Bruce Dias 
With spring training in full swing, the start of the 2024 MLB season is quickly drawing closer. While not all 30 teams look equal on paper, in baseball, we know that anything can happen. There will also be no shortage of subplots and storylines to follow over the course of the 162-game season. Let’s check out some of the storylines that fans should be following closely in 2024.
Are the Dodgers a Super Team?
Superteams aren’t usually a thing in baseball like they are in basketball. We’re talking about a game with 26 on the roster. Plus, the best player doesn’t always have a chance to impact the game in crunch time. When the Dodgers are trailing by a run in the ninth inning, they can’t just send Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman to the plate. Baseball relies heavily on all parts of the lineup and pitching rotation, making it harder for a few players to dominate a game the way they can in basketball.
However, the Dodgers seem determined to challenge this notion. They made significant moves in the offseason, securing Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two of the top free agents while acquiring Tyler Glasnow through a trade. These additions will bolster a roster that already boasts stars like Betts and Freeman, who led the team to 100 wins in 2023. With such a hefty investment in free agency and a stacked roster, anything short of a World Series victory will be seen as a disappointment. The scrutiny on this Dodgers team will be intense throughout the year. The question is, can they fulfill their promise and dominate the way people expect?
Ronald Acuna’s Encore
Ronald Acuña Jr., outfielder for the Braves, delivered an extraordinary power-speed performance in 2023. It was arguably the greatest individual season in baseball history. He smashed 41 home runs, swiped 73 bases, and rightfully earned unanimous MVP honors. But that’s not all he accomplished in 2023. Acuña topped the charts in hits (217) and total bases (383).
Remarkably, Acuña accomplished all this at the age of just 26, signaling the onset of what could be the peak years of his career following one of the most remarkable seasons ever witnessed. For the first time in recent memory, there’s a palpable sense of a clear successor to Mike Trout as the game’s preeminent player (excluding Ohtani’s exceptional talents). Somehow, Acuña could potentially top what he did last year, and the baseball world is eagerly awaiting to see if he can do just that.
Can Last Year’s Surprise Teams Do It Again?
The straightforward phase is behind them. The Orioles successfully constructed a formidable farm system, transitioned from a rebuilding phase to contention, and won the AL East title with an impressive 101 wins in 2023. Now comes the challenging part: surpassing that achievement. Baltimore anticipates the arrival of more promising young talent, notably baseball’s top prospect, Jackson Holliday. But can the Orioles build off last year’s success, or will they take a step back?
Several other teams warrant acknowledgment in this discussion. The Diamondbacks, reigning NL pennant holders, have strengthened their rotation with Eduardo Rodriguez and bolstered their lineup with Eugenio Suárez this offseason, aiming to evade a one-season wonder status. Meanwhile, the Marlins returned to the postseason for the first time since 2020 and the first time in a 162-game season since 2003. On the other hand, the departure of GM Kim Ng was less than graceful. Can they ascend to the next level? And let’s not overlook the captivating Reds. These are the teams best positioned to make a definitive leap into contention.
What 2023 Disappointments Will Rebound?
On the other hand, we have teams that were utterly disappointing in 2023 and are trying to bounce back quickly. In 2022, the Mariners finally broke a 21-year postseason drought, while the Padres made a strong showing by reaching the NLCS. However, in 2023, both teams experienced setbacks, failing to clinch postseason berths. Seattle narrowly missed out on a spot by just one game, while San Diego trailed by only two games after a late-season surge. A year ago, optimism was high for these franchises, but as is often the case, things didn’t go according to plan. Now, the Mariners and Padres are focused on mounting a comeback.
Additionally, the Cardinals, Guardians, Mets, and Yankees merit attention in this context. After making postseason appearances in 2022, all four teams fell short in 2023. The Cardinals and Yankees have aggressively addressed their weaknesses this offseason, particularly in the rotation for the former and the outfield for the latter. Conversely, the Guardians and Mets have been relatively quiet. For the Mets and Yankees, especially, it feels like a pivotal season is on the horizon. With players like Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge aging and with David Stearns beginning to make his mark as the Mets’ new GM, the pressure is mounting for both clubs.
Can one of these teams make a full-scale turnaround and win the World Series? Before you think about placing a bet on something like that, take a look at some of the current sportsbook bonuses. This will help you decide what sportsbooks are trying to attract new customers and offer the best promotions.
The Next Generation
In baseball, there is always new blood in the pipeline and future stars ready to blossom.
The highly anticipated prospect debuts of 2024 revolve around Holliday and Wyatt Langford, who have captured the attention of baseball enthusiasts. Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ right-handed pitcher and the top pick in the 2023 draft, is another eagerly awaited newcomer alongside Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio. Milwaukee’s immense faith in Chourio is evident, as they awarded him an $82 million extension after just six Triple-A games and without a single MLB appearance. Additionally, several young talents who made late debuts in 2023 are poised to become fixtures in 2024. This list includes Rays infielder Junior Caminero, D-backs infielder Jordan Lawler, and Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. In other words, another wave of promising talent is on the horizon for 2024.
Can the Rangers Repeat?
Since the 1998-2000 Yankees won three in a row, MLB hasn’t seen a repeat champion. Now, the Rangers have a chance to break this streak. It’s worth recalling that Texas didn’t secure a postseason berth until the penultimate day of the regular season, so they flew under the radar before getting hot during the postseason. They endured a grinding journey over 161 games to earn their spot. However, once they entered October, they proved to be the most dominant team on the field in every aspect.
While Max Scherzer’s recent back surgery and Jordan Montgomery’s free agency raise some concerns about the rotation, the Rangers can look forward to a full season of Evan Carter and the further development of Josh Jung in 2024. Plus, top prospect Wyatt Langford is expected to make an appearance at some point as well. Don’t forget about Corey Seager, who is arguably the best shortstop in baseball right now. On paper, Texas should have at least some chance to repeat.
