MLB 2021 season preview: What to know
The 2021 season will have 162 games again – at least for now
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The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988 last fall and are primed and ready to repeat as champions for the 2021 season.
The 2020 season was a bit topsy-turvy as the coronavirus pandemic shut down spring training and forced players and owners to come to a compromise to have a shortened season. The Dodgers took home the World Series in an expanded postseason and turned around and added another arm to their staff.
The 2021 season will have 162 games again with no universal designated hitter or expanded postseason – at least for now. One big rule change is doubleheaders will be seven innings and if a game goes into extra innings, a runner will be placed on second base to start the extra frame. There can be 26 players on a roster with a roster expansion of 28 in September.
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The Dodgers made one of the splashiest moves of the offseason by signing Trevor Bauer. He won the National League Cy Young award in 2020 after a phenomenal season with the Cincinnati Reds and got a big three-year, $102 million contract that includes options after each season.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed George Springer over from the Houston Astros. The two sides agreed to a six-year, $150 million deal in the offseason.
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The New York Mets made the splashiest trade of the offseason, acquiring shortstop Francisco Lindor from the Cleveland Indians. Lindor has already stunned fans with his hitting display in spring training. The team then signed him to a 10-year, $341 million contract extension before Opening Day.
The San Diego Padres made the shrewd moves of bringing in Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. The team also signed star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year, $340 million contract extension.
A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora, both managers who were suspended and fired for their own cheating scandals, are back in the dugout. Hinch is managing the Detroit Tigers and Cora is back with the Boston Red Sox.
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The Miami Marlins made history by hiring the first female general manager in Kim Ng. She will be tasked with building the team back up to a playoff and World Series contender.
Read below for a brief outlook, projected starters and rotations for each MLB team in 2021.
LINDOR, METS AGREE ON $341M, 10-YEAR-DEAL AS SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE APPROACHED
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 25-35
Division Finish: 5th NL West
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Manager: Torey Lovullo
Projected Rotation: Madison Bumgarner, Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener, Luke Weaver
Projected Starters: Carson Kelly (C), Christian Walker (1B), Josh Rojas (2B), Eduardo Escobar (3B, Nick Ahmed (SS), David Peralta (LF), Ketel Marte (CF), Tim Locastro (RF)
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Atlanta Braves
Record: 35-25
Division Finish: 1st NL East
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Manager: Brian Snitker
Projected Rotation: Max Fried, Ian Anderson, Drew Smyly, Charlie Morton, Mike Soroka
Projected Starters: Travis d’Arnaud (C), Freddie Freeman (1B), Ozzie Albies (2B), Austin Riley (3B), Dansby Swanson (SS), Marcell Ozuna (LF), Cristian Pache (CF), Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF)
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Baltimore Orioles
Record: 25-35
Division Finish: 4th AL East
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Manager: Brandon Hyde
Projected Rotation: John Means, Matt Harvey, Bruce Zimmermann, Dean Kremer, Jorge Lopez
Projected Starters: Pedro Severino (CA), Trey Mancini (1B), Pat Valaika (2B), Maikel Franco (3B), Freddy Galvis (SS), Ryan Mountcastle (LF), Cedric Mullins (CF), Anthony Santander (RF), Rio Ruiz (DH)
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Boston Red Sox
Record: 24-36
Division Finish: 5th AL East
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Manager: Alex Cora
Projected Rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Richards, Martin Perez, Nick Pivetta
Projected Starters: Christian Vazquez (CA), Bobby Dalbec (1B), Enrique Hernandez (2B), Rafael Devers (3B), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Hunter Renfroe (LF), Alex Verdugo (CF), Franchy Cordero (RF), J.D. Martinez (DH)
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Chicago Cubs
Record: 34-36
Division Finish: 1st NL Central
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Manager: David Ross
Projected Rotation: Kyle Hendricks, Zach Davies, Alec Mills, Jake Arrieta, Adbert Alzolay
Projected Starters: Wilson Contreras (CA), Anthony Rizzo (1B), David Bote (2B), Kris Bryant (3B), Javier Baez (SS), Joc Pederson (LF), Ian Happ (CF), Jason Heyward (RF)
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Chicago White Sox
Record: 35-25
Division Finish: 2nd AL Central
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Manager: Tony La Russa
Projected Rotation: Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodon
Projected Starters: Yasmani Grandal (CA), Jose Abreu (1B), Nick Madrigal (2B), Yoan Moncada (3B), Tim Anderson (SS), Andrew Vaughn (LF), Luis Robert (CF), Adam Eaton (RF), Zack Collins (DH)
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Cincinnati Reds
Record: 31-29
Division Finish: 3rd NL Central
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Manager: David Bell
Projected Rotation: Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Wade Miley, Jeff Hoffman
Projected Starters: Tucker Barnhart (CA), Joey Votto (1B), Mike Moustakas (2B, Eugenio Suarez (3B), Kyle Farmer (SS), Shogo Akiyama (LF), Nick Senzel (CF), Nick Castellanos (RF)
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Cleveland Indians
Record: 35-25
Division Finish: 3rd AL Central
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Manager: Terry Francona
Projected Rotation: Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen
Projected Starters: Roberto Perez (CA), Jake Bauers (1B, Cesar Hernandez (2B), Jose Ramirez (3B), Amed Rosario (SS), Eddie Rosario (LF), Ben Gamel (CF), Josh Naylor (RF), Franmil Reyes (DH)
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INDIANS NOT ALLOWING HEADDRESSES, PAINTED FACES AT GAMES
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Colorado Rockies
Record: 26-34
Division Finish: 4th NL West
Manager: Bud Black
Projected Rotation: German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, Jon Gray, Austin Gomber
Projected Starters: Elias Diaz (CA), C.J. Cron (1B), Brendan Rogers (2B), Ryan McMahon (3B), Trevor Story (SS), Raimel Tapia (LF), Garrett Hampson (CF), Charlie Blackmon (RF)
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Detroit Tigers
Record: 23-35
Division Finish: 5th AL Central
Manager: A.J. Hinch
Projected Rotation: Matthew Boyd, Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Spencer Turnbull, Jose Urena
Projected Starters: Wilson Ramos (CA), Jeimer Candelario (1B), Jonathan Schoop (2B), Harold Castro (3B), Will Castro (SS), Robbie Grossman (LF), JaCoby Jones (CF), Victor Reyes (RF), Miguel Cabrera (DH)
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Houston Astros
Record: 29-31
Division Finish: 2nd AL West
Manager: Dusty Baker
Projected Rotation: Zack Greinke, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Jose Urquidy, Framber Valdez
Projected Starters: Martin Maldonado (CA), Yuli Gurriel (1B), Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B), Carlos Correa (SS), Michael Brantley (LF), Myles Straw (CF), Kyle Tucker (RF), Yordan Alvarez (DH)
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Kansas City Royals
Record: 26-34
Division Finish: 4th AL Central
Manager: Mike Matheny
Projected Rotation: Brad Keller, Danny Duffy, Brady Singer, Mike Minor
Projected Starters: Salvador Perez (CA), Carlos Santana (1B), Whit Merrifield (2B), Hunter Dozier (3B), Nicky Lopes (SS), Andrew Benintendi (LF), Michael A. Taylor (CF), Kyle Isbel (RF), Jorge Soler (DH)
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Los Angeles Angels
Record: 36-34
Division Finish: 4th AL West
Manager: Joe Maddon
Projected Rotation: Dylan Bundy, Andrew Heaney, Jose Quintana, Griffin Canning, Alex Cobb, Shohei Ohtani
Projected Starters: Max Stassi (CA), Jared Walsh (1B), David Fletcher (2B), Anthony Rendon (3B), Jose Iglesias (SS), Justin Upton (LF), Mike Trout (CF), Dexter Fowler (RF), Shohei Ohtani (DH), Albert Pujols (DH)
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Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 43-17
Division Finish: 1st NL West
Manager: Dave Roberts
Projected Rotation: Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May
Projected Starters: Will Smith (CA), Max Muncy (1B), Gavin Lux (2B, Justin Turner (3B), Corey Seager (SS), A.J. Pollock (LF), Cody Bellinger (CF), Mookie Betts (RF)
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Miami Marlins
Record: 31-29
Division Finish: 2nd NL East
Manager: Don Mattingly
Projected Rotation: Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Eliser Hernandez, Trevor Rogers
Projected Starters: Jorge Alfaro (CA), Jesus Aguilar (1B), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), Brian Anderson (3B), Miguel Rojas (SS), Corey Dickerson (LF), Starling Marte (CF), Adam Duvall (RF)
DESPITE REVENUE HIKE, MARLINS' EMPHASIS WILL BE ON PROSPECTS
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Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 29-31
Division Finish: 4th NL Central
Manager: Craig Counsell
Projected Rotation: Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Barnes, Adrian Houser, Brett Anderson, Freddy Peralta
Projected Starters: Omar Narvaez (CA), Keston Hiura (1B), Kolten Wong (2B), Travis Shaw (3B), Orlando Arcia (SS), Christian Yelich (LF), Lorenzo Cain (CF), Jackie Bradley Jr. (RF)
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Minnesota Twins
Record: 36-24
Division Finish: 1st AL Central
Manager: Rocco Baldelli
Projected Rotation: Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios, Michael Pineda, Matt Shoemaker, J.A. Happ
Projected Starters: Mitch Garver (CA), Miguel Sano (1B), Jorge Polanco (2B), Josh Donaldson (3B), Andrelton Simmons (SS), Kyle Garlick (LF), Byron Buxton (CF), Max Kepler (RF), Nelson Cruz (DH)
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New York Mets
Record: 26-34
Division Finish: 4th NL East
Manager: Luis Rojas
Projected Rotation: Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, Tijuan Walker, David Peterson
Projected Starters: James McCann (CA), Pete Alonso (1B), Jeff McNeil (2B), J.D. Davis (3B), Francisco Lindor (SS), Dominic Smith (LF), Brandon Nimmo (CF), Michael Conforto (RF)
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New York Yankees
Record: 33-27
Division Finish: 2nd AL East
Manager: Aaron Boone
Projected Rotation: Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German
Projected Starters: Gary Sanchez (CA), Jay Bruce (1B), D.J. LeMahieu (2B), Gio Urshela (3B), Gleyber Torres (SS), Clint Frazier (LF), Aaron Hicks (CF), Aaron Judge (RF), Giancarlo Stanton (DH)
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Oakland Athletics
Record: 36-24
Division Finish: 1st AL West
Manager: Bob Melvin
Projected Rotation: Mike Fiers, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Jesus Luzardo, Chris Bassitt
Projected Starters: Sean Murphy (CA), Matt Olson (1B), Chad Pinder (2B), Matt Chapman (3B), Elvis Andrus (SS), Tony Kemp (LF), Ramon Laureano (CF), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Mark Canha (DH)
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Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 28-32
Division Finish: 3rd NL East
Manager: Joe Girardi
Projected Rotation: Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Zach Elfin, Matt Moore, Chase Anderson
Projected Starters: JT Realmuto (CA), Rhys Hoskins (1B), Jean Segura (2B), Alec Bohm (3B), Didi Gregorius (SS), Andrew McCutchen (LF), Adam Haseley (CF), Bryce Harper (RF)
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 19-41
Division Finish: 5th NL Central
Manager: Derek Shelton
Projected Rotation: Mitch Keller, Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, Tyler Anderson, JT Brubaker
Projected Starters: Jacob Stallings (CA), Colin Moran (1B), Adam Frazier (2B), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B), Kevin Newman (SS), Bryan Reynolds (LF), Anthony Alford (CF), Gregory Polanco (RF)
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San Diego Padres
Record: 37-23
Division Finish: 2nd NL West
Manager: Jayce Tingler
Projected Rotation: Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Dinelson Lamet, Joe Musgrove, Chris Paddack
Projected Starters: Austin Nola (CA), Eric Hosmer (1B), Jake Cronenworth (2B), Manny Machado (3B), Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS), Tommy Pham (LF), Trent Grisham (CF), Wil Myers (RF)
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San Francisco Giants
Record: 29-31
Division Finish: 3rd NL West
Manager: Gabe Kapler
Projected Rotation: Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Logan Webb, Alex Wood
Projected Starters: Buster Posey (CA), Brandon Belt (1B), Donovan Solano (2B), Evan Longoria (3B), Brandon Crawford (SS), Alex Dickerson (LF), Mauricio Dubon (CF), Mike Yastrzemski (RF)
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Seattle Mariners
Record: 27-33
Division Finish: 3rd AL West
Manager: Scott Servais
Projected Rotation: Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Flexen, Justus Sheffield, James Paxton
Projected Starters: Tom Murphy (CA), Evan White (1B), Dylan Moore (2B), Kyle Seager (3B), JP Crawford (SS), Jake Fraley (LF), Kyle Lewis (CF), Mitch Haniger (RF), Ty France (DH)
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St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 30-28
Division Finish: 2nd NL Central
Manager: Mike Shlidt
Projected Rotation: Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez, Daniel Ponce de Leon, John Gant
Projected Starters: Yadier Molina (CA), Paul Goldschmidt (1B), Tommy Edman (2B), Nolan Arenado (3B), Paul DeJong (SS), Tyler O’Neill (LF), Dylan Carlson (CF), Justin Williams (RF)
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Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 40-20
Division Finish: 1st AL East
Manager: Kevin Cash
Projected Rotation: Tyler Glasnow, Ryan Yarbrough, Chris Archer, Rich Hill, Michael Wacha
Projected Starters: Mike Zunino (CA), Yoshi Tsutsugo (1B), Brandon Lowe (2B), Yandy Diaz (3B), Willy Adames (SS), Randy Arozarena (LF), Kevin Kiermaier (CF), Manuel Margot (RF), Austin Meadows (DH)
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Texas Rangers
Record: 22-38
Division Finish: 5th NL West
Manager: Chris Woodward
Projected Rotation: Kyle Gibson, Kohei Arihara, Mike Foltynewicz, Dane Dunnig, Jordan Lyles
Projected Starters: Jose Trevino (CA), Nate Lowe (1B), Nick Solak (2B), Brock Holt (3B), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS), David Dahl (LF), Leody Taveras (CF), Joey Gallo (RF), Ronald Guzman (DH)
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Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 32-28
Division Finish: 3rd AL East
Manager: Charlie Montoyo
Projected Rotation: Hyun Jin Ryu, Nate Pearson, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz, Tanner Roark
Projected Starters: Danny Jansen (CA), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Marcus Semien (2B), Cavan Biggio (3B), Bo Bichette (SS), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF), Randal Grichuk (CF), Teoscar Hernandez (RF), Rowdy Tellez (DH)
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Washington Nationals
Record: 26-34
Division Finish: 5th NL East
Manager: Dave Martinez
Projected Rotation: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Jon Lester, Austin Voth
Projected Starters: Yan Gomes (CA), Josh Bell (1B), Josh Harrison (2B), Starlin Castro (3B), Trea Turner (SS), Kyle Schwarber (LF), Victor Robles, Juan Soto (RF)