5 Biggest Storylines Heading Into 2024 MLB Season

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Although it seems like the Texas Rangers won the 2023 World Series yesterday, the truth is that the 2024 MLB season is nearly here. Opening Day for the new campaign is on Thursday, March 28, leaving baseball enthusiasts less than two weeks to prepare for all of the ensuing action.

2️⃣ weeks 2️⃣ go! #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/ThRyha9y2G

— MLB (@MLB) March 14, 2024

And just like every other new campaign, the upcoming schedule is littered with storylines, whether they concern individual players or teams as a whole. It’s a lot to keep track of, though, so let’s check out the five of the biggest storylines heading into the 2024 MLB season.

5 Biggest 2024 MLB Season Storylines

1. Will Shoehei Ohtani Live Up to His $700 Million Contract?

A lot of money was handed out this past offseason, however, there wasn’t a deal bigger than the one Shohei Ohtani inked with the LA Dodgers. After spending his entire MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal.

That’s a lot of money, no doubt, but if any player deserves that sum, it’s Ohtani.

Since the start of the 2021 campaign, the 29-year-old difference-maker ranks fourth in the MLB with 124 home runs and just led the American League with 44 last season. He’s also been named AL MVP twice in the last three seasons and even finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2022.

Will Shohei Ohtani have the same impact on the Dodgers as he did with the Angels?

Having said that, a $700 million contract is still a lot of pressure to play under. That’s only amplified by the fact that Ohtani won’t be pitching at all in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery in September. Considering that his ability to hit AND pitch played a big role in getting his monster contract, his bat must be electric this season.

If the Dodgers go on to win the World Series and Ohtani hits 40+ HRs, no one will bat an eye. But if the club comes up short and Ohtani doesn’t make the same impact at the plate, don’t be surprised if people start to get worried.

2. Can the Texas Rangers Repeat as Champions?

As mentioned earlier, the Rangers ended the 2023 campaign as World Series Champions. It was the first title in franchise history, leaving Texas fans and outsiders alike wondering if Bruce Bochy’s team has what it takes to win back-to-back championships.

Only 14 teams in MLB history have won two or more World Series in a row and no one has done it since the New York Yankees pulled off a three-peat from 1998 to 2000.

Picture perfect Postseason moments. pic.twitter.com/hjiVXXPY5k

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 13, 2024

Needless to say, it won’t be easy for the Rangers to go back-to-back. Although they’ve added some solid names this offseason (Andrew Knizner, Tyler Mahle, Kirby Yates, etc.), they also lost key pieces like Aroldis Chapman, Martin Perez, and Mitch Garver.

It’s also important to remember that the Rangers nearly missed the 2023 postseason, finishing just two games ahead of the best non-playoff AL team.

It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Rangers to repeat and even oddsmakers know that. Despite winning last year’s title, Texas only has the sixth-best odds to win the 2024 World Series.

3. Is this the Athletics’ Final Season in Oakland?

Back in November, the MLB owners approved a proposition that would see the Oakland Athletics moved to Las Vegas. It was a big blow to a Bay Area that already lost the NFL’s Raiders to Sin City just a few years ago.

A $1.5 billion Las Vegas stadium is in the works, but that isn’t expected to be ready until 2028 at best. That doesn’t seem like that big of an issue until you realize that the A’s might not have anywhere else to play beyond the 2024 campaign.

The Oakland @Athletics could play some regular-season games in Las Vegas before moving to their new Strip ballpark.https://t.co/Bn93G3puR6

— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) March 15, 2024

The Athletics’ lease for Oakland Coliseum is over after this year, potentially leaving the franchise without a place to call home from 2025 to 2027. Apparently, Sacramento is the likeliest destination for the time being, but even that is far from guaranteed.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Oakland fans treat the Athletics’ (likely) final season in the city. The A’s have been the MLB’s worst team over the last two seasons and had the worst attendance numbers in 2023, meaning I wouldn’t be surprised if the fanbase completely checks out now that the writing is on the wall.

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5 Early 2024 MLB Season Storylines Cont.

4. How Will Juan Soto’s Time with the Yankees Unfold?

It’s been nearly 15 years since the New York Yankees won a World Series and the fanbase is getting tired. That’s why the Bronx Bombers went out this offseason to acquire Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres as a part of a seven-player deal.

Since making his MLB debut in 2018, Soto has been one of baseball’s best players. The three-time All-Star outfielder has racked up 160 HRs and 483 RBIs while slashing .284/.421/.524 across 779 career games with a .946 on-base plus slugging percentage and a 28.6 WAR. He’s also finished inside of the top 10 for MVP voting four times, highlighting his spot in the sport.

Will Juan Soto continue his stellar play now that he’s with the Yankees?

Having said that, the 2024 MLB season is a crucial year for Soto. The 25-year-old OPS merchant’s contract expires at the end of the year, leaving only two options: 1) re-sign with the Yankees on a mega deal or 2) test free agency for the first time in his career.

Either way, Soto will be getting paid by the time the 2025 season arrives, leaving time to tell how his first (and potentially last) season with the Yankees impacts his next contract.

5. When will Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery Find New Teams?

Even though most of the MLB’s top free agents have been snatched up, two big names remain on the open market as of March 15: Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

The ace pitchers were two of the biggest free-agent names when the offseason began, so the fact that they’re still available is surprising to many people. After all, it’s not like their résumés don’t speak for themselves.

Snell, an eight-year veteran is coming off one of the best performances of his career. The gifted southpaw went 14-9 across 32 starts with the Padres last season as he led the National League in ERA, ERA+, and hits per nine innings en route to his second Cy Young Award.

Chandler poses the question: Might the Astros be the team for Blake Snell? https://t.co/41P6RLBCqN

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 15, 2024

Meanwhile, Montgomery set career highs in wins (10) and ERA (3.20) while splitting the 2023 season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Rangers. He won three of his five postseason starts to help Texas win the World Series, pitching to a 2.90 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 31 innings along the way.

Both pitchers would improve any rotation they join, so hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we find out where they’ll play in 2024. With the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole being sidelined for up to two months, could one of the aforementioned duo find themselves in the Big Apple before Opening Day?

Regardless, expect Montgomery and Snell’s free-agent status to be one of the bigger MLB storylines until they sign somewhere.

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