The Most Important Question Every MLB Team Must Answer in 2022-23 Offseason
The 2022 MLB season is winding to a close, and for more than half the league the focus will shift to the offseason in a matter of days, as only 12 teams will punch tickets to the postseason.
From legitimate World Series contenders to cellar-dwellers, every team has at least one pressing question that will need to be answered this winter.
Ahead we've taken a team-by-team look at each of the 30 MLB clubs, covering pending free agents, roster holes, in-house talent assessment and everything in between.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Is It Time to Make a Splash?
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have an exciting core in place with Zac Gallen, Christian Walker, Ketel Marte, Merrill Kelly, Jake McCarthy, Daulton Varsho, Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Josh Rojas and September standout Drey Jameson under club control for at least two more seasons.
The organization has shown a willingness to spend big on the right players. For example, it signed Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million deal prior to the 2016 season after the team took a step forward the previous year. Could the D-backs make another major splash this offseason as they look to take the next step?
Atlanta Braves: Who Will Play Shortstop?
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Dansby Swanson is having a career year, posting a 113 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 22 home runs, 92 RBI, 95 runs, 18 steals and 5.1 WAR—just in time for his first opportunity in free agency. Will the Atlanta Braves pay to keep him around?
Rookie standout Vaughn Grissom spent the bulk of his time in the minors at shortstop, and he will be pushed off second base once Ozzie Albies is healthy, but the expectation has been that he will outgrow shortstop. If Grissom is not viewed as a long-term answer, re-signing Swanson has to be a priority.
Baltimore Orioles: Who Will Provide a Veteran Presence in the Rotation?
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Twenty-six-year-old starters Kyle Bradish and Dean Kremer have impressed during the second half, and top prospects Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall will be in the running for rotation spots, but finding a veteran presence for the rotation should be a top priority for the Baltimore Orioles.
Jordan Lyles is the team leader with 172 innings pitched and is playing on a one-year, $6 million deal with an $11 million club option for next year. Lyles will turn 32 next month, and the front office could opt for a $1 million buyout.
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Boston Red Sox: Will Xander Bogaerts Be Back?
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Despite his recent comments, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Xander Bogaerts will exercise the opt-out in his contract, leaving four years and $80 million on the table.
That doesn't mean he's a lock to play elsewhere in 2023, just that he realizes his market value is higher than his current deal. If Bogaerts does walk, the Boston Red Sox could opt for a stopgap signing while they wait on top prospect Marcelo Mayer.
Chicago Cubs: Is There Any Chance Willson Contreras Will Return?
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The biggest surprise of this year's trade deadline was the move that didn't happen, as the Chicago Cubs held on to free agent-to-be Willson Contreras. The three-time All-Star catcher has a 129 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 21 home runs and 3.8 WAR in 108 games. At 30 years old, he is in the prime of his career.
The decision not to move him led to hopeful speculation among the fanbase that a door might still be open for his return.
Chicago White Sox: Is Lucas Giolito a Trade Chip or an Extension Candidate?
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The Chicago White Sox have decisions to make after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. The future of right-hander Lucas Giolito is among the most compelling.
After receiving American League Cy Young Award votes in each of the past three seasons, Giolito has struggled to a 5.05 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 149.2 innings. His 4.13 FIP and 167 strikeouts paint a more positive picture, however, and he would be in demand if made available. The 2023 season will be his final year of arbitration control.
Cincinnati Reds: Who Will Play Shortstop?
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Incumbent shortstop Kyle Farmer leads the Cincinnati Reds in games (138), and he's tallied 128 hits, 24 doubles, 13 home runs and 74 RBI, but he's done it with just an 89 OPS+ and 1.0 WAR.
Former top prospect Jose Barrero could push for the starting job, but he may just keep the spot warm for rising phenom Elly De La Cruz. The 20-year-old has a .945 OPS with 68 extra-base hits and 47 steals in 120 games, and he was called up to Double-A in July.
Cleveland Guardians: Will Bo Naylor Be On the Opening Day Roster?
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With light-hitting veteran Austin Hedges headed for free agency and Luke Maile best suited for a backup role, the Cleveland Guardians will need to do something to address the catcher position.
Bo Naylor is enjoying a breakout season in the upper levels of the minors, hitting .262/.390/.498 with 26 doubles, 21 home runs, 68 RBI, 20 steals and a terrific 15.8 percent walk rate. The organization values defense behind the plate as much as anything, though, and bringing back Hedges to help Naylor ease into the starting job might be its preferred approach.
Colorado Rockies: Will Ezequiel Tovar Be On the Opening Day Roster?
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Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar broke out in the Colorado Rockies farm system, hitting .319/.387/.540 with 32 extra-base hits and 17 steals across 71 games in Double-A and Triple-A to emerge as one of the game's elite prospects.
The 21-year-old debuted in MLB on Friday and will make a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Veteran José Iglesias was the team's primary shortstop, but he is playing on a one-year, $5 million deal and should have plenty of suitors in free agency thanks to a .300/.337/.392 line in 451 plate appearances.
Detroit Tigers: Buyers or Sellers?
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After quietly winning 77 games in 2021 and with a wealth of talent knocking on the door in the minors, the Detroit Tigers took an aggressive approach to improving in the offseason, signing Javier Báez and Eduardo Rodriguez and trading for Austin Meadows.
The result has been a disappointing downturn, and it cost longtime general manager Al Avila his job. With a new front office set to take the reins, it's fair to wonder if it will pick up where Avila left off or if more rebuilding is forthcoming.
Houston Astros: Will Justin Verlander Be Back?
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After he pitched just six innings in 2020 and spent 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery, it was fair to wonder how much Justin Verlander had left in the tank.
The 39-year-old re-signed with the Houston Astros in March on a one-year, $25 million deal and has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations, going 17-4 with a 1.82 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 163 innings.
His contract includes a $25 million player option for 2023 that kicked in when he reached 130 innings. The AL Cy Young Award front-runner will almost certainly decline it and could command a pact similar to the three-year, $130 million deal Max Scherzer signed with the New York Mets. Will the Astros be willing to pay up?
Kansas City Royals: How to Redistribute Zack Greinke's Money?
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The Kansas City Royals rank 23rd with a payroll of $105.2 million, and their second-highest-paid player is veteran Zack Greinke, who accounts for 12.4 percent of that figure with a one-year, $13 million deal.
For a small-market club, that's a significant chunk of change coming off the books. How the Royals redistribute those funds could go a long way toward determining whether they can make a push in the American League Central.
Los Angeles Angels: Who Will Play Shortstop?
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The Los Angeles Angels have used Andrew Velazquez, David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo, Tyler Wade and Livan Soto at shortstop, and that group has hit .219/.256/.344 with 31 extra-base hits in 544 plate appearances.
Given the Angels' pitching needs, a run at one of the market's top-tier shortstops might not be the best utilization of funds. But they need to do something to shore up the position.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Which Key Players Will Return?
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have a ton of decisions to make this offseason, starting with free agents-to-be Trea Turner, Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Craig Kimbrel and Joey Gallo.
Beyond potentially re-signing players from that group, they also have a $16 million club option on third baseman Justin Turner, who could be replaced by up-and-comer Miguel Vargas.
Finally, they could cut ties with Cody Bellinger ahead of his final year of arbitration eligibility, as he is set for another raise over the $17 million he is earning.
Miami Marlins: Move a Pitcher to Improve the Offense?
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The Miami Marlins' anemic offense has to be addressed if they hope to be anything more than an afterthought in the National League East. That could mean trading one of their controllable starters.
Ace Sandy Alcantara will be off-limits, but right-hander Pablo López was a popular name at the trade deadline. Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera are also having strong seasons. Flipping one of them for an impact bat would move the needle significantly.
Milwaukee Brewers: Will Corbin Burnes Sign a Long-Term Extension?
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The Milwaukee Brewers have one of the best starting pitchers in baseball in Corbin Burnes. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner is having another terrific season with a 3.11 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 231 strikeouts in 191 innings.
For many teams, he would be an obvious extension candidate, but the small-market Brewers could entertain trading him before he reaches free agency for the first time following the 2024 season. So far, there has been no discussion about an extension.
"You would think maybe there would have been some initial talks last offseason, but nothing," Burnes told reporters earlier this month.
Minnesota Twins: Will Carlos Correa Be Back?
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The Minnesota Twins signed Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million deal during the offseason, but it was structured as a one-year contract with a pair of $35.1 million player options.
The 28-year-old has had nothing but positive things to say about his time with the team, even noting in August, "I see myself playing for the Minnesota Twins for a long time."
If he does opt out, there's a good chance he will be back with Minnesota, just on a deal that includes more years and more guaranteed money.
New York Mets: How to Address the Starting Rotation?
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The New York Mets' starting rotation outlook is extremely cloudy.
Beyond the long-standing expectation that Jacob deGrom will opt out of the final guaranteed year of his contract, there are also option decisions to be made on Chris Bassitt ($19M mutual option, $150K buyout), Carlos Carrasco ($14M club option, $3M buyout) and Taijuan Walker ($6M player option, $3M buyout).
It's possible all those pitchers will hit free agency, leaving the Mets with four holes to plug alongside Max Scherzer.
New York Yankees: How Much Is Too Much for Aaron Judge?
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The New York Yankees' final offer to Aaron Judge just before Opening Day was seven years and $213.5 million. He made the right call by turning down that extension.
It's not out of the question that he could become baseball's next $40 million-per-year player, even if he has to settle for fewer years because of his injury history. Will the Yankees be willing to beat any offer, or will they put a ceiling on how much they'll pony up to keep their homegrown superstar?
Oakland Athletics: How to Handle the Crowded Catcher Situation?
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The Oakland Athletics face an enviable problem in trying to figure out how to get Sean Murphy and Shea Langeliers adequate playing time at catcher. They also have top prospect Tyler Soderstrom and 2022 first-round pick Daniel Susac in the minors, providing even more exciting depth at the position.
With the St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina headed for retirement without a clear-cut replacement, the Cards would be an obvious trade partner if the A's decide to deal from a position of strength.
Murphy, 27, has a 123 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 18 home runs, 66 RBI and 3.7 WAR, and he is the reigning Gold Glove Award winner in the American League. He would be a cornerstone player in almost any other organization but is a potential trade chip for Oakland.
Philadelphia Phillies: Who Will Play the Middle Infield Spots?
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After Didi Gregorius was released in August and with Jean Segura likely to have his $17 million club option declined in favor of a $1 million buyout, the Philadelphia Phillies are set to turn the page on their double-play combination.
Rookie Bryson Stott has done enough since the All-Star break to be a safe bet to hold down one of the spots, while the other could be filled by one of the free-agent market's top shortstops if the Phillies decide to splurge again. Otherwise, deadline pickup Edmundo Sosa will be the leading in-house candidate to join Stott up the middle.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Who Will Be This Year's Buy-Low Target?
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have done a great job buying low on second-tier free agents in recent years. They hit on José Quintana (one year, $2 million) and Daniel Vogelbach (one year, $1 million) in the offseason and flipped them at the trade deadline.
Catcher might be the most obvious place for an addition, but Pittsburgh could also look for another innings-eater to bolster the rotation in the role Quintana filled before he was traded to St. Louis. Expect at least a few under-the-radar additions.
San Diego Padres: Who Will Return from Mike Clevinger, Sean Manaea and Nick Martinez?
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The San Diego Padres rotation could look significantly different in 2023 and beyond.
Mike Clevinger and Sean Manaea are headed for free agency, while Nick Martinez has three consecutive player for $6.5 million.
Beyond that, Yu Darvish and Blake Snell will be free agents after next season, leaving Joe Musgrove as the only starter who is signed long-term. Whether it's re-signing in-house talent or pursuing other arms in free agency, the Padres have to do something.
San Francisco Giants: How Much Is Too Much for Carlos Rodón?
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A long injury history limited Carlos Rodón to a two-year, $44 million deal in free agency despite a breakout 2021 season in which he finished fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
The 29-year-old can opt out of the second year of his contract in the offseason, and he's likely to do just that after going 13-8 with a 2.98 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and career highs of 227 strikeouts and 172 innings. It would be ideal for the Giants to bring him back to anchor the rotation alongside Logan Webb, but how much is too much for a pitcher with arm problems in the past?
Seattle Mariners: Will Mitch Haniger Be Back?
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After suffering injuries in 2019 and 2020, right fielder Mitch Haniger enjoyed the best season of his career last year. He posted a 122 OPS+ with 39 home runs, 100 RBI and 3.1 WAR to finish 20th in AL MVP Award balloting.
The 31-year-old has again been slowed by an injury this season, but he'll hit the free-agent market for the first time as an intriguing buy-low candidate. Will the Seattle Mariners make a serious push to re-sign him with their crowded outfield?
St. Louis Cardinals: Will Adam Wainwright Return for Another Year?
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While Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols are expected to ride into the sunset, it remains to be seen if starter Adam Wainwright will call it quits as well.
The 41-year-old has made more than 30 starts for the 10th time in his career and has continued to pitch at a front-line level, going 11-11 with a 3.51 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and 139 strikeouts in 187 innings.
He signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal in October, and a similar pact could bring him back for another year.
Tampa Bay Rays: Who Will Be This Year's Starting Rotation Splurge?
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The Tampa Bay Rays continue to contend on a shoestring budget, but they have splurged in the last few offseasons on veteran starters to help anchor the rotation.
This offseason it was Corey Kluber (one year, $8 million). The year before it was Michael Wacha (one year, $3 million) and Chris Archer (one year, $6.5 million). The most successful of the bunch came in December 2018, when they reeled in Charlie Morton (two years, $30 million) on a franchise record free-agent deal.
Who will it be this time?
Texas Rangers: How Much Is Too Much for Martín Pérez?
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Once a top prospect in the Texas Rangers farm system, left-hander Martín Pérez's career came full circle when he rejoined the team on a one-year, $4 million deal following a forgettable 2021 season with the Red Sox.
The 31-year-old has been one of the best bargain signings of the year, going 12-6 with a 2.90 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and 164 strikeouts in 183.1 innings to earn his first All-Star selection. The Rangers opted against trading him at the deadline, which seemed to indicate they intend to re-sign him. They will need to be careful to not overpay after a career year.
Toronto Blue Jays: How to Find an Impactful Left-Handed Bat?
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The Toronto Blue Jays' active roster includes 14 position players, and the only left-handed hitters are Cavan Biggio, Raimel Tapia and scrapheap pickups Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bradley Zimmer.
All told, the Blue Jays' lefties are batting .221/.288/.358 and rank last in hits (189), home runs (19), RBI (97) and virtually every other counting stat. Toronto needs to do something to balance one of baseball's best offensive cores.
Washington Nationals: What's Next?
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After the trade of Juan Soto and Josh Bell and with Nelson Cruz ($16M mutual option, $3M buyout) likely headed for free agency, the Washington Nationals roster has been stripped to the studs. Only the overpaid Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin are on the books for 2023.
There are plenty of controllable building blocks—including CJ Abrams, Luis García, Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Cade Cavalli, MacKenzie Gore and rookie standout Joey Meneses—but the team is years away from contending again. The Nats have a ton of money to spend relative to their past payrolls, but they might sit on that flexibility while the youngsters develop.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday.
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