Masataka Yoshida joined the Boston Red Sox this offseason. Will he be enough to lift the club out of the AL East cellar? (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
By Conor Liguori
World Baseball Network
The 2023 Major League Baseball regular season starts Thursday, March 30. It was a very busy offseason that saw stars like Jacob deGrom, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts — amongst many others — switch uniforms.
With non-stop MLB action from now until the end of October, it helps to know where teams are positioned compared to their competitors. World Baseball Network has ranked all 30 MLB teams for the season ahead, and predicts their win-loss record. Surely they will all be spot on.
30. Washington Nationals
2022 Record: 55-107 (5th in NL East)
After trading away one of the most promising stars in Major League Baseball in Juan Soto, Nationals fans should have very little faith in the front office. The offense should get a slight boost with the additions of Jeimer Candelario, Corey Dickerson, and Dominic Smith, but it’s going to be another long summer in DC.
2023 Record Prediction: 59-103
29. Cincinnati Reds
2022 Record: 62-100 (tied for 4th in NL Central)
The Reds are in a weird position in that they have promising young players but no team direction. Starting pitcher Hunter Greene throws 100-plus mph, and lefty Nick Lodolo has one of the best sliders in Major League Baseball. Even with the addition of a second wild-card team, that seems like a longshot for Cincinnati.
2023 Record Prediction: 61-101
28. Oakland Athletics
2022 Record: 60-102 (5th in AL West)
Oakland added some talent, but how long will they hold on to it before trading it away? Catcher Sean Murphy was shipped to Atlanta this past offseason, and starting pitcher Cole Irvin was dealt to Baltimore. Jesus Aguilar and Aledmys Diaz will both be a welcomed sight in the middle of the lineup.
2023 Record Prediction: 62-100
27. Detroit Tigers
2022 Record: 66-96 (4th in AL Central)
The Detroit Tigers finished dead last in home runs in 2022 with 110. Their aggregate power could decrease even more without Tucker Barnhart and Jeimer Candelario, and there is no reason to believe they will finish higher than fourth or fifth in the AL Central once again.
2023 Record Prediction: 62-100
26. Colorado Rockies
2022 Record: 68-94 (5th in NL West)
The Rockies have always been able to send the ball out of the stadium, but so have their opponents. Colorado added Jurickson Profar on a one-year deal and signed relief pitcher Connor Seabold. The NL West is too stacked at the top with the Dodgers and Padres for the Rockies to make any noise.
2023 Record Prediction: 66-96
25. Kansas City Royals
2022 Record: 65-97 (5th in AL Central)
Adding pitching depth was a must for the Royals, whose staff gave up the fourth most earned runs in the MLB in 2022, allowing 740. Zach Greinke returns, and Jordan Lyles and Ryan Yarbrough will join him. Unless there is a massive turnaround, Kansas City will miss the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
2023 Record Prediction: 68-94
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
2022 Record: 62-100 (Tied for 4th in NL Central)
Pittsburgh has added some solid MLB-level bats to the lineup, something they did not have in 2022. Former MVP Andrew McCutchen is back with the team he began his career with, and Carlos Santana and Ji-Man Choi will platoon between first base and designated hitter. Mitch Keller will get the nod on opening day.
2023 Record Prediction: 70- 92
23. Miami Marlins
2022 Record: 69-93 (4th in NL East)
Miami is the home of 2022 NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara, who is primed to have another stellar year. The offense should see a contact boost with the additions of 2022 AL batting champion Luis Arraez, and Jean Segura. Similar to the Colorado Rockies, they seem to be stuck in place, waiting for a turnaround season.
2023 Record Prediction: 72-90
22. Boston Red Sox
2022 Record: 78-84 (5th in AL East)
The Red Sox lost a ton of talent this offseason to free agency, and responded by signing five players who are all well into their thirties. Newly-signed Masataka Yoshida put on a show at the World Baseball Classic for Japan, and should be a bright spot. Similar to previous years, the Red Sox could very well finish last in the AL East, or shock everyone and take the division. Right now, the former looks more likely.
2023 Record Prediction: 76-86
21. Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 Record: 74-88 (4th in NL West)
Arizona is set up for a bright future, with rising stars Corbin Carroll, catcher Gabriel Moreno, and Jake McCarthy all at the MLB level. Daulton Varsho was traded to Toronto in exchange for Moreno. A pitching staff led by potential NL Cy Young Zac Gallen is a good start, and that could propel them to the second wild-card spot in the NL postseason.
2023 Record Prediction: 77-85