The 2023 MLB season continues to unfurl in customary gradual fashion. While it's still relatively early out there, we're nevertheless coming up on the quarter mark of the regular season. That somewhat notable looming checkpoint plus negativity as a first principle yields what follows, and what follows is a ritual condemnation of the most disappointing teams of the 2023 campaign thus far.
Before we begin, let us first define our terms. These are teams that enjoyed some level of success in 2022 and figured to be frontline contenders in 2023 but have thus far fallen well shy of expectations. With those criteria laid out, let us declare these four following teams to be the most disappointing of the season to date. They'll be listed in no particular order, just as the gods of partial measures intended.
1. New York Yankees
Coming off a 99-win season in 2022 and a spot in the ALCS, the Yankees brought back generational slugger Aaron Judge on a massive contract and also sprung for frontline rotation help in Carlos Rodón. Despite the baseline of talent, however, the Yankees right now are near .500, in last place in the American League East, and a full 10 games behind the magma-hot Rays.
So what gives? The lack of lineup depth is being exposed, particularly while Judge is on the injured list with a hip injury (they presently rank 24th in MLB in runs scored and OPS), and the rotation outside of ace Gerrit Cole has been a major disappointment. Very much related to that last point is the fact that Rodón, thanks to forearm and the back problems, has yet to throw a pitch that counts for his new squad. Compounding matters is that the AL East at present is pretty easily the toughest division in baseball. Moving forward, a lot is riding on getting real contributions from Rodón at some point, but right now there's no timeline for his return.
Current playoff odds according to the SportsLine Projection System: 56.4% (Playoff odds for all 30 teams are updated daily on our standings page.)
Cause(s) for optimism: Judge gets back soon, barring setback. If they can remain in range of playoff position, then an active trade deadline is a real possibility. Also, the present working assumption is that Rodón will be a contributor at some point in 2023. On offense, the Yankees to date have been one of the most unlucky of teams when it comes to turning quality contact at the plate into runs scored. That should correct in the weeks to come.
2. Houston Astros
The reigning World Series champs barged to a 106 wins last season. Yes, they lost 2022 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to the Mets via free agency, but rotation depth has been their signature for some time. The thing about pitching depth is that you have it until you don't, and right now Houston doesn't have it. Most notably, Luis Garcia will miss the rest of the season because of Tommy John surgery. As well, Lance McCullers Jr. has been sidelined all regular season with an elbow strain, and José Urquidy in also on the injured list with shoulder discomfort. That's left Dusty Baker's team stretched very thin in the rotation. As well, free-agent addition José Abreu has struggled badly thus far, and that raises concerns even across a small sample for a 36-year-old first baseman who showed signs of power loss last season. Alex Bregman also has yet to find his level.
Current playoff odds according to the SportsLine Projection System: 69.4%
Cause(s) for optimism: The rotation will get healthier soon enough as long as McCullers and Urquidy remain on schedule, and star second baseman Jose Altuve is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a thumb fracture suffered during the World Baseball Classic. More broadly – and as you can see just above – this team still projects as the best in the division. At the level of the run differential, the Astros this season have out-played their record by two full games.