Potential Breakout Teams for the 2024 MLB Season
Every season some teams overperform predicted expectations and become surprise contenders by the end of the regular season. In 2023, there were a plethora of teams that had breakout seasons including the Rangers, Diamondbacks, Reds, Marlins, and Cubs. The Rangers and Diamondbacks were the two teams that made up last fall’s World Series, and their involvement in the Fall Classic was the perfect cumulation of already exceptional seasons. For the Rangers, it was a historic turning point for the reigning champions, as they claimed their first championship in the franchise’s history. Heading into the 2024 season, multiple teams are bound for breakout seasons, after improving via trades and offseason signings.
1. Kansas City Royals (2023: 56 wins)
Following a seventh straight losing season in 2023, the Royals’ front office led by general manager J.J. Picollo, has made it a priority this offseason to improve the team’s chances of claiming their first AL Central crown since 2015. Heading into Spring Training, the Royals look tremendously different following a busy winter, which saw them pulling in Michael Wacha, Will Smith, Hunter Renfroe, Nick Anderson, Kyle Wright, Seth Lugo, and more. The Royals put their focus on strengthening a lackluster pitching staff that ranked 28th in ERA (5.17) last season. Wacha and Lugo were signed by the Royals to nearly identical two-year contracts. Wright, a past 21-game winner who will begin the 2024 season on the injured list, was also acquired by the Royals. The Royals bullpen, which was among the worst in MLB in 2023, received some veteran upgrades, and Renfroe adds some power to a lineup that usually lacked it outside of superstar Bobby Witt Jr. With this team, the Royals should have a stronger chance of winning the division and taking the AL Central by storm.
2. Detroit Tigers (2023: 78 wins)
Following a surprising second-place finish in the AL Central last season, the Tigers had themselves a similar busy free agency to the Royals. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Spencer Torkelson lead Detroit's offense, which now includes batsman Mark Canha. By acquiring Andrew Chafin, Shelby Miller, Jack Flaherty, and Kenta Maeda, the team made major pitching acquisitions this offseason as well. Underappreciated since 2019, Canha's on-base percentage has put him 16th in the majors. It is comparable to 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and better than Shohei Ohtani. After the Tigers finished 26th in OBP last season, he's just the kind of player they need. If Maeda is correct, then he should assist in making up for the loss of Rodriguez (who chose to sign with Arizona instead of staying in his contract). Despite being a Cy Young runner-up before the injury, the right-hander missed 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. The Tigers are primed to contend for the AL Central title if their pitching can recover from a 4.24 ERA ranking last season and their offense can score more runs, as they ranked 28th last season.
3. New York Yankees (2023: 82 wins)
After a disappointing 2023 campaign, the New York Yankees are aiming to return to their usual dominant form this season. The Yankees were determined this offseason to be aggressive and they have done just that, as they signed one of the league’s best hitters in the game in Juan Soto, along with adding Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham. The important component to the Yankees’ 2024 success is Soto, who relieves some of the load on Giancarlo Stanton and provides Aaron Judge with some more protection. In addition to hitting .400 or more in all but one of his six seasons, Soto is coming off a fantastic season with the San Diego Padres, where he also racked up 35 home runs, 109 RBIs, 32 doubles, and 132 walks. The Yankees will have no trouble surpassing their victory total from the previous season and might win the AL East division once more if they can maintain their health and perhaps acquire one or two arms at the trade deadline.
4. Cincinnati Reds (2023: 82 wins)
The Reds became one of the league's surprising teams in 2023, as they were led by an impactful youth movement, which included Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Matt McLain, and Alexis Diaz. With hopes of winning their first division title since 2012, the Reds’ front office made certain to focus on improving the roster’s pitching depth, which ranked 25th in ERA (4.83) last season and fourth in walks allowed (613). The Reds strengthened their rotation by signing Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez, along with adding a bullpen piece in Emilio Pagan. When healthy, Montas has the ability to dominate opposing hitters and Martinez has shown the ability to have success in a variety of pitching roles, as he is coming off back-to-back seasons of an ERA under 3.50. The Reds also decided to shore the infield with the signing of Jeimer Candelario, who is coming off a 22 home run 2023 season with the Nationals and Cubs. The signing of Candelario will provide depth within the Reds’ lineup and will provide versatility on the infield, as Candelario can play at first and third base.
