Each MLB Team's Biggest Roster Hole to Fix in 2025-26 Offseason
For the majority of teams across Major League Baseball, the offseason has already started, and while playoff baseball is still in full swing, many front offices have already turned their attention to another winter of roster shuffling.
From the best teams in baseball to the perennial cellar-dwellers, every team has at least one glaring roster hole that will need to be addressed this winter.
That can be a lingering issue that was present throughout the 2025 season, or one set to be created by a departing free agent.
With that in mind, we've highlighted each team's biggest hole that will need to be fixed this offseason, while also suggesting one free-agency or trade target that would be a logical fit given their budget and likelihood of contention.
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: No. 2/3 Starter
The second-half emergence of Trevor Rogers (18 GS, 1.81 ERA, 109.2 IP) and a healthy Kyle Bradish (6 GS, 2.53 ERA, 32.0) gives the Orioles two quality starting pitchers to build their rotation around in 2026, but they need at least one more reliable arm to join that group.
Grayson Rodriguez has the potential to be that guy if he can stay on the field, but relying on him to make 30 starts would be a mistake.
Logical Target: Tyler Mahle
Boston Red Sox: Veteran Starting Pitching
The Red Sox have an exciting trio of young arms in Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison set to compete for spots in the starting rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet and right-hander Brayan Bello.
However, relying on all three to hold down spots in the rotation from the start of the season could be asking too much, and replacing Lucas Giolito with another veteran arm with some buy-low upside would be a nice way to round out the staff.
Logical Target: Brandon Woodruff
New York Yankees: Outfield
The Yankees have a nice core to build around in the bullpen with David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill all expected to return.
So, while upgrading the relief corps will be on the to-do list, sorting out the outfield with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham both headed for free agency will be their No. 1 need.
They could roll with Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones alongside Aaron Judge, but counting on both of those young up-and-comers would be a significant risk.
Logical Target: Cody Bellinger
Tampa Bay Rays: Outfield
After using primarily light-hitting speedsters Chandler Simpson (441 PA, 89 OPS+) and Jake Mangum (428 PA, 96 OPS+) in the outfield alongside Josh Lowe (435 PA, 81 OPS+), Christopher Morel (305 PA, 90 OPS+) and Kameron Misner (217 PA, 72 OPS+), the Rays should be looking for outfield upgrades this winter.
A low-cost platoon bat with defensive value from the bargain bin is their most likely target.
Logical Target: Austin Slater
Toronto Blue Jays: Relief Pitching
The Blue Jays ranked 16th in the majors with a 3.98 ERA from their relief corps and got a lackluster season from new closer Jeff Hoffman (71 G, 33/40 SV, 4.37 ERA), so upgrading the bullpen this winter will be a top priority.
Young arms such as Braydon Fisher, Mason Fluharty, Brendon Little and Yariel Rodríguez give them depth, but another experienced late-inning veteran should be atop their wish list.
Logical Target: Tyler Rogers
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: Run Production
The White Sox ranked near the bottom of the league in batting average (.234, 28th) and OPS (.673, 28th) with runners in scoring position, and adding a veteran bat who can shoulder some of the run production load in the middle of the lineup figures to be a priority.
The designated hitter spot is open, while they could also target a first baseman, depending on how they want to deploy Lenyn Sosa.
Logical Target: Josh Bell
Cleveland Guardians: Offense
The Guardians were a playoff team despite ranking near the bottom of the league in batting average (.226, 29th), OPS (.669, 29th), home runs (168, 20th) and runs scored (643, 28th), and they made the postseason with a negative run differential.
Aside from José Ramírez, Steven Kwan and Kyle Manzardo, the roster is lacking in impact offensive talent, and that needs to change for them to take the next step.
Logical Target: Ryan O'Hearn
Detroit Tigers: Relief Pitching
The Tigers went from fifth (3.55) to 17th (4.05) in bullpen ERA this season, and with Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Montero and deadline pickup Kyle Finnegan headed for free agency, there are holes to fill on the relief corps.
Manager A.J. Hinch does a great job maximizing his entire pitching staff, and finding him a few new weapons should be a priority this offseason.
Logical Target: Emilio Pagán
Kansas City Royals: Outfield
The Royals outfield has been a revolving door in recent years, and looking ahead to the 2026 season, glove-first Kyle Isbel and former top prospect Jac Caglianone are the top returning options.
The front office acquired Mike Yastrzemski and Randal Grichuk at the deadline, and targeting similar veteran talent this offseason would bring some much-needed production to the outfield contingent.
Logical Target: Mike Yastrzemski
Minnesota Twins: Relief Pitching
After trading Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Louie Varland, Danny Coulombe and Brock Stewart at the deadline, the Twins will need to completely rebuild the bullpen around Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk and Justin Topa.
They will be an attractive landing spot for one of the veteran closers on the market looking to get a shot at guaranteed save opportunities.
Logical Target: Kenley Jansen
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: Third Base
The Athletics used nine different starting third basemen during the 2025 season, including Gio Urshela (47 starts) and Miguel Andújar (28 starts) who are no longer with the team.
They are not going to swing for the fences and target someone like Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suárez, but there are some veterans who fit the Urshela mold who could be available on a reasonable one-year deal.
Logical Target: Luis Rengifo
Houston Astros: Outfield
Cam Smith and Jake Meyers should be back as staples in the Houston outfield again in 2026, but left field was a revolving door all year, and an outside addition will be necessary unless they plan to move Jose Altuve to the grass on a full-time basis.
Jesús Sánchez was acquired at the deadline, but he is an obvious non-tender candidate with a projected $6.5 million salary.
Logical Target: Cedric Mullins
Los Angeles Angels: Starting Pitching
With Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks headed for free agency, the only set spots in the Angels rotation looking ahead to next season belong to Yusei Kikuchi and José Soriano.
Young arms Jack Kochanowicz (111.0 IP, 6.81 ERA, 6.05 FIP) and Caden Dana (32.1 IP, 6.40 ERA, 6.48 FIP) do not look ready to hold down rotation spots, so multiple outside additions might be necessary this winter.
Logical Target: Shane Bieber
Seattle Mariners: First Base
With first baseman Josh Naylor, second baseman Jorge Polanco and third baseman Eugenio Suárez all headed for free agency, the Mariners will have a new-look infield around shortstop J.P. Crawford next season.
Former top prospect Cole Young could get another extended look at second base, while Ben Williamson at least provided a steady glove at the hot corner, but first base will likely require an outside addition.
Naylor has been a good enough fit that re-signing him should be at the top of their list.
Logical Target: Josh Naylor
Texas Rangers: Relief Pitching
The Rangers need to fill a hole in right field and replace multiple arms in the starting rotation, but the most glaring need heading into the offseason is rebuilding the bullpen top to bottom.
Hoby Milner (73 games), Shawn Armstrong (71 games), Chris Martin (49 games) and deadline pickups Phil Maton (23 games) and Danny Coulombe (15 games) will all be free agents this winter.
Logical Target: Robert Suárez
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NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: Shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim played well enough down the stretch after joining the Braves that it is far from a foregone conclusion he will exercise his $16 million player option for the 2026 season.
The Braves could look to sign him to an extension before he gets a chance to test the open market, but if he does end up walking, shortstop immediately jumps to the top of their offseason shopping list.
Logical Target: Ha-Seong Kim
Miami Marlins: Run Production
The Marlins have some offensive pieces to build around in Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee, Agustín Ramírez and Heriberto Hernández, but a proven veteran run producer could help transform their lineup.
Ideally, they would leave the everyday DH job open for Ramírez, who was arguably the worst defensive catcher in baseball in 2025. That makes right field or one of the infield corners the most likely spot for an addition.
Logical Target: Rhys Hoskins
New York Mets: No. 1 Starter
With the young trio of Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong emerging late in the season, and veterans Sean Manaea (2/$50M), Kodai Senga (2/$28M), Clay Holmes (1/$13M) and David Peterson (arbitration eligible) also returning, the Mets have no shortage of candidates for the starting rotation.
However, they are lacking a bona fide ace. The top priority will be re-signing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz if they opt-out as expected, but the biggest area to upgrade is the rotation.
Logical Target: Framber Valdez
Philadelphia Phillies: Catcher
If Kyle Schwarber walks in free agency, the Phillies could shift Nick Castellanos to designated hitter and explore moving Bryce Harper back to the outfield or promoting Justin Crawford for an Opening Day job.
However, there is no in-house catcher replacement if veteran J.T. Realmuto walks, so bringing him back, signing Danny Jansen or trading for a catcher is a must this winter.
Logical Target: Harry Ford
Washington Nationals: Starting Pitching
Only the Colorado Rockies (6.65 ERA) had a worse ERA from their starting rotation than the 5.18 mark the Nationals posted in 2025.
Left-hander MacKenzie Gore and a healthy Josiah Gray look like the only long-term building blocks on the staff, and a veteran innings eater could go a long way in stabilizing the staff.
Logical Target: Adrian Houser
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: Relief Pitching
The Cubs did a fantastic job piecing together their bullpen with veteran additions last offseason, but they'll need to do it again this winter with Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz, Taylor Rogers and Ryan Brasier all ticketed for free agency.
Kyle Tucker is their high-profile free agent, but they have in-house options to replace him if they are unable to bring him back.
Logical Target: Ryan Helsley
Cincinnati Reds: Power-Hitting Outfielder
The Reds leaned on Austin Hays, Miguel Andújar, Gavin Lux, Spencer Steer and rookie Sal Stewart in the middle of the batting order after Elly De La Cruz was moved down amid a second-half slump.
TJ Friedl was the only player who topped 100 starts in the outfield, and adding another impact bat who can join him in the grass is the easiest way to bolster the offensive attack.
Logical Target: Trent Grisham
Milwaukee Brewers: Veteran Starting Pitching
Freddy Peralta will be back to anchor the Milwaukee rotation again next season, but with Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana both set to depart in free agency, the Brewers will potentially be relying on a long list of young arms that includes Quinn Priester, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson and DL Hall to round out the 2026 rotation.
A reasonably priced veteran, similar to the one-year, $4 million deal they gave Quintana last winter, would be a wise investment.
Logical Target: Tyler Anderson
Pittsburgh Pirates: Offense
Spencer Horwitz (118 OPS+) was the only player on the Pirates roster, regardless of sample size, who logged an OPS+ over 100 last season.
With an impressive stable of young starting pitching, the front office needs to stop pinching pennies and invest in some offensive fire power to give them a chance to escape the perpetual rebuilding cycle they are caught in.
Logical Target: Marcell Ozuna
St. Louis Cardinals: Starting Pitching
With the Cardinals expected to shop Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras this offseason as they try to get younger, they will likely stick to the bargain bin for any potential outside additions.
That said, if Gray is dealt and Miles Mikolas walks in free agency, they will need to replace 337 innings of work in the rotation, so a veteran signing might be necessary.
Expect the focus to be on one-year deals and potential deadline trade chips.
Logical Target: Zack Littell
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: Closer
The D-backs entered the season with an enviable one-two punch of A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez expected to shorten games at the back of the bullpen, but when both players were lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, the ninth inning became an all-hands-on-deck situation.
With both pitchers expected to start the season on the injured list, they should be in the market for a veteran closer.
Logical Target: Raisel Iglesias
Colorado Rockies: Starting Pitching
As always, the hurdle for the Rockies is convincing any worthwhile starting pitcher to choose to pitch his home games at Coors Field.
Not since Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle imploded in spectacular fashion has a high-profile arm signed on the dotted line with Colorado in free agency. That will likely mean bargain-hunting for someone who can eat up innings and take some pressure off their young arms.
Logical Target: Aaron Civale
Los Angeles Dodgers: Outfielder
Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages appear to have two spots locked up in the Dodgers outfield for next season.
However, with underwhelming veteran Michael Conforto headed for free agency and Alex Call best used as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching, the most obvious place for them to make a splash is at the top of the outfield market.
Will they go all-in on Kyle Tucker, pursue a reunion with Cody Bellinger or opt for a different direction?
Logical Target: Kyle Tucker
San Diego Padres: Starting Pitching
The Padres have two major holes to fill in the rotation with Dylan Cease and Michael King set to be two of the top starters on the free-agent market this offseason, and limited in-house candidates to fill the void.
Nick Pivetta, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez and a healthy Joe Musgrove still have the potential to be a solid staff, and AJ Preller might prefer to wheel and deal on the trade market as opposed to overpaying for a top arm in free agency.
Logical Target: Joe Ryan
San Francisco Giants: No. 2/3 Starter
The Giants have Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and a whole bunch of question marks in the starting rotation, and with Ray set to reach free agency after 2026 when his $25 million salary will come off the books, they might be willing to dive into the deep end of the free-agency pitching pool.
After landing Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade, they could prioritize a starter over another bat with their next $100 million-plus contract.
Logical Target: Ranger Suárez
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