The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/mlb-top-3-teams-under-most-pressure-to-win-2023-world-series-20230319-SPD-3514.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 MLB season</a> is almost approaching, which means the postseason race has already begun. From February’s spring training sessions all the way through October’s World Series games, the teams are at war.



Every fan’s attention will soon shift from the last days of Spring Training to Opening Day, the first official game of the 2023 MLB season. Baseball’s return to our daily schedules will mark the start of the 162-game regular season.



As the new playoff structure is still in its infancy, generalizations regarding the yearly turnover rate cannot be made. Nonetheless, historical data suggests that at least three teams and usually five teams will be eliminated from the bracket each season. CBS Sports&nbsp;have ranked the top three teams that could fail to repeat the success.



<h2>3. St. Louis Cardinals</h2>



The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/top-4-possible-2023-24-mlb-season-free-agents-20230115-SPD-3328.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cardinals</a> strengthened their roster most by adding catcher Willson Contreras, who, let’s be honest, doesn’t have the same defensive reputation as Yadier Molina. It might have a domino effect on the rest of St. Louis’ pitching staff, especially the rotation, which is already precarious due to Adam Wainwright’s diminished velocity and Jack Flaherty’s physical volatility. 



They won’t be able to bulk up by beating up on the weaker teams in the NL Central because of their well-matched schedule.



<h2>2. Cleveland Guardians</h2>



The Guardians’ success was largely predicated on the performance of younger or less-established players who surprised by doing better than expected. The issue that matters most for Cleveland is whether or if Steven Kwan, Oscar Gonzalez, Andrés Giménez, and the rest of the team can replicate their previous successes.



The Guardians spent big on first baseman Josh Bell and are hoping for a comeback season from catcher Mike Zunino in order to provide stability for their youthful core. Each has shown a degree of unpredictability, thus the results they produce remain to be seen.



<h2>1. Tampa Bay Rays</h2>



The Rays’ management has shown interest in acquiring hitting talent this summer after the team finished in the bottom 10 in runs scored and in the middle of the pack in wRC+. After that, they didn’t bring in any new hitters from the outside, so any changes will have to come from the inside.



Tyler Glasnow is already out with an injury, while other important players like Wander Franco and Zach Eflin have faced durability issues of their own. Runs may be hard to come by once again in St. Petersburg, but Tampa Bay has some potential young players on the way, including infielder Curtis Mead and righty Taj Bradley.

Top 3 MLB 2022 playoff teams that may not make the cut in 2023

Top 3 MLB 2022 playoff teams that may not make the cut in 2023 - thesportsdrops NEWS

miniaturas

The Athletic reports that <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/terry-francona-to-lead-guardians-as-manager-once-again-in-2023-20221021-SPD-3015.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Louis Cardinals</a> third baseman <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/aaron-boone-slated-to-continue-as-yankeess-manager-in-2023-20221027-SPD-3047.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nolan Arenado</a> has notified the organization that he would not be exercising his opt-out option this summer. Five more years and $144 million are still on the horizon for the seven-time All-Star. While he had the option to explore other teams and contracts, he has decided to stay in St. Louis.



John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ vice president of baseball operations, recently told MLB.com: “I would just say that I’m optimistic that this will have a positive resolution, and like I said, I hope that’s something we get some news on sooner rather than later. I don’t think it’s about re-working the deal. He’s just trying to use his time and sort through some things.



“He asked questions on how we’re thinking about the club, what we’re thinking about in the future, and topics like, ‘How are we going to deploy our resources?’ It was a very positive conversation. Again, I’m hopeful and optimistic that we can come to a place where we’re both very happy and have that understanding. He just wants a little time to think through that.”



<h2>Nolan Arenado to see out his contract with Cardinals</h2>



Arenado had one of his best seasons ever in his second year with the St. Louis Cardinals, batting.293 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and a career-low strikeout rate. Last year, he led all position players in the National League with a 7.9 WAR.



After being moved to St. Louis from Colorado in advance of the 2021 season, Arenado was eligible to exercise his second and final opt-out clause. Throughout 2022, the Cardinals maintained confidence that the seven-time All-Star would return to St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals

Top 3 MLB 2022 playoff teams that may not make the cut in 2023

Nolan Arenado to stay at Cardinals after declining to exercise opt out clause

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