BY: MATTHEW SHALLOE
As Spring Training comes to a close, we are finally starting to see our favorite players set to swing the bat yet again, and there are many interesting storylines surrounding the 2021 MLB season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers seem like big-time favorites to repeat as World Series Champions. The Blue Jays expect to take a step forward after the addition of George Springer. The Padres are ready to contend for a title. These few things, along with many other intriguing storylines, are set to transpire from now until October.
As an avid baseball fan who is beyond excited for the season to start on April 1, I decided to sit down and make a few observations/predictions of my own.
The Tampa Bay Rays Will Still be a Good Team in 2021
Talks suggest that after trading Blake Snell, the Rays will not be good this season. Sure, trading away your ace is not a recipe for more wins, but the Rays are still a very well-run organization. Their rotation features Tyler Glasnow, and although they lost Charlie Morton, Chris Archer, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill are all reliable rotation additions to me. Also, don’t forget about that bullpen, as it will still be one of the strongest in the game.
As for their lineup, the Rays return just about everyone from that American League Champion team, aside from Hunter Renfroe. Not to mention they will be adding baseball’s No. 1 prospect Wander Franco to that lineup at some point this season, perhaps maybe even opening day. The Toronto Blue Jays are receiving a lot of hype in that AL East division, but they aren’t better than the Rays just yet.
The San Diego Padres are on the Same Level as the LA Dodgers
The Dodgers are still the Dodgers, and they aren’t going away any time soon. With players like Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, and now the addition of Trevor Bauer, this is a team that is poised to repeat as World Champions. However, what seems like the first time in recent memory, ever since the Giants of the early 2010s, the Dodgers have big-time competition in the NL West.
The Padres rotation is among the best of them, adding the previously mentioned Snell alongside Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove in the offseason. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado will occupy that left side of the infield for the next eight seasons, and Tatis is a guy who is only going to get better.
This race for the NL West is something I will be locked in on all year long and really may be the best rivalry of the 2021 season. In my opinion, not only is this a race for their division, but it will also be one of these two teams representing the NL in the fall classic.
Jameson Taillon Will be the Steal of the Offseason
On January 24, the Yankees shipped four prospects to the Pirates to acquire the talented right-hander. In doing so, they made one of the best moves of the offseason. Jameson Taillon has been fantastic in his career when healthy. He reunites with former Pirates teammate Gerrit Cole to form what has a chance to be one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball in terms of starting rotations.
Taillon posted a 3.67 ERA over his 82 career starts in his four years in Pittsburgh and has had his last two seasons riddled with injury, missing all of the 2020 shortened season. He’s healthy and ready to go in 2021 and happy to be doing so in the Pinstripes. Taillon says, “The Yankees pinstripes are special. Everyone who’s a sports fan knows that. It’s the Yankees. What else can you say?”
I firmly believe that Taillon can be the best addition of the offseason and was grabbed by the was Yankees for a low price. Add a healthy Corey Kluber to the mix, and you’re talking about a three-headed monster in that Yankee rotation.
The Mets Hype is a Little too Much – For Now
Did the New York Mets improve this offseason? No doubt about it. Francisco Lindor is a generational talent, James McCann is a top catcher in baseball, and adding Carlos Carrasco solidifies that rotation. Are they at the top of their division? Not quite. The Atlanta Braves are still owners of the NL East, and honestly, I struggle to put the Mets over the Nationals after the impressive offseason in Washington.
This Mets team will compete for a Wild Card spot. I am just not as high on them as the rest of the baseball world is right now. Their bullpen remains the same-big names that have only proven to struggle, aside from Seth Lugo. However, the addition of Trevor May and Aaron Loup will help some of those struggles.
The team improved from a season ago, but the questions remain the same. Will the Mets provide run support for ace Jacob DeGrom? Will the bullpen be able to hold onto leads late in games? Only time will tell. For now, I’m very hesitant to jump on the Mets hype train.
The Cardinals Will Win the NL Central With Ease
In my opinion, the NL Central is the Cardinals to lose, and that is just something I don’t see happening. Adding Nolan Arenado was one of the best moves of the offseason. He will slot in just fine in the middle of that lineup alongside Paul Goldschmidt. Jack Flaherty is a CY Young candidate, Yadier Molina is back, and Dylan Carlson is a young outfielder with loads of potential.
As for the rest of the division, the Brewers are the main competition in my eyes. The Pirates of 2021 have the potential to be one of the worst teams we’ve seen in a while. The Reds are bound to take a step back after losing CY Young Award winner Trevor Bauer in free agency. The Cubs have a chance to be decent. But honestly, the names of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo don’t do it for me anymore. They traded Darvish, let Jon Lester walk, and I don’t believe they will be as competitive as we’ve seen the past few seasons.
The Cardinals should encounter very few bumps in the road this season, as I believe their trip to a division title will be an easy one in 2021.
For live updates and breaking news, follow Trainwreck Sports, Crossing Swords or 2 Goalies 1 Mic on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com