The Chicago Cubs have shown us that a long, excruciating rebuild period can lead to greener pastures, as evidenced by their recent World Series title. We know that the Cubs have a young foundation in place, with stars such as Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Anthony Rizzo in place as franchise cornerstones. However, there are teams that appear to be following in the Cubs footsteps. Here are the next teams that could become the MLB’s next dynasties.
New York Yankees
Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman essentially committed robbery at last years trade deadline. He swapped impending free agents Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran, and Ivan Nova for a huge return of potentially franchise-altering pieces. Gleyber Torres, the key piece in the Aroldis Chapman deal with the Chicago Cubs, is currently the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com. Clint Fraizer, one of the top outfield prospects in the game and No. 24 overall, has the chance to see major league time this year.
When you pair Torres and Fraizer with incumbents such as near-superstar Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird, Aaron Judge, and Luis Severino, the Yankees have the look of a young, formidable group for the next decade. Arms such as Justus Sheffield, James Kaprielian, and Chance Adams could become anchors in the team’s rotation for the next decade. New York arguably has baseball’s deepest, and most talented farm system. While the team is well positioned to make a trade for a top-tier, established superstar, Cashman has shown no signs of dealing his young pieces for a chance at winning now. The Yankees should expect to reclaim their status as one of baseball’s top teams in the near future as they follow in the footsteps of the Cubs.
Atlanta Braves
It seems hard to peg a team as dismal as the Braves as a future juggernaut, but there are a lot of reasons for optimism down in Atlanta. Three of the team’s prospects sit within the top 50 of MLB.com’s top 100 list. The Braves’ system right up there with the Yankees’ system and an argument could be made to put it in the top spot. GM John Hart has done a fantastic job of getting rid of overpaid veterans in an effort to acquire young talent. He sent Jason Heyward, Shelby Miller, Craig Kimbrel, and Justin Upton for a boatload of high-end prospects who are now close to making an impact at the major league level.
Perhaps the reason biggest reason the Braves can expect future success is the future face of the franchise, Dansby Swanson. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a theft of a deal, Swanson has the look of a superstar. He should be considered a lock for this year’s NL Rookie of the Year award. Swanson along with prospect Ozzie Albies should form one of baseball’s best young duos at shortstop and second base. Pair these young men with star first baseman Freddie Freeman and a young staff led by Julio Teheran, and you’re presenting a pretty scary team to the rest of the MLB.
Colorado Rockies
As with the Atlanta Brave, the Rockies are currently one of the worst teams in the MLB and have been for some time. For the past few seasons, Colorado has surprisingly boasted one of the game’s top offenses, with sluggers like Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, and DJ LeMahieu anchoring the lineup. The team’s biggest issue has been its starting rotation. That should change soon, though, with the influx of youthful arms that are coming through the system. Righties Jeff Hoffman and Riley Pint are legit prospects who are capable of leading the Rockies’ rotation of the future.
In addition to the up and coming pitching, the Rockies system boasts another elite prospect; enter Brendan Rodgers. The shortstop was drafted 3rd overall in the 2015 draft behind Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman, both of whom have made an impact at the MLB level. At just 20 year’s of age, Rodgers still has time to work on all aspects of his game, but he has looked as good as advertised thus far in his minor league career. Pair him with Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu and the Rockies suddenly have a powerful infield that can defend and swing the bat.
