Fansided

Best and worst case scenario for every MLB team in 2019

By Brad Weiss

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 8: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the second inning during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at SunTrust Park on Sunday, October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarilli/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 8: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the second inning during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at SunTrust Park on Sunday, October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarilli/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves were one of the feel-good stories in Major League Baseball last season, as manager Brian Snitker led the team to first place in the NL East. Heading into the year, many felt that the Braves were a season or two away from being a contending team, as they had so much youth throughout the lineup.

Instead, veterans like Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman stepped up big time, and the young players ended up being some of the best in baseball. Markakis made his first All-Star Game, and though the Braves would end up losing to the Divisional Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ronald Acuna Jr. was the league’s Rookie of the Year, while Snitker was Manager of the Year.

Best case scenario

Another trip to the postseason for the Atlanta Braves, who have the talent to win the NL East for a second straight season. Guys like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman are building block players, and the Braves still have some incredible talent in the minors. If they can get pitching, there is no reason why this team cannot challenge for the National League pennant this season.

Worst case scenario

The worst case scenario for the Braves is that the rest of the division did more than them this offseason, and they find themselves struggling to stay relevant in a very deep NL East. The Phillies, Mets, and Nationals went out of their way to improve their roster this offseason, and the Braves seemingly felt content to stick with what worked last season.

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