After more than half the teams in baseball qualified for the postseason last year, it's a little trickier than usual to pick out "surprise" teams. Luckily two of the last three World Series champions were available for the taking. SI's MLB experts weigh in below on a team that could turn some heads when the season gets underway.
Tom Verducci: Kansas City Royals
I don’t see them as a playoff team, but the Royals just might finish above .500, which they haven’t done for the past five years. Admittedly there are many ifs here. But you figure that buying low on outfielder Andrew Benintendi and pitcher Mike Minor will work and that Carlos Santana at least will provide some plate discipline this lineup needs.