By Adam Vogt
Spring is in the air. It’s time to dust off that old mitt and toss the baseball around… Umm, excuse me, no it is not! It’s bloody freezing out there. Baseball should NOT be starting for another 3 weeks or so.
Well, my friend, it’s starting today. Here is what you need to know:
THREE STORYLINES FOR 2018:
1) Will the Nationals or Dodgers break through and win a World Series or will the Cubs reclaim their place atop the NL?
The Nats are in the final year of their contract with Bryce Harper before he hits free agency. The Yankees seem to have sewn up their outfield for the next decade or so with the trade for Greek God Giancarlo Stanton (entering year 4 of his 13-year, $325 million contract). So where will the potential $400 million man end up? Will he try to sign with a team closer to his hometown of Las Vegas, say the Dodgers, or will he be a Nat for life? As for the Cubs, their lineup remains stout and while they lost Jake Arrieta to the Phillies, they may have upgraded with Yu Darvish joining the rotation.
2) Will the Yankees hit 300 home runs and get back to the Series?
The current record is 264 clubbed by the 1997 Seattle Mariners. With the addition of Stanton to a lineup that already includes Aaron Judge, the Yankees have two hitters who launched over 50 home runs last season and a young team that’s only getting better. Meanwhile, the Rays, Mets, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Royals, and Padres EACH set team records for home runs in 2017. Is this where baseball is headed? The Yankees won 91 games last year finishing two games behind the hated Red Sox, but expect both of these teams to be aiming for the century mark as the Sox also added power in the form of slugger J.D. Martinez.
3) Will Mike Trout get to play in a game that matters again? Will Shohei Ohtani stink at hitting AND pitching?
The Astros are still loaded, possibly upgraded, with the addition of Gerrit Cole to a rotation that includes two Cy Young winners named Verlander and Keuchel. But the Angels signed the offseason’s prized free agent, Ohtani, who seeks to be the first regular two-way player (pitcher and hitter) in decades. But with the clutch, loaded Astros in the way, you can’t help but wonder if we will get to see Trout on the biggest stage, the World Series, anytime soon.
Key Team Changes:
- Andrew McCutchen from Pirates to Giants
- Jake Arrieta from Cubs to Phillies
- Yu Darvish from Dodgers to Cubs
- Giancarlo Stanton from Marlins to Yankees
- Carlos Santana from Indians to Phillies
- Eric Hosmer from Royals to Padres
- Evan Longoria from Rays to Giants
- Marcell Ozuna from Marlins to Cardinals
- Dee Gordon from Marlins to Mariners
- Christian Yelich from Marlins to Brewers
- J.D. Martinez from Diamondbacks to Red Sox
New Managers:
- Aaron Boone, Yankees
- Mickey Callaway, Mets
- Dave Martinez, Washington
- Gabe Kapler, Philadelphia
- Alex Cora, Boston
- Ron Gardenhire, Detroit
Rookies to Watch:
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
- Ronald Acuna, Atlanta Braves
- Lewis Brinson, Milwaukee Brewers
- Victor Robles, Washington Nationals
- Luiz Gohara, Atlanta Braves
- Franklin Barreto, Oakland A’s
Milestones in Reach:
3,000 Hits
2,968- Albert Pujols is on the verge of joining Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Alex Rodriguez on baseball’s hitting Mount Rushmore as the only players in history with 3,000 hits and 600 home runs.
250 Wins
237- C.C. Sabathia looks like the best shot at 300 wins for a while, but has shown signs of decline.
@dogma_vat is a writer, editor, and long-suffering sports fan based in Washington, DC. He primarily writes about sports, politics, and his 15-year-old dog.
