5 MLB Teams That Desperately Need A New Ace In 2016

By Chad Troyan

5 MLB Teams That Are In Need Of A New Ace In 2016

Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees — In order for MLB teams to find any amount of success they need to have an ace in their starting rotation. Unfortunately for these teams, they are lacking that key to success. Here are five teams that are in need of a new ace next season.

5. Philadelphia Phillies

Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies

5. Philadelphia Phillies

Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies proved they were committed to rebuilding when they dealt longtime ace Cole Hamels to the Rangers. Teams that are rebuilding are rarely expected to perform well, but if the Phillies wish to be a formidable team next season, they will need to find a new ace of the rotation. Outside of Hamels, pitchers recording 13 or more starts for the Phillies accumulated a 28-56 record.

4. Kansas City Royals

Johnny Cueto Kansas City Royals

4. Kansas City Royals

Johnny Cueto Kansas City Royals — The Royals chose to go all-in at the trade deadline when they shipped pitchers Brandon Finnegan, Cody Reed and John Lamb to the Reds for ace Johnny Cueto. While Cueto was shaky for the Royals in the regular season, he has proven to be the ace they knew he was when it counts the most. The problem is that he is set to become a free agent at the end of the season so the Royals will be in need of an ace once again. Will it be Cueto again?

3. New York Yankees

Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees

3. New York Yankees

Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees — When the Yankees signed Tanaka back in 2014 they hoped he could be the next top arm in their rotation of the future. Through two years with the Yankees, Tanaka has looked more like a No. 2 or No. 3 starter than he does an ace. He's accumulated a 25-12 career record and just hasn't displayed the consistent dominance that is expected from the top arm in any rotation. New York would be better if they move him in the rotation and look for that ace.

2. Cincinnati Reds

Homer Bailey Cincinnati Reds

2. Cincinnati Reds

Homer Bailey Cincinnati Reds — The Cincinnati Reds made a tough call when they decided to ship Johnny Cueto to the Royals in exchange for three pitching prospects. While they received three top-rated prospects, they deprived themselves of their best pitcher by a long shot. With Homer Bailey out for the season due to an injury, the Reds were forced to turn to an all-rookie rotation. Baliey looks to be the Reds' ace once he returns, so they should be in great need of a new one.

1. Toronto Blue Jays

David Price Blue Jays

1. Toronto Blue Jays

David Price Blue Jays — The Blue Jays may not be in the World Series, but they wouldn't have made it to the ALCS without the dominance shown by David Price down the stretch of the regular season. After being acquired from Detroit, Price went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 regular season starts with Toronto. Price proved to be their ace of the rotation, but he is set to hit the free agent market this offseason. With Price possibly leaving, Jays will be in need of a new ace.

Chad Troyan is a Cincinnati Reds writer. He also covers the NFL and NCAAF for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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