Julio RodríguezJulio RodríguezSteph Chambers/Getty Images

14. Seattle Mariners

Projected Starting Lineup

  1. SS J.P. Crawford
  2. CF Julio Rodríguez
  3. 2B Jorge Polanco
  4. DH Mitch Garver
  5. C Cal Raleigh
  6. 1B Ty France
  7. LF Luke Raley
  8. RF Mitch Haniger
  9. 3B Josh Rojas

Total WAR: 21.4

Average wRC+: 107

What I Like: It's between J-Rod and Witt as the AL's most dynamic offensive player, and you otherwise have to hand it to Seattle for not leaving good enough alone after a disappointing 2023 season. Polanco, Garver, Raley and technically Haniger are all newcomers.

What I Don't Like: Then again, this lineup is missing Eugenio Suárez, Teoscar Hernández and Jarred Kelenic. Whether it's better for it is debatable.

13. Chicago Cubs

Projected Starting Lineup

  1. 2B Nico Hoerner
  2. SS Dansby Swanson
  3. LF Ian Happ
  4. 1B Cody Bellinger
  5. RF Seiya Suzuki
  6. 3B Christopher Morel
  7. DH Michael Busch
  8. C Yan Gomes
  9. CF Mike Tauchman

Total WAR: 24.0

Average wRC+: 105

What I Like: Five of these guys topped 20 home runs last season, and Busch could make it six if he carries over the power that produced 59 long balls over the last two minor league seasons.

What I Don't Like: Sheer defensive prowess is part of the reason this lineup has such a high WAR projection, and that's not really what we're talking about today.

12. St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Starting Lineup

  1. DH Brendan Donovan
  2. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
  3. 2B Nolan Gorman
  4. 3B Nolan Arenado
  5. C Willson Contreras
  6. LF Alec Burleson
  7. RF Jordan Walker
  8. CF Dylan Carlson
  9. SS Masyn Winn

Total WAR: 20.9

Average wRC+: 109

What I Like: Goldschmidt and Arenado need no introduction, while Donovan, Gorman and Walker all fit the mold of talented young hitters.

What I Don't Like: Neither Goldschmidt nor Arenado had an especially good year in 2023, thus making it possible to wonder if their primes have passed them by.

11. Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Starting Lineup

  1. 1B Yandy Díaz
  2. 2B Brandon Lowe
  3. LF Randy Arozarena
  4. RF Josh Lowe
  5. 3B Isaac Paredes
  6. DH Jonathan Aranda
  7. CF Jose Siri
  8. SS José Caballero
  9. C René Pinto

Total WAR: 21.5

Average wRC+: 111

What I Like: Only three teams outscored the Rays last season, and the depth that made that possible is still there. One can count at least six safely above average bats.

What I Don't Like: Díaz and Arozarena might beg to differ, but nobody in this lineup stands out as a game-changing sort of star.