With Spring Training only weeks away, baseball season is vastly approaching. A lot can happen in a 162-game season, and when it comes to baseball anything is possible. Teams can rebound from a horrid season to become serious contenders and shock the world. Here’s a look at five teams that could surprise in 2015.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubbies have been a joke in MLB for some time now, highlighted as the laughing stock of MLB memes everywhere, but this could be the year they turn it around.
They’ve had a busy offseason and greatly improved their rotation with the signing of ace Jon Lester, who will likely put up even better numbers in a National League uniform. Lester joins a rotation of Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks, Travis Wood, and Jake Arrieta.
Chicago has also added Miguel Montero and David Ross, which should help them at the plate as well. They also have a few youngsters on the rise in Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez.
The Cubs have their share of concerns when it comes to the bullpen and offensive production, but with the hiring of Joe Madden, this team can contend. Madden is a proven winner and capable of getting the best from his players on the field.
While the Cubs may not win a Championship this year, they could at the very least contend and show vast improvement and build for the future.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins were somewhat of a surprise team in 2014, but ended the season in fourth place of the NL East with a 77-85 record. They looked to be a Wildcard possibility for awhile there, but in the end faltered in typical Marlins fashion. This season, they’ll look to keep a momentum going all season long.
Miami has added some depth to a starting rotation already featuring Jose Fernandez. They welcome Mat Latos who had success with the Cincinnati Reds.
Offensively, they locked up one of the best hitters in the game in Giancarlo Stanton with his monster 13-year $325 million extension. The Marlins roster will now also feature Michael Morse and Martin Prado, both of whom can add to the lineup.
This Marlins team has a lot of potential and could be a serious surprise team out of the NL East this season.
Cleveland Indians
While the Indians finished the 2014 season with a 85-77 record, they will be up against some top contenders in the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers are the reigning champs, the Kansas City Royals were the surprise team last year, and the Chicago White Sox have greatly improved their roster.
When it comes to the Cleveland Indians, they’ve had some players burst onto the scene with strong 2014 seasons in Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley. They also brought in a solid addition with Brandon Moss, who served as a versatile player with the Oakland A’s the past few seasons.
This team will be up against teams expected to do extremely well in 2015, but don’t count the Indians out; they could be serious contenders behind an improving young roster.
New York Mets
Last season the Mets suffered on the injury front and finished the season with a 79-83 record; second in the NL East. With a healthy team, the Mets just might surprise a few people in 2015.
Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler are the leaders of the Mets rotation, and pretty good ones at that. They’re young and improving through experience. They also have Bartolo Colon in the rotation, who has been outstanding the past few seasons despite his age.
Offensively, the Mets have struggled. They signed Michael Cuddyer this offseason to a pricey contract, but he’s a good offensive addition. They have also added Curtis Granderson whom will look to have a bounce-back season, as will Mets star David Wright.
Following a decent 2014 season, the Mets will look to build off some momentum and become serious contenders in the National League this year.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox have had a busy offseason in an effort to be a force in the AL Central. They went out on a spending spree, and they’re hoping it pays off.
Newcomers include Jeff Samardzija, Melky Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio, David Robertson, and Adam LaRoche. Samardzija joins ace Chris Sale to create a solid one-two punch, and the lineup will have some more pop with these new acquisitions joining Jose Abreu.
The White Sox finished in fourth place of the Central last year with a record of 73-89. In a tough division, they hope to surprise quite a few people with a much improved roster.