1 Realistic Option to Plug Each MLB Team's Biggest Roster Hole
With spring training fast approaching, there are still some big names looking for a new contract in free agency, including Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Jack Flaherty and a long list of other quality veterans.
At the same time, all 30 teams still have at least one area of the roster that needs to be addressed with an outside addition, and connecting the remaining free agents to landing spots makes for some fun speculation.
Ahead, we've suggested one realistic option for each team to plug its biggest remaining roster hole, based on franchise spending power, roster needs and any relevant rumors that have emerged in recent days.
Let this serve as a broad overview of what's left of the free-agent market and what is still to be done on each team's offseason shopping list.
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: LHP A.J. Minter
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
The return of Félix Bautista and addition of Andrew Kittredge is a major step toward shoring up the late innings for the Orioles, but they could still use one more high-leverage arm to join that duo at the back of the bullpen. Minter has significant late-inning experience, and he would immediately slot ahead of Gregory Soto, Keegan Akin and Cionel Perez as the top lefty reliever on the roster.
Boston Red Sox: OF Randal Grichuk
Biggest Hole: Right-Handed Hitter
With Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida all swinging it from the left side of the plate, it's no surprise the Red Sox have reportedly been looking for a right-handed bat. Grichuk, 33, posted a 140 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 279 plate appearances with the D-backs last season, and he has an .833 OPS in his career against left-handed pitching.
New York Yankees: 2B Brendan Rodgers
Biggest Hole: Second Base/Third Base
The Yankees have been linked to Rodgers as they work toward putting the finishing touches on their infield. Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s ability to play second and third base gives them flexibility in who they pursue, and Rodgers would compete with Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu for a starting job. The 28-year-old was the 2022 NL Gold Glove winner at second base.
Tampa Bay Rays: 1B/OF Joey Gallo
Biggest Hole: Power (LHH)
The Rays rolled the dice on slugger Eloy Jiménez with a minor league contract earlier this offseason, and adding Gallo on a similar low-risk deal would give them a left-handed hitting platoon partner in the designated hitter role. He strikes out a ton, but Gallo still has playable pop with 31 home runs in 592 plate appearances over the past two seasons. He is also a strong defender, which is something the Rays value more than most clubs.
Toronto Blue Jays: OF Anthony Santander
Biggest Hole: Outfield
With Daulton Varsho expected to miss the start of the season as he continues his recovery from September shoulder surgery, the Blue Jays are projected to have Joey Loperfido and Nathan Lukes start alongside George Springer in the outfield. They are also sorely lacking in viable protection for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of the lineup, assuming Springer and Bo Bichette are batting ahead of him. Adding Santander on the heels of a 44-homer season would address both issues.
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: SS Nick Ahmed
Biggest Hole: Shortstop
Brooks Baldwin hit .211/.250/.316 for a 62 OPS+ over 121 plate appearances as a rookie last season, and he currently represents the best in-house option for the White Sox at shortstop. A stopgap veteran like Ahmed would stabilize the position without blocking top prospect Colson Montgomery once he is ready to push for the starting job.
Cleveland Guardians: LHP Ryan Yarbrough
Biggest Hole: Rotation Depth
The Guardians ended up relying on Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd to start postseason games last year, and while they have added Luis L. Ortiz and will have a healthy Shane Bieber back at some point, adding further rotation depth would be wise. Yarbrough has been a successful swingman throughout his career, so he can fill a bulk relief role and wait in the wings for when a rotation need arises.
Detroit Tigers: SP Max Scherzer
Biggest Hole: Starting Rotation
The Tigers have a bona fide ace in Tarik Skubal anchoring the starting rotation, but they could still stand to improve behind him with Reese Olson, Alex Cobb, Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe currently projected to round out the staff. A reunion with Scherzer would add a quality veteran to the mix while giving the future Hall of Famer a chance to join a playoff contender on the rise.
Kansas City Royals: RHP Kirby Yates
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
The Royals made the jump from rebuilding to playoff contention faster than expected in 2024, and along the way acquired hard-throwing Lucas Erceg to shore up the closer's role. Given his limited track record in the late innings, it might be safer to slot him in the eighth inning role and pursue an established closer. Yates, 37, was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2024 with a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves in 61 appearances, and he will likely be available on a short-term deal given his age.
Minnesota Twins: LHP José Quintana
Biggest Hole: Starting Rotation
The Twins have some solid rotation depth, but shoring up the rotation with one more veteran arm could go a long way, and would limit their reliance on some unproven starting pitching options. With all righties in the current projected rotation, a left-hander would help bring some balance, and both Quintana and Andrew Heaney should be available for somewhere in the ballpark of a two-year, $30 million deal.
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: RHP Paul Sewald
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
The Athletics look like the perfect team to buy-low on Sewald, who was one of the best relievers in baseball during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons before scuffling to a 4.31 ERA in 42 appearances with the D-backs last season. If he pitches well, he could be a valuable trade chip come July, while serving as the primary setup man to Mason Miller in the meantime.
Houston Astros: OF Alex Verdugo
Biggest Hole: Outfield (LHH)
The Astros search for a left-handed hitting outfielder started when they traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, and the list of available options is relatively short. Verdugo and Jurickson Profar represent candidates for everyday playing time, while veterans Jason Heyward and David Peralta would fit better as bench pieces. Expect the Astros to add one of those guys before spring training.
Los Angeles Angels: RHP Jack Flaherty
Biggest Hole: Starting Rotation
The Angels have added veterans Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks to join José Soriano and Tyler Anderson in the rotation so far this offseason, but the staff is still far from a strength and the No. 5 starter job is up for grabs. Flaherty made good on a one-year deal in 2024 and turned in a terrific bounce-back season, but his market has still been slow to develop, and he is now reportedly open to another short-term contract.
Seattle Mariners: 2B Jose Iglesias
Biggest Hole: Second Base
The Mariners led the majors with 1,625 strikeouts last season, and they prioritized contact skills with the recent addition of Donovan Solano. Iglesias, 35 would provide a similar skill set after hitting .337/.381/.448 with a 13.4 percent strikeout rate with the Mets last season, and adding him would allow Dylan Moore to stay in the super-utility role where he has been a solid contributor in recent years.
Texas Rangers: OF Austin Hays
Biggest Hole: Designated Hitter (RHH)
Joc Pederson has a chance to be an impact addition for the Rangers, but they will need to find him a suitable platoon partner so he is not exposed against left-handed pitching, as he has a .630 OPS against southpaws for his career compared to an .844 OPS against right-handed pitching. On the flip side, Hays had a .354/.405/.537 line in 90 plate appearances against lefties in 2024, and he should be available for relatively cheap after being non-tendered by the Phillies at the start of the offseason.
NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: RHP David Robertson
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
With A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez, Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek all departing in free agency, the Braves could use a few more bullpen pieces, and so far their only notable addition to the relief corps has been Rule 5 pick Anderson Pilar. Adding Robertson would give the team a proven eighth inning setup man to bridge the gap to closer Raisel Iglesias, and even at years old he still has plenty left in the tank after posting a 3.00 ERA and 12.4 K/9 over 68 appearances in 2024.
Miami Marlins: OF Ramón Laureano
Biggest Hole: Offense
Expect the Marlins to go bargain hunting in the days leading up to the start of spring training, and it will not be hard to find potential upgrades for an offense that is shaping up to be the worst in baseball. Laureano posted a 136 OPS+ with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 29 RBI in 226 plate appearances with the Braves last season, and he would slot into the middle of the Miami lineup.
New York Mets: 3B Alex Bregman
Biggest Hole: First Base/Third Base
With reports that the Mets are pivoting away from re-signing Pete Alonso following the addition of Jesse Winker, the question remains who will play first base in 2025. The club could shift Mark Vientos across the diamond, which would open up the potential for an addition at third base, with Bregman representing the top remaining bat on the market aside from Alonso.
Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Tommy Kahnle
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
The Phillies have replaced Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez with Jordan Romano and Joe Ross so far this offseason, and while Romano was one of the more appealing buy-low bullpen arms on the market, he was non-tendered for a reason after struggling to a 6.59 ERA in 15 appearances during an injury-plagued campaign. Signing Kahnle would add another veteran arm in the late innings after he posted a 2.11 ERA and 9.7 K/9 in 50 appearances.
Washington Nationals: 3B Yoán Moncada
Biggest Hole: Third Base
The Nationals have hit on a few reclamation projects in recent years, including Jeimer Candelario in 2023 and Jesse Winker in 2024. Moncada offers intriguing upside if he can stay healthy, and the Nationals are one of the only teams that might be willing to offer him a starting job at third base. The 29-year-old has played in only 208 games over the past three seasons.
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: RHP Carlos Estévez
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
Assuming they are happy with top prospect Matt Shaw as the starting third baseman, the final piece of the puzzle for the Cubs offseason is finding a reliable ninth-inning option. Porter Hodge, Nate Pearson and Tyson Miller are the top in-house candidates for the closer job, but they have a combined 13 career saves. Carlos Estévez and Tanner Scott are the top relievers on the market, while Kenley Jansen is also an option.
Cincinnati Reds: RHP José Leclerc
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
The Reds are likely going to rely on in-house improvements to bolster the offense, so the bullpen will be the focal point to wrap up the offseason. Despite losing Buck Farmer (61 G, 3.04 ERA), Fernando Cruz (69 G, 4.86 ERA) and Justin Wilson (60 G, 5.59 ERA), they have yet to make any outside additions to the relief corps. Leclerc had a shaky 2024 season, but he has 41 career saves and the potential to emerge as the primary eighth inning guy.
Milwaukee Brewers: IF Paul DeJong
Biggest Hole: Third Base
With Joey Ortiz set to shift from third base to shortstop following the departure of Willy Adames, the Brewers have a hole to fill at the hot corner. Oliver Dunn, Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio are options on the 40-man roster, while the club could also revisit shifting Sal Frelick to third base. DeJong slugged 24 home runs last season, and he is a capable defender on the left side of the infield who should come relatively cheap.
Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Mark Canha
Biggest Hole: Outfield
Joshua Palacios, Jack Suwinski, Billy Cook and Ji Hwan Bae are the only outfielders on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster aside from Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Andrew McCutchen who will spend most of his time at designated hitter. A veteran like Canha who can provide professional at-bats and a solid clubhouse presence would be a nice addition to finalize the starting lineup.
St. Louis Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader
Biggest Hole: Outfield
Michael Siani (334 PA, 61 OPS+, .228/.285/.285, 0.7 WAR) and Victor Scott II (155 PA, 40 OPS+, .179/.219/.283, -0.5 WAR) were both non-factors offensively last season, and while Scott showed some flashes down the stretch, the Cardinals might prefer to bring in a more established option to compete for the center field job. If he can be had on a one-year deal, Bader makes a ton of sense. He can compete with those young guys and provide a potential trade chip.
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Tanner Scott
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
Justin Martínez (64 G, 8 SV, 2.48 ERA, 11.3 K/9) and A.J. Puk (30 G, 2 SV, 1.32 ERA, 14.2 K/9) both have the stuff to close games, so the D-backs don't necessarily need to go hunting for a closer, but it's a logical next move following the Corbin Burnes splash. Adding Scott to handle the ninth inning would give them the makings of an elite bullpen.
Colorado Rockies: RHP Adam Ottavino
Biggest Hole: Bullpen
Ottavino spent seven seasons with the Rockies early in his career, posting a 3.41 ERA and 10.4 K/9 in 361 appearances before departing in free agency as one of the most successful pitchers in franchise history. The 39-year-old had a 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 77.2 innings over 75 appearances in his final season with the team in 2018, and he would take over as the team's closer.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Roki Sasaki
Biggest Hole: Starting Pitching Depth
The Dodgers current projected rotation includes Shohei Ohtani, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May who pitched a combined zero innings during the 2024 season, and they used 17 different starting pitchers in 2024. A reunion with Clayton Kershaw is still a possibility, but landing Sasaki would give them a long-term piece and improve the club's overall rotation depth.
San Diego Padres: OF Jurickson Profar
Biggest Hole: Outfield
Unless they want to give Tirso Ornelas a shot as the starting left fielder following a solid season at Triple-A, the Padres will either need to re-sign Profar or find a replacement from the rapidly shrinking list of available outfielders. The Padres did not re-sign Profar last offseason until Feb. 24 last year, and now that he is coming off a career year his market could drag on even longer this time.
San Francisco Giants: 1B Anthony Rizzo
Biggest Hole: Designated Hitter
The Giants could use at least one more impactful addition to the offense, and signing Rizzo would allow them to shift LaMonte Wade Jr. to designated hitter where he could platoon with Wilmer Flores. It would also add a well-respected clubhouse presence and a proven winner to a team that is looking to move from the purgatory of mediocrity to legitimate contention.
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Lawrence Wants Out of NY")
