This drawn out MLB offseason has had its moments, surprising us with Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million Dodgers contract construction and Juan Soto’s blockbuster commerce to the Yankees. Some golf equipment seem completed with their purchasing, whereas a number of others nonetheless have a ton of labor to do.
Each crew has holes, regardless, with the dimensions ranging wherever from desperation to easily filling depth. With lower than six weeks till pitchers and catchers start reporting, here is a take a look at every Nationwide League squad’s greatest remaining want and the participant(s) finest suited to fill it.
NL EAST
Atlanta Braves
Are the Braves performed? It definitely looks like it after their blockbuster commerce for star southpaw Chris Sale that despatched prospect Vaughn Grissom to Boston. Atlanta’s greatest query heading into spring coaching can be who will get the fifth (and maybe sixth) starter spot, however that may doubtless be determined in-house by a contest between Bryce Elder, Reynaldo Lopez and right-handed prospect AJ Smith-Shawver.
So, past free-agent signings, Atlanta’s greatest want is to signal president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos to a contract extension. His contract is about to run out after the 2024 season and, in traditional Braves’ rumor-mill silence, there was no information of a doable extension. It would not be stunning in the event that they supplied Anthopoulos a team-friendly deal, however they actually cannot afford to go that route, seeing as how quite a lot of opponents will wish to snatch the premier exec from Atlanta’s grasp.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies already addressed what many believed was their greatest want heading into the winter, preserving Aaron Nola in pink pinstripes. After seven years and $172 million obtained it performed (which now appears like a cut price in comparison with the megadeals that different starters are getting), Dave Dombrowski should take a look at their different areas of concern. Like many groups, the Phillies want extra pitching depth to place the ending touches on a playoff run.
It is laborious to not level to the bullpen as the principle cause the Phillies fell quick in October, dropping to the Diamondbacks in Recreation 7 of the NLCS. Craig Kimbrel blew a few saves late within the collection, and together with his departure to Baltimore this winter, the Phillies have to fill the void. For years, actually, the bullpen has been the thorn within the Phillies’ aspect. Dombrowski could make an enormous splash by signing Josh Hader this offseason. Arguably the most effective nearer in baseball proper now, Hader will price much more than the Phillies could also be prepared to dish out. However the coveted left-hander certain appears like the ultimate piece that might give Philly its first championship since 2008.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins have one of many more durable duties of any crew this winter: changing a slugger who cranked 36 house runs in 2023. Although Jorge Soler has not but signed in free company, he’s nonetheless anticipated to depart Miami with a gaping gap on offense. The Fish definitely want a delegated hitter, however they might additionally attempt to make up for Soler’s loss by including at shortstop. A participant who makes numerous sense is Tim Anderson, who may gain advantage from a brand new surroundings. The 2-time All-Star and former batting champ would presumably come at a cut price for the small-market membership given his latest struggles. He slashed .245/.286/.296 in a depressing ultimate yr with the White Sox. However his OPS+ was a sterling 122 over the earlier 4 seasons, so maybe all he wants is a recent begin.
New York Mets
The Mets’ dearth of high quality beginning pitchers implies that, it doesn’t matter what the entrance workplace does for the rest of the winter, their greatest want will in all probability nonetheless be starters heading into Opening Day. As issues stand, the fan base continues to be puzzled by simply how aggressive the Mets intend to be in 2024. Their rotation consists of Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and two query marks, if Severino is not an enormous one himself. Again-end rotation choices embrace latest pickup Adrian Houser and in-house arms Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi.
To date, the Mets’ flashiest offseason signing has been their new president of baseball operations, David Stearns. In the event that they plan to compete for the playoffs this yr, as Stearns indicated, they will have to signal one of many higher starters on the free-agent market. After matching the Dodgers’ supply for Yoshinobu Yamamoto however in the end lacking out on the Japanese right-hander, the Mets appear extra doubtless to buy somebody like Michael Lorenzen or Mike Clevinger than they do Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Both approach, the Mets have to make no less than one transfer, if not a collection of them, to realistically contend.
Washington Nationals
After including Nick Senzel to play the recent nook, the Nationals are nonetheless searching for extra assist throughout the diamond to separate time with Joey Meneses. They’ve an in-house possibility in Juan Yepez, who agreed to a minor-league take care of the Nats after his disappointing season with the Cardinals. However the Nationals may take a look at the free-agent market to fortify first base, maybe signing somebody like Carlos Santana or Trey Mancini to pair with Meneses.
NL CENTRAL
Milwaukee Brewers
It is robust to reply what the Brewers’ greatest want is when their course for 2024 nonetheless appears unclear. Cy Younger award winner Corbin Burnes continues to be floated as a possible commerce candidate. If Burnes leaves the image, the Brewers are clearly launching a rebuild. Both approach, Milwaukee stands to enhance on the nook infield spots, notably at first base. If they don’t seem to be curious about a reunion with Carlos Santana, Brandon Belt or Garrett Cooper could be a great match. The 33-year-old Cooper struggled between Miami and San Diego final yr, however sported a 115 OPS+ from 2019-2022 for the Marlins. He additionally may platoon with new pickup Jake Bauers.
Chicago Cubs
The primary jaw-dropping second of this offseason belonged to the Cubs, after they employed Craig Counsell as supervisor on a record-breaking contract. However since then? They’ve spent a grand whole of $0 in free company and made no notable transactions. Whereas the silence from the North Facet is a bit eerie, Chicago’s greatest want stays the identical because it was when the season ended. They need to preserve Cody Bellinger in a Cubs uniform. The outfielder/first baseman returned to All-Star-caliber manufacturing in his first season in Chicago, and regardless of the Cubs have unlocked appears to be working. Thanks partly to Bellinger’s scorching bat, the Cubs had a shot on the playoffs earlier than stumbling in September. They’ll soar again into October baseball with Counsell squeezing essentially the most out of the roster, Bellinger persevering with to rake, and probably including one other beginning pitcher, like Montgomery.
Cincinnati Reds
Although the Reds have not dedicated, say, $700 million in free-agent spending this winter, they’re nonetheless among the many high 5 groups by way of total expenditure. Definitely, beginning pitching was an enormous want, they usually’ve dutifully addressed it by including Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez to the rotation. Including Emilio Pagán and re-signing Buck Farmer strengthens the bullpen, and Cincinnati’s infield is totally stacked following the addition of Jeimer Candelario. The Reds have been so busy that they are in the identical boat because the Braves and principally performed making strikes this offseason, except they lastly determine to unload Jonathan India. No membership may have sufficient arms, so shoring up some extra pitching depth is actually the Reds’ solely remaining want. Left-hander Matt Moore or righty Phil Maton make sense for the bullpen. Moore’s low stroll charge (5.6%) final yr could be a boon for a Cincinnati reduction corps that tied with two different golf equipment for the fourth-worst stroll charge (11%) in MLB.
Pittsburgh Pirates
After filling their apparent void at first base by signing Rowdy Tellez, the Pirates nonetheless may use a center of the rotation arm and possibly even a second baseman. The free-agent marketplace for the latter is not notably flashy, however the Pirates may take a look at commerce choices. The Padres are reportedly purchasing Ha-Seong Kim, and he could be a terrific slot in Pittsburgh from a protection and manufacturing standpoint. Kim was an enormous cut price for San Diego final season, crushing a career-high 17 house runs and flashing a 112 wRC+ all whereas making simply $7 million. He additionally earned a Gold Glove after posting +10 DRS and +7 OAA. Until the Bucs signal or commerce for a second baseman, they’re doubtless to enter spring coaching with an open competitors for that function. Infielder Liover Peguero, who possesses energy however continues to be inconsistent at 22 years previous, has proven a ton of promise.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Playing cards got here charging out of the gates this winter to try to make us overlook about their depressing 2023 season. They added Sonny Grey, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn in an effort to considerably enhance the rotation’s 5.08 ERA, which ranked twenty sixth in MLB final yr. These strikes ought to assist some, however none of these arms scream postseason ace. It might be smart for St. Louis to proceed including extra pitching depth to the rotation and bullpen. Maybe the Cardinals will return to their aggressive methods and swing a deal for Corbin Burnes or Dylan Stop. Then, we would be speaking a couple of full departure from 2023.
NL WEST
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers took care of their greatest want (beginning pitching) by profitable the Yamamoto sweepstakes after which buying and selling for (and lengthening) Tyler Glasnow. Shohei Ohtani crammed their gap at designated hitter and offers the membership the most effective hitting trios of all time, however they might really nonetheless use some extra stability within the lineup. Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Max Muncy and James Outman all bat from the left aspect, and with Mookie Betts shifting to second base in 2024, that opens up the opportunity of Los Angeles including a right-handed outfielder.
Teoscar Hernández has been linked to the Dodgers this offseason, and he is sensible as a right-handed bat enjoying left or proper subject at Chavez Ravine. However, then once more, the Dodgers’ offense is already utterly and positively stacked. So, they might transfer on to a different space of slight want within the bullpen. In the event that they have not already had the most effective offseason of all time, signing Hader would doubtless make them World Collection favorites.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-backs have already performed a superb job of filling their offseason wants following a magical run to the World Collection. They wanted one other strong starter and obtained greater than that in Eduardo Rodríguez. They wanted a 3rd baseman to interchange Evan Longoria, and obtained that in buying and selling for Eugenio Suárez. Now, one gap nonetheless stays as they appear to maintain contending. Arizona wants a delegated hitter, and free agent J.D. Martinez would possibly simply be the most effective match. Martinez is already aware of the D-backs, having recorded a 1.107 OPS within the second half of the 2017 season for the Snakes following a commerce by the Tigers. Mike Hazen has expressed his need to proceed including veterans to the roster to assist the younger D-backs keep centered in 2024, and Martinez would match that invoice completely.
San Diego Padres
The Padres want beginning pitching, regardless of the returns they obtained within the Soto commerce. Michael King will slot into the rotation, however the different additions — Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and Drew Thorpe — are query marks. Just like the Mets, San Diego has three particular starters within the rotation in Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and King. However there are many unknowns even amongst that trio involving longevity and well being. There are a handful of arms in-house that determine to battle for a spot, however the Padres actually need so as to add no less than yet one more starter to make up for the losses of Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Nick Martinez. Since they’re wanting to economize, one identify they might go after through commerce is Jesús Luzardo. Final yr, the left-hander posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 32 begins for the Marlins. Since he is solely 26 years previous, Luzardo would give the Padres a strong, younger arm with a couple of years of crew management.
San Francisco Giants
If the Giants have any hope of contending this season, they will have to assist ace Logan Webb with one other high starter. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi continues to be seemingly ready to spend huge after San Francisco misplaced out within the Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes. Buying and selling for former Cy Younger winner Robbie Ray may pay dividends within the again half of the season, as he spends the opening months rehabbing from Tommy John. However that is not going to be sufficient. The very best names remaining through free company are Snell and Montgomery, in fact, whereas Corbin Burnes or Dylan Stop seem much less doubtless choices given the commerce capital they will require. Maybe the most effective match is Japanese hurler Shōta Imanaga. He’ll price markedly lower than Snell or Montgomery and San Francisco is a reported finalist for his companies. The membership additionally has no alternative however to be aggressive given all of the expertise within the NL West.
Colorado Rockies
Ah, the annual process of persuading starters to pitch at Coors Subject. Apart from the truth that the Rockies are coming off a 103-loss season and determine to be the one noncompetitive crew within the division, they’re additionally going through the problem of filling out their rotation. It is robust to persuade anybody to pitch within the final hitter’s park. It is even more durable when the membership is coming off its worst season in franchise historical past. Luckily, there are a handful of older arms accessible who could be prepared to proceed their careers in excessive altitude, together with James Paxton, Carlos Carrasco, Wealthy HIll and Zack Greinke.
Deesha Thosar is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand lined the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Every day Information. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Lengthy Island and now lives in Queens. Comply with her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.
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