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As usual, some teams could set the tone for all baseball this season. The Phillies are one of them, with an interesting lineup and an aggressive approach to free will. Giants could be in this mix too. Never underestimate the Yankees and the Dodgers.
There will be surprise clubs when budgets are established, exchanges discussed and opportunities explored. In the past five seasons, 19 of the 30 teams have participated in at least one playoff series. At that time, eight franchises reached the World Series.
As usual, some teams could set the tone for all baseball this season. The Phillies are one of them, with an interesting lineup and an aggressive approach to free will. Giants could be in this mix too. Never underestimate the Yankees and the Dodgers.
There will be surprise clubs when budgets are established, exchanges discussed and opportunities explored. In the past five seasons, 19 of the 30 teams have participated in at least one playoff series. At that time, eight franchises reached the World Series.
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If you're close, why not go?
Let's take a look at five teams that could define this offseason:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies were at 64-49 on August 7th before hitting a wall and finishing 80-82. Only the Reds, Marlins and Giants scored fewer points on the course, and this is where the search for upgrades will begin. Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are the two ideal adjustments, and it's a safe bet that Philadelphia will land one of them. Phils fans who wonder about Machado's attitude must remember that he played an average of 159 games in the past four seasons, with 34 doubles, 36 home runs and a .856 OPS. Focusing on post-season things would be to forget that he's a player on a Hall of Fame track. The Phillies will not stop with one of those, and Michael Brantley, Mike Moustakas and ONE J. Pollock could all receive calls.
Video: Ken Rosenthal talks about Manny Machado's future
2. San Francisco Giants
Harper has put Harper on his to-do list for a few years, and although his arrival does not solve everything, it would be a big step in the right direction. If Harper goes elsewhere, San Francisco will turn to Brantley, Pollock and maybe Marwin Gonzalez. As for the possibility of exchanging Madison Bumgarner and start a reconstruction, forget about it. This is not the style of the Giants, and despite a fourth place in the National League West, they are closer than some people think. San Francisco is still looking for someone to lead the operations of the baseball team, but with Brian Sabean still at hand, the Giants have someone who has made up three teams in the championship.
Video: Brantley enters free agency after All-Star season
3. New York Yankees
The Yankees' reception may need to remember that the club has just won 100 games, but the theme of the season will be focused on the fact that New York has finished eight games behind Boston and lost the League Championship Series American against the Red Sox. Watching another parade of duck ducks may be the biggest motivator for a team that could win the AL East in 2019 without a dramatic move. But the Yanks will always be busy. While Harper and Machado are the big names of New York fans connect to their team, the most practical are: Nathan Eovaldi, Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel align in a rotation that is thin behind Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka.
Video: Patrick Corbin enters free agency
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Like the Yankees, the Dodgers are likely to return to the playoffs without touching their current roster. Despite a second consecutive World Series, the season was unsatisfactory. Here is another place where Harper could be at stake. He would add an impact bat to a formation that would need it, and perhaps Los Angeles could get over that last hurdle. At this point, Harper seems to be the only expensive addition that would be an ongoing addition.
Video: Bryce Harper waiting for an independent agency
5. Atlanta Braves
The Braves are among the clubs to watch in four ways: payroll flexibility; a busy farm system; a team of eliminatory caliber; and an intelligent and intrepid general manager. Because of this busy farm system, general manager Alex Anthopoulos will be part of executives hoping to attract attention. J.T. Realmuto Marlins. In the absence of other urgent needs, Anthopoulos will probably want to buy upgrades, regardless of the position available.
Video: Bowman: the brave could continue Realmuto's trade
Richard Justice is a reporter for MLB.com since 2011. Read his columns, listen to his podcast and follow him on Twitter at the address @ RichardJustice.
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