Predicting Every MLB Team's 2023 Opening Day Lineup, Version 2.0

Xander BogaertsAP Foto/Denis Poroy

The 2022-23 MLB offseason is quickly winding to a close, and the free-agent market has been picked clean of impact talent with the exception of Carlos Correa, who is still sorting out his contract with the New York Mets.

There is still a lot to be decided before the first game of the season, but rosters are taking shape for the upcoming campaign, and predicting what each team's lineup might look like on Opening Day is no longer as abstract as it was months ago.

Our first Opening Day lineup projections were posted Dec. 9, and it's time for version 2.0.

Ahead we've provided our best guess at who will take the field for each team when the 2023 season kicks off.

Last season's lineup data from Baseball Reference, the projected rosters from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation on where remaining free agents will sign went into compiling each team's projection.

Let the debate begin.

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected acquisition.

Jake McCarthyNorm Hall/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Corbin Carroll
2B Ketel Marte
RF Jake McCarthy
1B Christian Walker
DH Evan Longoria
3B Josh Rojas
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C Carson Kelly
SS Nick Ahmed
SP Zac Gallen

Notes

• The D-backs still have an outfield logjam to navigate even after trading Daulton Varsho to Toronto. Former top prospect Alek Thomas is slated to start the season in the minors where he can see everyday at-bats.
• Offseason pickups Gabriel Moreno and Kyle Lewis are not penciled into the Opening Day lineup, but both players figure to see regular playing time. Lewis, 27, has to find a way to stay healthy after playing in just 54 games the past two seasons.

Michael Harris IIRob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
CF Michael Harris II
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
C Sean Murphy
DH Marcell Ozuna
SS Vaughn Grissom
LF Eddie Rosario
SP Max Fried

Notes

• The Braves could still make a late move to add either Elvis Andrus or José Iglesias as insurance at shortstop while Vaughn Grissom continues to develop defensively, but Orlando Arcia is already on the roster to serve in a similar role.
• Veteran Jordan Luplow signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal last month, and he will likely see time in left field against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old has an .841 OPS in 505 career plate appearances against southpaws.

Gunnar HendersonMitchell Layton/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Cedric Mullins
C Adley Rutschman
RF Anthony Santander
DH Ryan Mountcastle
3B Gunnar Henderson
1B Brandon Belt
2B Ramón Urías
LF Austin Hays
SS Jorge Mateo
SP Kyle Gibson

Notes

• The O's look like a logical landing spot for one of the remaining free-agent first basemen, a list that includes Eric Hosmer, Brandon Belt, Jesús Aguilar, Luke Voit, Yuli Gurriel and old friend Trey Mancini.
• Expect free-agent signing Adam Frazier to fill a super-utility role, seeing time at second base, shortstop, third base and at the corner outfield spots. Ramón Urias, Jorge Mateo and Gunnar Henderson are all better everyday options across the infield.

Trevor StoryG Fiume/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Masataka Yoshida
SS Trevor Story
3B Rafael Devers
DH Justin Turner
RF Alex Verdugo
1B Triston Casas
CF Enrique Hernández
C Jorge Alfaro
2B Christian Arroyo
SP Chris Sale

Notes

• That the team cut ties with Eric Hosmer gives top prospect Triston Casas a clear path to the starting first base job, provided he can outplay Bobby Dalbec this spring. The 6'4", 252-pound slugger starred for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics, and he has little left to prove in the minors after hitting .281/.389/.500 with 36 extra-base hits in 76 games last year.
• It's still hard to envision the Red Sox starting the season with Reese McGuire and Connor Wong as the only catchers on the 40-man roster. Jorge Alfaro has some defensive shortcomings, but he would be a solid offensive-minded platoon partner for McGuire and should come fairly cheap.

Dansby SwansonMichael Reaves/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
1B Eric Hosmer
RF Seiya Suzuki
3B Christopher Morel
CF Cody Bellinger
DH Matt Mervis
C Yan Gomes
SP Marcus Stroman

Notes

• Matt Mervis hit .309/.379/.606 with 40 doubles, 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 137 games in the minors last season, and he continues to impress in the Arizona Fall League with a .914 OPS and six home runs in 17 games. He will be given every opportunity to win a starting job this spring.

• Veterans Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart will likely have an evenly balanced platoon at catcher in an effort to keep both guys fresh for the entire season. Slugger Patrick Wisdom will also see regular playing time spread between first base, third base and designated hitter.

Luis RobertTim Heitman/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Tim Anderson
LF Andrew Benintendi
CF Luis Robert
DH Eloy Jiménez
1B Andrew Vaughn
RF Gavin Sheets
3B Yoán Moncada
C Yasmani Grandal
2B Josh Harrison
SP Dylan Cease

Notes

• Jean Segura (2/$17M with MIA) and Adam Frazier (1/$8M with BAL) both signed reasonably priced deals elsewhere after looking like obvious potential targets for the White Sox to fill the second base void. Now a reunion with either Josh Harrison or César Hernández looks like the team's best option.
• If no addition is made at second base, Leury Garcia would be the front-runner for the job. That said, keep an eye on 2017 first-round pick Jake Burger. The 26-year-old has played mostly third base as a pro, but the White Sox have shown a willingness to play guys away from their natural position in recent years.

Tyler StephensonJim McIsaac/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF TJ Friedl
2B Jonathan India
1B Joey Votto
C Tyler Stephenson
RF Wil Myers
DH Jake Fraley
3B Spencer Steer
SS Kevin Newman
CF Nick Senzel
SP Nick Lodolo

Notes

• Deadline pickup Spencer Steer is the favorite to start at third base after Mike Moustakas was released. The 25-year-old hit .274/.364/.515 with 30 doubles, 23 home runs and 75 RBI in 106 games in the upper levels of the minors last year.
• The Reds did a lot of their bargain shopping late in the offseason last season, and they could still look to add a veteran bat to serve as the primary designated hitter, which would allow Jake Fraley to rotate around all three outfield spots.

Steven KwanElsa/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Steven Kwan
SS Amed Rosario
3B José Ramírez
DH Josh Bell
2B Andrés Giménez
1B Josh Naylor
RF Oscar Gonzalez
C Mike Zunino
CF Myles Straw
SP Shane Bieber

Notes

• It will be interesting to see if top prospect Bo Naylor starts the season on the MLB roster or if he'll be sent to Triple-A to work on his defense to open the year. Mike Zunino was signed to a one-year, $6 million deal to serve as a stopgap, but Naylor remains the catcher of the future.
• Will Brennan, Will Benson and rising top prospect George Valera are all in the mix for playing time in the outfield, though it will likely take an injury to open a regular role following breakout seasons from Steven Kwan and Oscar Gonzalez.

C.J. CronJim McIsaac/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Charlie Blackmon
LF Kris Bryant
3B Ryan McMahon
1B C.J. Cron
2B Brendan Rodgers
RF Randal Grichuk
SS Ezequiel Tovar
C Elias Díaz
CF Yonathan Daza
SP Kyle Freeland

Notes

• The Rockies were linked to Brandon Nimmo early in the offseason, but they don't appear to have a Plan B for upgrading the lineup now that he has re-signed with the New York Mets.
• Top prospect Ezequiel Tovar hit .319/.387/.540 with 32 extra-base hits in 71 games in the upper levels of the minors last season, and he will be given every chance to win the starting shortstop job in spring training. A reunion with José Iglesias could make sense as an insurance policy.

Austin MeadowsMark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Akil Baddoo
CF Riley Greene
RF Austin Meadows
SS Javier Báez
C Eric Haase
1B Spencer Torkelson
DH Miguel Cabrera
3B Brian Anderson
2B Jonathan Schoop
SP Eduardo Rodriguez

Notes

• The third base market has dried up, leaving Brian Anderson as the only logical target for the Tigers, unless they decide to hand things over to Ryan Kreidler or take a page out of the Miami Marlins' book and sign a middle infielder to shift to the hot corner.
• Expect Miguel Cabrera to be part of the Opening Day lineup, but the bulk of the designated hitter at-bats could go to Kerry Carpenter. The 25-year-old logged a 1.025 OPS with 30 home runs in 98 games in the upper levels of the minors last year before making his MLB debut in August.

Jeremy PeñaCarmen Mandato/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Jose Altuve
SS Jeremy Peña
LF Yordan Alvarez
1B José Abreu
3B Alex Bregman
RF Kyle Tucker
DH Michael Brantley
CF Chas McCormick
C Martín Maldonado
SP Framber Valdez

Notes

• The Astros re-signed Michael Brantley to a one-year, $12 million deal in late December, but his status for Opening Day remains up in the air. The 35-year-old underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in August.
• Will the Astros continue to hit Jeremy Peña in the No. 2 spot in the lineup? The 25-year-old only batted second in 49 games during the regular season, but he was slotted there throughout the team's postseason run.

Salvador PerezDuane Burleson/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH MJ Melendez
3B Bobby Witt Jr.
C Salvador Perez
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
RF Edward Olivares
LF Drew Waters
CF Michael A. Taylor
2B Nicky Lopez
SS Adalberto Mondesi
SP Brady Singer

Notes

• The expectation is that Nicky Lopez, Adalberto Mondesi and Bobby Witt Jr. will all be part of the starting lineup, but it remains to be seen where they will each play defensively across the infield. Michael Massey will also be in the mix after a solid debut in 2022.
• Edward Olivares (174 PA, 110 OPS+, 12 XBH) and Drew Waters (109 PA, 124 OPS+, 12 XBH) played well enough in limited action last year to be the front-runners for the corner outfield spots, but Kyle Isbel, Hunter Dozier and Nate Eaton are also in the mix.

Mike TroutThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Taylor Ward
CF Mike Trout
SP Shohei Ohtani
3B Anthony Rendon
2B Brandon Drury
1B Jared Walsh
RF Hunter Renfroe
SS Gio Urshela
C Logan O'Hoppe

Notes

• It's going to be interesting to see how the Angels split playing time between newcomers Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela and incumbents David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo at the middle infield spots. That group will also provide welcome depth behind the oft-injured Anthony Rendon at third base.
• Taylor Ward (50), Shohei Ohtani (32), David Fletcher (30) and Luis Rengifo (23) all saw action in the leadoff spot in 2022, and that role in the batting order will likely be decided during spring training.

Mookie BettsRob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Mookie Betts
DH J.D. Martinez
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
CF Trayce Thompson
SS Gavin Lux
2B Chris Taylor
LF David Peralta
SP Julio Urías

Notes

• Left field is the big hole that still needs to be filled. Even if prospect James Outman wins the job, it makes sense to have depth. Veteran David Peralta would be a solid low-cost addition to join Jason Heyward, Bradley Zimmer and Steven Duggar, who were all signed to minor league deals this offseason.
• Prospects Michael Busch (142 G, .881 OPS, 70 XBH, 32 HR) and Miguel Vargas (113 G, .915 OPS, 53 XBH, 17 HR) both put up big numbers in the minors last season, and they could be options at second base if the team prefers to leave Chris Taylor in a utility role.

Garrett CooperMichael Reaves/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
3B Jean Segura
1B Garrett Cooper
DH Jorge Soler
RF Avisaíl García
LF Tommy Pham
CF Bryan De La Cruz
SS Miguel Rojas
C Jacob Stallings
SP Sandy Alcántara

Notes

• The Marlins signed Jean Segura to a two-year, $17 million deal and plan to play him at third base, which likely means Joey Wendle will fill a super-utility role, despite the fact that he tied for fifth on the team with 2.4 WAR in 2022.
• A handful of low-cost veteran outfielders are still available in free agency who could provide a boost to the offensively challenged Marlins. A one-year deal with Tommy Pham would give them a proven power/speed threat to compete for the starting left field job.

Rowdy TellezPatrick McDermott/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Christian Yelich
SS Willy Adames
1B Rowdy Tellez
C William Contreras
DH Jesse Winker
3B Luis Urías
CF Garrett Mitchell
RF Tyrone Taylor
2B Elvis Andrus
SP Corbin Burnes

Notes

• The Brewers still have a hole to fill in the infield, but it could be second base or third base since Luis Urías is capable of handling either spot. The third base market is tapped dry, but they could target veteran shortstops Elvis Andrus or José Iglesias to shift to the other side of second base.

• Mike Brosseau will continue to be a platoon option against left-handed pitching, while former top prospect Keston Hiura is the X-factor after he showed flashes of returning to form with a .956 OPS and six home runs in August.

Luis ArraezMichael Reaves/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Luis Arraez
2B Jorge Polanco
CF Byron Buxton
3B Jose Miranda
RF Max Kepler
DH Nick Gordon
LF Joey Gallo
C Christian Vázquez
SS Kyle Farmer
SP Sonny Gray

Notes

• Max Kepler has been a popular name on the trade market this offseason, but there has not been any clear movement toward a deal. Moving him would make sense with Trevor Larnach and Alex Kirilloff healthy and vying for playing time in an outfield that got even more crowded with the addition of Joey Gallo.

• Prospect Royce Lewis underwent knee surgery in June after he tore his right ACL for the second time, but he could push for the starting shortstop job once he returns. Offseason pickup Kyle Farmer is controllable through the 2024 season.

Justin VerlanderAP Photo/Seth Wenig

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Brandon Nimmo
3B Carlos Correa
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
2B Jeff McNeil
RF Starling Marte
DH Daniel Vogelbach
LF Mark Canha
C Omar Narváez
SP Justin Verlander

Notes

• The Carlos Correa saga has still not met its conclusion, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the contract will look "dramatically different" than the 12-year, $315 million deal Correa agreed to in December. The door is open for another team to swoop in, but the Mets still look like the landing spot.

• Will Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer get the ball on Opening Day? Scherzer is a holdover and coming off a terrific season, but Verlander was even better in 2022, winning his third American League Cy Young Award.

Aaron JudgeJim McIsaac/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B DJ LeMahieu
RF Aaron Judge
1B Anthony Rizzo
DH Giancarlo Stanton
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Oswaldo Cabrera
CF Harrison Bader
SS Oswald Peraza
C Jose Trevino
SP Gerrit Cole

Notes

• The Yankees have a wealth of infield talent with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson on the bench in this projected lineup, but expect Oswald Peraza to be given every opportunity to win the starting shortstop job. The 22-year-old hit .306/.404/.429 for a 139 OPS+ in 57 plate appearances over the last month of the 2022 season.

• Unless an outside addition is made in the coming weeks, veteran Aaron Hicks or versatile up-and-comer Oswaldo Cabrera will start in left field to begin the year. Ideally, Cabrera would be used in a utility role.

Shea LangeliersLachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Esteury Ruiz
DH Tony Kemp
LF Ramón Laureano
1B Seth Brown
3B Jace Peterson
2B Aledmys Díaz
C Shea Langeliers
RF Conner Capel
SS Nick Allen
SP Paul Blackburn

Notes

• The Athletics acquired the speedy Esteury Ruiz in the three-team deal that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta. The 23-year-old hit .332/.447/.526 with 51 extra-base hits and 85 steals in 114 games in the upper levels of the minors last year, and he could be an impact table-setter.

• Aledmys Díaz (2/$14.5M) and Jace Peterson (2/$9.5M) signed multiyear deals in free agency, and both are capable of playing all over the field. That will give manager Mark Kotsay flexibility when it comes to filling out the lineup every day.

Trea TurnerAP Photo/Matt Slocum

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Kyle Schwarber
1B Rhys Hoskins
SS Trea Turner
C J.T. Realmuto
3B Alec Bohm
RF Nick Castellanos
DH Darick Hall
CF Brandon Marsh
2B Bryson Stott
SP Aaron Nola

Notes

• The only real decision to be made in the Phillies lineup is who will serve as the designated hitter while Bryce Harper recovers from Tommy John surgery. Darick Hall posted a 121 OPS+ with 18 extra-base hits in 142 plate appearances as a rookie last season and looks like the front-runner for the job.

• Bryson Stott will get the first crack at the second base job after a strong finish to his rookie season. Deadline pickup Edmundo Sosa is also an option there if Stott gets off to a slow start offensively.

Oneil CruzDaniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Carlos Santana
CF Bryan Reynolds
SS Oneil Cruz
1B Ji-Man Choi
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
LF Connor Joe
RF Jack Suwinski
2B Rodolfo Castro
C Austin Hedges
SP Rich Hill

Notes

• There will be a wide-open battle for the Pirates' corner outfield spots in spring training. The 40-man roster is littered with candidates, and Jack Suwinski, Connor Joe, Miguel Andújar, Cal Mitchell, Tucupita Marcano, Travis Swaggerty, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Ryan Vilade will all get long looks.

• Will the club go with veteran Rich Hill on Opening Day after he signed a one-year, $8 million deal? Otherwise, Mitch Keller and Roansy Contreras appear to be the leading options.

Juan SotoMike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Ha-Seong Kim
RF Juan Soto
3B Manny Machado
SS Xander Bogaerts
1B Jake Cronenworth
DH Matt Carpenter
C Austin Nola
CF Trent Grisham
LF José Azocar
SP Yu Darvish

Notes

• The Padres are willing to listen to offers for Trent Grisham and Ha-Seong Kim, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, so their Opening Day lineup is by no means set.

• The addition of Xander Bogaerts likely means Fernando Tatis Jr. is ticketed for the outfield once he returns from his PED suspension. With that in mind, José Azocar can be viewed as more of a placeholder than an everyday option, and 2022 minor league standout Brandon Dixon could also get early action in left field.

Mike YastrzemskiBrace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Thairo Estrada
CF Mike Yastrzemski
RF Mitch Haniger
1B Luke Voit
DH Joc Pederson
3B J.D. Davis
LF Michael Conforto
SS Brandon Crawford
C Joey Bart
SP Logan Webb

Notes

• The Giants still need more thump offensively after whiffing on Aaron Judge in free agency, and buying low on Luke Voit could be the answer. The 31-year-old had a 106 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 22 home runs and 69 RBI last season, and he's not far removed from leading the majors in home runs during the coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

• Wilmer Flores will once again play regularly by shifting among first base, second base and third base, while LaMonte Wade Jr. and Austin Slater are also more than bench players.

Ty FranceSteph Chambers/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Julio Rodríguez
2B Kolten Wong
1B Ty France
RF Teoscar Hernández
3B Eugenio Suárez
C Cal Raleigh
DH Trey Mancini
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS J.P. Crawford
SP Luis Castillo

Notes

• The Mariners may want to add another power bat to serve as the designated hitter. Tom Murphy, Dylan Moore, Taylor Trammell and Sam Haggerty are the leading in-house candidates for an expanded role if no other moves are made.

• First baseman Evan White still has three years and $20 million remaining on his contract. After missing the bulk of the last two seasons because of a strained hip flexor and sports hernia surgery, he will be one to watch in spring training.

Nolan ArenadoStacy Revere/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Lars Nootbaar
2B Brendan Donovan
1B Paul Goldschmidt
3B Nolan Arenado
C Willson Contreras
LF Tyler O'Neill
CF Dylan Carlson
DH Nolan Gorman
SS Tommy Edman
SP Adam Wainwright

Notes

• The Cardinals addressed their biggest roster need by signing catcher Willson Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million deal in December, but that's the only significant move they've made.

• The club has flexibility at second base and shortstop with Tommy Edman, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Paul DeJong expected to feature there, while Juan Yepez and Alec Burleson are in the mix for playing time at designated hitter. This roster is built to play the hot hand in those spots.

Brandon LoweLachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Yandy Díaz
SS Wander Franco
LF Randy Arozarena
2B Brandon Lowe
RF Manuel Margot
DH Harold Ramirez
1B Isaac Paredes
C Christian Bethancourt
CF Jose Siri
SP Shane McClanahan

Notes

• The Rays have solid depth beyond their projected starting lineup, with catcher Francisco Mejía, infielders Taylor Walls and Jonathan Aranda, outfielder Josh Lowe and utility man Vidal Bruján vying for playing time.

• The X-factor is top prospect Curtis Mead, who hit .298/.390/.532 with 27 doubles, 13 home runs and 50 RBI in 76 games in the upper levels of the minors last year. The 22-year-old has primarily played third base, and he could push his way into the MLB picture early in the season.

Marcus SemienCarmen Mandato/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
1B Nathaniel Lowe
RF Adolis García
DH Mitch Garver
LF Jurickson Profar
C Jonah Heim
3B Josh Jung
CF Leody Taveras
SP Jacob deGrom

Notes

• Left fielder Jurickson Profar is the best player still available on the free-agent market, and the Rangers have a hole to fill at that position. Could they explore a reunion with their former top prospect? He was No. 1 on the Baseball America Top 100 list at the start of the 2013 season.

• Slugger Mitch Garver looks like the best option to serve as the designated hitter, but that could mean the team has to carry three catchers on the Opening Day roster. With a strong spring training, Sam Huff could play his way onto the 26-man squad to begin the year.

Bo BichetteJulian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF George Springer
SS Bo Bichette
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
DH Alejandro Kirk
3B Matt Chapman
LF Daulton Varsho
C Danny Jansen
2B Whit Merrifield
CF Kevin Kiermaier
SP Alek Manoah

Notes

• After trading from their catcher surplus to acquire another left-handed hitter in Daulton Varsho, the Blue Jays lineup appears to be set for the upcoming season. Whit Merrifield will get time in the outfield when Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio fill in at second base.

• If the club doesn't feel comfortable using both Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen on a regular basis, it could look to add another power hitter capable of slotting into the DH role.

CJ AbramsMitchell Layton/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Lane Thomas
SS CJ Abrams
1B Joey Meneses
LF Adam Duvall
DH Dominic Smith
3B Jeimer Candelario
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García
CF Victor Robles
SP Josiah Gray

Notes

• The Nationals are a logical landing spot for some of the stragglers of this year's free-agent market, as they have ample playing time to offer and will be looking to flip veterans to contenders at the trade deadline. Adam Duvall fits the bill as a capable power hitter looking for a bounce-back season.

• If the team doesn't sign another outfielder, it could use Joey Meneses in right field and Dominic Smith at first base and look to sign a veteran to fill the designated hitter role in the middle of the lineup.

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.