When the 2015 season ended, the Kansas City Royals were celebrating their first World Series title since 1985. After a busy offseason across baseball, will the Royals open 2016 on top of our rankings? The rankings were determined by a group of ESPN.com writers, and we're starting off with teams Nos. 30-21. One note -- while the rankings were voted on by a panel, the projected rankings and division standing were determined by ESPN Insider Dan Szymborski using his ZiPS system, so not all of them line up.
The latest World Series odds come courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
More previews: Nos. 20-11 | Nos. 10-1
Philadelphia Phillies
Projected record: 68-94 (fifth in NL East)
World Series odds: 500-1
In 2011, the Phillies led the majors with 102 wins. In 2015? They were last, with 63. They began a hard-core rebuild last year, including trading away Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon for prospects. Now it's about giving the kids a chance. -- Jerry Crasnick
READ MORE
Atlanta Braves
Projected record: 69-93 (fourth in NL East)
World Series odds: 500-1
The Braves are yet another team in roster tear-down mode, but there was significant payoff in dealing Andrelton Simmons and Shelby Miller. Keith Law ranked the farm system as 2016's best. It's just not MLB-ready yet. -- Mark Simon
READ MORE
Cincinnati Reds
Projected record: 70-92 (fifth in NL Central)
World Series odds: 300-1
This season, the Reds have high hopes for a rotation that features youngsters Anthony DeSclafani and Raisel Iglesias, as well as Homer Bailey, who should be back in May. But if things unravel quickly, skipper Bryan Price will be in an unenviable position. -- Crasnick
READ MORE
Milwaukee Brewers
Projected record: 72-90 (fourth in NL Central)
World Series odds: 300-1
Even before Doug Melvin turned the GM chair over to David Stearns, the Brewers began to restock and took their farm system from bottom-five to top-five in just two seasons. Still, there are players to watch in Miller Park: Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun are the most recognizable regulars, plus the summer arrival of stud prospect Orlando Arcia (.800 OPS in Double-A last season). -- Tony Blengino
READ MORE
Oakland Athletics
Projected record: 76-86 (fifth in AL West)
World Series odds: 100-1
Per usual, the A's feature a lean payroll, a fluid roster and an iffy farm system. The only thing keeping them out of the basement? The fact that Billy Beane has found his way out of this sort of predicament before -- and quickly. -- Eno Sarris
READ MORE
Colorado Rockies
Projected record: 75-87 (fourth in NL West)
World Series odds: 300-1
A five-year stretch of losing seasons is likely to continue for a franchise that hasn't been able to rebuild or contend. The Rockies parted with Troy Tulowitzki last summer, but 3B Nolan Arenado (42 HRs and 130 RBIs, both NL bests) is a joy to watch and will fill those shoes. -- Eric Karabell
READ MORE
San Diego Padres
Projected record: 73-89 (fifth in NL West)
World Series odds: 300-1
After a wild 2015 offseason under rookie GM A.J. Preller, the Padres won just 74 games -- three fewer than in 2014. Preller traded away Craig Kimbrel, Joaquin Benoit and Jedd Gyorko (in exchange for an impressive collection of prospects) and lost Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy to free agency. -- Doug Mittler
READ MORE
Baltimore Orioles
Projected record: 82-80 (fourth in AL East)
World Series odds: 60-1
The Orioles can mash. Reigning homer champ Chris Davis, with a new seven-year deal, tops baseball with 159 dingers the past four seasons and is one of five Orioles with a 30-homer season on his résumé. With this rotation, the Orioles will need all the power they can get. -- Eddie Matz
READ MORE
Miami Marlins
Projected record: 79-83 (third in NL East)
World Series odds: 60-1
Miami finished third in the NL East and a full 20 games under .500 last season. But it could have been much worse: Topping 70 wins in a season largely without Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez is at least a moral victory. Those megastars are back, with a few more bright spots. -- Tommy Rancel
READ MORE
Minnesota Twins
Projected record: 77-85 (fifth in AL Central)
World Series odds: 60-1
They'll need better health in their rotation and growth from their youngsters to maintain momentum. Rookie righty Jose Berrios (0.96 WHIP in Triple-A) might be a legit front-end starter someday, Miguel Sano could lead the league in homers (18 in 80 games in 2015), and Byron Buxton has a shot at ROY honors. -- Christina Kahrl
READ MORE