All 30 MLB Teams' Updated To-Do List Heading into the New Year
It's already been a busy offseason around Major League Baseball, as teams have already crossed a number of items off of their to-do list so far this winter.
However, as we get set to flip the calendar over to 2016, all 30 teams still have at least a couple of areas to focus on between now and the start of spring training.
Whether it is plugging a roster hole with a free-agent signing, trading off an expensive or unnecessary roster piece or extending a player ahead of free agency, every team has something left to accomplish.
So with that in mind, here is a look at all 30 MLB teams' updated to-do list heading into the new year.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a veteran setup man
2. Extend A.J. Pollock
Overview
The Arizona Diamondbacks have already made significant noise this offseason with the additions of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller.
In the process, they addressed a starting rotation that had been their one glaring weakness, as they ranked 23rd in the league last year with a 4.37 ERA from their starters.
Brad Ziegler shined last season after taking over the closer's role, and it appears the team is comfortable relying on the 36-year-old to close out games once again.
However, adding another proven late-inning arm to help bring some stability to the bullpen still looks like a clear need, as their relief corps has a chance to be strong but is somewhat lacking in experience.
Beyond filling that one remaining need, the team could also look to hammer out an extension with breakout star A.J. Pollock, who was a 7.4 WAR player while making his first All-Star appearance and winning a Gold Glove.
The 28-year-old is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, and he indicated his interest in staying with the team long term back in August, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
To-Do List
1. Shop SP Julio Teheran
2. Add a cheap power bat
Overview
The sell-off has continued for the Atlanta Braves this winter, with Andrelton Simmons and Shelby Miller becoming the latest players to be moved for young talent to help with the rebuilding process.
That leaves the team with very few movable pieces remaining on the roster, but one player it will likely continue to listen to offers for is right-hander Julio Teheran.
An All-Star in 2014 when he went 14-13 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.081 WHIP, Teheran took a step back this past season when he was 11-8 with a 4.04 ERA and 1.306 WHIP.
The 24-year-old is owed a reasonable $28.6 million over the next four seasons, with a $12 million option for 2020, but his stock is undoubtedly down at this point.
The Braves won't sell low on him, but there may still be someone out there willing to bank on a bounce-back performance and give the Braves a return equivalent to his 2014 performance.
As for pieces they could look to add, finding some sort of low-cost power source would be nice after they hit an MLB-low 100 home runs as a team last year.
Freddie Freeman led the way with 18 long balls, while Adonis Garcia and the since-departed Cameron Maybin were the only other players in double digits with 10 each.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a starting pitcher
2. Add a right fielder
3. Add a right-handed hitting DH option
Overview
The Baltimore Orioles did well to re-sign setup man Darren O'Day, but they still stand to lose a pair of key free agents in starter Wei-Yin Chen and first baseman Chris Davis.
Trading for slugger Mark Trumbo gives them a fallback option at first base if they are in fact unable to re-sign Davis, but the rotation remains a glaring need without Chen.
After finishing 25th in the league with a 4.53 ERA from their starters last season, they will now have to move forward without their best starter in Chen who went 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.218 ERA.
With a rotation anchored by Chris Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez, it's hard to see how the Orioles can contend in 2016.
As for other needs, the team filled one corner outfield spot with the signing of Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim who will likely man left field, but right field is still a hole with L.J. Hoes and Nolan Reimold currently the leading candidates to start.
They could also use a right-handed hitter to split time at designated hitter with Jimmy Paredes, who is a switch-hitter but is just a .203/.244/.266 career hitter against left-handed pitching.
Someone like Chris Carter or Wilin Rosario could be a potential fit.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add another quality reliever
2. Consider power-hitting outfield options
Overview
With David Price signed to front the rotation and relievers Craig Kimbrel and Carson Smith acquired via trade to join Koji Uehara in the late innings, the Boston Red Sox pitching staff suddenly looks like a legitimate strength heading into 2016.
That trio of relief arms should help the team shorten games considerably, but it could still stand to add another quality arm to the relief corps before all is said and done.
Ideally it would be a left-handed reliever, as Robbie Ross Jr. (54 G, 3.86 ERA, 1.302 WHIP) and Tommy Layne (64 G, 3.97 ERA, 1.427 WHIP) were both passable last season but far from dominant.
The outfield is by no means a pressing need with Rusney Castillo, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts currently slated to be the starters and the versatile Brock Holt and free-agent addition Chris Young also in the mix for playing time.
However, they could definitely use another power threat in the middle of their lineup.
David Ortiz is another year older, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval are both significant question marks and Xander Bogaerts is still refining his power stroke after hitting just seven home runs last season.
With that in mind, at least keeping an eye on how the markets for Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes unfold makes sense.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a left-handed setup reliever
2. Add a defensive-minded backup outfielder
Overview
Already set up for long-term success and coming off of a surprise run to the NLCS, the Chicago Cubs have had a terrific offseason highlighted by the additions of Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey.
With those three key pieces added to the mix, their remaining needs are minimal, but they could stand to add a couple more specific pieces.
Travis Wood did a great job after moving to the bullpen last year, and Clayton Richard proved to be a useful scrapheap find, but the bullpen is still lacking a dominant lefty.
A trade for someone like Jake McGee or a run at free agent Antonio Bastardo could be the answer there.
They could also use a quality defensive outfielder to serve as a late-game replacement for either Kyle Schwarber or Jorge Soler, as both are shaky defensively to say the least.
Matt Szczur is out of minor league options and will likely get the first crack at replacing Chris Denorfia on the bench, but defensive metrics were not kind to him either (-3 DRS, -22.6 UZR/150) so he may not be the answer.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a right-handed starting pitcher
2. Consider signing one of the top free-agent outfielders
3. Explore shortstop options
Overview
Last winter, the Chicago White Sox made finding a right-handed starter to slot between Chris Sale and Jose Quintana atop the starting rotation a priority, eventually landing Jeff Samardzija in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
With Samardzija moving on in free agency, the White Sox once again profile to be heavily left-handed, with southpaws Sale, Quintana, Carlos Rodon and John Danks occupying the first four spots in the rotation.
If the season started today, the No. 5 starter job would likely go to right-hander Erik Johnson, but look for the team to find a more established option to at least challenge him for the job.
Johnson, 25, went 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.400 WHIP in six starts last season, and all told he's 7-4 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.552 WHIP in 16 total starts over the past three years.
Aside from rounding out the rotation, the White Sox have also been rumored to be in the mix for one of the top remaining outfielders on the market.
Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago points to Alex Gordon as perhaps the best fit, while also naming Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes as potential targets.
The team also showed some interest in Asdrubal Cabrera before he wound up signing with the New York Mets, and it should continue to explore potential shortstop options.
Slick-fielding Tyler Saladino is currently slated to man the position, but he hit just .225/.267/.335 over 254 plate appearances last season.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a capable leadoff hitter in left field
2. Trade RP Aroldis Chapman (if possible)
3. Shop RF Jay Bruce and 2B Brandon Phillips
Overview
The Cincinnati Reds have spent much of the past year subtracting veteran pieces and moving toward a full-scale rebuild, and that has continued this offseason with the trade of third baseman Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox.
The wheeling and dealing will likely continue, and closer Aroldis Chapman appeared to be the most likely piece to be moved until word of a domestic violence incident made him temporarily immovable. Until that situation is resolved, chances are he's staying put.
Brandon Phillips also appeared to be on the move in a trade with the Washington Nationals, but he refused to waive his 10-5 rights unless the Nationals extended him, which was not going to happen considering he's already overpaid with $27 million owed to him over the next two years.
Apparently the 34-year-old with zero World Series rings to his credit is perfectly happy playing out the next two years with a non-contender. All the power to him.
Jay Bruce is also on the block, but until the top free-agent outfielders find a new home, teams won't be chasing after him coming off of back-to-back mediocre seasons.
All of that said, the biggest item on the to-do list right now for the Reds appears to be finding a low-cost option to hit in the leadoff spot and play left field.
Shortstop Zack Cozart currently looks like the leading candidate to hit leadoff, while recently acquired Scott Schebler may be the front-runner for the left field job.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a left-handed reliever
2. Continue to shop SPs Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, but only for the perfect return
Overview
As expected, the Cleveland Indians have shied away from making any significant financial investments once again this offseason, instead opting for low-cost additions like Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis in their efforts to improve offensively.
Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar have seen their names pop up in trade rumors since the trade deadline last year, and the team would be wise to continue entertaining offers, but don't expect either pitcher to be moved unless they get the perfect return.
"As long as we have pitching, I feel like we're always going to have a chance," manager Terry Francona told Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We were all in agreement that we were not going to trade one of our (top) starters unless we were overwhelmed with an offer."
They could still stand to add another outfield bat with Michael Brantley expected to begin the season on the disabled list, but the Indians offense may be more or less set for 2016.
Instead, the big remaining area of need appears to be finding a quality left-hander for the bullpen.
Kyle Crockett is the lone lefty holdover from last year's bullpen and he's coming off of a disappointing sophomore season, while the team has also added veteran Joe Thatcher on a minor league deal.
Thatcher posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.544 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 43 appearances for the Houston Astros last season, and he may very well wind up winning that job.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a solid starting pitcher (if possible)
2. Continue to shop outfielders
Overview
The Colorado Rockies waited around last offseason until the starting pitching market was essentially picked clean before signing Kyle Kendrick to a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
Unfortunately, they could find themselves in a similar position this winter as they look to upgrade the pitching staff, as it remains incredibly difficult to lure quality pitching to Coors Field.
The alternative then would be to land an impact arm on the trade market, and that would likely mean trading someone from the trio of Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson.
Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported during the winter meetings that the team was open to the idea of trading anyone from that trio for the right return, and that would obviously mean a young, controllable starting pitcher to bolster their rotation.
The current staff has some potential with Jorge De La Rosa, Chad Bettis, Jordan Lyles, Jon Gray and Tyler Chatwood making up the projected rotation, per Roster Resource.
It's hard to see that being good enough to contend in the NL West, though.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a left fielder
2. Explore an extension for J.D. Martinez
Overview
After working to restock the farm system at the trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers have once again set their sights on winning this offseason.
Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey were added to the starting rotation, while Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson and Mark Lowe should improve the bullpen significantly.
Outfielder Cameron Maybin was also added in a trade with the Atlanta Braves, and while he is one option to assume the everyday left field job, he could also platoon with Anthony Gose in center field if the team decides to target a big bat for the left field spot.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the team is currently "sitting back waiting" on free agent Yoenis Cespedes, who could see his asking price drop as his market continues to be slow to unfold.
It stands to reason then that the team could also have some level of interest in Justin Upton to fill a similar role in the middle of the lineup, so the Tigers may not be done adding significant pieces just yet.
As for their in-house talent, there is said to be mutual interest between J.D. Martinez and the team in a long-term extension, according to Chris Iott of MLive.com.
Martinez proved his 2014 breakout was no fluke this past season when he posted an .879 OPS with 38 home runs and 102 RBI. He's under team control through the 2017 season before reaching free agency.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add one more quality reliever
2. Explore backup catcher options
Overview
The Houston Astros' big move so far this winter was the addition of closer Ken Giles in a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he may very well be the missing piece to a bullpen that was vastly improved last season but still a problem area.
The team also wisely re-signed lefty Tony Sipp to a three-year, $18 million deal after he posted a 1.99 ERA, 1.031 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 with 19 holds in 60 appearances.
Those two join Luke Gregerson, Will Harris, Pat Neshek and Josh Fields to form what should be a rock solid relief corps, but adding one more quality arm to the mix could push them over the top.
The other area the team should look to address is the backup catcher spot after Hank Conger was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this offseason.
Conger showed some terrific pop off the bench last season with 11 doubles and 11 home runs in 201 at-bats, so replacing him will be tough.
Max Stassi is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster with big league experience, so the job appears to be his to lose at this point.
The former top prospect has hit .357/.386/.476 in 45 big league plate appearances over the past three seasons, but he hit just .211/.279/.384 in Triple-A last season.
The 24-year-old has at least earned a shot at winning the backup job, but the team needs to bring in some competition.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a corner outfielder
2. Add a starting pitcher
3. Add a left-handed reliever
Overview
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Kansas City Royals have "no chance" of re-signing Alex Gordon as things currently stand, so at this point it appears to be time to move on to alternative options.
Heyman goes on to say that the team has in fact begun to explore the outfield market for potential replacements, naming Denard Span, Gerardo Parra and Austin Jackson as early targets.
Right fielder Alex Rios is also a free agent, but it appears the team is ready to give speedy Jarrod Dyson an expanded role this coming season, so finding one everyday corner outfielder appears to be the focus.
Beyond that, the starting rotation is the biggest area of need.
The Royals won the World Series last season despite a starting rotation that ranked 22nd in the league with a 4.34 ERA.
Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez have a chance to be a solid one-two punch, but the team would benefit from adding another quality arm.
In that same piece from Heyman, he names Wei-Yin Chen as the team's top target, but given his asking price he also lists Scott Kazmir, Yovani Gallardo and Ian Kennedy as players who have been linked to the team.
Rounding out the to-do list is finding a left-handed reliever to replace the departed Franklin Morales.
Scott Alexander is currently the team's top in-house option from the left side, and while he had a 2.56 ERA, 1.026 WHIP and 14 saves in Triple-A last season he has just six career big league innings under his belt.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a corner outfielder
2. Add a left-handed bat
3. Explore second base options
4. Shop SP Hector Santiago
Overview
The Los Angeles Angels went from first in the majors in runs scored in 2014 to 20th in the league in that category this past season, and they entered the offseason with no shortage of needs to address.
Yunel Escobar was acquired to replace David Freese at third base and All-World defender Andrelton Simmons will join him as a newcomer on the left side of the infield.
However, the rest of the team's offseason additions have been uninspiring to say the least, with guys like Daniel Nava, Craig Gentry, Cliff Pennington and Geovany Soto all falling into the category of depth as opposed to impact options.
A run at one of the top outfielders still on the market would certainly make sense to fill the hole in left field, but according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, the team is not in serious talks with any top free agents at this point.
Finding an everyday left fielder and potentially upgrading at second base are clear needs, but the team also needs to find a way to get more left-handed as Kole Calhoun was the only lefty in the lineup last season.
One way to potentially improve the offense if the team does not decide to dive into the free-agent market would be to deal from its starting pitching depth.
Hector Santiago has received the most interest this offseason, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, and selling high on him after an All-Star season could be a smart move.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a front-line starting pitcher
2. Add another starting pitcher
3. Add a few quality relievers
Overview
If the season started today, more than a few people would likely pick the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks to finish ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings.
Clayton Kershaw remains one of the game's truly elite players, but behind him the Dodgers rotation is a mess, as Brett Anderson, Alex Wood, Mike Bolsinger and a healthy Hyun-Jin Ryu would make up the rest of the staff.
While the Dodgers have been shutout on the starting pitching market to this point, they will almost certainly add at least a couple arms before the offseason is over, whether they come from the remaining free-agent crop or via trade.
One name they have been linked to in recent days is Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Dodgers are viewed as the front-runners to sign him.
Aside from the obvious need for starting pitching, the team has also done nothing to address a bullpen that ranked 19th in the league this past season with a 3.91 ERA and was a mess outside of J.P. Howell and Kenley Jansen.
Two starters and two solid relievers could help put the Dodgers back in the driver's seat in the NL West race.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a No. 2 starter
2. Add a right-handed hitting first baseman
3. Extend Dee Gordon
Overview
To date, the Miami Marlins' biggest addition so far this offseason has been signing outfielder Jason Maxwell to a minor league deal.
That's probably not going to cut it if this team hopes to improve on its 71-91 finish from a year ago.
The biggest need at this point is to find a quality No. 2 starter to slot behind Jose Fernandez in the rotation, as Jarred Cosart took a big step backward last season and Tom Koehler is better suited as a No. 3/4 starter type.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com lists Ian Kennedy and Doug Fister as speculative fits in free agency.
Beyond improving the rotation, finding a right-handed hitting platoon partner for Justin Bour at first base is a must, as he hit just .221/.293/.279 against lefties last season.
Tommy Medica was acquired off waivers from the San Diego Padres in September, and he could potentially fill that role, but there may be better options at a reasonable cost in free agency.
Finally, the team has been in talks with NL batting champ Dee Gordon about a potential extension, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
A five-year deal is said to be on the table, while Gordon is looking for seven-year pact. Nailing something down before the start of spring training would be a nice move in an otherwise quiet offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a first baseman
2. Explore center field options
3. Shop C Jonathan Lucroy and RP Will Smith
Overview
With Adam Lind and Jason Rogers both traded this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are currently without a clear-cut starter at first base.
Outfielder Shane Peterson spent some time there in the minors and journeyman Andy Wilkins was recently claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers, but as things currently stand there is no obvious answer to fill the position.
Chris Davis is no doubt out of their price range, but Justin Morneau, Pedro Alvarez and Chris Carter are all reasonably priced free-agent options. James Loney and Mitch Moreland could also be available via trade.
The other clear need is finding a capable center fielder, as Domingo Santana manned the position down the stretch last season but looked very much like a corner outfielder trying to play center field as the defensive metrics (-3 DRS, -26.6 UZR/150) were not kind to him.
Meanwhile, the team should continue to entertain offers for catcher Jonathan Lucroy, though it may have a tough time finding good value after a poor 2015 season.
Lefty reliever Will Smith also has significant trade value, but with five remaining years of team control they won't be in a hurry to move him.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a left-handed reliever
2. Add a veteran presence
Overview
With a bevy of starting pitching options and the lineup needs already addressed with the additions of catcher John Ryan Murphy and designated hitter Byung-ho Park, the Minnesota Twins' focus the rest of the way figures to be on improving the bullpen.
Trevor May and Kevin Jepsen give the team two solid setup options for All-Star closer Glen Perkins, but outside of Perkins the team is lacking a reliable left-handed option.
Fernando Abad was signed to a minor league contract after posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.343 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 last season in Oakland, and he looks like the leading candidate to win that job at this point.
The 30-year-old is just a year removed from a brilliant season, as he had a 1.57 ERA and 0.855 WHIP in 69 appearances in 2014.
While rounding out the relief corps is the biggest need, the team could also look to add some veteran leadership after Torii Hunter decided to retire.
Jonny Gomes and Juan Uribe both fit the bill as terrific clubhouse guys, though neither fills a clear need from a roster standpoint.
New York Mets
18 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a power bat
2. Consider adding a setup reliever
Overview
The New York Mets' window to win a World Series is open right now, as they have a fantastic young starting rotation that is the envy of the league, but it appears they are doing everything in their power to slam that window back shut.
After watching the offense flounder to the tune of 3.54 runs per game leading up to the trade deadline, they finally turned a corner after the addition of slugger Yoenis Cespedes.
Now with Cespedes all but certain to sign elsewhere in free agency, the team has failed to find that impact middle-of-the-order presence to replace him, and it's a direct result of the ownership group's unwillingness to spend.
Neil Walker was added to replace Daniel Murphy which figures to be more or less a wash from a production standpoint, and the same can be said about Asdrubal Cabrera replacing Wilmer Flores at shortstop.
At this point, it appears the team is banking on a healthy season from David Wright and a big step forward from Michael Conforto to bridge the gap offensively, and that's a roll of the dice to say the least.
If ever there was a team in a position to go all-in on a couple big offensive pieces this winter it was the Mets, but that simply is not going to happen with the current ownership.
While offense is by far the most pressing need, the team could also use another setup reliever after relying on the departed Tyler Clippard to fill that role down the stretch.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a right-handed reliever
2. Add middle infield depth
3. Trade SP Ivan Nova
Overview
Much to the chagrin of a large chunk of the fanbase, the New York Yankees have been relatively quiet this offseason, as Starlin Castro has been the only significant addition of the winter.
The bullpen actually looks significantly weaker after Adam Warren and Justin Wilson were both traded, and the glaring need for a second reliable right-hander to pair with All-Star Dellin Betances remains.
No one has thrown more innings without starting a game than the 174 logged by Betances over the past two seasons, and while he's been terrific, the team risks running him into the ground of it doesn't find another righty it can turn to in high-leverage situations.
Middle infield depth is not a pressing need as Castro is capable of backing up at shortstop and prospect Rob Refsnyder is still in the mix at second base, but as things currently stand Pete Kozma is projected for a bench spot, per Roster Resource.
Kozma hit .152/.236/.152 last season and he's not exactly Brendan Ryan with the glove, so one has to think the team can do better.
Finally, according to George King III of the New York Post, the Yankees have made right-hander Ivan Nova available via trade this offseason.
He appears to be the odd-man out in the rotation, so netting anything good in return for the increasingly expensive 28-year-old ($4.4 million projected salary) would be a solid move.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
To-Do List
1. Explore starting pitching options
2. Extend RF Josh Reddick
Overview
The focus of the offseason to this point for the Oakland Athletics has been on improving the bullpen, with Ryan Madson, Liam Hendriks, John Axford and Marc Rzepczynski joining a healthy Sean Doolittle to form what should be an improved relief corps.
Now they could turn their attention to the starting rotation, where a proven No. 2 starter to slot behind Sonny Gray would be a solid addition.
Jesse Hahn, Rich Hill, Chris Bassitt, Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman are all in the mix for rotation spots to begin the season, while Jarrod Parker and Henderson Alvarez will likely start the year on the disabled list but also figure to be in the team's plans at some point.
The A's were in on Scott Kazmir prior to signing Alvarez, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, and while their interest has cooled signing him is still not out of the question.
Earlier this offseason, team president Billy Beane identified outfielder Josh Reddick as a potential extension candidate, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
After the fanbase has watched one player after another move on to other teams in recent years, extending a fan favorite like Reddick would be a nice good faith gesture. It would also lock up a player who has quietly become one of the best all-around outfielders in the American League.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
To-Do List
1. Explore low-cost closer options
2. Try to unload Ryan Howard (if possible)
Overview
The Philadelphia Phillies have done a great job adding low-cost arms this offseason that could potentially be flipped in July if they wind up rebounding.
Charlie Morton and Jeremy Hellickson were acquired to bolster the starting rotation, while David Hernandez, James Russell, Edward Mujica and Andrew Bailey will be in the mix for bullpen jobs.
However, after trading Ken Giles in a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros, the team is without a clear-cut option to take over the closer's role.
Luis Garcia has the stuff, but he'll need to reign in his 5.0 BB/9 walk rate to be trusted in the ninth inning, so at this point it would likely be the veteran Hernandez who opens the season in that role.
Taking a flier on Neftali Feliz could give them another arm with closer experience and bounce-back potential.
Dumping Ryan Howard would be nice, and it certainly remains on the to-do list, but it's more or less impossible at this point.
The 36-year-old is owed $25 million this coming season and has a $23 million option with a $10 million buyout in 2017.
To his credit he did have a .720 OPS with 23 home runs and 77 RBI last season, but that came with a .229 average and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add starting pitching depth
2. Add a left-handed reliever
Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates will return Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano atop the rotation this coming season, but the rest of the staff figures to have a different look.
J.A. Happ signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, Charlie Morton was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, Vance Worley was traded to the Baltimore Orioles and veteran A.J. Burnett retired.
Jeff Locke is still in the mix for a rotation spot, and he'd be joined by newcomers Jon Niese and Ryan Vogelsong to round out the rotation as things currently stand.
Adding more starting pitching depth with a low-cost reclamation project seems like a good move, though top prospect Tyler Glasnow also figures to make an impact at some point in 2016.
The bullpen also lost some key pieces with Joakim Soria, Antonio Bastardo and Joe Blanton all reaching free agency.
The one-two punch of Tony Watson and Mark Melancon will be back, and so too will Jared Hughes and Arquimedes Caminero, but finding a second left-hander to replace Bastardo could be the final piece of the puzzle for this year's relief corps.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a shortstop
2. Continue to shop Tyson Ross
3. Explore closer options
Overview
So far, the San Diego Padres have shown minimal interest in free agent Ian Desmond in their search for an upgrade at shortstop this offseason, but at some point they'll need to address that need.
Last season, the position produced a .228/.279/.365 line with a platoon of Clint Barmes and Alexi Amarista seeing the bulk of the action.
Alexei Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins are the other top free-agent options, and both profile as offensive upgrade and decent defenders even in the later stages of their respective careers.
The Padres have been listening to offers on a number of their starting pitchers since the trade deadline this past season, and they would be wise to continue listening on Tyson Ross.
With all of the front-line options off the board in free agency, there may be someone willing to overpay to land the 28-year-old Ross who has two years of team control left and has quietly become one of the top starters in the National League.
Finally, after trading Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel this offseason, the Padres figure to at least kick the tires on potential closer options.
As it stands, Brandon Maurer looks like the front-runner to step into that role after he had 12 holds with a 3.00 ERA, 1.059 WHIP and 6.9 K/9 over 53 appearances.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a left fielder
2. Explore an extension for Brandon Belt
Overview
The San Francisco Giants already addressed the starting rotation with the additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, and in the process established themselves as bona fide contenders once again this coming season.
Their lineup is as deep as any in the National League top to bottom, but they do have a question mark of sorts in left field.
Jarrett Parker made a splash down the stretch last season with a .347/.407/.755 line that included six home runs and 14 RBI in 54 plate appearances.
That's obviously a small sample size, but as it stands he'd likely be the team's primary left fielder with Gregor Blanco once again serving as an oft-used fourth outfielder.
Buster Olney of ESPN identified the Giants as the front-runners to sign Alex Gordon during the winter meetings, while Jerry Crasnick of ESPN also named Dexter Fowler as a potential target.
Addressing left field would fill the team's only clear remaining need, but they could also look to lock up another homegrown player after extending Brandon Crawford earlier this offseason.
Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area opined that Brandon Belt could be the next extension target.
The 27-year-old has two years of team control remaining, and is coming off of a terrific season in which he posted an .834 OPS with 33 doubles, 18 home runs and 68 RBI for a 3.9 WAR.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a utility infielder
2. Explore center field options
Overview
The Seattle Mariners have been the busiest team of the winter, as their current projected Opening Day roster features no fewer than 10 newcomers, according to Roster Resource.
They've retooled the bullpen, added starting pitching depth, shored up the corner outfield spots and upgraded at first base, so at this point there are really no glaring needs.
One area they could look to improve is their middle infield depth, as Shawn O'Malley is currently penciled in as the utility infielder but the 28-year-old has limited big league experience and has spent more time in the outfield in the majors.
The other position where more depth could be necessary is center field.
Leonys Martin was acquired from the Texas Rangers and he's a fantastic defender, but a .219/.264/.313 line in 310 plate appearances last season earned him a demotion to the minors after he lost his job to Delino DeShields Jr.
Nori Aoki does not have the range to play center field on an everyday basis and Franklin Gutierrez has not played center field since 2013 and is best suited at a corner spot these days.
Slotting Chris Taylor at shortstop and moving Ketel Marte to center field is an option, but overall more depth in center field would be nice.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a power bat
2. Explore low-cost relief options
Overview
It's been a tough offseason for the St. Louis Cardinals, but they finally made a significant addition when they signed Mike Leake to a five-year, $80 million deal to address their need for another starting pitcher with Lance Lynn out for the season.
Now they figure to turn their attention to an offense that ranked 24th in the league with 3.99 runs per game last season, and finished 25th in home runs with 137 as a team.
Recently the team has been linked to the Colorado Rockies who have been shopping the outfield trio of Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, according to Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Adding some pop to the lineup would be nice, but full seasons from Stephen Piscotty, Randal Grichuk and Matt Holliday could also go a lone way toward improving the offense.
The bullpen may not seem like a need after the relief corps posted a 2.82 ERA last season, but the team is currently relying heavily on a healthy season from Jordan Walden and a productive one from Jonathan Broxton.
They've hit on Pat Neshek and Carlos Villanueva on minor league deals the past two offseason, so why not try to make it three years in a row that a low-cost reliever emerges as a key arm?
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
To-Do List
1. Consider trading a starting pitcher for offense
2. Trade Jake McGee
Overview
The Tampa Bay Rays have already moved one starting pitcher this offseason when they traded Nate Karns to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that brought them Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Danny Farquhar.
Moving another one could further bolster an offense that ranked 25th in the league with 3.98 runs per game and really only had one legitimate power threat in Evan Longoria.
Jake Odorizzi has received the most interest, and he's been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers in recent days, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.
Another player who could interest the Dodgers and a number of clubs for that matter is reliever Jake McGee.
The 29-year-old lost the closer's job to Brad Boxberger last season when he began the year on the disabled list, but he still turned in a strong season with a 2.41 ERA, 0.938 WHIP and 11.6 K/9 in 39 appearances.
With a projected salary of $4.7 million, he'd be the fourth-highest-paid player on the roster, so trading him and freeing up some money to address other needs is a smart move for the small market Rays.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
To-Do List
1. Explore starting pitcher options
2. Explore left field options
3. Explore catcher options
Overview
The Texas Rangers have had a tough time keeping their starting rotation healthy the past two seasons, so re-signing veteran Colby Lewis who has thrown a team-high 375 innings during that span made a lot of sense.
At some point the starting rotation will be Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Lewis, but with Darvish still recovering from Tommy John surgery it would be Nick Martinez or Chi Chi Gonzalez rounding out the staff as things currently stand.
So while adding another starter is by no means a glaring need for the Rangers, it's at least worth kicking the tires on another starter if the price is right.
The same goes for left field, where Josh Hamilton is penciled in as the starter and Justin Ruggiano, Ryan Rua and James Jones are all potential backups.
The team doesn't need to get involved with any of the top outfielders on the market, but if the price is right they could make a run at one of them as they gear up for a potential World Series run.
Then we have the catcher position, where Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez combined for a 2.5 WAR and did a solid job handling the staff, but the team's backstops hit just .225/.307/.403 on the year.
If a trade for someone like Jonathan Lucroy becomes a realistic option, it could mean upgrading perhaps the one glaring weakness offensively.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a setup reliever
2. Explore starting pitching options
Overview
Gone from last year's bullpen for the Toronto Blue Jays is LaTroy Hawkins, Mark Lowe and Liam Hendriks, but the team still boasts a solid late-inning trio with Brett Cecil and Aaron Sanchez setting up closer Roberto Osuna.
That being said, at some point Sanchez figures to return to the starting rotation, and adding another viable setup option to the mix could help give the team some flexibility as far as how he's utilized in 2016.
Tyler Clippard is still available in free agency, and after the Blue Jays were in on both Ryan Madson and Joakim Soria, he would make sense as their next bullpen target.
Meanwhile, while the team appears to be happy with the starting rotation following the early-offseason additions of J.A. Happ and Jesse Chavez as well as the re-signing of Marco Estrada, they should still be active on the starting pitching market.
Whether it's a legitimate rotation addition to push Drew Hutchison for the No. 5 starter job or simply a low-cost source of depth, the Blue Jays should not simply be content with the starting pitching they currently have on the roster.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
To-Do List
1. Add a leadoff hitters
2. Explore outfield options
3. Continue to shop RPs Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen
Overview
The Washington Nationals were always expected to let Denard Span walk in favor of Michael Taylor in center field, but his departure leaves the team without a clear-cut leadoff hitter.
Taylor could be that guy eventually, but first he'll need to improve his plate discipline, and for the time being he figures to hit near the bottom of the order.
Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth both saw time in the leadoff spot when Span was sidelined last year, and Rendon is probably the leading candidate to hit first as things currently stand.
However, adding someone like Gerardo Parra to the mix could bring some much-needed outfield depth and give the team a more traditional leadoff option when he is in the lineup.
While the team has done well to retool the bullpen with the additions of Shawn Kelley, Oliver Perez, Trevor Gott and Yusmeiro Petit, they have yet to resolve the closer situation with Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon both on the roster.
Trading at least one of them seemed like a must at the beginning of the offseason, and nothing has really changed.
All standard statistics and WAR totals courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted. Defensive metrics come via FanGraphs.
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