The Reds are expected this winter to cut ties with future Hall of Famer Joey Votto, who has a team option for 2024, and will be shopping second baseman Jonathan India for either starting pitching or an outfield upgrade. Still, it positioned them nicely for 2024, as their young rotation, led by Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips, received invaluable experience in the pennant race. Their decision at the trade deadline to stand pat and not add veteran starting pitching might have cost them a playoff berth. The Reds had the best rookie class of any team this season and have set themselves up to be perennial contenders for the foreseeable future. However, they still should be considered a bounce-back candidate for 2024. The Padres will likely have to do significant cost-cutting this offseason, which would make it difficult to retain several of their free agents, including Hader and Snell. Ha-Seong Kim had his best season, hitting 17 homers and stealing 38 bags. Juan Soto and Manny Machado both hit 30 or more home runs, while Fernando Tatis Jr. They had the front-runner for the Cy Young Award ( Blake Snell) and the front-runner for the Trevor Hoffman Award ( Josh Hader).

They finished second in the National League in team ERA and sixth in runs scored. The Padres were the best team in baseball that didn’t make the postseason. Much will change between now and next spring, but here’s where these clubs stand and how quickly I think they can turn things around.

There are 18 teams that didn’t make the MLB postseason, so while we all enjoy October baseball, I thought I’d power-rank the non-playoff teams based on who is best-positioned to contend in 2024.

Slot wins 2024