Whether we're talking resources or where they are in the standings, it's a constant truth that not all teams in Major League Baseball are on equal footing.

Still, let's try something novel: Giving all 30 teams credit where credit is due.

The idea is to pinpoint the most notable strength of every MLB organization. And in this context, "strength" means "advantage." Think of this as an exercise meant to suss out the one thing about each franchise that is (or should be) an object of envy for the other 29.

All sorts of things were valid for consideration, including how much money teams have, player-development track records and even players who other clubs wish were on their side.

We'll proceed in alphabetical order by city and check off three teams at a time.

Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta, Baltimore Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks: They Specialize in Dynamic Offense

It would be a stretch to call the Diamondbacks of 2023 an offensive juggernaut, but they were definitely hard to stop on the bases. They went 166-for-192 in stolen bases, resulting in them lapping the field in baserunning value.

The Snakes are still getting it done on the bases in 2024, but they're also showcasing a more specific speed-related talent.

Nobody is crushing fastballs as much as they are, which is inconvenient for pitchers in light of how hard it is to get Arizona hitters to expand the zone.

Atlanta: Don't Hold This Year Against Its Roster Construction

"Rough" doesn't even begin to describe Atlanta's 2024 season, and the pain it's felt has been quite literal by way of serious injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies. And that's only counting the guys who are hurt right now.

Still, let's keep in mind that those four plus Matt Olson, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy are signed to club-friendly deals that go through at least 2027. Nobody should be writing off a team with this core as a perennial contender, much less Atlanta's competitors.

Baltimore Orioles: They Definitely Know How to Develop Hitters

Though Grayson Rodriguez has shown flashes here and there and Kyle Bradish was on the rise prior to having Tommy John surgery, the Orioles aren't exactly a hotbed for homegrown pitching talent at the moment.

But when it comes to bats, it's really no contest. Thanks to homegrown stars such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and now Jackson Holliday, the Orioles have gotten the most fWAR and offensive value from 25-and-under hitters over the last two seasons.

Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox

Boston Red Sox: They're Still Cranking Out Position Players

The Orioles have the better core of young hitters, but the Red Sox should feel pretty good about Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran, Triston Casas, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Conor Wong and David Hamilton. All seven are in their 20s and controlled through at least 2028.

There's a rich tradition being built on here, as this group is following in the wake of homegrown star hitters such as Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts.

Boston, it seems, is a good place for hitters to grow up.

Chicago Cubs: They Have Run Prevention Figured Out

Though the Cubs have failed to launch as a proper contender in 2024, at least they're back in the top five of the National League for runs allowed per game for the first time since 2020. And the reasons for that are twofold.

For one, it never hurts to have four starting pitchers (Shōta Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad) with ERAs in the 3.00s.

And they also have strong defenders all over, and especially up the middle with Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Chicago White Sox: The Farm System Looks Good, Anyway

It's not exactly easy to heap praise on the White Sox right now. And since Chris Getz has been on the job as the team's general manager for less than a year, it's too soon to offer any kind of reading on his leadership of the front office.

At least the farm system is coming along, though. B/R's Joel Reuter had it ranked at No. 7 in MLB after the draft, and Getz can be directly credited for that and additions of two notable pitchers: Drew Thorpe via trade and Hagen Smith via the No. 5 pick in this year's draft.

Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies

Cincinnati Reds: Another Strong Core of Hitters, Plus an Ace

After each broke out in 2023, this year has been more turbulent for Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Yet each remains a talented cost-controlled 20-something, and the same goes for Elly De La Cruz.

This year should have the Reds feeling confident in EDLC as a regular MVP contender, and they should be just as excited about Hunter Greene's potential in their rotation. Health permitting, the 2.83 ERA he has now hints at a future Cy Young contender.

Cleveland Guardians: Somehow, Some Way, the Pitching Is Always There

It feels like it's been a rough year for Cleveland's pitching staff and, indeed, it has in many ways. Nonetheless, it's fourth in the American League in ERA, positioning the team to finish in the top five for the ninth time in 11 seasons.

Whereas the Guardians were already known for their knack for cultivating starters, this year proves they can do relievers, too. Emmanuel Clase needs no introduction, but Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith and Tim Herrin have also pitched to a combined 1.87 ERA.

Colorado Rockies: They Can Develop Defenders, At Least

There's a case for the Rockies as the least enviable of all MLB franchises, but you have to hand it to them for their ability to crank out strong defenders. And yes, it is still going strong even with Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu long gone.

Ryan McMahon is an overlooked gem at the hot corner, while Brenton Doyle is likely to go 2-for-2 as a Gold Glover in center field this year. Ezequiel Tovar, meanwhile, has 25 Outs Above Average at shortstop since the start of last season.

Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal Isn't the Only Reason to Have Hope

A star vacuum opened up in Detroit as soon as Miguel Cabrera exited his prime years, but along has come Tarik Skubal to fill it.

He's the runaway favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award, and his 15 wins, 2.58 ERA and 193 strikeouts put the Triple Crown in play, too.

Meanwhile, the stink of Al Avila's failed rebuild is fading more and more every day. Riley Greene is already a star, and the Tigers can otherwise feel good about Kerry Carpenter, Colt Keith and what's left to come from a top-10 farm system.

Houston Astros: They Still Have the Midas Touch with Pitchers

There are reasons aplenty why the Astros are threatening to win the AL West for the seventh time in eight seasons, but the one that feels especially prevalent now is how they're able to keep their pitching staff a well-oiled machine.

Despite the many injuries they've sustained this year, they're still third in the American League in ERA. They wouldn't be there if they hadn't applied their magic touch to in-house projects like Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco, as well as to new addition Yusei Kikuchi.

Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. Is the Ultimate Cornerstone Player

The Royals are back in the playoff race in large part thanks to their revamped pitching staff, and specifically primary four starters who all have ERAs in the 3.00s. But let's be real, this section can't not be about Bobby Witt Jr.

He's arguably the better pick to win the AL MVP than Aaron Judge. And when you remember that he's only 24 and he's signed for affordable rates through 2030, it becomes that much clearer that the Royals have the single best building block in the league right now.

Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins

Los Angeles Angels: They Have At Least One Star to Build Around

The Angels would be in a very different place right now if highly regarded draftees and prospects like Jo Adell, Reid Detmers and Nolan Schanuel were quick to become stars. But, alas, that isn't the reality we're living in.

Yet the Angels do have at least one in-house hope to inherit Mike Trout's mantle as the organization's center of gravity: Zach Neto. The 23-year-old shortstop is quietly up to 4.1 rWAR, and his last 40 games have seen him run up a .918 OPS.

Los Angeles Dodgers: They're So Much More Than Their Money

Let's just say that it helps to be able to afford guys like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. And so it is with the Dodgers, who haven't had a payroll outside of MLB's top five since way back in 2012.

It also helps, though, that they have the No. 1 front office in MLB. That's according to a poll of executives by The Athletic, and it's hard to argue with it when confronted with the team's consistent success with both developing and enriching players.

Miami Marlins: One Bad Year Shouldn't Define This Pitching Staff

It's been a year to forget for the Marlins, and the things they have to figure out in order to recover in 2025 are many. But at least to that end, they can have a high degree of confidence that this year's 4.69 ERA is something they can recover from.

Sandy Alcantara will be back from Tommy John surgery next season, as will Eury Pérez at some point. With Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera otherwise under control for the foreseeable future and more arms standing by on the farm, it may not be long before Miami is a pitching powerhouse again.

Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets

Milwaukee Brewers: The Pitching Is Always There for Them, Too

The Brewers traded Corbin Burnes in January, and Brandon Woodruff won't be recovered from shoulder surgery until next season. But as much as such things should portend doom on the mound, they are third in the NL in ERA after finishing first in 2023.

It's part of their Guardians-like knack for figuring things out on the pitching side. This year, that has meant squeezing unexpectedly strong returns out of guys like Tobias Myers, Bryan Hudson and Jared Koenig. Their reward will be a second straight NL Central title.

Minnesota Twins: They Have the Strikeout Mastered

Sonny Gray is gone. Pablo López is having a down year. And after getting off to a strong start, Joe Ryan may be done for the season with a bad shoulder.

Yet none of this is stopping the Twins from striking guys out in bunches.

They're second in the AL in strikeouts this year, as well as second in both strikeouts and whiffs for all of MLB across the last two seasons. They've turned the swing-and-miss into an organizational strength, and they haven't even had to buck the fastball to do so.

New York Mets: Let's Be Real, It's Steve Cohen's Money

Mets fans should be excited about what president of baseball operations David Stearns could mean to the franchise in the coming years.

The 39-year-old executive has the kind of intellect to be for the Mets what Andrew Friedman has been for the Dodgers over the last decade.

But for the meantime, there isn't much question that Steve Cohen's billions are what's keeping the franchise afloat. He's by far the richest owner in MLB and back-to-back $300 million payrolls speak to his willingness to act as such.

New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies

New York Yankees: The Means and the Will to Take Big Swings Are Still There

The Yankees are no longer MLB's default big bad (that's the Dodgers) or even its biggest spender (that's the Mets) anymore, but they're still a major power precisely because they're still willing and able to take big swings.

Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Rodón are reminders that not all of them are going to connect, but where would the Yankees be right now without $684 million worth of contracts for Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole and trades for Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr.?

Probably not in first place in the AL East, I daresay.

Oakland Athletics: They Have Youth in Abundance

So, that earlier point about the Rockies being perhaps the least enviable franchise in MLB? This is certainly where another strong contestant enters the chat, but at least the A's aren't lacking in ample long-term upside.

They've given 4,392 plate appearances to 29-and-under hitters, which is the most in MLB. The quality of that sample size isn't especially noteworthy, but sometimes quantity has to come first.

Philadelphia Phillies: Starting Pitching Is Dying? Not for Them.

The Phillies are another team that knows all about big swings, and the ones they've taken on Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber have certainly paid off. There's also the one on Zack Wheeler, though he's but one part of their strongest asset: starting pitching.

The Philadelphia rotation isn't the best in MLB, yet it is among the industry leaders with its 3.52 ERA and 739.1 innings.

Buying Wheeler helped, but he would only be making so much of a difference if the Phillies hadn't also developed Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez from within.

Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Top of Their Rotation Is in Good Hands

Figuring out the offensive side of the equation must be a priority for the Pirates going forward, but their rotation alone figures to make them a player in the NL Central in the coming seasons.

A year after going No. 1 in the draft, Paul Skenes is romping toward the NL Rookie of the Year. Mitch Keller is an All-Star signed for cheap through 2028. And yet, Jared Jones might have better stuff than either of them.

San Diego Padres: A.J. Preller Always Goes for It

Though it's occasionally been easy to dunk on them for being the Dodgers' little brother in the NL West, the Padres are positioned to make the playoffs for the third time in five seasons. And as per usual, they have general manager A.J. Preller to thank.

It was with big moves that he announced his presence a decade ago, and it's worth appreciating that even this year's budget crunch didn't alter his act.

Indeed, his deals for Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez are looking crucial right about now.

San Francisco Giants: Their Player Development Is Underrated

Three years ago, this section would have been about the Giants' coaching ingenuity. Now they're no longer anything special in that regard, and Blake Snell's and Matt Chapman's opt-outs could result in a quick dissolution of last winter's free-agent haul.

However, such a thing need not spell doom for San Francisco. Since taking over the front office in 2018, Farhan Zaidi has drafted Patrick Bailey, Tyler Fitzgerald and Kyle Harrison and overseen star turns by Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos.

None of them is going anywhere anytime soon.

Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays

Seattle Mariners: Their MLB-Best Rotation Is Almost Entirely Homemade

Like "water is wet" and "the sky is blue," that the Mariners have the best starting rotation in baseball doesn't really require much in the way of justification. It does lead MLB in both innings and ERA, after all.

Of course, arguably the more astounding thing about Seattle's starting five is that only Luis Castillo wasn't drafted and developed by the team.

Whatever secret sauce (the fastball is a key ingredient) is at work, it ought to be the most coveted recipe in the baseball world.

St. Louis Cardinals: They've (Mostly) Done Well with Young Hitters

The Cardinals' recent regression to the mean was likely inevitable, and there's a case to be made that it will be past time for a new direction when president of baseball operations John Mozeliak's time is up. Which, for the record, could be next year.

Yet between Masyn Winn, Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Michael Siani, the Cardinals at least have a solid core of 20-something position players in place.

It's strong enough, at least, to paper over the diminished hype for Jordan Walker.

Tampa Bay Rays: They'll Always Pitch, If Nothing Else

It isn't just the Guardians and Brewers who prove that an emphasis on pitching can sustain a low-revenue team as a contender. That's been the Rays' thing for a long time now, as they haven't ranked lower than eighth in the AL in ERA since 2008.

That they're on the same track in 2024 is mind-boggling, considering they no longer have Zach Eflin and haven't had Shane McClanahan all year. It's otherwise hard to explain, though it does bear noting that no team has used the slider to better effect.

Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

Texas Rangers: One Bad Year Shouldn't Define This Offense

Only Atlanta's offense has fallen further than Texas' from 2023 to 2024. And unlike the former, the latter can only lay so much blame at the feet of the injury bug. Save for surprise breakout star Josh Smith, nobody is having a career year.

All the same, the Rangers offense is still loaded with long-term upside. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien aren't going anywhere, and there should be a lot more left to mine from Josh Jung, Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford.

Toronto Blue Jays: One Aspect of Their Pitching and Defense Formula Is Still Working

The Blue Jays seemed poised to become an offensive powerhouse in 2021, but it's more so pitching and defense that have defined the club's approach over the last three seasons.

And the defense, at least, is still there.

Toronto is second to only Cleveland in Defensive Runs Saved in 2024. A good chunk of that value was provided by two players (Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa) who are now elsewhere, but there's still Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement and Alejandro Kirk.

Washington Nationals: They Have Hitter Development (and Speed) Figured Out

It may be another year or two before the Nationals are a contender again, but what they're building has come into focus in 2024. Their MLB-high 178 stolen bases forecasts a team that is going to run a lot, and that won't be all the core of the offense is capable of.

CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr. are already stars, and the early returns on James Wood (i.e., .820 OPS) are highly encouraging. Ideally, the same will also prove to be true of the newly promoted Dylan Crews during his cup of coffee.

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.