Every MLB season, there's always teams that don't quite live up to their lofty expectations, at least early on. Some of these teams could turn their fortunes around, while for others, it's not looking so optimistic. Here are the 5 Most Disappointing MLB teams so far this 2024 season:
San Francisco Giants:
Win-Loss Record: 23-25
The Giants have been a mediocre team for the past few years, but the difference this season is that they signed 6 big-name free agents, and are sitting at 22-25 through two months into 2024. Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, Jorge Soler, Matt Chapman, Robbie Ray, and Jung Hoo Lee are all either injured or playing below expectations.
Blake Snell, the 2023 Cy Young winner, has recorded an era of 11.57 and a win-loss record of 0-3 so far this season. Jorge Soler, the man who's hit a home run in every MLB ballpark, is on pace to barely scratch 20 long balls this season. Robbie Ray is on the IL; his home away from home, and when Jung Hoo Lee moved from Korean baseball to the MLB, his talents didn't come with him.
Considering that you don't need to win more games than you lose to make the playoffs in the National League, the Giants remain in contention, but the shift at San Francisco's head coaching position is probably why they're underperforming.
Win-Loss Record: 15-32
It was quite naive for people to think that the Marlins could actually contend for a playoff spot in 2024, with the team having a 21-year ongoing rebuild, and the Marlins' notorious cheapskate ownership. And surprise-surprise, Miami is on pace to lose nearly 110 games this season, and they traded away their top player, Luis Arraez, extending the rebuild by another few years.
Even with Arraez in the lineup, the Marlins lacked any other above-average hitters, causing the offense to rank second-to-last in OPS. But things aren't any better on the other side of the ball, with Miami ranking second-to-last in earned run average. Formerly good pitchers, such as Trevor Rogers and Jesus Luzardo, have failed to reach their level of 2023 dominance in 2024. There is no question as to whether the Marlins can turn things around this season because teams that start their season 15-32 don't make a comeback. It just doesn't happen.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Win-Loss Record: 20-25
After winning over 88 games for three straight seasons prior to 2024, things could not have gone worse for the playoff-hopeful Blue Jays this season. Key cornerstones in the batting lineup such as Bo Bitchette and Vladimir Guererro Jr., have not nearly lived up to their sky-high expectations. Productive contact hitting has been especially hard to come by in Toronto, with the Blue Jays ranking 25th in the MLB in batting average, and the team's top hitter batting a mere .268.
But you can't only blame the Blue Jays' plate performance for their disappointing season, with their pitching generally being below average this season, in the starter department and in the bullpen. They have some strong starters, such as Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Berrios, as well as consistent closers like Yimi Garcia. However, the depth and number of these reliable arms in the Jays' roster are clearly lacking. The Blue Jays' need quite a bit of things to fall in their favor in order to turn things around in a crowded American League, but a midseason comeback is certainly not out of the question.
Houston Astros:
Win-Loss Record: 20-26
Three of the final four teams from the 2023 MLB playoffs are underperforming this season, and the Astros are not the one exception. Their first-year head coach, Joe Espada, is likely a reason for Houston's disappointing start to their season following the retirement of head coach Dusty Baker in 2023.
Though considering that this team ranks 1st in the MLB in batting average and is six games under .500, pitching is undoubtedly an issue. Their starting rotation is a mixed bag, but the bullpen is where majority of the problem lies. While the Astros' offense can easily get ahead, the relief pitching often has trouble staying ahead, with Houston recording the second-most blown saves this season and an abysmal 44% save percentage.
The Astros have recently picked up the pace after a 14-24 record in early May, winning 8 of their last 10 games. But take that with a grain of salt because four of those wins came against the Athletics.
Win-Loss Record: 22-25
After a surprising World Series appearance just seven months ago, the Diamondbacks will be lucky if they even make the playoffs in 2024, with a rather underwhelming start to this season. Their main issue so far has been an unproductive and overall sluggish offense, with Corbin Carroll the 2024 rookie of the year, looking like a shell of his former self, struggling to stay above the Mendoza line. Losing Geraldo Perdomo for the entire season due to a torn meniscus in April was another slap in the face to an already struggling offense.
The pitching has remained the same quality as last season, so if the D-Backs' offense can just get hot, they could easily contend for the playoffs in a wide-open National League. However, that hasn't happened yet.
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