Philadelphia Phillies
Overall Health: C+
Farm System Rank: 6th
Key Offseason Moves: Gabe Kapler named manager Oct 30, 2017. Claimed INF Engelb Vielma off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Nov 21, 2017. Traded RHP Nick Burdi to Pittsburgh for future considerations on Dec 15, 2017.
Synopsis: The Philadelphia Phillies have just about the same core of players from last year that finished in the basement of the National League East. The players will bring experience with a new management core to help boost their confidence and help them get to the next level. Not to mention having the Super Bowl champions next to them as a confidence builder during spring training. A rebuilding year for sure. It would be a surprise if they make the playoffs as one of the wild card teams most likely as the second wild card team. Just a winning record is not out of the question either with this group.
New York Mets
Overall Health: B
Farm
System Rank: 29th
Key Offseason Moves: Named Mickey Callaway manager on Oct 23, 2017. Acquired relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, third baseman Todd Frazier, starting pitcher Jason Vargas and brought back ex-Met outfielder Jay Bruce. Exercised 2018 team options on INF Asdrubal Cabrera and LHP Jerry Blevins on Nov 3, 2017.
Synopsis: The Mets season relies mainly on their starting pitching. If they can stay healthy it has the chance to be one of the best in the league but, that is just the problethe injury bug had plagued the Mets in recent years and will need to hope that bad karma reverses. Most expect Jacob deGrom to be healthy and solid once again and so far Noah Syndergaard looks great in spring training coming off a season ending lat injury. The Mets are hoping that the struggling and injured plagued Matt Harvey can find his stuff this year, which is a contract year for him. If they remain healthy the Mets will have a chance at competing for a playoff spot.
New York Yankees
Overall Health: A
Farm
System Rank: 3rd
Key Offseason Moves: Named Aaron Boone manager on Dec 4, 2017. Acquired OF Giancarlo Stanton and cash from the Miami Marlins in exchange for 2B Starlin Castro, RHP Jorge Guzman and SS Jose Devers on Dec 11, 2017.
Synopsis: After a surprising year last year with the Yankees coming within one win of the World Series, they loaded their roster with the addition of Giancarlo Stanton to hit with the American League Rookie of the Year last year in Aaron Judge. Expect the balls to be flying towards the stands a lot from these two while helping the Yankees be a World Series caliber team this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Overall Health: C-
Farm System Ranking: 16th
Key Offseason Moves: Traded CF Andrew McCutchen and cash to San Francisco Giants for RHP Kyle Crick, CF Bryan Reynolds and future considerations on Jan. 15, 2018. Traded for LF Corey Dickerson from Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Daniel Hudson, 2B Tristan Gray and cash.
Synopsis: With fielder Andrew McCutchen sent packing to San Francisco, the Pirates are just not like what the team that they were the past few years as they made the playoffs after 20 years with a losing record which is still a modern day record in American professional Sports. Does this year’s team resemble the ones back in those low years? Time will tell but with a farm system that is ready to rise to the occasion, wins can be hard to acquire as they are learning how to play in the big leagues. A winning record would be a surprise and can play spoiler to somebody’s playoff hopes down the line if it came to pass.
Sources: MLB.com, BleacherReport.com