4:20 AM UTC
It’s clear that MLB’s turnaround trend is still intact after a World Series featuring both the Rangers and D-backs, who had losing records in 2022. Half of the ’23 postseason field was made up of clubs that had not reached the playoffs the year prior, so as the Hot Stove season continues to unfold, let’s take a look at some teams that might have what it takes to morph from also-rans to October entries.
But these are the 10 teams most likely to make the jump in ’24, ranked (by yours truly) in order of likelihood. 1. Yankees This one is less of a strict baseball analysis and more just an unambiguous observation: Do we really think the Yankees are going to miss the playoffs in consecutive years? Really? That very concept seems suspicious. Even when they aren’t very good, as was unequivocally the case in 2023, they somehow manage to finish with a winning record.
And the early aggressiveness with the acquisitions of Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham is not going to be followed with hibernation from here on out. 2. Reds Cincinnati did not supply the 2023 Rookie of the Year, but this was the Rookie Core of the Year, with Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte all making exciting contributions, and other young players such as Will Benson, TJ Friedl and Hunter Greene getting their first taste of contention.
The Reds won’t be sneaking up on anybody in 2024, and expectations can always alter the equation with a predominantly young club. But if their offseason activity — kicked off by the additions of Jeimer Candelario, Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán — is as ample as they hope, the Reds could potentially enter 2024 as favorites in a winnable NL Central. 3. Cubs It’s a layup to include the Cubs prominently on this list…
