#1: Minnesota

Rotation: B+







The twins bolstered their rotation this offseason by adding Kenta Maeda. This rotation is full of affordable options. All three of these positive clutch SP are under 400 salary, with 2 x-zones, 17-18 outs, and don’t give up extra-base hits until 22+.

Bullpen: A









Lineup: B+















Can you believe this team hit 307 HR’s last year, then added Josh Donaldson this offseason? Donaldson is a solid choice at the hot corner with his +4 defense, 5 out chart, mega 13 onbase, and 19+ HR. The rest of the lineup is deep with power hitting Mitch Garver, who’s guaranteed to been seen around the league with his 14+ 2B, and SL icon for 360 salary. In fact, Garver might be the best bang for your buck C in Clutch Baseball history. Nelson Cruz is an absolute monster with his SL icon, +3 Clutch, powerful chart, and onbase 12 for 345 salary. But that’s not all, there’s Marwin Gonzalez (utility dream), Eddie Rosario (more power), Luis Arraez (clutch beast), and Jorge Polanco (+3 handedness). Build. Around. This. Team.

#2: Cleveland

Rotation: B+







This rotation is CLUTCH. Take advantage with strategy cards, and stack the front of your rotation with 3 Ace’s. Solid value for 1390 salary.

Bullpen: B









This bullpen is very balanced, and they all have a +2 (or more) handedness bonus. Brad Hand will see a lot of time in Clutch this year as a lefty-specialist with an icon. Will the new 3 batter minimum make players like this less effective? Hand will survive regardless with a +5 command, but players like Adam Cimber will be quite the gamble.

Lineup: B















It’s been 4 years since Cleveland dropped Game 7 of the WS to the Cubbies, and the front end of this lineup can still do damage. Lindor is still arguably the best all-around option as SS. He’s a steal as a switch-hitting, +5 defense (GG icon), +2 Clutch, onbase 12 (L+1), and 19+ HR for 465 salary. You could build a switch-hitting team around Cleveland with Santana and Ramirez. These three batters are IDEAL to build a team around. They all have a handedness bonus, positive Clutch, powerful charts, and solid defense for 475 salary or less.

#3: Chicago (A)

Rotation: B+







Chicago has really turned around the front of their rotation. Giolito had a solid campaign last year (how about that S3 card?). Keuchel has moved from a pitstop in Atlanta, to the South Side of Chicago. Play a strategy card that adds his Clutch to his command, and Keuchel is +11 command against lefties. Ummmm, WHAT?!?

Bullpen: c+









Lineup: C+















This lineup is on the brink of getting better. Will Moncada and Eloy develop? Can Nomar Mazara live up to his potential? Will Tim Anderson play at an All-Star level again? This team has a lot of question marks, but they can rely on Jose Abreu. Adding Grandal in the offseason was huge. A switch-hitting and power-hitting catcher, and he’s under 400 salary!

#4: Kansas City

Rotation: C+







This team has some sneaky candidates for potential roster spots. Mike Montgomery is a steal as a +7 command (against righties) for 270 salary. Will Clutch players be able to see past the 15 out chart, and +1 defense? Brad Keller is a solid 4 R+2, 1 x-zone, and 6 ip SP. But 420 MAY be pricey for 16 outs, and a command 4 (against lefties).

Bullpen: c+









Lineup: C















Hip hip, Jorge! We saw a lot of Soler flares last year, and will continue to see more with Soler’s 2-icon Clutch card. DH this man, and save the salary on fielding. A 12 R+1, 18+ HR, and 5 out chart are exactly what you want with 2 icons under 500 salary. Look out for him in the league circuit.

#5: Detroit

Rotation: C







Mayyyy Boyd is back (misprint joke) with a solid card for 390 salary. A command 5 L+1, 17 out chart, and 6 ip is sweet. Getting used to new frequency of 3 x-zone pitchers is going to be difficult though. But I’m willing to bite the bullet for everything else Boyd has to offer. Even Daniel Norris and Jordan Zimmerman have roster potential for 4-5 slots. But much like the 3 x-zone, those -3 clutch meters are scary.

Bullpen: D+









Lineup: D+















Don’t worry, we will make a 2012 Miggy card. But for now you can utilize him as a PH against lefties? That actually could be useful with the new 3 batter minimum. A 13 onbase with a natural HR for 145 salary is solid. You save on speed and defense, that’s for sure. We certainly need Detroit for those bench roles though! I’m sure Demeritte will make some rosters! Don’t sleep on Grayson Greiner, either.