The start of the 2016 MLB season is around the corner and that means it's time for predictions about what teams, players and developments could happen in baseball this year. Opening Day is the most exciting time of the year for baseball fans, as all 30 teams come into the season with hope that they can win the World Series.
Last season, the Houston Astros surprised many around the league by making the playoffs, while the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners had disappointing years. The Chicago Cubs were expected to contend for a playoff spot last year, but no one expected the team to make a run to the National League Championship Series.
2016 offers the chance for more surprises, and here is a look at some predictions for the season:
Mike Trout and Paul Goldschmidt will win the MVP awards
The runners-up for the awards in the American League and National League have strong chances to win this season. Trout put up great numbers last year but could not beat out Josh Donaldson, while Goldschmidt finished second behind a career-year from Bryce Harper. 2016 gives both players the chance to vault ahead after losing out in 2015. Trout has put up some of the best numbers of any player to start his career and he should continue that in 2016.
Last year, Trout had a career-best 41 home runs while hitting just under .300 and he could be even better this season. Goldschmidt is continuing to trend upward, and this could be the season he finally breaks through to win an MVP award. Goldschmidt finished second in the voting last season and has finished as the runner-up in his last two fully healthy seasons in the majors. He hit for a career-high .321 average last season and the Diamondbacks should be much improved after the moves they made in the offseason. All of that bodes well for Goldschmidt in 2016.
The Chicago Cubs will make it to the World Series
Cubs fans probably will think this prediction is a jinx, but after what the team did last season, Chicago is in prime position to make a run to the World Series. The team has not won the October Classic in over a century and hasn't made it there since 1945, but they have as talented a roster as anyone in baseball this season. Players like Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler have another year of experience under their belts, while Jake Arrieta comes back after a Cy Young season. The Cubs should be even better this year after adding Jason Heyward and John Lackey to the mix and it should be World Series or bust for the franchise in 2016.
The Seattle Mariners will make the playoffs
The Mariners have not been to the playoffs in over a decade, but that streak should end this year. The team came close in 2014 before taking a step back in 2015, but the entire roster has been overhauled and is way more talented than last season. Jerry Dipoto has added depth with Adam Lind, Nori Aoki and Joaquin Benoit, while players like Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager are elite core players. The AL West is a bit weak behind the Astros and Rangers, and that gives the Mariners a chance.
The New York Yankees will win the AL East
The American League East should be competitive this season with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees and Orioles all looking like contenders. However, the Yankees have the pieces in place to make a run to the division title and should do it this season. The team added Aroldis Chapman and Starlin Castro in trades this offseason, while young players like Aaron Judge, Luis Severino and Gary Sanchez could all make impacts at the major league level. Watch out for the Yankees in the AL East this season.
