All 30 MLB Teams' Blueprint to an 'A' Grade This Offseason
The MLB offseason is officially upon us, and while San Francisco Giants fans are still celebrating the team's third World Series title in the past five years, teams have already set to work to unseat them as champions in the upcoming season.
Each team has a different set of goals and a different path it will follow this offseason to improve heading into 2015, but one thing is for sure: Everyone has work to do.
Whether it is adding a player to upgrade a specific area of weakness, re-signing a key player in free agency, selling high on a trade chip or extending an in-house player, there is lots to be done before the start of spring training.
With that in mind, here is a look at all 30 MLB teams' blueprint to an "A" grade this offseason—a quick rundown of what every team needs to accomplish this winter to be in the best possible position heading into next season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a durable starting pitcher
2. Add a middle reliever
Overview
The 2014 season was nothing short of a disaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks. They entered the season looking to contend after a disappointing 81-81 finish in 2013 but instead wound up posting the worst record in baseball.
Injuries to the starting rotation played a major role in their struggles, as Wade Miley and Josh Collmenter were the only pitchers to log more than 120 innings.
Those two figure to be back atop the staff this year, and they will be joined at some point in the first half by 2013 All-Star Patrick Corbin, who missed all of 2014 following Tommy John surgery.
Vidal Nuno, Randall Delgado, Chase Anderson, Trevor Cahill and prospects Archie Bradley and Andrew Chafin will all be in the running for the remaining rotation spots, but adding a durable veteran innings-eater to that mix couldn't hurt.
Bronson Arroyo was signed to be that guy last offseason, and he wound up making just 14 starts before Tommy John surgery sidelined him as well.
Beyond adding a starter, the team also figures to look for another bullpen arm or two to join Brad Ziegler, Oliver Perez and Addison Reed.
Rookie Evan Marshall had a nice season, and David Hernandez is expected to be back healthy, but the Diamondbacks could use some help in the middle-relief role.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a veteran starting pitcher
2. Add a bench bat or two
3. Unload B.J. Upton
Overview
Considering they opened the season with three-fifths of their projected starting rotation on the disabled list, the Atlanta Braves did an admirable job piecing together a staff, thanks in part to the late-spring additions of Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang.
With both of those guys headed for free agency, and Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy both major question marks as they attempt to return from their second go-around with Tommy John surgery, the Braves will be in the market for a veteran starter.
Julio Teheran, Alex Wood and Mike Minor will fill three of the rotation spots, and David Hale could make the full-time move to the rotation after serving as a swingman this past season, but that still leaves one spot up in the air.
While the rotation will likely be addressed, it's the offense that was the Braves' biggest weakness last year. Trouble is, they are more or less locked into their incumbent options around the diamond unless they decide to trade Justin Upton or Jason Heyward prior to hitting free agency next offseason.
Finding someone to take B.J. Upton, perhaps in a swap of bad contracts, would be huge, as he has been a disaster to this point.
The easy area to address would be the bench, where Ryan Doumit, Gerald Laird, Ramiro Pena and Jordan Schafer were all nonexistent offensively. The team hit just .179/.234/.253 with 10 RBI in pinch-hit situations, so finding an impact reserve bat would be nice.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign DH Nelson Cruz
2. Re-sign RF Nick Markakis
3. Add a left-handed reliever
Overview
The Baltimore Orioles have already returned three key pieces to the puzzle for 2015, signing shortstop J.J. Hardy to a three-year, $40 million extension and exercising their options on starter Wei-Yin Chen ($4.75 million) and reliever Darren O'Day ($4.25 million).
It appears that keeping the team intact will be the name of the game this offseason, as the biggest items remaining on the O's to-do list are re-signing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis.
Cruz was a steal at $8 million last season, but he's going to demand an awful lot more this time around both in terms of salary and longevity. Losing him would leave a gaping hole in the middle of the lineup, though, so it's a move that has to be made.
Markakis had his $17.5 million option declined, but all signs point to the 30-year-old re-upping with the only team he has ever played for. Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports wrote that the framework for a four-year deal is in place and could be signed soon.
Chances are the team won't spend what it takes to bring back deadline acquisition Andrew Miller, but signing a second-tier lefty reliever to pair with Brian Matusz would be helpful.
.png?w=256)
Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add two front-line starting pitchers
2. Upgrade at third base
3. Add a left-handed reliever
4. Add a backup catcher
Overview
The Boston Red Sox went into full-on fire-sale mode at the deadline last year, and they made it clear they had every intention of competing in 2015 when they opted to target big league pieces instead of prospects in a number of those deals.
Their chances of contending next year rest heavily on what they do to address a starting rotation where Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly are the only players currently locked into spots.
Signing one of the Big Three starters (Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, James Shields) and perhaps targeting whichever starter the Cincinnati Reds make available (Johnny Cueto or Mat Latos) by using some of their outfield depth could immediately give the Red Sox a strong staff.
Beyond that, look for them to make every effort to upgrade at third base, where Will Middlebrooks might be out of chances after hitting .191/.256/.265 in 215 at-bats last year. Pablo Sandoval will be the top target, while Chase Headley is also a free agent. Josh Donaldson and Trevor Plouffe could be available via trade.
With Andrew Miller and Craig Breslow gone, there is a clear need for a lefty reliever. Backup catcher has to be addressed as well, whether it is simply by re-signing David Ross or looking for someone else to fill that role.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add an ace-caliber starting pitcher
2. Unload Edwin Jackson
Overview
The youth movement was on in full force for the Cubs this past season, as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara—among others—got their feet wet. In 2015, the team will be looking to take a big step forward in the win-loss department.
Top prospect Kris Bryant is expected to join the team at some point in the first half, and alongside incumbent All-Stars Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, the Cubs have as much young position-player talent as any team in baseball.
The pitching staff remains the question mark, and while the emergence of Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks as a solid one-two punch helps in that department, it still lacks a bona fide ace.
It's no secret the Cubs' top target this offseason is Jon Lester, and they are expected to do everything in their power to add the stud left-hander to the mix.
In fact, there have been talks of Lester and Jake Peavy both signing with the Cubs this offseason, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"Me and Jon are obviously very close. If there was ever a fit with both of us on the team, certainly that would interest me," Peavy said. "You never know what free agency brings. I’ve certainly talked to Jon Lester because we’re buddies. So I have a feel for what he does. And I certainly know that Chicago would interest him and interest me."
Adding those two to the mix along with the aforementioned duo and Travis Wood would give the team a rock-solid rotation and would also likely mean the end of Edwin Jackson's time with the team.
Jackson is still due $22 million over the next two seasons, and he's been terrible in his two years on the North Side. That being said, he could be an attractive buy-low candidate for someone if the Cubs are willing to eat a good portion of that money.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a late-inning reliever or two
2. Add a power bat
3. Upgrade at catcher
Overview
The Chicago White Sox finished last season ranked 28th in the majors with a 4.38 bullpen ERA, and while they had some solid individual performers in Zach Putnam, Jake Petricka and Javy Guerra, the group as a whole was a mess.
Signing one of the market's veteran closers, and adding a left-handed reliever to that aforementioned trio of right-handed incumbents, could make for a quick turnaround. Perhaps a reunion with Neal Cotts to fill that second area of need is in the cards?
The team also needs to find some protection for slugger Jose Abreu, and with Paul Konerko retired, the DH spot will likely be where the White Sox try to do that.
The team has already been linked to Victor Martinez, according to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore, but prying him away from the division rival Detroit Tigers could be easier said than done. A second-tier bat like Michael Cuddyer is a more realistic target.
Catcher is not exactly a glaring need, as Tyler Flowers did enough in hitting 16 doubles and 15 home runs to warrant holding the job for at least another season.
However, a .355 BABIP and 21.1 percent HR/FB rate (via FanGraphs) indicate there's a good chance he's in for some regression next season. Add to that a .297 on-base percentage and a miserable 25/159 BB/K ratio, and having some sort of backup plan seems like a must.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Blueprint
1. Trade Johnny Cueto or Mat Latos for a huge haul
2. Add a left fielder
3. Add a reliever or two
Overview
Expected to once again contend for the NL Central title, the Cincinnati Reds instead took a big step backward in 2014, as injuries to their offense and a shaky bullpen were too much to overcome.
Their window to contend is rapidly closing, but there is still enough talent on their roster to make some noise in 2015.
The big decision this offseason will be what to do with the starting rotation, as Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon are all set to become free agents at the end of the upcoming season.
Chances are the Reds will not be able to afford both Cueto and Latos long term, and while they could wait until the trade deadline to pull the trigger on a deal, don't be surprised if one of those guys is on the move this winter for a big return.
As far as holes to fill, the big one offensively is left field, where the platoon of Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey did not provide much last season. Someone like Daniel Nava makes sense as a trade target, and pairing him with a left-handed-hitting specialist like Scott Hairston could be a nice low-cost way to fill the position.
The bullpen will also need to be addressed, as the team's bullpen ERA climbed from 3.29 in 2013 to 4.11 this past season.
Aroldis Chapman remains one of the best in the business in the ninth, but the rest of the relief corps is a crapshoot, so don't be surprised to see the Reds add at least a couple relievers to the mix.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Blueprint
1. Extend Corey Kluber
2. Add a No. 2 starting pitcher
3. Upgrade at third base
Overview
Corey Kluber was undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in baseball this past season, going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA, 1.095 WHIP and 269 strikeouts in 235.2 innings of work.
The right-hander is an interesting extension candidate, as he is already 28 years old and won't be arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2018 season, meaning there is probably not a nine-figure megadeal waiting for him at the end of arbitration.
He could simply go year to year through the arbitration process, but the stability of a long-term deal with such a short track record of success may be hard to pass up.
The five-year, $35 million deal Madison Bumgarner signed with one pre-arbitration year remaining could be a starting point for negotiations, with a five-year, $50 million deal looking like a good move for both sides.
Beyond locking up their ace, adding another proven veteran to follow him in the rotation could help solidify things for the Cleveland Indians. Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, T.J. House and Trevor Bauer all showed flashes last year, and this has the makings of a good rotation, but signing someone like Francisco Liriano or Ervin Santana could make it great.
Lonnie Chisenhall finally appeared to have figured things out with a monster first half last year, but he followed it up by hitting just .218/.277/.315 with four home runs and 18 RBI in the second half. The 26-year-old will likely get another chance, but they need a backup plan.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a starting pitcher or two
2. Add a setup reliever
Overview
Pitching remains the Achilles' heel for the Colorado Rockies, as they have struggled to field a viable five-man rotation throughout much of their existence as a franchise.
Jorge De La Rosa was given a two-year extension, so he'll be back atop the rotation, while Jordan Lyles and Tyler Matzek both showed enough last year that they should be locked into spots as well.
A healthy Jhoulys Chacin would likely occupy one of the two remaining spots, while prospects Jon Gray and Eddie Butler figure to get a long look this spring and could also break camp with the team.
For the Rockies, it's a matter of throwing as many guys as they can at the rotation and hoping five guys stick, so expect them to add a few low-cost veterans to the mix. Sinkerballer Roberto Hernandez, who is a good fit in Coors Field, could be a target.
The bullpen will also need to be addressed, as longtime setup man Matt Belisle is likely headed elsewhere in free agency, and both Nick Masset and Franklin Morales are set to depart.
A bounce-back season from Rex Brothers would help solidify the setup role in front of LaTroy Hawkins, and the Rockies have other solid arms in Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle.
They will still likely add at least one veteran reliever to the mix, though, and will be looking for a value similar to what they got out of Hawkins on a one-year, $2.25 million deal.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign Victor Martinez
2. Overhaul the bullpen
3. Add a corner outfielder
Overview
The Tigers have some work to do this offseason after being swept by the Orioles in the American League Division Series, and it will likely start with bringing back slugger Victor Martinez.
"One rival official said recently that considering the Tigers' win-at-all-costs approach and Martinez's importance in the Detroit lineup, he cannot see them being outbid for the DH," Buster Olney of ESPN wrote (subscription required). "They'll give him a qualifying offer, and beyond that, the official said, they'll give him what it takes."
Throwing big money at a 35-year-old is always risky, but losing his power bat behind Miguel Cabrera in the lineup would set the team back offensively.
Once V-Mart is locked up, the Tigers' attention will shift to the bullpen, where a complete overhaul is in order after they ranked 27th during the regular season with a 4.29 ERA, then imploded in the postseason.
Al Alburquerque and Blaine Hardy give the Tigers a pair of solid middle men to build around, but a setup reliever or two and a closer to replace the embattled Joe Nathan could all be brought in to help turn things around.
As for the rest of their free agents outside of Martinez, the biggest is right fielder Torii Hunter. The 39-year-old posted a .765 OPS with 33 doubles and 17 home runs last year, so he is a candidate to be re-signed.
The team could opt to stay in-house to fill his position by turning things over to prospect Steven Moya, who had a .861 OPS with 33 doubles, 35 home runs and 105 RBI in Double-A.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a stopgap at shortstop and/or third base
2. Add a veteran reliever or two
Overview
The Houston Astros are a team on the rise. They went just 70-92 last season, but that represented a 19-win improvement over the previous season and meant avoiding a fourth straight 100-loss campaign.
The biggest holes for them offensively last season were on the left side of the infield, where Jonathan Villar (.209/.267/.354) and Matt Dominguez (.215/.256/.330) both struggled mightily at the plate.
Prospects Carlos Correa and Colin Moran look like the long-term answers at those positions, but Correa is still probably two years away and Moran a year out, so signing a stopgap at one or both of those positions could help the Astros.
With a ton of money to spend, don't be surprised if they emerge as dark-horse contenders to sign Hanley Ramirez, especially if the market for him fails to develop and he winds up having to settle for something like a three- or four-year deal.
The team will also be in the market for low-cost relief pitching after scooping up a number of veteran arms in free agency last season to fill out the pen.
The starting rotation is in the hands of out-of-nowhere stars Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel, and while their peripheral numbers were strong, there has to be at least some concern that they come crashing back to Earth a bit in 2015. Either way, another low-cost starter for depth wouldn't hurt.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a starting pitcher or re-sign James Shields
2. Add a right fielder
3. Add a right-handed bat
Overview
Depending on how much he winds up costing, the Kansas City Royals might be better off letting James Shields walk and instead targeting one of the market's second-tier arms instead.
A rotation of Yordano Ventura, Danny Duffy, Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie with someone like Ervin Santana, Edinson Volquez or Francisco Liriano added to the mix still looks awfully strong, especially if Ventura continues to emerge as a star.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Royals will make an effort to re-sign Shields, and bringing him back would be nice, but it's not a necessity for the team to pull off an "A" grade for the offseason.
The other big area that the Royals will need to address is right field, where Nori Aoki is set to hit free agency and likely headed for a nice payday as one of the better outfield options on the market.
Shifting Lorenzo Cain over to right field and playing Jarrod Dyson every day in center field is one option, but it would seemingly limit Cain's value moving him off of center field.
Ideally, the Royals would find a right-handed bat with some power to fill that spot, as they will be looking to replace Billy Butler in the middle of the lineup after declining his option. With Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas all hitting from the left side, a right-handed bat like Alex Rios would be a nice fit.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a left-handed reliever
2. Add a starting pitcher
Overview
The 2014 season ended in disappointing fashion for the Los Angeles Angels, but on the plus side, they will return essentially the same team and should be in great position for another run at the AL pennant in 2015.
The bullpen went from a weakness to a strength last season after the team acquired Jason Grilli and Huston Street, but there was still a glaring need for an established southpaw.
The Angels picked up Joe Thatcher to be that guy at the deadline, but he wound up on the disabled list down the stretch and off the postseason roster.
Expect stud free agent Andrew Miller to be their No. 1 target this winter. If they don't sign him, then someone from the secondary group that includes Neal Cotts and Zach Duke will no doubt be joining the Angels.
Starting pitching is not as pressing of a need, but the Angels could use another arm to fill out the staff while they wait on Garrett Richards to get healthy.
Veterans Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Hector Santiago will be back alongside rookie standout Matt Shoemaker, but with Tyler Skaggs recovering from Tommy John surgery and Richards coming back from a knee injury, there is a need.
Cory Rasmus filled that No. 5 starter spot down the stretch last year, and he pitched well enough to at least get a crack at keeping the job. But expect the Angels to find him some competition this offseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Blueprint
1. Overhaul the bullpen
2. Add a shortstop
3. Add a back-end starting pitcher
Overview
The Los Angeles Dodgers were once again ousted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the postseason this past year, this time bowing out in the National League Division Series, and with all the money they have invested in this team, that won't cut it.
This team has reached the point where anything short of winning the pennant is disappointing, and one of the biggest reasons it fell short this October was its relief pitching.
Kenley Jansen is one of the best closers around, and J.P. Howell, Brandon League and Pedro Baez were terrific during the regular season, but the pen gave up one big hit after another to the Cardinals in the postseason.
Those four guys give the team a solid core of relievers to build around, but expect the Dodgers to aggressively pursue at least a couple front-line relief arms in an effort to turn the pen into a legitimate strength.
Beyond that, they will need to address the shortstop position provided Hanley Ramirez does not accept his qualifying offer and instead takes his talents elsewhere. One option would be to shift Dee Gordon back to shortstop and plug Alex Guerrero into the starting lineup, but the Dodgers will likely explore the free-agent class as well.
The No. 5 starter spot will be up for grabs now that Josh Beckett has retired and Paul Maholm, Roberto Hernandez, Kevin Correia and Chad Billingsley have hit free agency. There are in-house options there, including prospect Zach Lee, but expect the team to sign at least one veteran arm.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a second baseman
2. Extend Giancarlo Stanton
Overview
The Miami Marlins improved from 62-100 in 2013 to 77-85 this past season, and they should only get better in the years to come with a terrific young core in place.
Even with ace Jose Fernandez lost for the season at the beginning of May, the Marlins hung around in contention for a wild-card spot on into the second half. Getting Fernandez back alongside Henderson Alvarez, Nathan Eovaldi, Jarred Cosart and Andrew Heaney gives them an impressive young staff.
Offensively, the one glaring hole is at second base, where Donovan Solano, Ed Lucas, Jordany Valdespin and Derek Dietrich combined to hit .236/.303/.334 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI.
The team got creative a year ago when it signed Casey McGehee from Japan to man the hot corner, and it could take a similar route to address second base, with Cuban defector Hector Olivera looking like a potential target.
Otherwise, it's fairly slim pickings on the free-agent market, with Rickie Weeks joined by shortstops who could slide over to second base like Stephen Drew, Jed Lowrie and Asdrubal Cabrera.
The other big move the team could make this offseason is extending superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton's contract, which would finally put to rest the incessant trade rumors.
According to Jim Bowden of ESPN, the team's goal is to have the 24-year-old locked up before the winter meetings roll around in December. Don't be surprise if that comes with a price tag pushing $200 million.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign Francisco Rodriguez
2. Add a left-handed reliever or two
Overview
The most glaring need for the Milwaukee Brewers has already been filled this offseason, as they pulled off a trade to acquire first baseman Adam Lind from the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Marco Estrada.
Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay manned the first base spot last season after signing minor league deals at the end of the offseason, and while they did a respectable job, Lind should be a significant upgrade provided he can stay on the field.
He also gives the Brewers a left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup, something they were lacking around right-handed hitters Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Gomez, Ryan Braun and Khris Davis.
With first base addressed, the focus the remainder of the offseason will be on the bullpen, where Francisco Rodriguez, Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny are all set to hit free agency.
K-Rod ended up being a steal on the one-year, $3.25 million deal he signed last winter, and bringing him back to serve as closer once again seems like a no-brainer.
Duke had a terrific season and will be one of the most coveted lefty relievers on the market, so he may wind up finding more money elsewhere. With Gorzelanny also likely gone, that leaves a clear need for a southpaw in the bullpen.
Neal Cotts, Phil Coke, Joe Thatcher, Joe Beimel and Scott Downs could all be targets in free agency, as the Brewers look to rebuild a bullpen that was a strength for much of last season.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a starting pitcher
2. Add an outfielder
Overview
Despite trimming their starters' ERA from 5.26 to 5.06 this past season, the Minnesota Twins still ranked last in the majors in that category. They shelled out the richest free-agent deals in team history to ink Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes, and they also re-signed Mike Pelfrey.
Hughes was a great addition, as he went 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA, but the rest of the rotation was a mess, and the Twins will likely be looking to improve it once again this offseason.
Someone like Justin Masterson, who could be looking to rebuild value on a one-year deal, would be an attractive target, but really, any and all of the low-cost options are on the table as the Twins look to move toward the middle of the pack in rotation ERA.
On the offensive side of things, the youth movement has begun, with Danny Santana, Eduardo Escobar and Kennys Vargas moving into everyday roles this past season. More young help is on the way, led by top prospects Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano, but the team could look for a low-cost stopgap piece or two.
Oswaldo Arcia is locked into the everyday right field spot, with some combination of Santana, Jordan Schafer and Aaron Hicks currently slated to fill the other two outfield spots.
Signing someone to bridge the gap to Buxton, who is expected to be a star in center field but is still probably at least a year away, would help in the short term.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Blueprint
1. Upgrade at shortstop
2. Add a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder
3. Trade Bartolo Colon
Overview
The New York Mets' biggest addition this offseason will likely be the return of Matt Harvey after their young ace missed the entire 2014 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will join Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese, Jacob deGrom and Dillon Gee to form one of the best young rotations in all of baseball. His return also makes Bartolo Colon expendable, so look for the Mets to shop him aggressively this offseason.
As far as areas of need, shortstop remains atop the list, as the team will need to decide once and for all this winter if it thinks Ruben Tejada or Wilmer Flores can handle the position long term. Tejada has the glove but has been inconsistent at the plate, while Flores can hit but is better suited to play third base.
The free-agent market doesn't have much in the way of long-term answers, unless the New York makes a run at Hanley Ramirez, which is not out of the question given its need for a right-handed bat. The trade market is a more likely answer, with the Diamondbacks looking like a potential trade partner.
Adding a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder to bridge the gap to prospect Brandon Nimmo and join Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson in the everyday lineup is another move the Mets could look to make.
The bullpen finally found some stability behind Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia, but the team could stand to add another arm or two to the middle relief mix.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a shortstop
2. Re-sign David Robertson
3. Add a starting pitcher
Overview
With Derek Jeter officially riding off into the sunset, the New York Yankees' biggest hole this offseason appears to be the shortstop position.
Unless they feel comfortable turning things over to all-glove, no-bat veteran Brendan Ryan, they will need to go outside of the organization to address that need. Hanley Ramirez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Stephen Drew and Jed Lowrie are the top free-agent options at the position.
As far as their own free agents, the Yankees need to do whatever it takes to bring back closer David Robertson. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors predicted a four-year, $52 million deal, a steep price but a necessary one.
Some may point to the breakout of Dellin Betances as reason to let Robertson walk, but the Royals and Giants both showed this past season what a major weapon a dominant bullpen can be, and letting a known commodity like Robertson walk would be a step back.
There is enough position-player depth that the Yankees could get by with just signing a shortstop, but some added depth in the rotation makes sense.
Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia all missed time to injury last year, Ivan Nova will be sidelined recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Hiroki Kuroda is a free agent and could retire.
Re-signing Brandon McCarthy and perhaps targeting Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda could add some stability to a staff that was being pieced together for much of last season.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a shortstop
2. Upgrade at second base
3. Add a left fielder
Overview
With Jed Lowrie headed for free agency and second base once again a black hole where offensive production goes to die, the Oakland Athletics will need to seriously think about addressing both middle infield spots this winter.
Top prospect Daniel Robertson is still at least a year away from taking over at shortstop, so signing one of the veteran options on the market (Stephen Drew, Asdrubal Cabrera, Lowrie) to bridge that gap seems like the most likely scenario.
Meanwhile, a group of second basemen, led by Eric Sogard and Nick Punto, combined to hit .233/.297/.282 last year, and the second base position in general has managed just 10 home runs the past three years. Both Sogard and Punto will be back next season, so it would not be at all surprising to see them manning the keystone once again, but the team needs to at least consider options to upgrade.
In left field, the A's went with a platoon of Jonny Gomes and Sam Fuld down the stretch, with Brandon Moss also seeing time out there following the trade of Yoenis Cespedes. Fuld will be back next season, but he is better suited in the fourth outfielder role rather than as the primary starters at a premium offensive position.
The A's probably won't throw down the money to sign Yasmany Tomas, but bringing in someone like Alex Rios or Michael Cuddyer could help get the offense back on track.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Blueprint
1. Sign Yasmany Tomas
2. Add a starting pitcher
3. Unload some veteran pieces
Overview
It appears the Philadelphia Phillies are finally ready to accept the need to rebuild, or at least that's what senior adviser and interim CEO Pat Gillick told Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com:
"I think we’re more toward rebuilding than reloading. That’s my opinion. I think it's hard to ask the fans, it's hard to ask the media, it's hard to ask, you know, anyone, to be patient. Patience is kind of thin these days. But I think this is going to be more of a rebuilding, more of a restructuring than a reloading.
"
That should mean doing what they can to move everyone outside of Cole Hamels, Ken Giles and Maikel Franco. High-salary players such as Jonathan Papelbon, Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard should be dealt if possible.
As far as additions, the big target is Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas. The 23-year-old brings the youth this roster is desperately in need of, and according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Phillies have emerged as "strong contenders" to sign him.
With Kyle Kendrick departing in free agency and A.J. Burnett having his $15 million mutual option declined, the team figures to also be in the market for a starting pitcher or two to fill out the staff behind Hamels and a potentially healthy Cliff Lee.
This could be a huge offseason in Philly that sets up its next decade.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign Russell Martin
2. Add a starting pitcher
Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to shell out $17 million over two years to sign Russell Martin ended up being one of the best decisions in franchise history.
Martin has been one of the top backstops in the league the past two seasons, both offensively and defensively, contributing a 9.9 WAR and helping lead the Pirates to back-to-back postseason appearances.
He's not going to come cheap as the top catcher and one of the top position players in general on the free-agent market, but unless the Pirates think Tony Sanchez can handle the everyday job or are comfortable signing someone like Nick Hundley, they have to bring back Martin.
The other area that could be hit hard by free agency is the starting rotation, where reclamation projects Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez are set to cash in after taking bargain deals and rebuilding their value during their time in Pittsburgh.
That leaves Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, Vance Worley and Jeff Locke as the incumbent options, with prospects Nick Kingham and Adrian Sampson knocking on the door, so the Pirates do have options. Adding another low-cost starter to the mix—hopefully finding the next Liriano or Volquez—would be a prudent move, as it's hard to know exactly what to expect out of Locke and Worley.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a power bat
2. Add middle infield depth
Overview
After ranking dead last in batting average (.226), OPS (.634) and runs per game (3.30) this past season, bolstering their offensive attack will be priority No. 1 for the San Diego Padres this winter. Jedd Gyorko, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Quentin and Will Venable were expected to be the key hitters, but none of them produced anything more than average numbers this past season.
Finding a power bat that can play corner outfield and perhaps some first base would be the most obvious way to add some punch, and the Padres have been among the teams linked to Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
The other area that was severely lacking offensively was shortstop, as Everth Cabrera took a big step back after ending the 2013 season with a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Alexi Amarista also saw some time there, but he put up similarly pedestrian numbers.
The Padres have the pitching to be legitimate contenders, as they ranked fourth in the majors with a 3.27 ERA as a team last year, including an NL-best 2.73 mark from their bullpen.
If they add an impact bat in free agency and some of their young hitters, such as Gyorko and Grandal, take a step forward and finally turn potential into production, they could be a dark horse to contend for a playoff spot in 2015.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign Pablo Sandoval
2. Add a starting pitcher or two
3. Add a left fielder
Overview
The San Francisco Giants have made it a point to re-sign the bulk of their own free agents the past few seasons, and that trend will be put to the test this winter with third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
The team gave Hunter Pence a five-year, $90 million extension last offseason, and it figures to cost at least that much to keep Sandoval around. As one of the top position players on the market and one of the best all-around third basemen in the game, chances are that price will be pushed north of $100 million, but it's a price worth paying considering he is in the prime of his career and is a proven postseason stud.
If he does walk, the Giants' top target likely becomes Chase Headley, unless they're able to pull off a trade for someone like Trevor Plouffe.
Left field will also need to be addressed, provided Michael Morse signs elsewhere after rebuilding his value on a one-year deal. A platoon of Gregor Blanco and Juan Perez could conceivably handle the job, but more productive options are available.
Then there is the starting rotation, where Madison Bumgarner looks to be the only sure thing heading into 2015. Tim Hudson fell off big time in the second half last year, Matt Cain is recovering from elbow and ankle surgery, Tim Lincecum is a shell of what he once was, and both Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong are headed for free agency.
Yusmeiro Petit will likely make the full-time move to starting next year, and for better or worse, Hudson and Lincecum will be back, but the team still figures to go after at least one impact starter to round things out.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a right-handed power bat
2. Add a starting pitcher
3. Add a left-handed reliever
Overview
The Seattle Mariners were in the running for a playoff spot right down to the final day of the season last year, and at this point, they look to be just a piece or two from finally breaking through and reaching October for the first time since 2001.
Their biggest need is to find a right-handed-hitting run producer to slot between lefties Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the middle of the lineup. They hoped Corey Hart would be that guy when they signed him to a one-year deal last offseason, but he wound up missing time and struggling when he did play.
The obvious target is Nelson Cruz, whom they were interested in last offseason and nearly signed, according to Bob Dutton of The News Tribune. The Mariners will likely make a run at him again, but someone like Michael Cuddyer could wind up being who they sign.
Beyond that, they will need to replace departing free agents Chris Young and Joe Beimel in the starting rotation and bullpen, respectively.
Young was a terrific scrapheap find a year ago, but a 5.02 FIP means he's likely headed for some regression, so their best bet is to let someone else pay him. Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker will fill four rotation spots, and Roenis Elias is the leading candidate for the fifth, but depth is always important in the rotation.
Beimel was another reclamation project, and he ended up giving the team a second solid lefty option out of the pen alongside Charlie Furbush. He is a candidate to be re-signed, but if he walks, the Mariners will need to replace him with another lefty specialist.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a setup reliever
2. Add a bench bat with some pop
Overview
Unlike last offseason, when the shortstop position was a clear need and they signed Jhonny Peralta to a four-year, $53 million deal, the St. Louis Cardinals don't have any glaring holes heading into the offseason this time around.
Their most important free agent is reliever Pat Neshek, who turned a minor league deal into an All-Star appearance and a featured role in the eighth inning. He could be re-signed, but the team could inevitably decide to let someone else pay him in favor of a more established option like Luke Gregerson, considering both will likely command three-year deals.
A return to form from Kevin Siegrist would go a long way among the left-handed relievers, as the Cardinals were left relying on Sam Freeman and Randy Choate for most of the season.
As far as position players are concerned, the starting lineup is set, but the bench could use an impact bat to provide some punch in the pinch-hitting role. Tony Cruz, Daniel Descalso and Peter Bourjos figure to be back to fill three of the reserve spots, with prospects Xavier Scruggs and Stephen Piscotty likely to get a long look this spring as well.
Adding someone like Mark Reynolds to the mix who could back up first and third base and provide power off the bench would be a nice secondary move for this team.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a power bat
2. Upgrade at catcher
3. Extend Alex Cobb
Overview
Outside of Evan Longoria, who hit 22, no Tampa Bay Rays player hit more than 12 home runs this past season. Utility infielder Sean Rodriguez was second on the team, and he did not see everyday at-bats.
Wil Myers was expected to be that second power bat, but injuries limited him to just 87 games and six home runs. Adding someone at a low price to take on the bulk of the DH at-bats and provide some power, like Michael Morse or Mark Reynolds, would be a nice pickup.
Rays catchers combined to hit just .194/.274/.250 with five home runs and 48 RBI last year, and the team is again slated to go with a platoon of Jose Molina and Ryan Hanigan. Finding a way to add some offense behind the dish would be a nice move as well.
As far as their in-house talent, the Rays could continue their recent trend of buying out arbitration years from their pitchers with early extensions by locking up Alex Cobb.
Matt Moore (five years, $14 million, plus three option years), Wade Davis (four years, $12.6 million, plus three option years) and Chris Archer (six years, $25.5 million, plus two option years) all received long-term deals early in their careers, and with Cobb set to be arbitration-eligible for the first time, he could be next.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a breakout performance in 2013 when he went 11-3 with a 2.76 ERA, and he followed that up by going 10-9 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.136 WHIP this past season.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a starting pitcher
2. Add a left fielder
Overview
No team was hit harder by injury than the Texas Rangers in 2014, and they will be making a number of offseason additions simply by way of guys getting healthy and returning to the lineup.
They used a whopping 15 different starting pitchers this past season, but their rotation is in better shape than you might think. Yu Darvish and Derek Holland give the Rangers a terrific one-two punch at the top, and Nick Tepesch showed enough in the second half that he should be locked into one of the three remaining rotation spots.
Signing a second-tier arm like Edinson Volquez or Ervin Santana to join Darvish and Holland at the top could be enough to make the rotation a strength this coming season. That will all hinge on whether it can stay healthy, though.
Getting Prince Fielder, Shin-Soo Choo and Jurickson Profar back healthy will do wonders for the offense, but there is a hole to be filled in left field after the team declined its option on Alex Rios. Leonys Martin and Choo are locked into the other two outfield spots, so the team will likely pursue everyday left field options.
That is, unless the Rangers think Jake Smolinski or Michael Choice is capable of stepping into a bigger role this coming season; then they could simply look for a left-handed hitting platoon bat to pair with one of them.
Catcher could be upgraded if the Rangers don't think Robinson Chirinos is capable of bridging the gap to top prospect Jorge Alfaro, but he showed enough last year that he will likely get another chance behind the dish.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Blueprint
1. Re-sign Melky Cabrera
2. Upgrade at second base
3. Add a late-inning reliever or two
Overview
The Toronto Blue Jays appear ready to move on from Colby Rasmus in center field, but they would like very much to bring back left fielder Melky Cabrera after a terrific 2014 season. The 30-year-old was a flop in his first season with the team, but he rebounded to hit .301/.351/.458 with 35 doubles and 16 home runs this past season, setting himself up for a nice payday after settling for a two-year, $16 million deal last time he hit the open market.
There is work to be done, though, as the two sides are reportedly "far apart" in negotiations, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
The team will also likely address second base, after Munenori Kawasaki, Ryan Goins, Maicer Izturis, Steven Tolleson and others combined to hit .247/.295/.340 with seven home runs and 48 RBI this past season.
If the Blue Jays don't find a suitable upgrade, they could opt to go after a third baseman and shift Brett Lawrie over to second base, where he played in the minors.
Finally, there is the bullpen, a group that saw its ERA climb from 3.37 in 2013 to 4.09 this past year. Casey Janssen is a free agent, while Sergio Santos and Dustin McGowan had their options declined.
Aaron Sanchez could play a major role in the pen if he doesn't join the rotation, and the Jays still have some decent arms in Aaron Loup, Brett Cecil, Todd Redmond and Steve Delabar. Adding a proven closer and another veteran middle man could help them bounce back to their 2013 form.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Blueprint
1. Add a second baseman
2. Extend Jordan Zimmermann
Overview
It was another disappointing postseason for the Washington Nationals on the heels of the best record in the National League, the second time in three years they have earned the No. 1 seed on the NL side of things only to be knocked out in the National League Division Series.
That said, they return as much talent as any team in the league, and they won't need to do much tinkering this offseason to be right back in the hunt for another NL East title and run at the postseason.
Second base was the glaring area of need at the trade deadline, and the Nats addressed that by picking up Asdrubal Cabrera in a trade with the Cleveland Indians. With Anthony Rendon shifting to third base full time and Ryan Zimmerman set to slide over to first base to replace Adam LaRoche, second base is again the clear area of need now that Cabrera is set to hit free agency.
Re-signing him is one option, but the team could also pursue Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew or Rickie Weeks in free agency. Danny Espinosa is likely out of chances after failing to seize the job more than once last year, so expect the Nationals to add someone one way or the other.
The other major item of business this offseason could be coming to terms on an extension with one of their starting pitchers. Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister are both set to hit free agency at the end of the 2015 season, while Stephen Strasburg is a free agent the following year.
Zimmermann seems like the most likely candidate to be extended, as he has been the team's best pitcher the past two seasons and is still in the prime of his career at the age of 28.
Unless otherwise noted, all standard and advanced stats (including WAR) courtesy of Baseball-Reference.
.png?w=480)
