TEAM TO BEAT
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees committed more salary in free agency than any club-$574 million-to retain American League MVP Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo and add Carlos Rodon. Rodon begins the season on the injured list with a strained elbow, while a shoulder injury will keep Frankie Montas sidelined indefinitely, but the Yankees have the pitching depth to compensate for those losses. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt assume rotation spots along with Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Nestor Cortes. On offense, the Yankees need new faces to support Judge, Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton. Second-year Oswaldo Cabrera takes an outfield spot, while rookie shortstop Oswald Peraza is a strong defender who hit well as a September callup. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is the wild card. If he hits, he could add a spark the Yankees' offense needs.
TOP PLAYER
AARON JUDGE, RF, YANKEES
At times during the second half last season, Judge seemed to will the Yankees to the division title. He hit.349/.502/.785 after the All-Star Game, hitting 29 home runs in 68 games to establish the American League record with 62 homers. Judge claimed all but two first-place votes for AL MVP, which was a testament to his historic season because he played in the same league as all-world Shohei Ohtani. Judge's 211 OPS+ is seventh-highest since 1961, trailing only four Barry Bonds seasons, one from Mark McGwire and one from Frank Thomas.
TOP PITCHER
GERRIT COLE, RHP, YANKEES
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THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
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Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
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TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
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