9 pitchers whose teams need them to rebound

Although the competition for arms has been fierce this offseason, even the clubs that made a major addition to its pitching staffs are going to need their holdovers to step up. The reigning World Series champion Nationals are proof of that.

Washington's signing of Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140 million contract was a success in Year 1, but the team's surprising run to a World Series title largely hinged on Stephen Strasburg's impressive rebound.

After throwing just 130 innings and posting a 3.74 ERA (114 ERA+) in 2018, Strasburg had a 3.32 ERA (138 ERA+) over a National League-leading 209 frames in the '19 regular season, and he went on to record a 1.98 ERA over 36 1/3 innings in the playoffs.

Similarly, the nine pitchers below can boost their teams' fortunes in 2020 by bouncing back from rocky and/or injury-plagued '19 seasons.

Chris Sale, LHP, Red Sox

After a brilliant stretch from 2012-18 (2.91 ERA, 10.9 K/9, 1.9 BB/9), Sale recorded a personal-worst 4.40 ERA during a '19 season that ended early due to left elbow inflammation. Sale, though, still had stellar 13.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 marks, and his elbow received a clean bill of health from Dr. James Andrews in November, which bodes well for 2020. Entering the first season of the five-year, $145 million contract extension he signed last March, Sale is more important than ever for the Red Sox, who have refrained from making any notable additions to their roster this offseason as they try to get below the $208 million Competitive Balance Tax threshold.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Reds

Although the Reds' acquisition of Bauer from the Indians last July was made with 2020 in mind, his performance over 10 starts following the trade was disappointing nonetheless. The right-hander posted a 6.39 ERA, allowing 12 home runs over 56 1/3 innings. In 34 starts between Cleveland and Cincinnati combined, Bauer had a 4.48 ERA -- up from 2.21 in 2018, which remains the only season in his career he has finished with a sub-4.00 ERA. While the additions of Mike Moustakas and Wade Miley could help the Reds close the gap in the NL Central, Bauer's performance may be the deciding factor in whether or not they make the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Blake Snell, LHP, Rays

With creative management of their pitching staff, the Rays overcame a number of obstacles -- including injuries and the lowest Opening Day payroll in MLB -- to make the playoffs in 2019. But if Tampa Bay is going to contend for more than a Wild Card spot in 2020, it's likely going to take a rebound effort from Snell. The southpaw's ERA increased by more than two runs last season, jumping from 1.89 to 4.29, and he missed nearly two months while recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. Snell, though, actually had a higher K-BB% and a lower xwOBA in 2019 than he did the year prior, when he won the AL Cy Young Award. At age 27, he's among the strongest bounce-back candidates on this list.

Luis Severino, RHP, Yankees

Although Severino made just three appearances due to a right shoulder issue in 2019, the Yankees won 103 games and the AL East title. Then, they signed Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract. So you might be wondering if New York truly needs Severino in 2020. To repeat as division champs, perhaps not. But the Yanks have their sights set on higher goals, and a healthy Severino gives them a better chance to win their first World Series crown since 2009.

Chris Archer, RHP, Pirates

There's no way to sugarcoat it. The Pirates' July 2018 trade for Archer has been a fiasco, and it could get worse if Shane Baz (MLB's No. 94 overall prospect) lives up to his potential when he eventually makes it to the Majors. In 33 starts since the deal, which also sent Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows to Tampa Bay, Archer has recorded a 4.92 ERA. But if the 31-year-old can bounce back in 2020, he will at least become an asset Pittsburgh can shop prior to the Trade Deadline. Archer has an affordable $11 million team option in '21, possibly giving him more trade value than a typical rental player.

Jon Lester, LHP, Cubs

While Lester crossed the 30-start threshold for the 12th straight season, he finished 2019 with a 4.46 ERA, including a 6.09 mark over his final 11 outings. Like the Red Sox, the Cubs have had a quiet offseason, and although Kris Bryant could be traded eventually, their 2020 roster is shaping up to be very similar to the team they fielded in '19. That means Chicago is counting on Lester, in his age-36 season, to rediscover the form he showed in 2018 (3.32 ERA).

Edwin Díaz, RHP, Mets

Díaz was sensational for the Mariners in 2018, saving 57 games and recording a 1.96 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP and a 124-to-17 K/BB ratio in 73 1/3 innings. For the chance to acquire the righty last offseason, the Mets traded two Top 100 prospects and took on a net $66 million of the $120 million remaining on Robinson Canó's contract. Díaz continued to strike out batters at an elite rate (39%) during his first season in New York, but that was about all that went right. Díaz's hard-hit rate allowed (45.3%) was among the worst in MLB, and he surrendered 15 home runs in 58 innings. The Mets need much more from the 25-year-old in 2020, whether he's the team's closer or not.

Shohei Ohtani, RHP, Angels

Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran bring some much needed durability, but the Angels' pitching staff remains a question mark. Andrew Heaney has made more than 18 starts in a season only once in his career, and Griffin Canning was a league-average arm (99 ERA+) as a rookie. Although Ohtani is returning from Tommy John surgery and will be eased back into action on the mound, the Halos need the two-way star to pitch like an ace … and stay healthy. Before his elbow gave out in 2018, Ohtani had a 3.31 ERA (127 ERA+) with an 11.0 K/9 mark over 51 2/3 innings, so we know the potential for excellence is there.

Kyle Freeland, LHP, Rockies

Freeland was one of baseball's most effective starters in 2018, finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award race after recording a 2.85 ERA (166 ERA+) over 202 1/3 innings. The left-hander was solid enough to begin 2019, but after spending time on the injured list with a blister in April, he posted a 7.63 ERA the rest of the way. He also struggled when he was sent to the Minors in June, notching an 8.80 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Albuquerque. Assuming they don't begin a rebuild by trading Nolan Arenado, the Rockies are going to need better pitching to contend in 2020, and it starts with the 26-year-old Freeland.