MLB Power Rankings: 1 New Year’s Resolution for all 30 teams
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs should resolve to at least have hope for 2024
The Chicago Cubs aren’t going to be a great team in 2023, but they can build for a more promising future. Signing Cody Bellinger was a risk worth taking. Their biggest commitment was to Dansby Swanson who will hope the Cubs have loftier goals than getting back to .500 in the near future. The Cubs have a shot to look like a team on the rise. The alternative isn’t good. The alternative is only slightly less possible.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks should resolve to cause a serious ruckus in the NL playoff picture
The non-playoff team that could be sneakily good in 2023 are the Arizona Diamondbacks. Madison Bumgarner could be their weakest pitcher by season’s end. Many of their young hitters received playing time last year that will hopefully translate into less jitters this year. The Diamondbacks shouldn’t resolve to necessarily make the postseason. An 82+ win season where they at least make a run at the postseason is what they could use.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves should resolve to get rid of Marcell Ozuna
The Atlanta Braves do a lot of things well. One of the mistakes is holding onto Marcell Ozuna. Is it simply because they don’t want to pay him to go away? Even if they found a taker in a trade, a part of his salary will remain on their payroll. The Braves need to, at some point, find a better player than him. The nearer we get to Opening Day, the more likely it is he’ll stay. There’s always later in the year to release him or deal him away.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds should resolve to play their young players a lot
Many of the best Cincinnati Reds prospects may not make it to the majors next year. This doesn’t mean the team will be void of excitement. Hunter Greene will have his chance to take another step forward. He needs to play often and well and so do the rest of the Reds players. The rebuild will take a few seasons. They shouldn’t be afraid to experiment in what will be another postseason-absent year. It doesn’t have to be a lost one, though.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians should resoleve to become more than an underdog
The Cleveland Guardians might have been the biggest underdog to make it into last year’s playoffs. Despite winning their division and doing so with some ease, did anyone really think they’d win the World Series? The Guardians did come a victory away from making it to the ALCS. Shedding the underdog reputation completely is too much. They should strive for being good enough where they look like more of a favorite.