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MLB predictions: Top 10 storylines

By Joshua Sadlock

Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs fans celebrate and wave W flags after game six of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs fans celebrate and wave W flags after game six of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2017 season approaching rapidly, it’s time to look at the top 10 storylines in MLB this year.

Major League Baseball is perhaps in the best position it has been in years. There are young stars galore on the most prominent teams in the league, the Chicago Cubs are coming off their first World Series in 108 years, and despite the continued grumblings by the commissioner about pace of play, TV ratings are higher than they’ve ever been. MLB is also coming off the best WBC since the event began.

For MLB fans, March and April are the time to think about everything that might happen during the season. Heck, even the San Diego Padres can dream about contending for a few days. With Opening Day only days away, these are the top 10 storylines to watch that will define the 2017 MLB season over the next six months. Buckle up and enjoy the ride to October.

Feb 28, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen (22) warms up before the start of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen (22) warms up before the start of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

10. How will the McCutchen drama play out?

The Pittsburgh Pirates spent most of their offseason making an honest effort to anger franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. They aggressively shopped him, and almost traded the All-Star to the Washington Nationals. Then, McCutchen was unceremoniously moved out of center field to right field without any real consultation. A player who has given so much to the city of Pittsburgh and the team deserved better.

McCutchen endured the worst season of his career in 2016, batting just .256/.336/.430 with 24 home runs and 79 RBI. His defensive value also fell off in center field, but that may have been due more to poor positioning than anything else. Moving him to right field now seems rash, but it may help reduce some of the stress on his body as he goes deeper into his thirties.

At the plate, McCutchen is due to rebound in a major way this year. He showed signs of life in August and September last year, and the skills that made him a .300/.400/.500 hitter and MVP have not eroded so much so that he is a .250 hitter. McCutchen had never labored through such a long, drawn-out slump in his career, and it weighed on him mentally last season. With an entire offseason to clear his mind, look for a big season and a return to All-Star form.

As for the Pirates, what they do with their superstar will largely depend on how well the team plays in the first half. If Pittsburgh struggles and is not in playoff contention, look for another round of McCutchen trade talks to ramp up. Still, McCutchen is signed through 2018 at less than $29 million, which is very affordable for the Pirates, and has made it clear he would like to play out his entire career in the Iron City. Why not work on a long-term extension instead of a trade?

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