Spring Training is a season infused with hope, but it also brings its share of worries. As we anticipate the start of the regular season, nagging questions about the team often linger, leaving fans anxious for resolutions that may or may not come.
Unfortunately, not all concerns vanish once the season kicks off. Some issues can become apparent almost immediately as the games begin.
Although it’s still very early in the season, six teams continue to grapple with unresolved questions from before Opening Day. Fans were likely hoping for clarity by now, but that hasn’t been the case.
So, which of these concerns stands out the most? We’ve ranked them according to the level of anxiety they evoke. (All statistics are current through Thursday’s games.)
1. The Orioles’ Rotation
Throughout the offseason, Orioles fans have been wondering how the team would address the loss of Corbin Burnes. With promising young hitters on the roster, it seemed critical to strengthen the rotation. Instead, the O’s opted for aging pitchers like 41-year-old Charlie Morton and 35-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano, which hasn’t proven sufficient thus far.
Neither Grayson Rodriguez nor Zach Eflin has taken the mound this season due to injury, and Morton has struggled in his starts. The team’s overall rotation ERA stands near the bottom of the league. While the lineup could potentially deliver high-scoring games, it’s unrealistic to expect them to average 10 runs per game.
How worried should fans be? Very worried. If Morton can no longer perform effectively as a starter, the Orioles may face significant challenges until reinforcements return from injury. They needed reliable starters at the beginning of the season, and now they require an abundance of pitchers.
2. The Pirates’ Roster Surrounding Paul Skenes
This week, the Pirates managed to win two out of three games against the Cardinals, but their only loss was Skenes’ start, which was unexpected. Despite this, Skenes has shown promise, improving his performance from the previous year.
However, the rest of the team has struggled considerably. Currently, the Pirates rank low in various batting metrics and have dealt with injuries to key pitchers, compounding their challenges. Without significant contributors around Skenes, the rest of the roster appears to be a major uncertainty.
How worried should fans be? Very worried. The Pirates did little to enhance their lineup during the offseason, and it’s unclear if any impactful additions will come during the season.
3. The Guardians’ Rotation
Last year, the Guardians managed to mask a lackluster rotation with a competent offense. However, this year, the situation appears to be even worse, with their current rotation recording the lowest strikeout rate in baseball.
With only a couple of starters maintaining decent ERAs, the burden on the bullpen is becoming heavy once again. While some young arms are showing promise, the overall outlook for the rotation is concerning.
How worried should fans be? Increasingly worried. There is room for growth among the younger pitchers, but the team’s current performance is concerning.
4. The Mariners’ Offense
Seattle has a well-established rotation, yet the offense struggles to produce runs consistently. The team’s offseason efforts to boost their batting line have not yielded significant results, and the batting stats reflect ongoing challenges.
While some key players have performed well, injuries and inconsistent performances from the rest of the lineup leave fans apprehensive about their scoring capabilities.
How worried should fans be? Typically worried. The Mariners’ situation feels familiar, and unless they find a way to improve offensively, it seems difficult to expect much from the season ahead.
5. The Twins’ Injury Concerns
The Twins have faced recurring injury issues that have hindered their potential. Their main offseason strategy relied on the hope that injuries would not plague their best players, yet this has not been the case.
Notable injuries have already sidelined key players, while others struggle to regain their past All-Star form. The team’s reliance on players with a history of being injury-prone has led to disappointing results.
How worried should fans be? Also typically worried. This seems to be the pattern for the Twins, and it’s challenging to envision a quick turnaround.
6. The Braves’ Key Batters
The Braves enjoyed an exceptional offense last year, characterized by the depth of their lineup. This year, while injuries have played a role, several of their established hitters are not replicating their previous success.
While some players show potential for improvement, the offensive output does not appear likely to match last season’s remarkable performance.
How worried should fans be? Moderately worried. There is hope for improvement upon the return of key players, but the team may not recapture the same magic as in 2023.
