Four unsung teams to watch in 2015
Major League Baseball is creeping closer to Spring Training, something that feels a lifetime away for those in the snowglobe of the Northeast. In a few weeks, 30 teams will hit fields in Arizona and Florida, hoping to make 2015 their year. For clubs like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals, expectations are sky high. For others, the hope is simply a surprising run into the postseason.
For those in the latter portion of the previous sentence, here are four teams to keep tabs on:
1. San Diego Padres
No team was more active in the offseason than San Diego. Long known for a horrific offense in the cavernous Petco Park, the Padres remade the lineup with Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers all joining the outfield. San Diego also bolstered its battery, acquiring all-star catcher Derek Norris from the Oakland A’s. The Padres are miles better than both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies in the NL West, and could compete with the San Francisco Giants and Dodgers if the pitching holds up. Andrew Cashner is a legitimate stud, but is followed by question marks in Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy. Both have had past success, but can it be repeated?
2. Chicago White Sox
For years, the White Sox have been a fairly anonymous group. Chicago made significant changes over the winter, led by the acquisition of ace Jeff Samardzija from the A’s for Marcus Semien and a host of other young players. With Samardzija and Chris Sale at the top of the rotation, the White Sox will have a terrific 1-2 punch. The lineup is buoyed by slugger Jose Abreu, who hit .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI in 145 games. Around Abreu is a solid collection of hitters with Adam Eaton, Melky Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez setting the table.
3. Miami Marlins
The NL East appears to be a foregone conclusion with the Nationals looking like a potential 110-win team. Yet, Miami could emerge as a contender should the chips fall correctly. The Marlins have a very solid rotation with Mat Latos, Henderson Alvarez and Jarred Cosart at the top, soon to be joined by Cy Young-candidate Jose Fernandez. The bullpen has some quality arms also, highlighted by closer Steve Chisek. The lineup possesses plenty of pop with Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Mike Morse, Martin Prado, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Don’t be shocked if the Marlins win 90 games and reach the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003.
4. Oakland A’s
Oakland is being overlooked because of its massive shakeup which included the departures of Josh Donaldson, Derek Norris, Brandon Moss, Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija. Still, the A’s boast plenty of talent with Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir at the top of the rotation. The bullpen is one of the best in the sport with Sean Doolittle closing games, although he will miss time to start the campaign with a torn rotator cuff. Oakland’s major question is offense. The A’s brought in Billy Butler, Ike Davis, Brett Lawrie and Ben Zobrist to accompany Josh Reddick, Coco Crisp and Marcus Semien. The group is average on the surface, but manager Bob Melvin is a master at platoons. Don’t be shocked when the A’s win in the high 80’s or low 90’s.
