2017 BASEBALL WRAP-UP

Here my thoughts on the 2017 baseball season, team-by-team...

Final 2017 standings and records:

National League East-

1. Washington Nationals 97-65
2. Miami Marlins 77-85
3. Atlanta Braves 72-90
4. New York Mets 70-92
5. Philadelphia Phillies 66-96

National League Central-

1. Chicago Cubs 92-70
2. Milwaukee Brewers 86-76
3. St. Louis Cardinals 83-79
4. Pittsburgh Pirates 75-87
5. Cincinnati Reds 68-94

National League West-

1. Los Angeles Dodgers 104-58
2. Arizona Diamondbacks 93-60
3. Colorado Rockies 87-75
4. San Diego Padres 71-91
5. San Francisco Giants 64-98

American League East

1. Boston Red Sox 93-69
2. New York Yankees 91-71
3. Tampa Bay Rays 80-82
4. Toronto Blue Jays 76-86
5. Baltimore Orioles 75-87

American League Central

1. Cleveland Indians 102-69
2. Minnesota Twins 85-77
3. Kansas City Royals 80-82
4. Chicago White Sox 67-95
5. Detroit Tigers 64-98

American League West

1. Houston Astros 101- 61
2. Los Angeles Angels 80-82
3. Seattle Mariners 78-84
4. Texas Rangers 78-84
5. Oakland A's 75-87

Notes-

NL East-

Nats- No challenger all summer. Harper got hurt but Wash. had division well in-hand. They improved bullpen. their starters and hitters should give them a real shot in playoffs. Will they finally move on? Core should be together in 2018. Harper can be a free agent after '18 season. Last year for Werth.

Marlins- Challenging for wild card then folded late season. Stanton hit 59 homers- should be in prime for long time- but in Miami? Up and coming, young team but what will effect of new ownership mean?

Braves- Started year with mix of vets ( Colon) and prospects. Has top-notch farm system which should make them contenders sooner than later.

Mets- Disappointing, injury-filled season. Still has good starting pitching.Mess in front office. I don't see them contending in '18 unless Syndergaard and deGrome carry the load again.

Phillies- I would  be very disappointed if the Phils finished in the cellar in '18. With their young stars, a few wise trades and free agent signings will make them competitive and fun to watch. They will get the third overall selection in next June's draft.


NL Central-

Cubs- Late surge secured division again, holding off Milwaukee and St. Louis, They are young and in good shape to contend for years. Will they repeat as champs? I don't think so. Too many good, hungrier teams in baseball.

Brewers- Made a great run this summer. In first most of the year. A surprise, with a few shrewd moves in off-season could contend again in '18.

Cardinals- Always in the mix. Always have young stars rising form their plentiful farm system. Never count St. Louis out.

Pirates- made a semi-run but didn't have the horses to stay with above three teams. Will McCutheon return?  There's hope on the farm for the Buccos.

Reds- Collecting young players. early contention faded. Still a ways away, but seems to be on up-swing

NL West-

Dodgers- They were on fire early, had a big losing streak, then sewed up division and ended up with best overall records. Their pitching makes them favorites in playoffs. Their abundant farm system and checkbook make them contenders for years to come. Young stars like Bellinger and Seager lead the way. Will Kershaw leave after next season?

Diamondbacks Too bad they fell sof ar behind. They made a late surge and are in the wild card game. They should be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Next year? They are young and will build on their success, with Goldschmidt leading the way.

Rockies- Snuck into the wild card game. Had a solid year. Will be interesting to see what they will do this off-season to take the next step.

Padres- Good farm system, they had their moments during the summer, but still far away.

Giants- A long fall. They have a big task ahead to get back to where they were in the division.


AL East-

Red Sox- They held off the Yankees and will play Houston in the playoffs. They have the tools to go far, or could be eliminated quickly. They always have the resources to contend in the future.

Yankees- In the wild card game. Won't get to the Series with the Indians, Red Sox and Astros around, but Judge leads a young squad with more prospects on the way and deep pockets .

Rays- Seems to always contend but can't quite get over the hump.

Blue Jays- Slid this year, but could be back soon. They have the talent to turn it around next season

Orioles- Never really seriously contended this summer. Now they face an uncertain future, with some core players ready to bolt thru free agency soon.But Baltimore always seems to be competitive, a lot like the Cards.

AL Central-

Indians- The tribe started off slow, then proceeded to win 23 straight games at one point. they blew the division away, and now are set to go deep in the playoffs again. Young team, should be contenders in '19.

Twins- Surprise team this season. from 100 losses to the wild card. A good farm system does wonders for a small-market team.

Royals- Contended early then went back as Cleveland blew by them. Still have a good core, but several stars may fly soon.

White Sox- Like Cincinnati, ChiSox are rebuilding and thoguh not ready to challenge for the division, will in a few years.

Tigers- Disappointing. Verlander is gone. Detroit needs to go full-force rebuild mode. Indians should rule for a while, but wild card is within reach in future.

AL West-

Astros- Won over 100 games yet seemed to have an up-and-down season. Young stars may not be ready to advance. Should be dominant in the West for years.

Angels- Any team with Mike Trout should be contenders,and the Angels were close in the wild card. They have money to spend, so let's see if they add to Trout & co. in the off-season.

Mariners- Another interesting team to watch. Not really contenders this summer, but not really bad either. Tied with Texas, which team will go up or down next year?

Rangers- 2017 has to be considered a letdown. Still have Cole Hamels and those young stars, like Joey Gallo.They seemed to go all-in when they traded some of their minor league kids for vets like Hamels, and thye did make the playoffs recently but couldn't get by Toronto. Now, it's hard to say where the Rangers are headed in the future.

A's- Who knows with the A's? They have a young core They are still playing in an old, creaky stadium called Oakland Mausoleum. With Billy Beene in charge will the A's be contenders anytime soon?