All of these teams listed above came into the 2023 season garnered as not only a playoff team. Yet, as a team that could make a run to the World Series. Barring a miracle, the 2023 season is all but over for them.
What is next? Where do these teams go from here? Each case has a different problem, therefor a different solution.
Missing the playoffs completely for these franchise’s is not only an embarrassment. If you ask the fanbases, or the scouts, or the analytics team, or even the guy selling popcorn will tell you; it is flat out a shame.
This is what I think each team needs to reach the postseason in 2024.
White Sox:
Trade, buy, and sell everything and everybody. At the trade deadline this season you off loaded a lot of the problems, the pitchers. Still a long way to go to clean out this locker room.
The biggest problem is culture with this team. Changing managers every other season will do that to you, as well as their lack of depth in the veterans department.
Nobody on this team since the absence of Jose Abreu has stepped into that leader role. Until they have a manager with a plan, better players to follow it, and some culture and accountability in the locker room we will see poor baseball in the south side of Chicago like we did this past season.
Yankees:
The New York Yankees need to bolster their lineup. Too much of their offense relies on the deep ball, not enough hitters.
The game is played inside the fence and while it is nice to watch Aaron Judge hit nukes. When he does not hit a home run your team should not be shut out of the ball game.
The pitching is shaky, however the injury bug plagued them this season. I think next year their core rotation guys will be a lot better. Getting a solid closer never hurts either.
Padres:
On paper this team has the best lineup in baseball, however it appears from the outside looking in that there is no true leader on this team.
Too much money on one team, nobody has to listen to anybody. Which is the attitude we see breakout in the dugout when they lose 8 in a row.
The pitching can be updated, but I think all this team needs is a decent manager and for one of their players to step up and become a leader.
Feels like too much stat watching and social media is a part of this teams locker room.
Cardinals:
Out of all of these teams I believe the Cardinals are in the best position to make the change next season.
A huge emotional let down this season after the two miracle like seasons prior. Also the huge void of Molina could have been a problem.
This team just could not win ball games. Outside of Arenado and Goldy, consistency was a lost art at the plate. Pitchers struggled mightily, which was taken care of at the trade deadline.
Trading away two of their best pitchers not only makes room for someone to step up. It also sends the message that bad play will not fly in St. Louis.
Metropolitians:
The Mets looked to be unstoppable after last season. The regular season was special, that of a movie. The ending however was sour grapes.
After losing the Division to the Braves on the last weekend of the season after holding the lead the entire six months prior broke hearts.
Yet the playoff loss, which the Mets did not even look like they should have been invited to play hurt more.
That feeling of losing has lingered over this franchise all season and I am afraid they have not shaken it. Might be a long time before winning baseball is in the Queens again.
I am sure after a season like this when you have the highest payroll in the league will be met with something. My guess, they try so hard to shake things up and get it right, that it will never work again.
Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting insider for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
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