While this was a historical offseason in more than one way, a few teams would like to forget it like a bad memory. The drama has been palpable but disappointments have been heartbreaking. Somewhere the Blue Birds have crashed and the Angels have fallen in other places. With Opening Day just 24 hours away while teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for the moon, few teams are trying to stay above the water. 

While the market was quite slow, these four teams’ struggles weren’t just a result of that. It’s a story of bad luck, bad finances, and a lack of ambition. With MLB becoming more competitive than ever before, here are the four teams that have found themselves standing on a ground that’s lower than the one they entered on. With opening day right around the corner, fans need to buckle up their seatbelt as there could be heavy turbulence for them this season.

Los Angeles Angels 

While rivals would say “How much lower can you go than two consecutive 73-win seasons?” The Los Angeles Angels fans know things are bleaker than ever. The Halos lost Shohei Ohtani right as the season began. While that was a major blow in its own right, it was still something they could’ve recovered from. However, the owner Arte Moreno decided not to spend money on any replacement, and that may have practically doomed their post-Shohei era. 

To Moreno’s credit, the Anaheim Angels have added multiple pitchers to its ranks. But without a strong rotation, that bullpen has a test in their hands. If that was not enough Mike Trout’s Spring Training hasn’t given an encouraging sign. With the superstar hitting just one homer in 49 at-bats (via Baseball-Reference) – the road is tough for the Angels. Still, at least, the Halos never started – there’s a team that tried but failed quite spectacularly.

Toronto Blue Jays

Remember when Shohei Ohtani sat on a plane to Toronto while he was in his home in Anaheim? In that December week the Blue Jays’ name was in everyone’s mouth. Even if just for a moment, it seemed like the Blue Jays were about to pull the heist of the century but it was not to be. While the failure was disappointing it did raise some hopes for a major free-agent signing. 

Then they lost out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and then Cody Bellinger. The Blue Birds were forever the bridesmaid but never the bride. Instead of these stars, the Jays ended up signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Justin Turner, Yariel Rodriguez, and Kevin Kiermaier. Solid additions but nowhere near the stars that they targeted.

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Others looking at a disappointing 2024 

Boston Red Sox 

The Red Sox’s recent financial prudence might have handicapped their team’s growth. The team that until the late 2010s remained near the top of payrolls is barely keeping parity with the top 10 highest spenders. While their new-found focus in their farm system is appreciable, the team’s league standing has definitely taken a hit. This season is no different as the only major signing they made is Lucas Giolito and he’s out with an injury. With no other changes being made to their roster, the team looks headed for another disappointing season.

New York Mets

The New York Mets are currently going through a see-saw of emotions. Before the start of Spring Training, the atmosphere was deservedly tense. After a disappointing 2023, the team’s offseason was surprisingly low-key. Other than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Mets didn’t try for any other major free agent. Still with multiple short-term signings the Orange and Blue team did improve itself. But with a skyrocketing payroll and Pete Alonso’s potential exit – times are still tough for the Metsies.

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MLB Opening Day: Notoriously Pricey Tickets Draw Comedy Gold From Fans

While they are far from the worst teams in the league, the narrative around these four is quite disappointing. So with Opening Day mere hours away, one wonders which one of these four will be able to spring a surprise for their fans.