{"id":65054,"date":"2023-12-21T07:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T12:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=65054"},"modified":"2023-12-20T19:50:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T00:50:37","slug":"5-non-playoff-teams-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/12\/21\/5-non-playoff-teams-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Non-Playoff Teams Poised to Make a Run in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2023 MLB season<\/a> was fun, exciting, and at times, surprising. There were a few teams that missed the playoffs that have made some moves this offseason.<\/p>\n

The MLB offseason, whether it is free agency or trades, has seen a few big moves. Shohei Ohtani<\/a> signed a record contract<\/a> with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Juan Soto<\/a> was a part of blockbuster trade<\/a> to the New York Yankees, and there are still plenty of more big names yet to sign. However, there are a few teams that have made some moves already, and those moves will go a long way towards improving on their 2023 season. Five non-playoff teams in particular have made their rosters into threats to make a run to the playoffs in the 2024 season. With that, here they are.<\/p>\n

5 Non-Playoff Teams Poised to Improve in 2024<\/h2>\n

1. St. Louis Cardinals\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Cardinals had a very disappointing season in 2023. They finished 71-91, putting them last in the NL Central division. Nobody expected this, as their lineup actually looked pretty good, but their pitching let them down. St. Louis, as a team, finished with the seventh-worst ERA, fourth-worst WHIP, and second-highest opponent batting average.<\/p>\n

Michael Girsch, the Cardinals general manager, recognized their need to fix the pitching staff this offseason. He did so through free agency. The Cardinals signed Sonny Gray<\/a> to a three-year contract<\/a> for their biggest move. However, they also gave Kyle Gibson<\/a> and Lance Lynn<\/a> one-year contracts<\/a>. These pitchers give the Cardinals an immediate upgrade to their starting rotation that they desperately needed.<\/p>\n

Gray and Gibson combined to go 23-17 with a 3.78 ERA over 55 starts in 2023. The numbers are good, but what is even better for St. Louis is the health. Gray and Gibson were both healthy for the season, and that is what the Cardinals need out of them in 2024. These two pitchers paired with Lynn, Miles Mikolas<\/a>, and a fifth starter can make for a very tough rotation to beat.<\/p>\n

As for their bats, not much has changed. St. Louis decided to send Tyler O’Neill<\/a> to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of pitchers, one of whom can start 2024 in the big league bullpen. However, the Cardinals still have Nolan Arenado<\/a>, Paul Goldschmidt<\/a>, and Nolan Gorman<\/a> as a big three. Other role players include Jordan Walker<\/a>, Lars Nootbaar<\/a>, and Willson Contreras<\/a>. There are a few that have not been named, but that shows how deep the Cardinals are offensively. This offense is going to have a good season in 2024 if they stay healthy.<\/p>\n

The Cardinals are not done making moves<\/a> this offseason, but their team has gotten significantly better. Expect them to have a much better season in 2024, and make a run to the MLB playoffs.<\/p>\n

2. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Royals are not a team you would expect to see on this list. However, they have been active<\/a> this offseason. Kansas City really needed to address their offensive woes from the last several seasons. However, the only move they have really made in this regard is signing<\/a> Hunter Renfroe<\/a>. Renfroe will be a welcome addition to the lineup, though. He has the ability to hit for power, and he plays solid defense. Garrett Hampson<\/a> was their other addition<\/a>, but he will be more of a platoon player who can provide off the bench by hitting for average.<\/p>\n

Do not forget about who the Royals already have. Bobby Witt Jr.<\/a> is going to be good for a long time for Kansas City. Maikel Garcia<\/a>, MJ Melendez<\/a>, Salvador Perez<\/a>, Freddy Fermin<\/a> are all good players too. The Royals are full of young talent (besides Perez who is a veteran), and now that they have all gotten a whiff of the big leagues, they should be much better.<\/p>\n

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“[Bobby Witt Jr. is] the face of our future.”@Royals<\/a> general manager J.J. Picollo gives insight on Kansas City’s goals for the offseason and their superstar shortstop. #MLBNHotStove<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Mhd9LlWFoi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n