplaced nearer Edwin Diaz for the yr and could possibly be with out Jose Quintana for the majority of 2023. These accidents will not be an excuse if the Mets disappoint, given how a lot proprietor Steve Cohen has spent during the last two years.

Most of the questions surrounding the Yankees lineup getting into Spring Coaching have been answered by excellent springs from kids Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Anthony Volpe. Now the beginning rotation is of concern, because the workforce will probably be with out Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodon. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt seem like formidable rotation replacements, however the Yankees aren’t getting into 2023 with the upper-shelf expertise they anticipated.

Oakland misplaced 102 video games in 2022, they usually could possibly be in for a good longer 2023 season. The workforce traded star catcher Sean Murphy and crammed most of its wants with query marks like Jesus Aguilar, Aledmys Diaz, Jace Peterson, Shintaro Fujinami, and Drew Rucinski. With a farm system additionally in rebuilding mode, the A’s aren’t in nice form.

Philadelphia’s important spending continued throughout the offseason, including star shortstop Trea Turner and pitcher Taijuan Walker. The Phillies roster is not with out challenges, notably as they watch for Bryce Harper to return from elbow surgical procedure. Nonetheless, the reigning NL champs have motive for optimism with World Sequence hopes in 2023.

Pittsburgh has began to see the fruits of its rebuild farm system during the last yr, and the Pirates’ beginning rotation is an intriguing mixture of homegrown gamers and veterans. The Pirates carry again Mitch Keller, Roansy Contreras, and JT Brubaker atop the rotation, and veterans Wealthy Hill and Vince Velasquez give the workforce expertise. The celebrities look notably vibrant with Keller and Contreras, if the pair can stay wholesome.

Tatis Jr. was one of many faces of MLB earlier than struggling a fractured wrist and getting suspended for PEDs in 2022. Whereas he is signed long-term, the Padres have acknowledged publicly that Tatis Jr. must earn his method again into their good graces. The signing of Xander Bogaerts pushed Tatis Jr. to the outfield, and he began Spring Coaching ice chilly on the plate. The Padres have sufficient elite expertise to win with out Tatis Jr., however a rebound may push the workforce forward of the Dodgers within the NL West.

The Giants misplaced ace Carlos Rodon within the offseason, however their pitching is arguably improved getting into the yr. The workforce added Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling and can get Alex Wooden and Anthony DeSclafani again from accidents. The complete pitching employees has been spectacular in Spring Coaching, together with velocity upticks from Manaea and ace Logan Webb. Whether or not the pitching will probably be sufficient to beat a shaky lineup stays to be seen.

Kelenic arrived within the majors with nice fanfare in 2021, however he is struggled mightily in over 500 MLB plate appearances. The workforce seems optimistic some mechanical changes will flip his profession round, and the outcomes have been glorious this spring. In fact, we cannot know for positive till Kelenic produces within the common season.

High prospect Jordan Walker has taken Cardinals Spring Coaching by storm, because the workforce hoped. The Cardinals have additionally seen good springs from Brendan Donovan, Juan Yepez, Dylan Carlson, and Nolan Gorman, including to final yr’s breakout from Lars Nootbaar. St. Louis won’t have sufficient at-bats for everybody, so supervisor Oliver Marmol will have to be inventive.

Tampa Bay’s pitching employees had a giant setback this spring when Tyler Glasnow suffered an indirect harm, however they continue to be in an enviable place. The Rays have a powerful beginning rotation led by Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs, whereas the bullpen can be in terrific form with Pete Fairbanks, Jason Adam, and firm.

The Rangers made headlines within the offseason, added beginning pitchers Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Andrew Heaney to Martin Perez and Jon Grey. The beginning rotation already appeared nice on paper, however nice spring showings from Dane Dunning and Cole Ragans have solely added to the workforce’s “good downside.” Texas does have a number of questions of their lineup, however they’re hoping the terrific beginning rotation will make up for them.

Toronto gained 92 video games final season regardless of nightmarish seasons from Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi. The hope is that mechanical changes will get the starters again on observe, however Spring Coaching performances have been uneven.

Joey Meneses was a pleasing shock for Washington final season, hitting .324-13-34 after he was known as up in August. There stay questions on whether or not the minor league veteran can proceed to supply, however he is loads throughout the World Baseball Basic. Whereas the workforce continues to rebuild, Meneses is a narrative to cheer for after his arrival as a 30-year-old rookie.