MLB 2019 preview: Three things to know for every team
As MLB teams are enjoying their spring training camps in Florida and Arizona, USA TODAY Sports takes a look at some of the most important factoids for all 30 clubs.
While plenty of negative story lines dominated the winter, particularly the historically sluggish free agent market, many teams did make serious moves to upgrade and some of the league's brightest young talent appears primed to take the leap into superstar territory for 2019.
Can the Red Sox repeat? What will Shohei Ohtani do for an encore?
For each club, we'll highlight a trio of stats, position battles, offseason changes, fantasy sleepers or anything else you need to know.
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
– Three seasons ago, 2B Jonathan Villar hit 19 homers, stole 62 bases and finished as the No. 4 overall player in fantasy baseball. After a trade last year, Villar, 27, is a full-time starter once again with 40-plus steal upside.
– There won’t be many wins on a team that lost 115 games last year, but even closers on bad teams get saves. Mychal Givens took over the role last August and converted eight of 10 opportunities with a 2.25 ERA.
– Deep sleeper: 3B Renato Nunez put up some big-time power numbers in the minors (32 in 2017 at Class AAA Nashville), and after a solid .891 OPS in September will be in line to start at third base.
Boston Red Sox
– Last winter’s most impactful free agent, J.D. Martinez refuted any concerns his power numbers would be hurt by Fenway Park’s Green Monster. He led the majors with 130 RBI and finished second in both home runs (43) and batting average (.330). At 31. there's no reason to think he can't repeat.
– After re-signing postseason heroes Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce to solidify the starting rotation and the bench, the Red Sox return virtually everyone from a team that led the majors in scoring, despite getting limited production at second base and catcher.
– After averaging 36 saves over his three seasons in Boston, closer Craig Kimbrel became a free agent. His replacement is the biggest question mark for the defending World Series champs. Ryan Brasier, with no career saves (but a 1.69 ERA) in 42 2/3 MLB innings, could be dark-horse candidate.
New York Yankees
– Left-hander James Paxton ranked fourth among starting pitchers in strikeout rate (11.7 K/9). He gives the Yankees the top-of-the rotation arm they craved this offseason. His biggest problem is staying healthy; last season’s 160 innings were a career-high.
– Did catcher Gary Sanchez play all last season with a shoulder injury? If so, it would explain such a huge decline from his stellar offensive numbers in 2016-17. A .197 average on balls in play didn’t help. Bank on a major rebound.
– Shortstop Didi Gregorius rode a scorching April to career bests in homers (27), runs scored (89) and slugging (.494), However, offseason elbow surgery will delay his 2019 debut until at least June.
Tampa Bay Rays
– Everything came together for LHP Blake Snell in 2018. He made major gains in his strikeout rate (an elite 11.0 K/9), while at the same time lowering his walk rate. The result was a 21-5 record, 1.89 ERA and a Cy Young award. However, it’ll be hard to duplicate a .241 average on balls in play that was second-lowest among starting pitchers.
– The Rays plan to continue their practice of using relief pitchers as an “opener,” but they won’t have to worry about that on days Charlie Morton starts. The veteran struck out 200 batters for the first time last year in Houston. He gives the rotation a solid No. 2 behind Snell.
– 2B/3B Joey Wendle was a revelation as a 28-year-old rookie, hitting .300 and playing four different positions. On the strength of a fabulous .321/.381/.486 line in the second half, he could hit third in the order.
Toronto Blue Jays
– After posting a 1.073 OPS in the minors at age 19, 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be the best minor league prospect in a generation. A couple weeks in the minors in April might be all that stands between Vlad Jr. and a permanent place on the Jays roster.
– Top starters Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez barely pitched more than 100 innings due to injuries, but both have enjoyed success in the past and are potential rebound candidates despite their pedestrian strikeout rates.
– Catcher can be an offensive wasteland, but rookie Danny Jansen offers rare upside. He hit .275 with 12 homers and a .390 OBP at Class AAA before making his MLB debut in August and showing decent pop.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
– Yoan Moncada hasn’t yet achieved the stardom many expected from a former No. 1 overall prospect. But he did hit 17 homers and steal 12 bases in his first full season in the majors. And he’s still only 23.
– Free-agent reliever Kelvin Herrera is recovering from foot surgery in September and should be fully healthy for opening day. The White Sox also acquired Alex Colome, who led the majors in 2017 with 47 saves. Those two will compete for the closer’s job.
– As a 26-year-old rookie, Daniel Palka slugged 27 home runs. His ratio of one every 15.4 at-bats earned him a spot in the top 10 (minimum 400 at-bats) – right behind Aaron Judge.
Cleveland Indians
– With outstanding numbers in all five offensive categories, Jose Ramirez finished the 2018 season as fantasy’s sixth-ranked overall player. However, he struggled over the final two months (.210, seven homers, nine steals) and was 0-for-11 in the playoffs.
– The Indians have done more subtracting than adding this offseason, but one key newcomer is Jake Bauers, 23. He’s shown some power and speed in his minor-league career and should be an everyday starter at first base or the outfield – unless the Indians make another addition.
– Starting pitching is Cleveland’s strength with four members of the rotation recording over 200 strikeouts. But don’t sleep on the Tribe’s No. 5 starter. Shane Bieber has elite control and, like the others, struck out more than a batter per inning last season.
Detroit Tigers
– Miguel Cabrera was one of the game’s most consistent players for over a decade, but he’s finally started to show his age. A ruptured biceps limited him to 38 games and three home runs in 2018. Can he bounce back at age 36?
– Outfielder Nick Castellanos stands to benefit the most from a healthy Cabrera. Despite not having much help around him, Castellanos still hit .298 with 23 homers and 89 RBI.
– The Tigers signed veterans Matt Moore and Tyson Ross to round out their starting rotation, but the biggest addition to the staff would be a healthy Michael Fulmer. The 2016 AL rookie of the year had knee surgery last fall, cutting short his worst season to date.
Kansas City Royals
– With stolen bases on the decline, Whit Merrifield’s 45 steals led the majors and cemented his place among the game’s top second basemen. (Outfield eligibility is gravy.) The Royals may run even more this season with the addition of four-time 50-bag thief Billy Hamilton.
– Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi didn’t get called up to the majors until June 17, but he hit 14 homers and stole 32 bases in just 75 games. However, he’ll need to improve his 72% contact rate and .306 OBP to sustain a high fantasy value.
– Wily Peralta converted all 14 of his save opportunities after being promoted from the minors and taking over the closer’s job. At 29, he wouldn’t be the first failed starter to find new life as a closer. Brad Boxberger, who registered 32 saves last season in Arizona, will provide competition.
Minnesota Twins
– Nelson Cruz may be 38, but he was second in the majors last season in average exit velocity at 93.9 mph. He, 1B C.J. Cron and 2B Jonathan Schoop add a healthy dose of right-handed power to the lineup.
– At 24, Jose Berrios is on the verge of ace status after recording his first 200-strikeout season and improving both his ERA and WHIP from 2017. Getting to the next level will require more consistency (3.03 ERA at home, 4.85 on the road).
– Two of last season’s biggest disappointments – OF Byron Buxton and 3B Miguel Sano are poised for major rebounds. Plagued by injuries and sub-.200 batting averages a year ago, both are fully healthy entering spring training.
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