Teams that went from worst to best

It took almost 90 years for a team to rise from last place in their division or league to first place in the next season. But now, it has happened 13 times since 1990, a phenomenon helped in some way by the expansion to six divisions.

Can any club achieve that in 2022? The Rangers will likely do their best thanks to multiple signings at the start of the offseason after losing 102 games. D-backs, Nationals, Orioles, Pirates and Twins round out the 2021 squad, and while each will have to climb a steep hill next year, there are plenty of precedents for such jumps in the standings.

Here’s a look at each of the teams that has successfully completed that turn from worst to first:

Red Sox, 2015-2016
The Red Sox won 93 games in 2016, beating the Orioles and Blue Jays by four games to win the AL East. Boston’s win total marked a 15-game improvement from their 78-84 record in 2015, which put them in last place.

The Red Sox signed ace David Price, watched right-hander Rick Porcello become the LA Cy Young winner and witnessed the meteoric rise of outfielder Mookie Betts, propelling Boston to the top of the Young Circuit East.

Rangers, 2014-2015
The Rangers won the LA West by two games in 2015 despite going the entire season without their No. 1 Yu Darvish, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May of that year.

Mexican Yovani Gallardo, acquired via trade from the Brewers during the offseason, covered much of the game, leaving a 13-11 record with a 3.42 ERA. Mitch Moreland exploded with the wood and the Rangers finished third in their league in runs scored to win their first division title since 2011. They went from 67 wins to 88.

Red Sox, 2012-2013
The Red Sox sent Adrián González, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett to the Dodgers in a trade in August 2012, finishing in last place and then proceeding to win the World Series a year later. It was an incredible two months for then-GM Ben Cherington, who signed Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino and Koji Uehara, and hired manager John Farrell that offseason.

The moves paid dividends, with Boston leading MLB in runs scored and the pitching staff rebounding to capture the LA East and the World Series. The Patirrojos won 97 games after taking only 69 the previous year.

D-backs, 2010-2011
The D-backs are the only team in Major League history that has gone from worse to better three times.

There weren’t many changes to Arizona’s roster from 2010-11, but the breakthrough campaigns of Daniel Hudson (16-12, 3.49 SE) and Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA), and the appearance of Josh Collmenter (10-10, 3.38), helped straighten the ship. Justin Upton and Miguel Montero led Arizona’s offense, which finished fourth in the National League in runs scored. The club enjoyed a 29-game improvement in 2011 to claim the NL West crown at 94-68.

Rays, 2007-2008
The 2008 Rays, under manager Joe Maddon, won 97 games and captured the American League pennant before succumbing to the Phillies in the World Series. Thus, Tampa Bay was the AL East champion for the first time in team history after finishing in the basement nine times in its first 10 years of existence.

Such a recovery after a 96-loss season was made possible by the contributions of Evan Longoria, the AL Rookie of the Year, who hit .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs. Scott Kazmir and James Shields were the cornerstones of a mountainous body that went from having the worst ERA in the American League in 2007 to being the best in that regard in 2008.

D-backs, 2006-2007
The D-backs finished the 2006 season tied for last in the NL West with a 76-86 record. Arizona was 90-72 in 2007, winning the division by half a game over Colorado. It was only the second time in major league history that two teams went from worst to best in the same season.

With an offense that finished 14th in the National League in runs scored, the D-backs relied on ace Brandon Webb (18-10, 3.01 ERA ERA), while Jose Valverde led the majors with 47 saves to help the team win 32 games that were defined by one run.

Cubs, 2006-2007
After losing 96 games in 2006, the Cubs rallied to finish with 90 wins in 2007. A renewed roster that featured Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Mark DeRosa, who all arrived as free agents, and new manager Lou Piniella. , led Chicago to the NL Central title in 2007. Chicago’s North Ninth was 22-31 on June 2 before flaming up down the stretch to win the division by two games in the last week of the season.

Piniella’s key decision was to move Carlos Marmol to the bullpen, where the Dominican shone with a 5-1 record with a 1.43 ERA in 59 appearances.

D-backs 1998-1999
Arizona’s ninth joined the majors in 1998 as an expansion team and finished last in the NL West with 97 losses. Within a year, the D-backs completed one of the most dramatic turns in Major League history by winning 100 games and capturing the divisional title by a 14-game margin.

D-backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. signed Randy Johnson, who won the first of four consecutive National League Cy Young Awards in 1999 by going 17-9 and an ERA of 2.48 ERA. Garagiola also added Cuban Luis González and Steve Finley, who led a renewed offense that led the Old Circuit in runs scored.

Parents, 1997-1998
The 1997 Padres had offense to compete for the divisional title. With outfielders Tony Gwynn, Steve Finley and Greg Vaughn, and Ken Caminiti in third base, San Diego scored the second-most NL runs.

In 1998, they paired that talented offense with a new ace, Kevin Brown, who was 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA. Trevor Hoffman posted a career-high 53 saves to help the club win the West by 9.5 games, going from 76 to 98 wins in one year.

Giants, 1996-1997
Newly promoted general manager Brian Sabean wasted no time improving a Giants team that finished last in the NL West at 68-94 in 1996.

What had been solely the Barry Bonds show became a balanced and powerful lineup, with the acquisitions of JT Snow and Jeff Kent, who combined for 57 home runs and 225 RBIs in 1997, to help the Giants win. 90 games and take the division crown.

Phillies, 1992-1993
The Phillies saw a 27-win improvement from 1992 to 1993, thanks in part to veteran leadership and a fierce offense. They had a 97-65 record to capture the East of the National.

Center fielder Lenny Dykstra hit .305 with 19 homers and 66 RBIs, along with 37 stolen bases, while catcher Darren Daulton and first baseman John Kruk combined for 38 homers and 190 RBIs, to lead Philadelphia to be the team with most runs scored at the Old Circuit.

Twins, 1990-1991
After not seeing any team go from last to first place, MLB saw two clubs do it in the same season. The Twins went from being in the pit with a 74-88 record to conquering the AL West on their way to the World Series the following year. They improved 51 games, adding 95-67.

In addition to designated hitter Chili Davis, right-hander Jack Morris and 1991 Rookie of the Year Chuck Knoblauch helped Minnesota turn around.

Braves, 1990-1991
The 1991 Braves added 94 victories; an improvement of 29 games over the previous year. Terry Pendleton’s free agency hiring helped. The third baseman led the National League with a .319 average, along with 22 homers and 86 RBIs, on his way to the National MVP.

Young arms like Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery helped the Braves pitching staff have the NL’s third-best ERA; a year after being the worst in that same category.

Atlanta’s resurgence began a streak of 14 straight division titles; which remains the longest in the history of the majors.