As the 2024 MLB regular season enters its final stretch, 13 teams are still vying for a postseason spot, while 17 others are already looking ahead to next year. For those teams, the focus shifts from the present to the future, and the questions become: what went wrong, and how can we fix it?
For the Boston Red Sox, injuries were the main culprit. With a deep pool of prospects and financial flexibility, the team can hope for better health and make targeted additions to bolster their lineup and rotation.
The Chicago Cubs’ struggles were largely due to their inability to win close games. To address this, they need to bolster their bullpen, particularly by acquiring a reliable closer. Manager Craig Counsell’s expertise in managing bullpens will be crucial in this process.
The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, suffered from an all-systems failure. With a young core and a focus on internal development, the team must be patient and resist the urge to make hasty moves. General Manager Chris Getz and his staff must prioritize building a strong foundation for long-term success.
The Cincinnati Reds’ offense was a major letdown, with the team struggling to score runs despite playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark. To improve, they need to target well-rounded hitters who can get on base and provide power, rather than relying solely on home runs.
The Colorado Rockies’ issues were more systemic, with poor decision-making and a lack of correlation between payroll and performance. To turn things around, the team must make smarter choices and prioritize value over sentiment.
The Los Angeles Angels’ problems were multifaceted, but ultimately boiled down to a lack of direction. With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani leading the charge, the team needs to ask tough questions and make tough decisions to get back on track.
The Miami Marlins’ rotation injuries were a major factor in their downfall. With a talented young core and a focus on pitching, the team can rebound quickly if they can stay healthy.
The Minnesota Twins’ offense collapsed down the stretch, with the team struggling to score runs and get on base. To improve, they need to adopt a more modern approach to offense, emphasizing speed and defense.
The Oakland Athletics’ lack of talent was a major obstacle, but the team has made strides in recent years. By holding onto their young players and making targeted additions, they can continue to build towards contention.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ heartless offense was a major issue, with the team struggling to score runs and provide power. To improve, they need to invest in their lineup and target players who can provide a spark.
The San Francisco Giants’ mediocrity was a major problem, with the team lacking a clear identity or direction. To turn things around, they need to make bold moves and prioritize talent over sentiment.
The Seattle Mariners’ offense was one-dimensional, relying too heavily on home runs and strikeouts. To improve, they need to emphasize speed and defense, and target players who can provide a more well-rounded approach.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ aging stars were a major factor in their decline, with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado struggling to replicate their past success. To improve, the team needs to make tough decisions about their veteran core and target younger, more dynamic players.
The Tampa Bay Rays’ injury-ravaged rotation was a major obstacle, but the team has a strong foundation in place. By getting healthy and making targeted additions, they can quickly return to contention.
The Texas Rangers’ underperforming offense was a major issue, with the team struggling to score runs despite having a talented young core. To improve, they need to make tough decisions about their lineup and target players who can provide a spark.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ struggles were surprising, given the presence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other talented players. To turn things around, the team needs to make tough decisions about their core and target players who can provide a more well-rounded approach.
Finally, the Washington Nationals’ rebuild is still in progress, but the team has a strong foundation in place. By being patient and making targeted additions, they can quickly return to contention and become a force in the National League.
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