The MLB season is exactly one week away from first pitch, and there will be plenty of storylines throughout the season. These storylines are the seven biggest to watch as we enter the 2018 season.

 

Buyers and Sellers

The season hasn’t even started yet and the trade deadline is months away, but baseball is the sport where trades probably have the biggest impact—just look at the Astros acquiring Justin Verlander at the last possible moment last year. Manny Machado is the biggest name that could be on the move, but there’s also Chris Archer, Cole Hamels, and Marcus Stroman, depending on what happens this season.

 

Shohei Ohtani and the Improved Angels

On paper, the Angels should be a legitimate playoff contender after the improvements they made in the offseason. The team pretty much went all-in by trading for second baseman Ian Kinsler, signing shortstop Zack Cozart (and sliding him to third base because of the presence of Andrelton Simmons), and getting prized Japanese pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani. While Ohtani has really struggled this spring, there will still be a ton of hype around him during the season. If the team is having success, it’ll be easier on everyone. It also doesn’t hurt to have the best player in baseball leading your team.

 

Byron Buxton’s emergence

A couple years ago, uber-athletic outfielder Byron Buxton was considered the best prospect in baseball. When he got to the majors, he struggled at the plate a bit, but not everyone is Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. Instead, Buxton has shown steady improvement, which is all you can ask of a young player. After raising his average from .225 in 92 games in 2016 to .253 in 140 games in 2017 (along with 16 home runs), Buxton has the potential to hit over .275 with 20-25+ home runs, which would be huge for a Twins team looking to build off its breakout season last year.

 

Will the Phillies be competitive?

The signing of Jake Arrieta just a couple weeks ago and Carlos Santana at the start of free agency indicate the Phillies expect to compete in 2018. If you look at their 2017 record of 30 games below .500, it might not seem realistic. But this is baseball we’re talking about, and a lot can happen from one year to the next—just look at the Twins from 2016 to last season. And with young and exciting players across the diamond, don’t be surprised if Philadelphia is in the mix for a wild-card spot this season.

 

The Brewers outfield

Acquiring good players is almost always a good idea, which the Brewers did by adding Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain this offseason. However, long-time outfielder and former NL MVP Ryan Braun is now tasked with putting in some time at first base, which he isn’t a fan of, especially as a 34-year-old. Braun being at first will also take away some time from Eric Thames, who can be a potent presence in the order. Trading Domingo Santana would free up room for Braun to play every day in the outfield, but Milwaukee might not want to move Santana after his breakout 2017.

 

The new-look Giants

Did the Cubs breaking the curse and winning the World Series in 2016, an even year, place the Giants in a curse because it was the first time in four tries they didn’t win it all in an even year? Judging by last season, a curse might be a good explanation. San Francisco is doing its best to get back on track this season, though, as they added great veterans Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria. With them steadying the offense and defense to go along with a pitching staff that obviously has upside with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija, the Giants could be one of those teams with a big turnaround.

 

Red Sox and Yankees Arms Race

The Yankees pulled a big-time power move by acquiring 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton, one of the most powerful hitters in the history of baseball, during the offseason, and the thought of Stanton and Judge alone is scary for opposing pitchers—not to mention Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner, and others. But the Red Sox have made a great attempt as they try to keep pace, adding the powerful J.D. Martinez late in free agency. The games between New York and Boston might drag on for four or five hours and end up in the double-digits often, but the two rival franchises have teams and lineups capable of winning it all in October.