5 MLB Teams in Best Position to Win 2020 World Series

With the 2019 World Series matchup close to being set, as the Washington Nationals await the winner of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, it's never too early to ponder on who will challenge for the 2020 World Series title.

While free agency will certainly play a big factor in determining who the major contenders are, here are the five teams currently in the best position to make a World Series run next season.

5. Cleveland Indians

Despite a valiant effort, the Cleveland Indians fell short of making the playoffs this season, after finishing with an impressive 93-69 record. The Indians were eight games back of the AL Central-winning Minnesota Twins, having closed the gap earlier in the season before collapsing late in September. Still, the Indians possess a ton of talent, including shortstop sensation Francisco Lindor, and emerging young pitchers Shane Bieber and Mike Clevinger. Having last made the World Series in 2016, they are a sneaky bet to return next year, if they can put together a great season from start to finish.

4. Atlanta Braves

One of the most exciting young teams in baseball, the Atlanta Braves won the NL East this year with a 97-65 record. They went on to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in their NLDS matchup in a decisive Game 5. The Braves are loaded on offense, led by superstars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman, but will require some of their young pitchers to emerge next season to get over the postseason hump. They will also need to decide on players like Josh Donaldson and Dallas Keuchel in free agency, but no matter what, should have plenty of talent to make another postseason run in 2020.

3. New York Yankees

Still fighting for their 2019 World Series hopes, the New York Yankees should be a serious contender again in 2020. With one of the most loaded offenses in baseball, the Yankees cruised their way to a 103-59 record this season, despite having players miss more time to injury than any team in MLB history. They also have a couple of key impending free agents in Didi Gregorius and Edwin Encarnación, but will most likely be focused on adding a stud starting pitcher to their staff. No matter what, the Yankees as currently constructed have plenty of offense, to go with a lockdown bullpen, in their quest for World Series title number 28.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Despite a heartbreaking postseason exit in Game 5 of their NLCS matchup against the Nationals, the Los Angeles Dodgers still had another great year in 2019, finishing the regular season with a 106-56 record. They have a big decision on their hands regarding impending free agent Hyun-Jin Ryu, who hit a wall late in the year following a strong start to the season. Regardless, the Dodgers are always big spenders, while also having a seemingly endless of stream of top prospects, despite their winning ways. The Dodgers should be hungrier than ever in 2020 after the disappointing end to this season.

1. Houston Astros

As arguably the most loaded team in baseball, top to bottom, the Houston Astros are on the verge of their second World Series berth in three seasons. If they do defeat the Yankees, the Nationals await them as they attempt to win their second championship in franchise history. In the offseason, the Astros will have arguably the biggest free-agency decision in all of baseball regarding ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. If they retain Cole, the Astros should be the favorite to win the 2020 World Series. If they don't, however, the team still possesses plenty of talent, including a loaded farm system, to compete for years to come.

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