Each MLB Team's Weakest Link in 2017
Even the hallowed 1927 New York Yankees had a weak link.
On a team with a combined .307 average and .872 OPS, third baseman Joe Dugan hit just .269 with a .683 OPS as the clear outlier in what most consider the greatest lineup ever assembled.
Not trying to call Joe out or anything—simply illustrating a point.
Whether it's a proven veteran off to an unusually slow start or a legitimate roster hole that will need to be addressed, all 30 teams have a weak spot in 2017.
Ahead we've identified that weak spot based on positional wRC+ and ERA-, which illustrate how an individual position or starting rotation/bullpen has performed relative to league average.
A 100 represents average in both cases, with anything below 100 indicating a below-average weighted runs created (adjusted for park effects) and everything above 100 a below-average ERA-.
Whichever position graded out furthest from league average was pegged as the team's biggest weakness, and analysis was provided on how the team can address that issue going forward.
Below-average pitching carried a bit more weight than below-average production at one position since a struggling rotation or bullpen encompasses multiple players. It's also a lot harder to win when one of those is performing at a below-average level than it is when just one individual position isn't producing.
There were also a few cases where a defensive-minded player isn't putting impressive numbers at the plate but is still providing positive value thanks to his glove, so another area was selected as the weak link.
Got all that? Let's get started.
Note: Players with an (X) next to their name are on the disabled list, while players with an (M) saw time in the majors earlier this season but are in the minors.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Catcher
Combined Stats: 33 wRC+, .162/.210/.323, 5 HR, 9 RBI
Current Options: Jeff Mathis, Chris Iannetta, Chris Herrmann
Position Outlook
Replacing slugger Welington Castillo with the more defensive-minded duo of Chris Iannetta and Jeff Mathis was a calculated move by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That platoon is providing next to nothing offensively.
However, they deserve plenty of credit for the pitching staff lowering its ERA from an MLB-worst 5.09 a year ago to 3.79 so far this season—good for eighth in the majors.
Would more offense be nice?
Of course, but don't expect them to change course on an offseason strategy that's working.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Shortstop
Combined Stats: 29 wRC+, .162/.244/.222, 2 HR, 8 RBI
Current Option: Dansby Swanson
Position Outlook
Dansby Swanson was the runaway favorite for NL Rookie of the Year heading into the season after he hit .302/.361/.442 with 11 extra-base hits in 129 at-bats in his first taste of MLB action.
It's been a rough start for the 23-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, though.
To his credit, bad luck is largely to blame for his .162 batting average.
His .203 batting average on balls in play ranks 180th out of 186 qualified hitters, and his soft contract rate has actually improved from 18.4 to 13.6 percent.
In other words, expect things to improve once his luck evens out, and the team has no intentions of sending him down.
"All in all, we're all still there with him. Lot of positives. He doesn’t take it out with him on the field. I mean, he still can win you a game out there, too," manager Brian Snitker told David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Shortstop
Combined Stats: 40 wRC+, .205/.254/.262, 1 HR, 10 RBI
Current Option: J.J. Hardy
Position Outlook
After missing time to injury the past two seasons, J.J. Hardy has seen his production bottom out this year as his OPS has dipped to a career-worst .517—a drop of nearly 200 points from the respectable .716 mark he put up a year ago.
Equally troubling is his defensive decline, as the three-time Gold Glove winner has a minus-1 DRS and minus-9.3 UZR/150.
It's increasingly unlikely that the 34-year-old will have his $14 million option for next year exercised by the team, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
However, the team doesn't really have an in-house option to replace him. Sliding Manny Machado over to shortstop is an option, but that simply creates a new hole at third base.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart is having a fantastic season and he's headed for free agency, so keep an eye on him as a potential target on the trade market.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Third Base
Combined Stats: 56 wRC+, .216/.267/.320, 3 HR, 14 RBI
Current Options: Pablo Sandoval (X), Brock Holt (X), Marco Hernandez (X), Josh Rutledge
Position Outlook
Trading away Travis Shaw and Yoan Moncada during the offseason left the Boston Red Sox reliant on Pablo Sandoval to actually live up to his $17.6 million salary.
It took the 30-year-old less than a month to find his way back to the disabled list with a knee sprain and he didn't exactly inspire a ton of confidence with a .213 average over 67 plate appearances prior to the injury.
With Brock Holt (vertigo) and Marco Hernandez (shoulder) also on the shelf, it's Josh Rutledge who is seeing the bulk of the action at the hot corner for the time being.
All of that points to the Red Sox at least kicking the tires on guys like Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier as the trade deadline draws closer.
Otherwise, a call-up of top prospect Rafael Devers may eventually be the solution, as he has a .947 OPS with six home runs for Double-A Portland. He's also still just 20 years old, though.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 108 ERA-, 12-10, 38.2% QS, 4.56 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
Current Options: Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Kyle Hendricks, Brett Anderson (X), Eddie Butler
Position Outlook
The Chicago Cubs had a lot of things right on their way to a World Series title in 2016.
Chief among them was the league's best rotation, which ranked first in the majors with a 2.96 starters' ERA and tied for the MLB lead with 100 quality starts.
With four of their five starters back in the fold, it was expected to once again be one of the league's best staffs, but so far it's failed to live up to expectations.
The first inning has been a real thorn in the Cubs' side as they have an MLB-worst 10.32 ERA in the opening frame.
Brett Anderson racked up an 8.18 ERA over six starts before landing on the disabled list with a back strain, opening the door for Eddie Butler to make his Cubs debut in the upcoming series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Those first-inning woes seem more flukey than a legitimate concern, and Butler has a chance to seize that No. 5 starter spot if he can build off a 1.17 ERA in 30.2 innings of work in Triple-A.
It's not time to panic just yet, but the staff has been far from the weapon it was a year ago.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Shortstop
Combined Stats: 49 wRC+, .222/.255/.296, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Current Options: Tim Anderson
Position Outlook
Tim Anderson hit .283 with 37 extra-base hits in 431 plate appearances to finish seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting last year, and the Chicago White Sox saw enough in that performance to sign him to a six-year, $25.5 million extension during the offseason.
The 23-year-old is expected to be a key cog in the team's rebuilding efforts as a solid two-way player at the shortstop position.
His sophomore campaign has gotten off to a rocky start, though.
After walking at just a 3 percent clip last season, he's drawn just four free passes in his first 127 plate appearances, so his plate discipline still needs considerable work.
He's not going anywhere, though, as the South Siders are counting on him to anchor the middle of the infield alongside rising prospect Yoan Moncada for the foreseeable future.
"We don't look at Timmy as a finished product. He is still developing at this level. ... We look at him as a supremely talented player, very hard worker and an important part of our future. The fact he went through a rough stretch is not surprising and should serve him well in the long run," manager Rick Renteria told Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 121 ERA-, 12-12, 38.2% QS, 5.21 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
Current Options: Anthony DeSclafani (X), Scott Feldman, Brandon Finnegan (X), Homer Bailey (X), Bronson Arroyo, Tim Adleman, Amir Garrett (M), Rookie Davis (M), Cody Reed (M), Sal Romano (M)
Position Outlook
It's a minor miracle that the Cincinnati Reds have a winning record this season considering their starting rotation has posted an MLB-worst 5.21 ERA on the year.
Spring injuries to Homer Bailey (elbow bone spurs) and Anthony DeSclafani (sprained elbow), as well as a mid-April injury to Brandon Finnegan (strained trap), have opened the door for some of the team's younger arms to see early action.
Aside from one shellacking, left-hander Amir Garrett flashed some impressive potential before being returned to the minors in an effort to limit his innings. You can expect to see plenty more rotation shuffling this year.
Team president Dick Williams further explained the team's strategy on MLB Network Radio (via MLBTradeRumors):
"We've got a lot of young guys that we're excited to see this year on the roster. And the idea was, 'We're going to get you up, we're going to get you opportunities. All of you are going to see opportunities in the big leagues, and all of you are going to be back in Triple-A at some point, just for sheer numbers and innings management.
"
This year will be more about player development and talent assessment than it is wins and losses.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 119 ERA-, 14-14, 48.5% QS, 4.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Current Options: Corey Kluber (X), Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin, Mike Clevinger
Position Outlook
The Cleveland Indians rotation looked as dangerous as any in baseball heading into the year.
Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar were both back healthy after injuries left them as non-factors during the postseason, while Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin both gained valuable big-game experience in their absence.
Instead, ace Corey Kluber stumbled out of the gates before going down with lower back discomfort, while Bauer (7.36 ERA), Tomlin (7.12 ERA) and Salazar (5.20 ERA) have struggled mightily.
On the other hand, Carrasco has been brilliant with a 1.86 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and a 46-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 48.1 innings of work.
Mike Clevinger has stepped into the rotation in place of the injured Kluber after a strong start in Triple-A, and the team has further depth in the likes of Ryan Merritt and veteran Chris Narveson.
It's a troubling start, to say the least, but the Indians have the talent to still be one of the better staffs in the league before all is said and done. Getting Kluber healthy will be key and they may need to consider leaving Clevinger in the rotation if he pitches well, but there's no reason for long-term concern.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Left Field
Combined Stats: 38 wRC+, .243/.267/.321, 2 HR, 17 RBI
Current Options: David Dahl (X), Gerardo Parra, Ian Desmond
Position Outlook
David Dahl burst onto the scene with a .315/.359/.500 line and 23 extra-base hits in 237 plate appearances as a rookie for the Colorado Rockies last season.
That appeared to be enough to lock him into the starting left field job for the 2017 campaign, but a spring rib injury has kept him on the sidelines.
"He's still a ways away. Still not able to (show) 100 percent exertion on the swing," manager Bud Black told MLB Network Radio (via the Denver Post) on Tuesday.
Dahl wasn't the only player to miss time early, as an injury to Ian Desmond opened the door for Mark Reynolds to see regular playing time at first base.
Now, with Reynolds hitting well enough to warrant regular playing time, Desmond has been manning left field rather than transitioning to first base as planned.
That leaves things a bit convoluted as far as where Dahl fits into the lineup once he returns, but those things have a way of working themselves out. At any rate, left field shouldn't be an issue going forward.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Relief Pitching
Combined Stats: 143 ERA-, 9/16 SV, 5.79 ERA, 1.57 WHIP
Current Options: Justin Wilson, Alex Wilson, Shane Greene, Francisco Rodriguez, Blaine Hardy, Anibal Sanchez, Chad Bell, Kyle Ryan (M), Joe Jimenez (M), Bruce Rondon (M), Warwick Saupold (M), William Cuevas (M)
Position Outlook
Anibal Sanchez and Francisco Rodriguez are making a combined $22.8 million this season.
So far, they've contributed four losses, four blown saves and an 8.90 ERA in 30.1 innings of work out of the Detroit Tigers bullpen.
K-Rod has already been replaced in the closer's role by lefty Justin Wilson, who is off to a brilliant start with a 1.23 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings over 16 appearances.
Alex Wilson, Shane Greene and Blaine Hardy have all pitched well, but the rest of the relief corps has been a revolving door.
If hard-throwing youngsters Bruce Rondon and Joe Jimenez can take a step forward, the relief corps actually has a chance to emerge as a strength.
For now, it remains in a state of flux, as has been the case for several years running.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Left Field
Combined Stats: 99 wRC+, .231/.307/.405, 6 HR, 16 RBI
Current Options: Nori Aoki, Marwin Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran
Position Outlook
The fact that a 99 wRC+ from the left field position is the "weakest link" on the Houston Astros roster speaks volumes to how well they've performed top to bottom this season.
Veteran Nori Aoki is the primary left fielder after being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in the offseason and he's hitting a respectable .282 on the year.
However, some of that production has come while playing right field, hence the .231 overall average from the left field spot.
At this point, the Astros should be plenty satisfied with passable production out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup and decent defense (four DRS) in the outfield, albeit with limited range (-5.0 UZR/150).
However, if they do feel the need to get more offensive punch from the position, calling up prospect Derek Fisher is an option.
The 23-year-old is hitting .325/.390/.563 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 20 RBI in Triple-A.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Second Base
Combined Stats: 15 wRC+, .153/.198/.246, 3 HR, 7 RBI
Current Options: Whit Merrifield, Cheslor Cuthbert, Raul Mondesi (M)
Position Outlook
Just how bad is a wRC+ of 15?
It's essentially saying that the Kansas City Royals would be better off simply skipping the second baseman's spot in the batting order and calling it an automatic out 85 percent of the time.
Now that's obviously not the case, but you get the idea.
At this point, the Royals don't really have much to gain from giving 28-year-old Whit Merrifield regular playing time at the position, but it was also abundantly clear that former top prospect Raul Mondesi needed further minor league seasoning.
He hit a dismal .103/.167/.179 over 46 plate appearances before being demoted back to Triple-A, where his production has improved to a far more respectable .306/.358/.429 line.
The 21-year-old will be back at some point and the team is still banking on him being the long-term answer at one of the middle infield spots.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Second Base
Combined Stats: 44 wRC+, .165/.246/.260, 3 HR, 15 RBI
Current Options: Danny Espinosa, Cliff Pennington
Position Outlook
So much for Danny Espinosa being an upgrade for the Los Angeles Angels.
Last season, the likes of Johnny Giavotella, Cliff Pennington, Gregorio Petit and Kaleb Cowart produced a .235/.275/.345 line and a 69 wRC+ while manning second base.
Meanwhile, Espinosa posted a 79 wRC+ with 24 home runs and 72 RBI while also tallying 10 DRS and an 18.4 UZR/150 at the keystone.
Unfortunately, he's come nowhere close to matching that production this season.
He's hitting just .138 and striking out at a 35.8 percent clip, and his DRS and UZR/150 both sit in the negatives.
It might soon be time to give the aforementioned Cowart another look.
The 24-year-old is hitting .283/.396/.400 with five doubles and three home runs for Triple-A Salt Lake.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Center Field
Combined Stats: 82 wRC+, .219/.301/.359, 4 HR, 18 RBI
Current Options: Joc Pederson, Kike Hernandez
Position Outlook
Joc Pederson is never going to win a batting title.
Instead, his offensive value comes from his ability to work a walk to go with his plus power, and that was clear last season when he posted a .352 on-base percentage and 25 home runs.
However, he's struggling in both areas this year.
His walk rate is down from 13.2 to 10.7 percent and he has just one home run in his first 84 plate appearances, as he also missed time early with a groin strain.
The 25-year-old is not exactly a standout defender in center field and his .225 batting average doesn't count for much if he's not hitting for power, so he's been of little value thus far.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will give him every chance to get hot, especially with Kike Hernandez also struggling at the plate and Andrew Toles recently lost for the season to a torn ACL.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 119 ERA-, 7-12, 30.3% QS, 5.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Current Options: Dan Straily, Edinson Volquez, Tom Koehler, Wei-Yin Chen (X), Jose Urena, Adam Conley (M), Odrisamer Despaigne (M)
Position Outlook
The Miami Marlins starting rotation has been about as good as expected this season after they opted to focus on building up the relief corps during the offseason and settled for adding Dan Straily and Edinson Volquez to a weak staff.
With Wei-Yin Chen battling dead arm and Adam Conley (7.53 ERA) struggling to the point of being demoted to Triple-A, the staff is already being stretched thin.
They're not exactly overflowing with viable in-house depth, either.
Jeff Locke will be back healthy at some point and Triple-A starter Justin Nicolino has some MLB experience, but neither figures to be much of an upgrade over the current crop of arms.
It was a flawed strategy from the start thinking the bullpen could prop up the starting staff, and it's looking less and less like the Marlins will be able to contend in 2017 as a result.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Second Base
Combined Stats: 58 wRC+, .212/.272/.329, 4 HR, 19 RBI
Current Options: Jonathan Villar, Hernan Perez
Position Outlook
Jonathan Villar was one of the breakout stars of 2016.
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired him from the Houston Astros for minor league pitcher Cy Sneed in hopes he could serve as a passable stopgap to top prospect Orlando Arcia at shortstop.
Instead, he exploded for a .285/.369/.457 line that included 38 doubles, 19 home runs and an NL-high 62 stolen bases on his way to a 4.0 WAR.
However, a .373 BABIP made him a prime regression candidate, even with his speed, and he's crashed back to earth this year.
The 26-year-old is hitting .207/.270/.329, and his strikeout rate (25.6 to 30.1 percent) and walk rate (11.6 to 7.8 percent) are both trending in the wrong direction.
To put it simply, it looks like the Brewers made a mistake not selling high during the offseason.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Relief Pitching
Combined Stats: 121 ERA-, 9/12 SV, 4.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Current Options: Brandon Kintzler, Trevor May (X), Matt Belisle, Ryan Pressly, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Craig Breslow, Justin Haley, Buddy Boshers (M), Drew Rucinski (M)
Position Outlook
Center field has undoubtedly been a weak spot for the Minnesota Twins from an offensive production standpoint with a 44 wRC+.
However, Byron Buxton has still produced a 0.5 WAR thanks to his fantastic defense (4 DRS, 24.4 UZR/150), so calling that position the team's biggest weakness would be a bit deceiving.
So instead, we'll focus on the relief corps.
Brandon Kintzler is once again being asked to fill the closer's role and he's held his own to this point, converting seven of eight save chances with a 2.70 ERA, despite a not-very-closer-like 4.1 K/9.
The rest of the bullpen has been a mess, though.
Trevor May is out for the season following Tommy John surgery, and the likes of Matt Belisle, Ryan Pressly and Taylor Rogers have struggled in the setup role in his absence.
Veteran Craig Breslow is enjoying a nice resurgence and it looks like former starter Tyler Duffey might have found a home in the pen, but overall, this is not a good relief corps by any stretch of the imagination.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 121 ERA-, 9-10, 42.4% QS, 4.89 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Current Options: Noah Syndergaard (X), Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz (X), Zack Wheeler, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo (X), Rafael Montero, Tommy Milone
Position Outlook
Despite the fact that the center field position has produced a 40 wRC+ on the year, few would argue that it's the starting rotation that deserves the title of "weakest link" for the New York Mets so far.
With Noah Syndergaard (lat tear), Steven Matz (elbow inflammation) and Seth Lugo (partially torn UCL) all sidelined and Matt Harvey seemingly putting his social life before his on-field performance, the staff is nothing short of an absolute mess.
Robert Gsellman (6.54 ERA) has struggled to find the same magic he showed in a surprise breakout performance last year, and Tommy Milone has been plugged into a spot on the staff after being designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Mets are still finding ways to win games for the time being as they've come out on top in four straight series, but it seems like only a matter of time before the rotation woes catch up to them.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Biggest Weakness: First Base
Combined Stats: 57 wRC+, .167/.281/.267, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Current Options: Greg Bird (X), Chris Carter, Tyler Austin (X)
Position Outlook
Greg Bird appeared ready to return with a bang from a 2016 season that was lost to shoulder surgery after he hit .451/.556/1.098 with eight home runs in 63 plate appearances during spring training.
Unfortunately, those monster numbers didn't carry over to the regular season.
The 24-year-old hit just .100/.250/.200 over his first 72 plate appearances before landing on the disabled list with an ankle injury.
"I've been doing more and more, but I can't put a timetable on it," Bird told Dan Martin of the New York Post with regards to when he expects to return.
In his absence, all-or-nothing slugger Chris Carter has provided more of the latter than the former, hitting .200 with one home run and a 35.3 percent strikeout rate.
The future at the position still belongs to Bird and the team will also have Tyler Austin back healthy at some point, but the position has essentially been a non-factor thus far.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Designated Hitter
Combined Stats: 45 wRC+, .172/.246/.254, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Current Options: Ryon Healy, Jed Lowrie, Trevor Plouffe
Position Outlook
Despite a breakout season by first baseman Yonder Alonso and plenty of longballs from slugger Khris Davis, the Oakland Athletics offense has mustered just 3.8 runs per game.
A lack of production from the designated hitter's spot is at least partially to blame.
The bulk of the playing time there has gone to second-year player Ryon Healy, who has struggled to find the same success he enjoyed as a rookie when he posted an .861 OPS with 20 doubles and 13 home runs in 283 plate appearances.
The 25-year-old does have seven doubles and six home runs on the year, but most of that production has come while playing third base.
Jed Lowrie and Trevor Plouffe have also been penciled in as the DH on multiple occasions, and Lowrie could see more time there going forward if and when the team finally decides to promote middle infield prospect Franklin Barreto.
Hey, at least Billy Butler is gone.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Starting Pitching
Combined Stats: 111 ERA-, 40.6% QS, 8-10, 4.68 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
Current Options: Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eickhoff, Aaron Nola (X), Vincent Velasquez, Clay Buchholz (X), Zach Eflin, Nick Pivetta
Position Outlook
The Philadelphia Phillies are still building for the future, and continued progression by their young starting rotation will be one of the biggest keys going forward.
That makes the slow start by Vincent Velasquez (5.94 ERA) and further injury woes for Aaron Nola (lower back strain) troubling to say the least.
Clay Buchholz was also a bust as a potential reclamation project, as he'll miss the bulk of the season after undergoing forearm surgery.
On the plus side, young right-hander Zach Eflin (5 GS, 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) has looked sharp since replacing him in the rotation and veteran Jeremy Hellickson (7 GS, 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) is off to a strong start as well.
Since the Phillies won't be able to extend Hellickson another qualifying offer under the new collective bargaining agreement rules, expect them to be more motivated to move the veteran this summer than they were a year ago.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Right Field
Combined Stats: 65 wRC+, .212/.270/.350, 3 HR, 12 RBI
Current Options: John Jaso, Jose Osuna
Position Outlook
It was originally supposed to be Andrew McCutchen manning right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season.
However, when Starling Marte—his replacement in center field—was slapped with an 80-game suspension, that plan was quickly out the window.
McCutchen is now back in center field and the Pirates were using a platoon of former catcher John Jaso and emerging prospect Jose Osuna in right field up until a couple games ago, when Gregory Polanco returned to the position.
Whether it's left or right, the corner spot not being manned by Polanco is the weak link.
Jaso isn't hitting at all with a .147 average on the year, and Osuna hasn't done enough since being promoted to fully seize an everyday job.
The 24-year-old Osuna announced himself as a player to watch this spring when he hit .407/.492/.759 with five home runs in 65 plate appearances. He's the one that could plug this hole and turn it into a non-issue going forward.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Catcher
Combined Stats: 51 wRC+, .164/.217/.352, 7 HR, 18 RBI
Current Options: Austin Hedges, Luis Torrens, Hector Sanchez (X)
Position Outlook
Austin Hedges looked like a breakout performer waiting to happen after a monster season with Triple-A El Paso, and the San Diego Padres cleared a path for him when they cut ties with veteran Derek Norris.
Long billed as a defensive-minded backstop who might not hit enough to be an everyday guy, Hedges exploded for a .326/.353/.597 line with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 82 RBI in 334 plate appearances last season.
However, that hasn't yet translated to the majors, where he's hitting just .184 on the year.
On the plus side, he's shown good pop with seven home runs and he ranks as the second-best pitch-framer in the league, according to StatCorner.
The rebuilding Friars will give him every chance to succeed so he doesn't need to be looking over his shoulder quite yet.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Left Field
Combined Stats: 27 wRC+, .162/.234/.223, 1 HR, 12 RBI
Current Options: Eduardo Nunez, Jarrett Parker (X), Justin Ruggiano, Mac Williamson (M)
Position Outlook
There have already been eight different players who have been in left field for the San Francisco Giants this season and—aside from regular first baseman Brandon Belt—none of them have been a threat offensively.
That includes 2016 All-Star and ousted third baseman Eduardo Nunez, who has been pushed off the infield dirt by rookie Christian Arroyo.
Nunez is hitting .248 with a .587 OPS overall on the year, and that dips to a .115 average and .332 OPS in games where he's played left field.
So what's the answer?
They could give Mac Williamson another look as he's back healthy and hitting well of late for Triple-A Sacramento.
Otherwise, fingers crossed that Nunez starts hitting again, because a major outside addition seems unlikely for a team with limited payroll flexibility and a thin farm system.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Catcher
Combined Stats: 27 wRC+, .148/.233/.209, 0 HR, 7 RBI
Current Options: Carlos Ruiz, Tuffy Gosewisch, Mike Zunino (M)
Position Outlook
How many more chances will the Seattle Mariners give Mike Zunino?
There's little question in hindsight that the 2012 No. 2 overall pick was rushed to the majors and the team has spent a good portion of the past two seasons trying to rectify that mistake by shuttling him back and forth between Triple-A and the majors.
A .167 average and 37.5 percent strikeout rate in the early going this year earned him another demotion to the minors, and that's left the Mariners with veteran Carlos Ruiz and light-hitting Tuffy Gosewisch to man the position.
For now, the hope is that Zunino can right the ship and return strong in the near future.
"He hasn't had a whole lot of at-bats, but the way the big-league team started off, they needed production right away, and you can't wait for another 120, 130, 140 at-bats," Triple-A manager Pat Listach told Christian Caple of the Tacoma News Tribune. "You've got to get production. So we're here to get him right as quick as we can."
Otherwise, an outside addition seems likely.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Relief Pitchers
Combined Stats: 100 ERA-, 14/18 SV, 4.19 ERA, 1.46 WHIP
Current Options: Seung Hwan Oh, Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist, Brett Cecil, Matt Bowman, Jonathan Broxton, Miguel Socolovich, Sam Tuivailala, Tyler Lyons (X)
Position Outlook
Technically, the catcher position grades out as the biggest weakness for the St. Louis Cardinals with a 67 wRC+.
However, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who considers Yadier Molina to be the weak link on the roster, so there's no sense pretending that's the case simply for the sake of this exercise.
Instead, we'll focus on the bullpen, which has produced a league-average ERA- but has been a clear cause for concern.
Seung Hwan Oh looks locked in after a shaky start and Trevor Rosenthal has returned with a vengeance in the eighth-inning role, but the rest of the relief corps has been questionable at best.
In particular, the trio of Brett Cecil, Jonathan Broxton and Kevin Siegrist has failed to consistently bridge that gap between starter and late-inning duo.
Either they'll need to right the ship, or changes will need to be made if the Cardinals hope to hold onto their lead in the NL Central.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Catcher
Combined Stats: 66 wRC+, .219/.277/.313, 3 HR, 18 RBI
Current Options: Wilson Ramos (X), Derek Norris, Jesus Sucre
Position Outlook
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to play the waiting game with offseason signing Wilson Ramos as his recovery from a torn ACL last September reaches the home stretch.
Ramos is reportedly "very excited" about the progress he's made and is hoping to start a rehab assignment later this month, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
In his absence, the team has turned to late-offseason signing Derek Norris and veteran backup Jesus Sucre to serve as the backstops, and their offensive production has been lacking, to say the least.
However, it is worth noting that the pitching staff has a 3.64 ERA, which ranks fifth in the majors.
Now how much credit that duo deserves for that performance is debatable, considering this was a quality staff a year ago and is largely unchanged, but it's notable nonetheless.
Interestingly enough, ousted former starter Curt Casali is off to a great start at the plate for Triple-A Durham with a .310/.375/.368 line through 23 games.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Relief Pitching
Combined Stats: 127 ERA-, 4/12 SV, 5.32 ERA, 1.57 WHIP
Current Options: Matt Bush, Jeremy Jeffress, Tony Barnette, Jose Leclerc (X), Jake Diekman (X), Keone Kela, Alex Claudio, Sam Dyson, Dario Alvarez, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Anthony Bass (M)
Position Outlook
First base (59 wRC+), second base (61 wRC+) and left field (62 wRC+) have all provided below-average production for the Texas Rangers.
However, it's the relief corps that still ranks as the weak link on the roster.
That's not to say things aren't trending in the right direction, though, as it was nothing short of a dumpster fire in the first few weeks of the season when Sam Dyson completely imploded in the closer's role.
Matt Bush has since replaced him in the ninth inning, and young right-hander Jose Leclerc had emerged as a viable setup option before landing on the disabled list with a finger contusion.
Jeremy Jeffress, Keone Kela and Tony Barnette are all capable of being quality options, and hard-throwing lefty Jake Diekman is expected to return at some point from ulcerative colitis surgery.
So while it may still rank as the biggest weakness statistically, there are bigger areas of concern on the Texas roster than the bullpen.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Second Base
Combined Stats: 43 wRC+, .195/.241/.293, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Current Options: Devon Travis, Darwin Barney, Ryan Goins, Chris Coghlan
Position Outlook
Big things were expected from a healthy Devon Travis this season.
The 26-year-old hit .301/.342/.469 with 46 doubles, 19 home runs and 85 RBI in 671 plate appearances over his first two seasons in the league, despite being limited by injuries both years.
While he's been healthy this season, the performance hasn't been there.
He's hitting just .174/.217/.275 with one home run and that leaves the second base position as the biggest weak link on a roster that has disappointed all over the diamond.
There's reason for optimism, though.
His .209 BABIP ranks 177th out of 186 qualified hitters and he's actually made modest improvements in both his walk rate (4.6 to 5.2 percent) and strikeout rate (20.1 to 19.0 percent).
The Toronto Blue Jays infield has been stretched thin by injuries to Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson, leaving Ryan Goins, Darwin Barney and Chris Coghlan to see more playing time than anticipated.
However, that's also tabled any questions of whether Travis should be benched or demoted, taking some pressure off him in the process.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Biggest Weakness: Relief Pitching
Combined Stats: 126 ERA-, 10/16 SV, 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
Current Options: Shawn Kelley (X), Blake Treinen, Koda Glover (X), Enny Romero, Joe Blanton, Matt Albers, Oliver Perez, Sammy Solis (X), Jacob Turner, Matt Grace
Position Outlook
The Washington Nationals' need for bullpen help might be the worst-kept secret in baseball.
After opting against making a splashy addition to replace Mark Melancon in the closer's role in favor of in-house options, the team has already blown six saves and used three different guys in the ninth inning.
Blake Treinen faltered early and was replaced by Shawn Kelley and rookie Koda Glover, but they're both now on the disabled list and the team is left scrambling.
There's some hope that hard-throwing Enny Romero can turn into a quality option and Joe Blanton was lights-out setting up Kenley Jansen with the Dodgers last season, but so far both have struggled.
It's veteran Matt Albers (12 G, 0.69 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 1 SV, 2 HLD) who ranks as the lone standout in the bullpen thus far.
David Robertson (White Sox) and Alex Colome (Rays) remain on the team's radar, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN (h/t MLB Daily Dish), and it wouldn't be surprising to see them pursue a trade sooner than later.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted. Positional wRC+ totals can be found here, while ERA- can be found here, both via of FanGraphs.
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