Which Losing MLB Team Has The Most Upside In 2020?
Image credit: Yasmani Grandal (Getty Images)
This is one of 10 burning questions in our 2020 MLB season preview. To see all of our bold predictions, click here. All answers to the question are from Baseball America’s editorial team.
Ben Badler: White Sox. The combination of free agent signings, breakout potential from the team’s homegrown young players and the chance for rookies like Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal to make an impact all point to a big up arrow on the White Sox.
Carlos Collazo: Angels. They finally added another star to the lineup with Anthony Rendon, and they should get dynamic internal help with Jo Adell ready. With some innings eaters added to the rotation, it wouldn’t be surprising to finally see Mike Trout in the playoffs again, which would be great for baseball.
JJ Cooper: Padres. They have zero hope of catching the Dodgers, but San Diego should be dramatically better than the 70-win team of a year ago. A full season from Fernando Tatis Jr. and a better second season in San Diego from Manny Machado will do a lot to boost the offense, and the pitching staff should be better thanks both to modest additions (Zach Davies) but even more so thanks to the maturation of young pitchers like Chris Paddack.
Matt Eddy: Padres. San Diego played like a fringe wild card contender in the first half of 2019 before disintegrating with a 7-20 record in September. A deeper pitching staff, including full seasons from Garrett Richards and Dinelson Lamet and bullpen imports Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan, combined with the addition of on-base-focused outfielders Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham, should help improve the team’s overall functionality.
Kyle Glaser: White Sox. If the young players and veterans click, the South Siders have the talent to contend for the the American League Central title and possibly even make an ALCS run.
Joe Healy: White Sox. The front office adding big-name free agents right as some of the system’s homegrown players come into their own has quickly opened the franchise’s window for winning another title.
Josh Norris: White Sox. Their window is beginning to open thanks to a fairly weak division and smart trades beginning to pay big dividends. Adding Yasmani Grandal behind the plate, Dallas Keuchel to the rotation and the imminent debuts of top prospects like Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal should help get the White Sox closer to the playoffs.
Chris Trenkle: Padres. Adding Zach Davies to the rotation gave the Padres another reliable starter and it will be exciting to see what Chris Paddack does in Year Two. Plus, there is immense upside on the left side of the infield with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
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