4 Most Overrated MLB Teams Heading into 2020

The 2020 Major League Baseball season sadly couldn't begin as scheduled, as the league (and the world) await for the okay from public health officials before any return to normalcy can take place. Even though baseball is on hold until further notice due to COVID-19, that doesn't mean we can't discuss how the upcoming campaign will go down. With that in mind, it's time to identify a handful of teams who don't deserve the offseason hype they've received, with these four standing out in particular.

4. Cleveland Indians

The Indians are still getting love despite trading away Corey Kluber. / David Maxwell/Getty Images

The Cleveland Indians don't know whether they want to compete or blow up the team. The Tribe traded ace Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers, but opted to keep impending free agent shortstop Francisco Lindor. This is a team that missed out on the postseason in 2019, yet is still projected by many to play "Fall Ball" in 2020. Sorry, we just don't see it happening. The AL Central belongs to the Minnesota Twins, with the Chicago White Sox realistically leapfrogging the Indians in the division standings thanks to their youth movement.

3. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs did very little this winter, yet are still projected to make the playoffs. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Much like the Indians, the Chicago Cubs have absolutely no clue what kind of team really are. Front office boss Theo Epstein had no desire to spend money at the Winter Meetings, and has openly shopped stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Willson Contreras. The team lost Nicholas Castellanos in free agency, yet the Cubs are projected by PECOTA to win an NL Wild Card berth. How is a team that a team that missed out on the postseason in 2019 and got worse on paper supposed to turn it around in 2020? Sorry, Cubs fans, your team isn't competing. But... you probably already knew that.

2. Cincinnati Reds

Despite winning the offseason, the Reds aren't playoff contenders just yet. / Abbie Parr/Getty Images

The offseason champions of baseball are the Cincinnati Reds. They added Trevor Bauer to their starting rotation at last year's trade deadline, and added the likes of the Mike Moustakas, Nicholas Castellanos, and Wade Miley in free agency. These signings are going to make the team noticeably better, but playoff contenders? That's wishful thinking. With the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in their division, it's going to be difficult for the Reds to make a true leap in 2020. It will take at least a year or two before they have a chance to make things interesting.

1. Houston Astros

The Astros can't feasibly make another deep playoff run without Gerrit Cole. / Bob Levey/Getty Images

Ah, yes, the Houston Astros! This is a team that lost Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees in free agency and Wade Miley to the Reds, but they're still projected by PECOTA to finish with the second-best record in the entire American League. This is not to mention that they'll have to deal with the backlash of MLB fan bases stemming from their sign-stealing scandal, either. Road games are going to be hell for them -- once fans are allowed back into stadiums, of course -- and as this offseason showed, none of Houston's players are ready to face that situation with full honesty and sobriety. While they'll likely make the postseason, don't expect them to make a run to the World Series. In fact, don't rule out the Oakland Athletics winning the AL West.

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