2023-2024 MLB offseason team needs: How every club wants to improve

Every transaction is a fit of player and team. Having broken down the best players on this winter’s free-agent market, let’s take a closer look at the teams. Where are they in their competitive windows? What do they need to improve? What’s the offseason plan?

First, some bookkeeping. We’ve separated teams into four different financial categories.

Also, we’ve grouped every team into five categories to determine their competitive window.

All references to Wins Above Replacement are to FanGraphs’ version of the statistic. Key departures include players moved at the trade deadline. Teams are listed in alphabetical order but they can be filtered by need.

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Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, third baseman, corner outfielder, designated hitter

2023 record

84-78 (2nd NL West)

2023 payroll

$116.2 million

The Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series felt like the start of something special. It thrust their young core into the national spotlight. They have young stars like outfielder Corbin Carroll, outfielder Alek Thomas and catcher Gabriel Moreno. That’s to say nothing of shortstop Jordan Lawlar and outfielder Jake McCarthy, both of whom didn’t play much for various reasons in the playoffs.

That’s not to say that Arizona doesn’t have needs. Their starting pitching behind Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt isn’t incredibly clear. Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and third baseman Evan Longoria are free agents, which will leave some holes. Third base and DH in particular are needs for the Diamondbacks. If they end up spending more on payroll, as owner Ken Kendrick indicated was possible, there’s a good chance for Arizona to build a really good team around its young core. They will remain a contender. — Sam Blum

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

3B

COF

DH

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, setup man, corner outfielder

2023 payroll

104-58 (1st NL East)

2023 payroll

$203.1 million

After winning 88 games in 2021 and then marching through the postseason to win that year’s World Series, the Braves won 101 and 104 games the past two seasons and were eliminated in the NLDS both times by the rival Philadelphia Phillies. So even with core players signed long-term at every position except left field, the Braves know they can’t just run it back and expect different postseason results.

They must fill a left-field void, but their most glaring need is starting-pitching depth after the past two postseasons were undermined by injury or illness to starters that left the rotation diminished for the postseason. So they need to add a front-line starter, especially with Kyle Wright to miss all of 2024 after shoulder surgery.

The Braves also received a big blow in November when popular third-base coach/infield guru/master motivator Ron Washington was hired away to manage the Los Angeles Angels. — David O’Brien

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Setup

COF

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher

2023 record

101-61 (1st AL East)

2023 payroll

$60.9 million

The Orioles are looking to add a starting pitcher to a 2024 team whose nucleus is largely still intact from last year’s division winners. The team will also seek relief upgrades and is expected to be more active in free agency and the trade market to do so. The Orioles, who had a $60 million payroll to start 2023, will have plenty of room to add to that and will be more open to dealing their prospects than they were at July’s trade deadline. Rival execs believe they could be a wild card for some of the sport’s bigger names.

This is a pivotal winter for the Orioles, who were swept out of the playoffs and will enter the season with legitimate World Series aspirations. — Britt Ghiroli

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, second baseman, designated hitter, right-handed bat

2023 record

78-84 (5th AL East)

2023 payroll

$181.7 million

Pitching, pitching, pitching.

That will be the focus this winter as the Red Sox seek to bolster their rotation, one that logged the fourth-fewest innings last season (774 1/3) and posted a 4.68 ERA, 22nd in the majors. New chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will also be looking to add a right-handed bat to balance out a lefty-leaning lineup with holes at second base and DH.

Breslow could seek to trade from a surplus of outfielders. At the general managers’ meetings last week, he acknowledged other clubs’ interest in Alex Verdugo, the lefty-hitting outfielder who is projected to make $9.2 million in his final year of arbitration. — Jen McCaffrey.

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

2B

DH

RHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, setup man, first baseman, third baseman, designated hitter, left-handed batter

2023 record

83-79 (2nd NL Central)

2023 payroll

$184.2 million

The Cubs missed the playoffs by a game and certainly felt as if they left wins on the table. Hiring Craig Counsell, arguably one of the best managers in baseball, should help. But they need a better roster too. A middle-of-the-order power bat and bullpen upgrades are musts.

The front office likes their starting pitching depth, but with Marcus Stroman opting out, the team has some financial flexibility and a slight uptick in interest should a starting pitching acquisition make sense. One who misses bats would be preferable. — Sahadev Sharma

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Setup

1B

3B

DH

LHB

Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, setup man, second baseman, shortstop, corner outfielder

2023 payroll

61-101 (4th AL Central)

2023 payroll

$181.2 million

The White Sox continued a rapid downward trend in what was supposed to be the best years of a competitive window that opened in 2020. Outside of Luis Robert Jr. and Dylan Cease, this roster is littered with questions. While a full rebuild was claimed to be off the table, GM Chris Getz seems willing to move anyone on the roster for the right return.

With so many holes to fill and the likelihood of payroll dropping, that willingness to move anyone might be the only way to restock a roster that once seemed so promising and exciting. — Sahadev Sharma

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

Setup

2B

SS

COF

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, setup man, corner outfielder

2023 record

82-80 (3rd NL Central)

2023 payroll

$82.9 million

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall addressed the one place on his roster that had to be filled before free agency began, re-signing backup catcher Luke Maile in October. What lies ahead is not to fill a roster, but to upgrade it. That means no more Mike Minor or Luke Weaver (or any other former Royals pitcher) to fill out the rotation.

The obvious start is starting pitching. The Reds have top-end talent, but they haven’t gotten the production or the reliability. A front-line starter could put the team over the top, but the combination of market size and ballpark size makes it a difficult sales pitch. Like pretty much every other team in baseball, the Reds could use an upgrade in the bullpen. Buck Farmer was one of the team’s top relievers and is a free agent, but a return doesn’t seem to be out of the question. — C. Trent Rosecrans

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

COF

Offseason needs

Setup man, corner outfielder, center fielder, right-handed bat

2023 record

76-86 (3rd AL Central)

2023 payroll

$89 million

With a manager in place, the Guardians’ attention shifts to bolstering a roster that regressed in 2023. Will we add Shane Bieber’s name to the “key returners” list or will he be swapped this winter for a hitter? Summer trade acquisition Kyle Manzardo should help, but Cleveland, home of the league’s greatest power outage last season, needs to plug some holes, especially in the outfield.

If Triston McKenzie can stay healthy, he’ll join Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams in anchoring the newest iteration of a prototypically stout Cleveland rotation. The bullpen, a strength in 2022, was an ever-erupting volcano in 2023, but there are enough useful arms to cobble together a solid unit with a reinforcement or two. The Guardians will again be young, but if the front office can execute a few shrewd moves, this roster shouldn’t be far from contention, especially in the AL Central. — Zack Meisel

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Setup

COF

CF

RHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, Back-end starting pitcher

2023 record

59-103 (5th NL West)

2023 payroll

$172.1 million

After their worst season in franchise history, the Colorado Rockies must confront an ongoing starting pitching conundrum they haven’t been able to solve via the draft or trades. Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela both underwent Tommy John surgery last season, meaning they won’t contribute until the middle or end of next season. Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber will anchor an otherwise unproven rotation that Colorado hopes to upgrade this winter.

Breakout performances by rookie outfielder Nolan Jones and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar afford some hope for the future. Healthy seasons from Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon would further it — but only if Colorado can fix its starting pitching problem. — Chandler Rome

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, setup man, third baseman, utilityman

2023 record

78-84 (2nd AL Central)

2023 payroll

$122.2 million

The Tigers are being patient with a core of young hitters they hope can shape their future. They began the offseason by adding a veteran to the mix via their trade for outfielder Mark Canha. Canha is an on-base-heavy right-handed hitter who filled one of their obvious needs. From here, the bigger focus will be pitching.

Early indications are the Tigers will be cautious about handing out long-term deals despite their low payroll forecast. Look for them to prioritize undervalued veteran pitchers, with at least one starter and perhaps a bullpen arm, too. As it stands, third base is a remaining question, though the Tigers could be content to let in-house players such as Matt Vierling and Andy Ibáñez share the position until prospect Jace Jung is ready.

If all goes well with development at the major-league level, they could be primed for a bigger splash next year. — Cody Stavenhagen

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

3B

Util.

Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, catcher, relievers

2023 record

90-72 (1st AL West)

2023 payroll

$179.9 million

The Astros return eight of nine everyday position players, all five starting pitchers, their setup man and lockdown closer from a team that finished one win away from a third consecutive American League pennant.

Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton departed in free agency, meaning Houston needs at least one leverage reliever. Yainer Diaz will assume the primary catcher role, but a veteran backup is needed to spell the 25-year-old slugger. General manager Dana Brown said the team is interested in another starting pitcher to provide depth that disappeared last year, but Brown acknowledged he does ”not have a ton” of financial flexibility.

Because of this, Houston may not be able to add another established outfielder. — Chandler Rome

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

C

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, Back-end starting pitcher, setup man, closer, second baseman, center fielder, right-handed bat, left-handed bat

2023 record

56-106 (5th AL Central)

2023 payroll

$92.5 million

The Royals have entered a second phase of their post-2015 rebuild, as a flurry of their top prospects reached the majors in 2023. Bobby Witt Jr. looked like a star in the second half, posting a .906 OPS while finishing the season with 30 homers. The midseason acquisition of pitcher Cole Ragans provided ballast to the starting rotation.

But there are still significant questions about the players Kansas City intended to build around, like first baseman Nick Pratto (82 OPS+), outfielder MJ Melendez (95 OPS+) and third baseman Maikel Garcia (88 OPS+). Brady Singer took a major step backward in 2023 — and he was the best arm to come out of the team’s vaunted 2018 draft class. It’s a work in progress, emphasis on the work. — Andy McCullough

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

Closer

2B

CF

RHB

LHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, setup man, third baseman, corner outfielder, designated hitter, left-handed bat

2023 record

73-89 (4th AL West)

2023 payroll

$212.2 million

The Angels are in no-man’s land once again. They believe they should compete, and will have the roster to do so. But the evidence has long stacked up that they’ll struggle to maintain a winning record over 162 games. The potential key loss of Shohei Ohtani could be a blessing if owner Arte Moreno is willing to maintain a high payroll full of capable major-league players. But, that’s a big if.

The development of young players like shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O’Hoppe and first baseman Nolan Schanuel can’t be overstated. If the Angels are successful, it’s because those three are productive and playing every day. Every year it’s easy to look at the Angels on paper and feel as though, if all goes well, they could be a great team. Perhaps things won’t be much different in 2024. It’s just that things never seem to go right. — Sam Blum

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Setup

3B

COF

DH

LHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, Back-end starting pitcher, shortstop, corner outfielder, left-handed bat

2023 record

100-62 (1st NL West)

2023 payroll

$222.6 million

What do you do when a combined 211 regular-season wins in two seasons results in a pair of first-round exits? You hit the market again. The Dodgers’ winter will in large part be shaped by their pursuit of two-way star Shohei Ohtani – the subject of the organization’s fascination since he was in high school and the Dodgers were trying to sign him exclusively to pitch.

Of course, things have changed. And the Dodgers’ own pitching needs are as great as they’ve been in quite some time. They likely need multiple starters this winter via trade or free agency, and have both the capital and the prospects to try to make it happen. The questions might just vary for whom – Blake Snell or Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Aaron Nola or Jordan Montgomery? Corbin Burnes or Tyler Glasnow? Rationality is the mantra for the Dodgers, but the aggression is expected to ramp up some. — Fabian Ardaya

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

SS

COF

LHB

Offseason needs

Shortstop, catcher

2023 record

84-78 (3rd NL East)

2023 payroll

$92.6 million

The Marlins surprised baseball by fighting their way through a powerhouse division to make the playoffs under first-year manager Skip Schumaker and third-year general manager Kim Ng. They also made headlines after Ng elected to leave her position at the end of the year, leading to the Marlins hiring Peter Bendix as the club’s new president of baseball operations.

Bendix will be tasked with propelling the Marlins forward after the team’s sudden success. Even without Sandy Alcántara, who will miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the Marlins still boast one of the most promising starting pitching staffs in the league, headlined by Eury Pérez and Jesús Luzardo. Miami’s biggest need is catching depth and a starting shortstop, though Bendix and Co. will be open to everything — including adding power to the lineup and bolstering an already solid rotation. — Katie Woo

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, first baseman, third basenan, designated hitter

2023 record

92-70 (1st NL Central)

2023 payroll

$118.8 million

For a team fresh off winning a division, the Brewers face an unusual amount of uncertainty. After leading the franchise’s most successful stretch, longtime manager Craig Counsell left for the rival Chicago Cubs. Counsell always seemed to get players to buy into the Brewers’ way of leveraging matchups and unconventionality in terms of roles at times.

The roster features several questions. With Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames a year away from free agency, they are prime trade candidates. Brandon Woodruff, who will likely miss most if not all of 2024, stands out as a major wild card because it’s possible he could get non-tendered. Milwaukee carries a fun nucleus of young outfielders and could receive a boost from top prospect Jackson Chourio’s arrival at some point. But it needs more depth for the back end of their rotation and help in the lineup. — Will Sammon

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

1B

3B

DH

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, center fielder, right-handed bat

2023 record

87-75 (1st AL Central)

2023 payroll

$153.7 million

Minnesota’s division-winning roster is largely intact, but the Twins will need to replace Cy Young Award finalist Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda in the rotation and find a new center fielder after Michael A. Taylor started 110 games there in place of the oft-injured Byron Buxton. And if there are any resources left, the Twins have needed a right-handed corner bat since last offseason.

However, those resources figure to be scarce, with president of baseball operations Derek Falvey revealing at the GM meetings that the Twins plan to lower payroll following the expiration of their $55 million-per-season television deal with Diamond Sports Group, making trades (Jorge Polanco? Max Kepler? Christian Vázquez?) their most likely avenue for significant additions. — Aaron Gleeman

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

CF

RHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, setup man, corner outfielder, designated hitter

2023 record

75-87 (4th NL East)

2023 payroll

$330.7 million

It’s yet another winter of transition for the Mets: David Stearns is in as the president of baseball operations and Carlos Mendoza as the manager, replacing Billy Eppler and Buck Showalter, respectively. Stearns has promised a team that contends for a postseason spot, even after the Mets sold off important pitchers at the trade deadline and listened on star first baseman Pete Alonso. That contention will not come, Stearns continued, at the expense of a brighter future in the years immediately beyond 2024.

So the recipe for getting there is probably pouring money back into free agency. The Mets will need to once again rebuild their starting rotation while supplementing a bullpen that lacks gas and a lineup that underperformed its peripherals for all of 2023. While Alonso could fetch a large return, especially in this market for hitters, Stearns said he does not anticipate a trade. — Tim Britton

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

COF

DH

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, third baseman, corner outfielder, center fielder, left-handed bat

2023 record

82-80 (4th AL East)

2023 payroll

$277.7 million

The Yankees are in a rough spot. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, general manager Brian Cashman has so many holes to fill on his roster. And figuring out those additions might not be his biggest concern. The Yankees need rebounds from aging veterans (Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu). They need youngsters to take steps forward (Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, Austin Wells). They need to just stay healthy (Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón). And they need repeat brilliance (Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole).

Off the field, the Yankees seek a bench coach following the departure of Carlos Mendoza, who became the Mets’ manager. And they’re clearly aware of the heat: Cashman all but melted down at the GM Meetings, calling ”B.S.” on questions that the team might be too analytically inclined. Manager Aaron Boone will be operating in the last year of his contract. — Brendan Kuty

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

3B

COF

CF

LHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, Back-end starting pitcher, setup man, closer, third baseman, shortstop, corner outfielder, centerfielder, utilityman., right-handed bat, left-handed bat

2023 record

50-112 (5th AL West)

2023 payroll

$56.9 million

The A’s biggest need is new team ownership, but that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. Would a free agent even consider signing with the A’s? Trades may be the best route forward.

On the field, they could use upgrades everywhere but second base, catcher, DH and first base. Starting pitching is the biggest need, along with a true center fielder and a new closer. The rotation has a few potentially viable arms, but no stabilizing veterans who can reliably go six innings every fifth day. The bullpen needs an overhaul, especially with the retirement of closer Trevor May.

Overall, the A’s have to get better defensively. Nick Allen can pick it at short, but has struggled to hit. Will they stick with him, bring in a veteran, or try rookie Darell Hernaiz? Can they add to the outfield so Brent Rooker can be an everyday DH? — Melissa Lockard

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

Closer

3B

SS

COF

CF

Util.

RHB

LHB

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, closer, setup man, corner outfielder, right-handed bat

2023 payroll

90-72 (2nd NL East)

2023 payroll

$243.0 million

The Phillies have already answered one pivotal question about 2024. First base? That will be Bryce Harper’s address — next year and for pretty much the next decade. So what else do they have to figure out? Here’s what.

Aaron Nola: The last time the Phillies and Nola talked contract in spring training, they were a canyon apart, in years and dollars. Can they build that bridge now that Nola has reached free agency? They need to know quickly, because if not they have to shift into …

Replacing Nola: If Nola exits, the Phillies will go substitute ace-hunting. Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Jordan Montgomery? They’ve signaled that both are at the top of their free-agent shopping list. Corbin Burnes? Tyler Glasnow? Trading for an ace is also an option.

Who’s the closer: Craig Kimbrel is a free agent and unlikely to return. So who closes? José Alvarado? Orion Kerkering? A free agent to be named later? All possible.

Lineup shakeup?: Teams in touch with the Phillies say they’re open to moving right fielder Nick Castellanos. But replacing his production in a thin free-agent market is a challenge. — Jayson Stark

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Closer

Setup

COF

RHB

Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, first baseman

2023 payroll

76-86 (4th NL Central)

2023 payroll

$73.3 million

One of the youngest teams of 2023 appears to be headed down a similar path. The team is centered around a talented young cast. Shortstop Oneil Cruz, who is expected to be ready for spring training after breaking his leg on April 9 and missing the rest of the season, outfielders Jack Suwinski and Bryan Reynolds, and infielder Jared Triolo are the core. Last year’s first overall pick, Paul Skenes, and fellow righty Jared Jones could arrive this season, but the Bucs need additional help in the starting rotation after running three bullpen games every five games the final two months.

An offensive-minded first baseman also is a need. But one of the team’s biggest questions is whether or not veteran Andrew McCutchen returns. The fan favorite is sitting on 299 homers after partially tearing his Achilles tendon in September. General manager Ben Cherington said this week there’s “mutual interest” in a reunion. — Dan Hayes

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

1B

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, setup man, center fielder, catcher

2023 payroll

82-80 (3rd NL West)

2023 payroll

$248.9 million

The Padres’ list of needs starts with pitching, pitching and more pitching. Blake Snell, Josh Hader, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo and Nick Martinez are free agents. That’s more than 600 high-quality innings San Diego needs to replace, and Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove ended last season on the injured list.

The Padres also could use a catcher to split time with Luis Campusano, more pop at first base and DH, and an offensive upgrade in the outfield over Trent Grisham. With the pitching market expected to be unusually competitive, can president of baseball operations A.J. Preller address all of these needs while following a mandate from ownership to trim payroll by dozens of millions of dollars? That remains to be seen.

And, relevantly, so does Juan Soto’s status for the 2024 season opener. A trade involving the star outfielder could give the Padres some much-needed flexibility. — Dennis Lin

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Setup

CF

C

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, shortstop, center fielder, right-handed bat, left-handed bat

2023 record

79-83 (4th NL West)

2023 payroll

$187.9 million

Even if the Giants shock the world and sign Shohei Ohtani, this roster isn’t one player away. They need a front-end starter to pair with Logan Webb, especially now that Alex Cobb (hip surgery) will miss the start of the season. They need more athleticism in the outfield and lineup to address a roster that couldn’t capitalize on rule changes while finishing last in stolen bases. They need to replace franchise shortstop Brandon Crawford and would be wise to pursue depth behind Marco Luciano, who is viewed as a bat-first prospect. But mostly, the Giants must show fans that they are serious about putting an entertaining product on the field.

Long gone are the days when the Giants sold out the ballpark without even trying. The Giants plummeted to 17th in attendance in 2023 — the Brewers and Rockies outdrew them — and they need star power in the worst way. — Andrew Baggarly

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

SS

CF

RHB

LHB

Offseason needs

Corner outfielder, right-handed bat

2023 record

88-74 (3rd AL West)

2023 payroll

$137.5 million

A common thread stood out as Jerry Dipoto watched his club’s pursuit of October run short. The Mariners’ president of baseball operations had assembled a club that boasted strong starting pitching that other clubs have already inquired about this winter. His bullpen has depth.

Instead, his focus shifted to a lineup that, far too often, struggled to maximize opportunities and struggled to put the ball in play. Only the Twins struck out at a higher rate than the Mariners (25.9 percent) this past season, with Seattle ranking 27th in baseball in contact rate as well. “We want to be a little better at putting the ball in play,” Dipoto said this week.

This is a critical year for the Mariners to show they’re serious about the next stage of their trajectory. The “Road to 54 Percent” has to include some deep runs into October, too. — Fabian Ardaya

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, back-end starting pitcher, closer

2023 record

71-91 (5th NL Central)

2023 payroll

$176.6 million

After their most embarrassing season under president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s tenure and their first 90-loss season since 1990, the Cardinals remain committed to returning to playoff contention in 2024. To do so, they will have to add multiple starting pitchers and multiple relievers.

Because the Cardinals need to add pitchers in bulk, expect them to explore all avenues in their attempts to fortify their pitching. The free-agent market, the international market and the trade market are all in play.

’I think this (offseason) is a little bit of a broader stroke because it’s more of a volume play than just one (addition),” Mozeliak said at MLB’s GM meetings.

St. Louis will need to add at least two upper-rotation starting pitchers and one high-leverage reliever this winter. They’ll target pitchers with high swing-and-miss rates, a trait the organization has severely lacked for the past few years. — Katie Woo

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Back-end SP

Closer

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, shortstop, catcher

2023 record

99-63 (2nd AL East)

2023 payroll

$73.2 million

Wander Franco finished the season on administrative leave and his future in MLB is still unknown as the league investigates allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors. That cloud hangs over what the Rays may need to do this offseason. If Franco does not return this year, the Rays should be in the market for a middle infielder.

A clear known for Tampa is it needs potentially two starting pitchers as Shane McClanahan is expected to miss all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Both Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen also required elbow surgery and are expected to miss around half of next season. The Rays also need a catcher to pair with Rene Pinto, as Christian Bethancourt was not as effective as he was in 2022.

As always with the Rays, there are payroll concerns, which may lead them to explore trading starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, designated hitter Harold Ramírez and center fielder Manuel Margot this offseason. — Chris Kirschner

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

SS

C

Offseason needs

Front-end starting pitcher, setup man, closer, designated hitter

2023 record

90-72 (2nd AL West)

2023 payroll

$195.9 million

A flag will fly forever to celebrate the 2023 Rangers, the first team in franchise history to hoist a World Series trophy. The 2024 Rangers already have a good chance of mounting a successful defense. Their needs aren’t especially daunting: bullpen upgrades, rotation reinforcements, maybe a designated hitter and/or another bat. It doesn’t need to be a big bat, but the Rangers and their Texas-sized appetite (and payroll) might not be in the mood to settle.

Shohei Ohtani looms as a mouthwatering potential fit. The Rangers could make a push to re-sign another coveted free agent in Jordan Montgomery. They could use multiple relievers, a backup catcher and a fourth outfielder. But they may not get a clearer picture of their budget until after the Ohtani sweepstakes conclude. As part of that pursuit, the Rangers can now dangle a flag. — Dennis Lin

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Front-end SP

Setup

Closer

DH

Offseason needs

Second baseman, third baseman, corner outfielder, designated hitter, right-handed batter, left-handed batter

2023 record

89-73 (3rd AL East)

2023 payroll

$209.9 million

The Blue Jays are focussed on position player additions, with general manager Ross Atkins specifying that the club is looking to acquire between one to four bats this offseason.

With Matt Chapman becoming a free agent, the Blue Jays will need to replace the third baseman. (Yes, they’re open to bringing him back.) And with Kevin Kiermaier departing in free agency, Daulton Varsho can slide into centre field, but that means they’ll have an opening in left field. The Blue Jays also have the roster space to add a DH and they’ll be eyeing a player with power to bolster a lineup that oddly lacked offensive thump in 2023.

Their pitching remains in good shape, however, with the majority of their starters and relievers set to return next season. But a lot is riding on a bounce-back from Alek Manoah, so acquiring pitching depth might be on the team’s radar. — Kaitlyn McGrath

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

2B

3B

COF

DH

RHB

LHB

Offseason needs

Back-end starting pitcher, setup man, first baseman, third baseman

2023 record

71-91 (5th NL East)

2023 payroll

$101.2 million

The Nationals took a step in the right direction, following a 107-loss 2022 season with 91 losses in 2023, but barring an offseason spending spree the talent on their roster still falls well short of the rest of the NL East. They are not likely to play at the top of the market, rooting instead through the bargain bin, as they did last winter when they signed Jeimer Candelario, whom they later flipped for two prospects.

The Nats’ position player core is intriguing, with Lane Thomas currently leading the way, CJ Abrams and Keibert Ruiz emerging and top outfield prospects James Wood and Dylan Crews already at Double A. They could use help at the infield corners, but the more pressing need is pitching. There are available arms aplenty. The Nats could stand to bring in a bounce-back candidate for the rotation and sign a couple of free-agent relievers. — Stephen J. Nesbitt

3 year win totals

Key departures

Key returners

2023 statistical ranks

Starting pitchers

Relief pitchers

Back-end SP

Setup

1B

3B

(Photos of Matt Chapman and Marcus Stroman: Mark Blinch, Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)

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