Every MLB Team's Biggest Weakness so Far This Spring Training

With less than three weeks separating us from Opening Day, coaches all over the league are doing their best to observe Cactus and Grapefruit League action to determine what steps need to be taken before the 2013 MLB season gets under way.

It's likely that the most concrete assessments of strengths and weaknesses done by front offices are to a certain extent intangible, as we oftentimes see that a strong spring training on paper will have nothing to do with what happens during the regular season.

Things get even more skewed when you take into account the number of MLB stars and prospects not factoring into their teams' outcomes as they play in the WBC.

That said—here are some weaknesses observed in team stat lines across the league a couple weeks into the action.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Pitching Staff

Heading into the 2013 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks will have plenty of work to do as they address the void left by the departure of Justin Upton, but if spring training is any indication, they'll need to spend some time on their starting pitching as well.

At this point in the spring season, the D-Backs have the second-worst team ERA in MLB and have allowed a disappointing .310 opponents batting average.

Atlanta Braves: Baserunning

With a plethora of offensive options at their disposal heading into the season, there is little doubt that the Atlanta Braves will be able to put runners on base and score plenty of runs.

One thing they'll need to improve on if they hope to plate some of their runners is their skill on the basepaths, as the Braves have the fifth-fewest stolen bases in MLB so far this spring but have been caught stealing more than any other team.

Baltimore Orioles: Health

Fresh off one of the most surprising outputs of 2012, the Baltimore Orioles have their sights set on proving that last season wasn't a fluke.

They'll need everything they can get out of their players, so staying on the field will be of the utmost importance.

B/R Injuries Lead Writer Will Carroll chronicled the Orioles' health going into the 2013 season, ranking them 23rd in the league in 2012, something that can't be headed in the right direction as star outfielder Nick Markakis just had an MRI on his neck.

Boston Red Sox: Power

The Boston Red Sox may find themselves having trouble competing with the vastly improved AL East this season, though it's hard to ever count out a franchise with as many impact players.

Their pitching staff will certainly need to improve if they plan on making a splash in the division, but their offense will also need to step up, as they've managed the second-fewest home runs so far this spring and rank near the bottom of MLB teams in RBI and slugging percentage.

Chicago Cubs: All-Around Offense

As the Chicago Cubs continue to work their way back into the picture in the NL Central, the team has plenty of young talent that will no doubt help them in the coming seasons.

The absence of players like Anthony Rizzo is hurting the Cubs' offensive output in spring training thus far, and the team currently ranks dead last in on-base percentage.

Chicago White Sox: Nothing

If not for the outstanding spring training performance from the Kansas City Royals to this point, it'd look like the Chicago White Sox are the most impressive team in the AL Central so far in 2013.

The team boasts solid pitching numbers across the board, and with young lefty Chris Sale now locked in for the next few seasons, the pitching staff will be in good hands.

On the offensive side, the team has the second-highest batting average this spring and has more home runs than all but two teams.

Cincinnati Reds: Pitching

The Cincinnati Reds will rely on their talented pitching staff all year long as they look to improve on their disappointing postseason appearance last fall, and while they'll likely be firing on all cylinders once the season gets under way, the spring training season hasn't gone as smoothly.

The Reds' pitching staff has one of the highest WHIPs in the league at this point in spring training, and with low strikeout numbers in comparison to what is expected, the team has plenty of work to do over the next few weeks.

Cleveland Indians: Defense

After signing Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher to lucrative deals this offseason, the Cleveland Indians proved that they're in it to win it this year in the AL Central, and they're even pulling out all the stops for the fans.

Their offense should be more than up to the task of producing, and the pitching staff could be better than many expect if pitchers like Ubaldo Jimenez can perform like they're capable of.

In the field, they'll need to continue to work on their defensive aptitude this spring, as the team is allowing a high percentage of stolen bases and boasts a below-average defensive efficiency ratio.

Colorado Rockies: Plate Discipline

When you've got a roster with a number of young players, there will no doubt be some growing pains that can impede the progress of team stat lines, and this spring has done just that to the Colorado Rockies.

The veteran leadership of the team will no doubt help throughout the course of the regular season, but as it stands, their plate discipline could use some work, evidenced by the team's 32 walks taken, the fewest of any team this spring.

Detroit Tigers: Offense

No, I don't think the Detroit Tigers will have any problems scoring runs this season. But so far this spring, the offense has been a soft spot.

It can be thanked in part to the players that the team sent to the WBC, although with Venezuela eliminated, the Tigers will be happy to see MVP Miguel Cabrera return to help improve a league-worst .243 batting average.

Houston Astros: Inexperience

To nobody's surprise, the Houston Astros are experiencing their share of growing pains as they look to make their way into the American League.

A young roster that boasts one of the lowest payrolls seen in quite some time doesn't have the highest of expectations, but they'll want to improve on the fundamentals of the game if they hope to head in the right direction.

Leading into this week's games, the Astros were worst in the league with 22 errors, something that has also put them toward the bottom of the league in team fielding percentage.

Kansas City Royals: Nothing

After pulling off one of the biggest trades of the offseason, the Kansas City Royals fanbase certainly had high hopes for a big 2013 season.

There's no way anyone could have expected their spring to get off to such a strong start, however, as the team has scored more runs than any other team, reached base more than any other team and has the highest team batting average at an astounding .347.

Los Angeles Angels: Pitching Staff

We all know that spring training successes or failures don't always translate to the production that a team will see during the regular season, and in the case of the Los Angeles Angels, that could very well be the case in 2013.

As of this point, however, the Angels have the worst team ERA in the league (over 6.00), and the pitching staff has struck out fewer batters than any other team.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Defense

After a six-month period as active as any other team's in the league, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a roster that has to be one of the most dangerous in all of baseball.

They've got a pitching staff that could rank among the league's best (assuming Zack Greinke can stay healthy) and have an offense that should strike fear in opposing pitchers.

The Dodgers could use some work in the infield, however, with the worst defensive efficiency ratio and fielding percentage in the league this spring, and fewer double plays turned than any other team.

Miami Marlins: Depth

Just a year ago, a new era of baseball in South Florida was being ushered in, with a new stadium and talented roster on board.

That's all changed a year later, as owner Jeffrey Loria has traded away the biggest pieces of last year's roster and now has his sights set on a fresh start.

With Giancarlo Stanton also currently absent from spring training action, as he plays in the WBC, there isn't much to cheer about on the Marlins front.

Milwaukee Brewers: Backstop

The catcher position for the Milwaukee Brewers is definitely a soft spot in spring training, though that shouldn't be a problem all season long, as Jonathan Lucroy's absence will only last as long as Team USA does in the WBC.

With Lucroy gone from Cactus League play, the Brewers have seen the most wild pitches in the league and have allowed more stolen bases than any other team in MLB.

Minnesota Twins: Pitching

The Minnesota Twins didn't have all that much trouble scoring runs in 2012, as Josh Willingham paced the offense, though their pitching staff was another story.

With the worst team ERA in the league last season, new arms like Rich Harden, Vance Worley, Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia are poised to give the starting rotation a new look.

Some returns have been positive for the Twins, though Harden still has yet to pitch in a game and Pelfrey still doesn't have his velocity where it needs to be.

New York Mets: Plate Discipline

Every team heads into spring training with a newfound hope for success and takes every opportunity available to come out swinging.

After trading away Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey this past winter, the New York Mets have done just that.

Their swinging has, however, led to the most strikeouts of any team in spring training and the fewest hits, although the solid production from David Wright in the WBC has to be a positive sign.

New York Yankees: Offense

With Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez sidelined for the foreseeable future, the New York Yankees are feverishly looking to supplement their offense in hopes of not falling behind in the AL East.

The team is currently eyeing Derrick Lee as an option at first base, and though it was also reported that they were interested in recently retired third baseman Chipper Jones, that doesn't appear to be happening.

Oakland Athletics: Pitching

If the Oakland Athletics hope to make their way back into the postseason in 2013, they'll need to have a strong pitching staff to combat the offensive arsenals lined up in the AL West once again.

They have plenty of offense to put up runs but have struggled somewhat on the mound this spring, notching a team ERA of almost 6.00 with a low strikeout ratio and WHIP ranking toward the bottom of the league.

Philadelphia Phillies: Defense Behind the Plate

The Philadelphia Phillies have plenty of reason to think they'll be able to contend once again in 2013 after a down season last year, though much of those hopes will hinge on a strong performance from their top-notch pitching staff.

Their pitchers will need some help from the backstop as well, and with the second-most stolen bases allowed this spring and only two runners gunned down, the Phillies will need to improve in that department, something that could be an issue early on as Carlos Ruiz serves a 25-game suspension.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Power

With just a few weeks left before Opening Day, the Pittsburgh Pirates, like every other team, have plenty of work to do.

They're struggling at the plate so far this spring, with just a .243 team batting average and on-base percentages and slugging percentages ranking in the bottom three in MLB.

Pitching has been stronger for Pittsburgh, though the Pirates will need a balanced attack if they hope to continue to ascend in the NL Central.

San Diego Padres: Control Pitching

The San Diego Padres have their work cut out for them this season as they look to find their way in the tough NL West, and though they have a young roster that could make some waves eventually, it's hard to see the postseason in their immediate future.

Their pitching staff is performing somewhat admirably this season, though their walk numbers are higher than average, with strikeouts lacking.

Addressing control on the mound could go a long way toward combating the strong offensive lineups they'll face on a consistent basis in 2013.

San Francisco Giants: Pitching

With pitchers like Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong heading up the starting rotation of the defending world champions, the San Francisco Giants probably aren't too worried about their spring performance.

The numbers are alarming, though, as the Giants have the highest WHIP, lowest strikeout rate and a 6.12 team ERA so far this spring.

Seattle Mariners: Consistency

The Seattle Mariners made a big investment in their future this offseason when they signed Felix Hernandez to a huge contract extension, something that should help appease their fanbase heading into 2013.

The rest of their roster is a bit of a question mark so far this spring, with players like Justin Smoak and Jason Bay surpassing expectations in early action, while Jeremy Bonderman and Hector Noesi have struggled so far.

St. Louis Cardinals: Infield Depth

With recent postseason success in their memory bank, the St. Louis Cardinals know exactly what it'll take to get back there in 2013 as they navigate their way through the NL Central.

They were dealt a bit of a blow recently when it was announced that shortstop Rafael Furcal will need Tommy John surgery, sidelining him indefinitely.

The team's roster has the capacity to overcome such an injury, and they'll no doubt be looking to address their infield needs as spring training winds down over the next few weeks.

Tampa Bay Rays: Health

In recent seasons, the Tampa Bay Rays have made it a habit to contend in one of the toughest divisions in MLB despite having a payroll that pales in comparison to the competition.

They'll need a healthy season from all aspects this season as they look to make it in the AL East, and with Evan Longoria coming off a season in which he played only 74 games, they're hoping he doesn't post a repeat performance.

With Wade Davis and James Shields out of the Rays' pitching staff, keeping the remaining arms in top shape will also be a focal point for Tampa this spring.

Texas Rangers: Pitching

After seeing Roy Oswalt and Ryan Dempster depart from the starting rotation this offseason, many wondered what the Texas Rangers pitching staff would do to rebound heading into 2013.

At the front end of the rotation, Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland should be up to the task, but finding consistency in the back end of the rotation could prove to be a more difficult task.

Toronto Blue Jays: Defense

The Toronto Blue Jays will be a must-see team once Opening Day hits, as their new-look roster has the makings of a team that can definitely contend for a World Series berth.

There is a certain amount of growing pains associated with a major shift in a lineup, however, and the Blue Jays may be seeing some of that on the diamond, as they currently boast a .959 fielding percentage, worst in MLB this spring.

Washington Nationals: Defense

The Washington Nationals are once again in position to take the NL East title in 2013, though the improvements in Atlanta and Philadelphia will certainly make things tougher this season.

Additions to Washington's roster should ultimately help them on both offense and defense, though the fielders are ranked in the bottom of the league for defensive efficiency and have notched fewer assists than all but one team so far this spring.

As we all know about spring training, these early returns can't be used to make assumptions about the regular season, but they do give teams a gauge of what may need work in these final few weeks before Opening Day.