The San Diego Padres have not just remade their expectations but also their entire image and culture. The Texas Rangers were injury ravaged in 2014 but are loaded with prospects that can lead them back to the playoffs. The Chicago White Sox are going to make sure that south siders get their share of attention with an active offseason of bold moves.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to get back into their World Series form of 2013 with a strong Hot Stove League performance. And the Chicago Cubs will have a new manager in Joe Maddon who is the best in the game to go with an improved roster.
San Diego Padres
The days of the boring bland Padres with a punchless offense look to be over. First-year general manager A.J. Preller has already made a bold mark on this team that time and local fans long forgot. Outfielders Matt Kemp, Wil Myers, and Justin Upton along with catcher Derek Norris will significantly improve run production.
San Diego boasts a pitching staff that finished second in National League earned run average last season and is anchored by prospective aces Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. All that was missing were the runs. Preller has fixed that issue. Perhaps he can someday convince management to discard the bland threads for something as colorful as this team’s potential.
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Chicago White Sox
Executive Vice President Kenny Williams said last November that the White Sox would put together a roster that would give fans hope again. The South Siders have exceeded expectations. Former New York Yankees closer David Robertson arrives along with first baseman Adam LaRoche, outfielder Melky Cabrera, and ace right hand starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija. American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu and left hand starting ace Chris Sale now has the help necessary to make a run at the White Sox first post season bid since 2008.
Chicago Cubs
Maddon gives the Cubs instant credibility as the best manager in baseball, and as the man that did the impossible, by making the low budget no revenue Tampa Bay Rays a perennial American League playoff contender. It’s been 106 years for the Cubs since their last World Series title but there is a sense that a new era of winning is about to begin. The roster is loaded with potential and includes young stars first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Starlin Castro. General Manager Theo Epstein has worked tirelessly to stock the farm system. 2015 could reveal a bumper crop at refurbished Wrigley Field.
Boston Red Sox
From last in 2012 to World Series champs in 2013 to last again in 2014, it has been an incredible roller coaster ride for the Sox. Boston is looking to get back on the ascent with the signing of Pablo Sandoval, who was arguably the most desired slugger on the market this offseason. Hanley Ramirez was yet another addition to the lineup to show that Boston means business.
The Red Sox starting rotation posted a pathetic 4.26 earned run average last year and was overhauled. Sinkerball ace Rick Porcello arrived in a trade for Yoenis Cespedes while Wade Miley arrived from Arizona and Justin Masterson signed an incentive laden contract after bombing out at Cleveland and St. Louis. Boston was still in the running for left hand starter Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies. Regardless, the Red Sox fell too far too fast last year and would be a good bet as a rising stock after underperforming in 2014.
Texas Rangers
After a 67-95 record last year the Rangers should be a team that also has plenty of upside for 2015. Last year’s disaster followed four consecutive seasons of 90-plus wins. The farm system is loaded with talent and Shin Soo Choo, Prince Fielder, and Yu Darvish should all return in top form after missing large chunks of time in 2014. The only question about the Rangers remains the ugly departure of former team President Nolan Ryan to Houston last year. Ryan led the resurgence of the franchise to heights never before attained in its history.
