Fansided

Top 10 MLB sleeper teams for 2017

By Joshua Sadlock

Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) hits a two run single off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) hits a two run single off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

For whatever reason, the Pirates committed their entire offseason to making an honest attempt at alienating franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. First, they shopped him aggressively but could not find a package to their liking. After only half-heartedly taking the All-Star off the market, the Pirates decided to move McCutchen out of center field without really running the idea past him. Not an ideal winter for a team that still has plenty of potential to contend in 2017.

Pittsburgh fell off last year and finished 78-83, but they were in the thick of the playoff race for most of the year. McCutchen must have a better year, and showed signs of life in August and September. Along with Starlin Marte and Gregory Polanco, the Pirates have one of the better outfields in baseball. Their infield is filled with solid veterans like David Freese and John Jason. Young first baseman Josh Bell has the potential to be a special player and a source of homegrown power.

The Pirates still have a rotation that can hang with the best the National League has to offer. Gerrit Cole battled injuries last year, but has looked good in spring training. At his best, Cole is close to a top-10 pitcher. If Ivan Nova can pitch as well as he did last year after being acquired, the Pirates will have a solid number-two starter. Ray Searage is a magician, so don’t bet against it. Then, there are the promising young arms of Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow to consider. The Pirates can only hold them back so long over service-time concerns. Both are special pitchers.

Winning in the NL Central is going to be tough, but most of the pieces that made the Pirates a playoff team remain in place. Pittsburgh has just as much of a shot at winning as the St. Louis Cardinals, and one of the two NL Wild Card teams could come out of this division.

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