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Which MLB Team is the Most Intriguing to Play As This Year? (Roundtable)

Pitchers and catchers have or are reporting, that means all of the trappings of Spring are in the air -- just don't walk outside.

With baseball season closer than ever, and with MLB rosters becoming somewhat finalized now, there's no time like the present to talk about the teams we are most excited to play as in MLB 15 The Show.

Bob Kollars: For me, it has to be the Chicago Cubs. With the addition of John Lester, Miguel Montero, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and with the looming debut of top prospect Kris Bryant, Chicago is as loaded a video game team has ever been. The Cubs still posses one of the best farm systems in baseball, so either bring the kids up, or make amove at the deadline to improve your young core.

Just because the Cubs are my first choice, doesn't mean there aren't some other incredibly intriguing teams out there. The Padres remodeled their entire offense, and the addition James Shields is an interesting decision. I also think the White Sox might be entertaining with the additions of Melky Cabrera and Jeff Smardzija.

Jeremy Chisenhall: To me, the Boston Red Sox have to be the most intriguing team for this year.

The combination of franchise centerpieces that have been in Boston for years, and newcomers who are sure to improve the team, really draws my attention. They've added Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez to add to Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli. On top of that, it looks like Koji Uehara is going to take the closing role for at least one more year, which gives Boston a great chance to make one last run at a championship with the veterans they have. While that group is likely to only make one more run at a title, the Red Sox have some young guns like Mookie Betts and Blake Swihart to center their team around once the veterans hang up their cleats.

Danny Webster: The Miami Marlins finally have something going.

How they managed the wherewithal to secure Giancarlo Stanton to an absurd extension is still baffling. What's even more baffling is how Stanton put his trust in the Marlins. With Stanton locked up for a long time, he's Miami's centerpiece that you can build around offensively. Miami also has an ace, 22-year-old Jose Fernandez who, while recovering from Tommy John Surgery, is still a beast in the world of video game land.

So use the Marlins and get Ichiro a championship. Oh, and turn the Marlins from the butt of all baseball jokes to the top of the world, with that absurd fountain as the landmark that signifies just what in the world they're doing.

Brandon Kosal - This year is the Detroit Tigers' year. If you follow baseball at all, you probably rolled your eyes pretty hard after reading that sentence, since every year seems to be the Tigers' year. Calling this year 'the year' sounds odd considering they're not even the consensus favorite in their own division, but they had a strong off-season. They ignored aces and power hitters, instead focusing on what they needed. They should be at least decent defensively, not to mention the well-rounded outfield. The rotation is a question mark for the first time in years, but they should be a player again this year if they can stay relatively healthy.

Philip Varckette: Even though they are my team, I feel the Cleveland Indians are one of the most intriguing teams in baseball. With Cy Young winner Corey Kluber solidifying the top spot in the rotation, veteran Gavin Floyd, and youngsters with potential (Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco), they could have one of the best rotations in the A.L. Central. If the young talent starts to pan out of course.

And we can't forget about MVP candidate Michael Brantley. I'm sure he will lead the team in the hitting department again this year. If the Indians can somehow land a right-handed power bat, they could be a dangerous team this year.

Caley Roark: For me, the whirlwind that took place in San Diego has got the Padres sitting at the top of my most intriguing teams list.

First, and most recently, the addition of James Shields solidifies a relatively good rotation. Josh Johnson represents a low-risk reclamation project, and Ian Kennedy had a quiet but decent 2014.

Then, there is the revamped outfield, including Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Will Myers. If these guys can stay healthy and produce, is there a better outfield in baseball?

Additionally, they have a quality bullpen and a decent young third baseman in former Red Sox' Will Middlebrooks.


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Member Comments
# 41 desi1751 @ 02/22/15 01:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by HozAndMoose
Well you should have no issue playing with the Yankees this year then.
u got me there lol
 
# 42 jm2054 @ 02/22/15 01:09 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teigh Cubs Teigh
I absolutely adore the Cubs and follow them borderline obsessively; I cannot play as the Cubs in a franchise mode.

The main reason for this is because I have too much of an emotional attachment to the players and the team that I can't make trades as I see fit without feeling guilty about it. I also much prefer taking on a team that would be more of a challenge than the Cubs who are looking to be very good in the very near future. Not to mention the fact that I spend so much time watching and following the real life Cubs that when it comes time to play a game I'm happy to take over another club just to break it up a little bit too.

It's all in someone's personal preferences. It has nothing to do with being a "true fan" or not.
Exactly my feelings. I always use the pirates because they are my team but then I do a second franchise with a different team because when I'm the pirates I can never bring myself to replace guys who need upgraded like Walker Harrison Mercer and then I always rush Taillion Henson and Glasnow up.
So using a different team let's me blow it up or sign different guys.
 
# 43 Gagnon39 @ 02/22/15 01:09 AM
Cubs. Always. That is all.
 
# 44 Sco291 @ 02/22/15 01:32 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by desi1751
im a yankees fan and i never got the urge to play with them. i dnt like playing with rosters who r destined to be in the playoffs from the start of the season. at the same time tho i wud never consider playen with the red sox even if there roster was the most intreasting to play with.
Hm. You must be a new Yankee fan because you'd know the Yankees are not "destined" for the playoffs this year in 2015, especially coming off 2 consecutive years without seeing October baseball.

Dodgers are a team who are destined for the playoffs and rightfully so.
 
# 45 desi1751 @ 02/22/15 01:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sco291
Hm. You must be a new Yankee fan because you'd know the Yankees are not "destined" for the playoffs this year in 2015, especially coming off 2 consecutive years without seeing October baseball.

Dodgers are a team who are destined for the playoffs and rightfully so.
im just a yankees fan living in the past. im not ready to pull my head out the clouds yet that were gonna be medicore lol.
 
# 46 Cubfan @ 02/22/15 02:04 AM
Cubs for obvious reasons!

Padres because of the editions to thd team.

I will also play with a young AL team like the Royals, Twins or A's
 
# 47 WaddupCouzin @ 02/22/15 02:41 AM
Rays...They still have a very good pitching staff and I believe they're going to better than people are giving them credit. Pitching and run prevention is where it's at!
 
# 48 Jimmydm90 @ 02/22/15 02:42 AM
Yeah I prefer to end up on my team in RTTS rather than play with them in franchise.
 
# 49 HozAndMoose @ 02/22/15 02:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WaddupCouzin
Rays...They still have a very good pitching staff and I believe they're going to better than people are giving them credit. Pitching and run prevention is where it's at!
Its how we made the WS. But bullpen pitching not so much starting.
 
# 50 Ghost Of The Year @ 02/22/15 08:01 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nwo4Life75
I really don't understand,if you are a true diehard baseball fan and a true diehard fan of a particular team,why would you even consider and or be intrigued by any other team in franchise mode. I don't get it. That's like me being as huge diehard Phillies fan which I am,but picking the New York Mets to play as in franchise mode.
Some people don't have a favorite team, but just enjoy baseball for the love of baseball.
Having said that, go Braves!
 
# 51 sink4ever @ 02/22/15 11:45 AM
Seems like a lot of intriguing teams this year. The Padres and A's both had a lot of activity, but I'm already a year and a half into a Padres/A's franchise in 14 that I'll be carrying over to 15. I also had a Cubs/Astros franchise that didn't get far, I'll probably start that one over in 15. Lastly, I do want to play with my Yankees this year, and I'm thinking about pairing them with either the Pirates or the Marlins (leaning Pirates right now).

Hmm, this may not be a great summer for my marriage. Fortunately I play The Show pretty much year round and with the ability to carry them forward, I don't have to feel rushed anymore.
 
# 52 countryboy @ 02/22/15 01:21 PM
For me, the most intriguing to play as in franchise mode would be the Cubbies. They have so much young talent and are definitely on the up and up. I would also classify the Padres as being an intriguing team to play as, as well as the Yanks (no Jeter and A-Rod situation) and the Red Sox (can you go from worst to first?)

For me though, I'll play as my beloved Cardinals.
 
# 53 HustlinOwl @ 02/22/15 01:48 PM
Several intriguing teams pretty much with consensus, but always have and always will use my Reds
 
# 54 countryboy @ 02/22/15 02:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by HustlinOwl
Several intriguing teams pretty much with consensus, but always have and always will use my Reds
BOOOOOOO!



 
# 55 billyo @ 02/22/15 02:07 PM
I think my choice will be one from what I determine to be the most competitive division. NL Central? What do you guys think will be the most even division in either league from top to bottom?
 
# 56 HozAndMoose @ 02/22/15 02:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by billyo
I think my choice will be one from what I determine to be the most competitive division. NL Central? What do you guys think will be the most even division in either league from top to bottom?
AL Central will be much better. Aside from the Twins all teams have a chance to win the division. And could see 3 of them make the playoffs.
 
# 57 KingV2k3 @ 02/22/15 02:59 PM
Due to the addition of my favorite MLB Manager to Cubs, this year it's finally going to be my post OSFM choice...

I'd also like to go with ChiSox pre OSFM...wanted to try them last year, but didn't get around to it due to HOU / SD franchises...

Since WOR is on most cable systems, it'll be cool to be able to compare / contrast with the IRL versions...

 
# 58 RLebron12 @ 02/22/15 03:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingV2k3
Due to the addition of my favorite MLB Manager to Cubs, this year it's finally going to be my post OSFM choice...

I'd also like to go with ChiSox pre OSFM...wanted to try them last year, but didn't get around to it due to HOU / SD franchises...

Since WOR is on most cable systems, it'll be cool to be able to compare / contrast with the IRL versions...


That's actually a good idea, start your franchise with a different team before OSFM and then once that releases start your main franchise! 👌


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
# 59 bigdooky15 @ 02/22/15 03:45 PM
I think my Marlins will be very interesting, with the Hitters and Pitchers signed over the off-season to help contribute to Stanton and Jose Fernandez, you can feel a sense of excitement for this club that hasn't been felt in years.
 
# 60 dtlm6 @ 02/22/15 08:49 PM
For me, it is clearly San Diego, a team I never have had interest in using in the Show. But they have a very compelling team. Now if they would only switch back to the mustard and brown unis........
 


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