5 MLB teams who underperformed with disappointing 2024 display ft. White Sox, Rangers (Image Credit: Imagn)
There were quite a few MLB teams who underperformed last year, and many of them didn’t even live up to the expectations they set for themselves. Some teams are bad year in and year out, so their struggles weren’t a surprise. For these five teams, there is at least one reason a bad season was so surprising.
5 MLB teams who were shockingly disappointing in 2024
5) Chicago White Sox
The expectations were not very high for the 2024 Chicago White Sox. Somehow, they managed to disappoint even with that in mind. They were historically bad, setting all kinds of records for losing.
Their 141 losses set the MLB record in the live ball era. They have a strong case for the worst team of all time, which no one in their right mind expected this year. They have a long way to go to get away from that and build a good team.
4) Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles had a down year despite making the playoffs (Imagn)
The Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs, but it was a disappointing year. One season after winning 101 games and the division, they lost 11 more games in 2024 and crashed out in the Wild Card round.
Some injuries played a role, but the bright future they seemed to have after 2023 faded. They were pegged to be a potential dynasty, and they couldn’t even repeat as division champions in a down year across the American League.
3) Chicago Cubs
The Cubs disappointed in 2024 (Imagn)
The Chicago Cubs nearly made the playoffs in 2023. They went out and added a star pitcher in Shota Imanaga and a few other key pieces as well as a former Manager of the Year in Craig Counsell. Yet, they did not even compete in the NL Central.
Ironically, the team their stud manager left for them won the division again, and the Cubs weren’t competitive. Now they’re considering shedding some payroll and starting over.
2) Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays disappointed in 2024 (Imagn)
Every year, despite some roster deficiencies, the Tampa Bay Rays find ways to compete. Last year, they won 99 games. This year, they were never really in contention even for a Wild Card spot.
The Rays did trade Tyler Glasnow away before the season and things never got better. They should have been able to overcome that with the sound use of analytics, but the lack of superstars on their roster came back to bite them.
1) Texas Rangers
The Rangers somehow didn’t make the playoffs (Imagn)
The Texas Rangers won the World Series last year. If nothing else, they should have been able to compete in a year in which even the Houston Astros weren’t that great. The division wasn’t competitive for most of the season and they couldn’t even get back to the playoffs. They finished third in the division and six games under .500, which was a shocking fall from grace.
