Each team’s biggest question before Spring Training

While there’s nonetheless lots to be decided with respect to the recent range season, the calendar will quickly flip to a brand new 12 months, and with it, Spring Training will likely be in sight.

As rosters take form and the MLB panorama turns into clearer, what questions does every staff face earlier than heading to Arizona or Florida to open camp? 

Here’s a take a look at the largest query for every membership earlier than Spring Training:

Blue Jays: Will they pivot… once more?
Will the Blue Jays swing huge on Cody Bellinger, goal a shock title on the commerce market or run it again with a group of mid-range signings? Before we get into something particular, we nonetheless have to see during which broad, philosophical route the Blue Jays need to transfer their franchise.

A 12 months in the past, that shift was clear. They moved out bats for pitching and protection, buying and selling Teoscar Hernández for Erik Swanson and later dealing Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for Daulton Varsho. They took a special highway to the identical place, although, and have to attempt one other path. Does this entrance workplace suppose one other important shift is required? We’re about to seek out out. — Keegan Matheson

Orioles: How will they improve their rotation?
General supervisor Mike Elias has repeatedly made it identified he’d like so as to add a big-league-caliber beginning pitcher to improve Baltimore’s rotation for the 2024 season. But nothing has materialized to date this offseason, whereas free-agent pitchers proceed to return off the board.

The marketplace for starters has been a bit expensive, as fairly a number of groups have been giving out profitable offers. Because of that, it nonetheless appears extra probably the Orioles purchase a brand new rotation piece in a commerce. They have a glut of gifted position-player prospects of their stacked farm system to make use of as commerce chips, and starters resembling White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease and Brewers righty Corbin Burnes proceed to be concerned in rumors. — Jake Rill

Rays: What is the standing of Wander Franco?
For probably the most half, the Rays’ roster seems to be in fairly fine condition. Ryan Pepiot can take Tyler Glasnow’s spot within the rotation, and Jonny DeLuca might fill Manuel Margot’s position within the outfield. There’s room so as to add pitching depth and a catcher to work alongside René Pinto, positive, and maybe make a number of extra offers on the position-player facet to make room for his or her glut of younger infielders.

But the largest query is one the staff itself can’t reply: What is the standing of Franco, who spent the ultimate weeks of the season on administrative depart and stays below investigation by MLB and authorities within the Dominican Republic? There have been no substantive updates since August, except for the procedural transfer of returning the All-Star shortstop to the 40-man roster. — Adam Berry

Red Sox: Who will they add to the rotation?
The Red Sox entered the offseason with numerous wants, primarily: beginning pitching, a robust defensive second baseman and a right-handed bat. They checked off the latter by buying Tyler O’Neill from the Cardinals, although they may arguably add another influence hitter.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow burdened on the Winter Meetings that beginning pitching was Boston’s largest precedence. Boston has been linked to prime free brokers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, and the membership reportedly has curiosity in Lucas Giolito and Japanese lefty Shōta Imanaga. — Molly Burkhardt

Yankees: How will they improve their pitching?
Even whereas Yanks executives felt good about their possibilities of touchdown Yamamoto, they have been contemplating Plan B — reunions with Jordan Montgomery or Frankie Montas, a commerce for the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes, or constructing a brilliant bullpen with Jordan Hicks. Shōta Imanaga is one other interesting choice. The Yankees’ workers had a strong 3.97 ERA final season, nevertheless it was a less-impressive 4.20 with out Gerrit Cole’s contributions. Cole is coming off a Cy Young Award-winning season, however Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodón had injury-marred campaigns. — Bryan Hoch

Guardians: Will they commerce Shane Bieber?
The Guardians added free-agent catcher Austin Hedges for his protection and management, free-agent righty Ben Lively so as to add to their beginning depth and traded for righty Scott Barlow to assist on the again finish of the bullpen. But nothing has been completed to externally enhance this offseason to this point, except for including a 20-year-old nook infielder, Deyvison De Los Santos — who hasn’t performed above Double-A — within the Rule 5 Draft. Cleveland nonetheless wants assist offensively and Bieber — though his commerce worth isn’t what it was — could be the best choice to accumulate that assist. — Mandy Bell

Royals: Can they add extra?
The Royals have already completed a ton of labor to enhance, including six free brokers earlier than Christmas. But it’s going to take lots to show round a staff that received simply 56 video games final season. They’re nonetheless counting on inner enchancment and well being on either side of the ball to be higher in 2024.

There are nonetheless most likely some holes within the bullpen — the Royals have stated they’ll give Will Smith the chance to shut video games, in addition to Chris Stratton — but when they’ll add another dependable piece, it will assist mitigate well being, workload and different adversity bullpens face all through the season.

Offensively, the Royals like what they’ve acquired with their infield starters and outfield combine, however the place participant depth on their 40-man roster is pretty skinny. Kansas City may look so as to add a lefty bench piece who can complement Garrett Hampson and play a number of positions. — Anne Rogers

Tigers: Add another bat or belief within the youngsters?
President of baseball operations Scott Harris has been constant on preserving alternatives open for younger hitters to crack the roster, specifically slugging infielder Colt Keith at second base. But if a doubtlessly helpful veteran infielder falls by way of the cracks and turns into out there on a short-term deal, might Harris flip opportunistic and use the addition to push Keith and/or third baseman Matt Vierling, and perhaps enhance depth because of this? — Jason Beck

Twins: Will they discover a worthwhile deal involving Jorge Polanco and/or Max Kepler?
The reply to that query will probably set the tone for Minnesota’s offseason strikes. Without as a lot spending freedom because the Twins have loved in some offseasons previous, any transactions to maneuver the needle — notably on the pitching facet — will probably have to return through commerce, with their two largest candidates being their two longest-tenured gamers.

Kepler is an elite defensive proper fielder coming off a resurgent 2023 season, whereas Polanco has had latest harm considerations however has in any other case been a top quality top-of-the-lineup switch-hitter with two years of staff management remaining. — Do-Hyoung Park

White Sox: Where will Dylan Cease pitch at first of the ’24 season?
Business ought to choose up as soon as greater title pitching free brokers come off the board, and normal supervisor Chris Getz might have his alternative of expertise returns from a number of totally different suitors to theoretically strengthen his staff within the current and sooner or later.

It’s unlikely the White Sox can overplay their facet on this scenario as a result of in the event that they don’t get completely what they need, they’ll maintain on to Cease, who options two extra years of contractual management on the prime of the White Sox rotation. Cease has fanned at the least 214 batters in every of his final three seasons and confirmed his sturdiness by making 97 begins in complete with a 3.54 ERA in that timeframe. — Scott Merkin

Angels: How a lot are they prepared to spend after shedding Ohtani?
The Angels are roughly $70 million below the primary Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold, in order that they have cash to spend even when they don’t go above that mark like they did on the Trade Deadline. They might use a bat-first participant to assist exchange Shohei Ohtani’s manufacturing at designated hitter and one other utility-type participant might make some sense. Adding a top-tier beginning pitcher can be perfect and there’s no such factor as having too many arms within the bullpen. — Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Can they add to the bullpen?
Astros normal supervisor Dana Brown stated earlier this month that the membership will flip to inner candidates to fill a few of the holes created following the departure of veteran relievers Hector Neris, Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek, who’re free brokers. Those three mixed to throw 185 innings final season, which was about one-third of Houston’s bullpen workload.

There’s nonetheless an opportunity Houston might add a high-leverage reliever, so who’s going to be organising Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Kendall Graveman? Regardless, a number of pitchers already on the roster might want to step up. — Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Who will likely be within the combine to shut video games?
Trevor May’s retirement this offseason leaves a gap for the nearer position that, at this level, doesn’t seem to have a transparent favourite. During the Winter Meetings, normal supervisor David Forst indicated that Mason Miller – Oakland’s prime pitching prospect — is prone to pitch out of the bullpen this season and could possibly be a candidate to shut video games.

Right-handers Lucas Erceg and newly-signed Trevor Gott additionally determine to be prospects, although neither has intensive expertise as a better. The A’s might additionally nonetheless be exploring the commerce and free-agent markets for a closer-type reliever. — Martín Gallegos

Mariners: What does the unfinished lineup seem like?
The Mariners have taken a subtract-then-add strategy with their position-player personnel this offseason, liberating up greater than $30 million in payroll by buying and selling well-known gamers Jarred Kelenic, Eugenio Suárez, Marco Gonzales and Evan White.

While president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto indicated on the Winter Meetings that they’re transitioning to the “addition” part, they’ve but to refill the holes they’ve created. They nonetheless have at the least one huge transfer in them, if no more, however for a entrance workplace that sometimes augments early every offseason, this one has moved uncharacteristically slowly. — Daniel Kramer

Rangers: How will the rotation — as presently constructed — maintain up within the first half?
The Rangers have theoretically already received the 2024 Trade Deadline with three beginning pitchers — Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle — all getting back from harm within the second half. But the rotation within the first half of the season is wanting mighty skinny. 

The Rangers’ Opening Day rotation now strains up with Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney and Cody Bradford, with prospects Owen White (two huge league appearances in 2023), Zak Kent and Cole Winn all ready within the wings. It’s a positive rotation, but when any of the highest 5 arms get hit with a considerable harm, it might trigger hassle for the Rangers early on. — Kennedi Landry

Braves: Do they should add a beginning pitcher?
Adding a difference-maker like Aaron Nola or Sonny Gray would have given the Braves a confirmed starter who might add important worth in October over the following few years. There are different potential frontline starters like Blake Snell on the free agent market. But if the price doesn’t match projected worth, Alex Anthopoulos has confirmed he received’t spend simply to spend.

Anthopoulos gained some insurance coverage with Reynaldo López, who could possibly be used as a starter or reliever. AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines and Allan Winans present additional depth to a rotation that begins with two Cy Young Award candidates in Max Fried and Spencer Strider. Getting the best starter may assist. But that is additionally a possible want that could possibly be addressed once more earlier than the Trade Deadline. — Mark Bowman

Marlins: Who would be the beginning shortstop?
At the Winter Meetings, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix stated there wasn’t a clear-cut on a regular basis shortstop already on the roster. If no addition is made both through free company or commerce, supervisor Skip Schumaker figures Jon Berti will get the majority of the reps on the place. Not solely did Berti begin each video games of the 2023 NL Wild Card Series, however he additionally has a confirmed observe document in comparison with children Vidal Bruján, Xavier Edwards and Jacob Amaya (Miami’s No. 5 prospect). — Christina De Nicola

Mets: How will the entrance workplace create sufficient rotation depth?
The staff made an early acquisition when it agreed to phrases with Luis Severino in late November, then one other when it traded for Adrian Houser simply earlier than Christmas. Both of these pitchers have battled important accidents lately, as has incumbent starter José Quintana. And David Peterson — a constant supply of innings over the previous two years — will probably miss months of the season recovering from a torn hip labrum. The extent to which the Mets complement that group will go a good distance towards figuring out each their ceiling and their flooring. — Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Who will assist fill the primary base and designated hitter roles?
The plan is for Joey Meneses, final season’s designated hitter, to spend time at first base. That leaves a necessity for one more participant (or gamers) to cowl innings at first and DH. Internally, the Nationals might tab outfielder Stone Garrett within the designated hitter spot as he returns from a damaged left leg. The right-handed hitter took practically as many at-bats towards right-handers (112 ABs, .277 batting common, two dwelling runs) and southpaws (122 ABs, .262 batting common, seven homers) final season. Expect Washington to proceed exploring the free-agent market, coveting lefty hitters who can present energy. — Jessica Camerato

Phillies: What else?
The Phillies should not completed constructing their 2024 roster, however what is going to these additions seem like? They have stated for greater than a month that they are going to be extra complementary in nature. Of course, the Phillies took a run at free-agent right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, however he was the one participant they appeared prepared to blow previous the following luxurious tax threshold for. It appears extra probably at this level that the Phillies search for one other outfielder and one other bullpen arm. — Todd Zolecki

Brewers: Which route are they going?
On one hand, the Brewers invoice themselves as contenders, saying the intention is to mount a profitable protection of their NL Central title. On the opposite hand, they signaled a willingness to go younger once they signed prime prospect Jackson Chourio to a record-setting contract that paved his method to the Opening Day roster, and so they parted with two of their longest-tenured gamers in Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor through a commerce with the Mets. Maybe the Brewers can do each — slicing payroll and persevering with to win. Maybe they’ll take a step again in 2024. — Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: Do they’ve sufficient pitching to be severe contenders once more?
Sure, the Cardinals upgraded their pitching with the additions of Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn to hitch Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz within the rotation, however have they got sufficient firepower to be legit World Series contenders? President of baseball operations John Mozeliak thinks so, nevertheless it looks like he may nonetheless have one other play to fortify the rotation or enhance the bullpen.

The Cards by no means significantly entered the chase for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and missed out on a commerce for Tyler Glasnow, per Glasnow on the Foul Territory podcast. Can they swing a deal for Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber or Alek Manoah? — John Denton

Cubs: Who will play middle discipline?
The straightforward reply right here can be Cody Bellinger, who was one in every of baseball’s greatest comeback tales in 2023. The problem, in fact, is that Bellinger is arguably the prime free-agent place participant out there now that celebrity Shohei Ohtani is off the board. Bellinger is understandably in search of a hefty payday.

If Bellinger shouldn’t be re-signed by the Cubs, then the North Siders have a puzzle to unravel in middle discipline. Chicago has middle fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong — MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 Cubs prospect and the No. 12 prospect in baseball — however the membership additionally doesn’t need to rush him earlier than he’s deemed prepared. Mike Tauchman affords an skilled in-house choice, and the Cubs might discover different short-term alternate options on the open market. — Jordan Bastian

Pirates: How does the beginning rotation line up?
Even with the items falling into place after the commerce for Marco Gonzales and the reported settlement reached with Martín Pérez, which has not been confirmed by the membership, there are nonetheless two rotation spots up for grabs behind these two and Mitch Keller. When requested on Wednesday about which areas he nonetheless sees for potential additions, normal supervisor Ben Cherington’s first response was nonetheless the rotation. But might younger inner choices like Quinn Priester or Jared Jones make their case in Spring Training? — Jake Crouse

Reds: Can they choose up an skilled beginning pitcher?
The Reds have a number of younger and thrilling beginning pitchers to contend for rotation spots. But these pitchers even have a number of query marks after Cincinnati starters handled accidents whereas posting the third-worst ERA in MLB final season. 

Having a confirmed beginning pitcher who might present at the least 175 innings and make 30 begins would probably make Cincinnati the favourite amongst NL Central contenders. — Mark Sheldon

D-backs: Will they add a DH?
The D-backs have completed an excellent job of filling in areas they recognized as wants to date this offseason, however one query stays: Will they discover themselves a delegated hitter?
 
Over the final three seasons, Arizona has been content material to rotate gamers by way of the DH spot, utilizing it as a manner of giving some gamers a partial time without work, however even with the return of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the D-backs are nonetheless within the hunt for one more bat that may be plugged in because the on a regular basis DH. — Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Who else will be a part of the rotation?
With Los Angeles once more having struck gold, reportedly fortifying the rotation with phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto along with the commerce for Tyler Glasnow, this could possibly be a moot level. But with Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May all recovering from surgical procedure and the prospects who debuted final season seeing combined outcomes, it by no means hurts to choose up depth. The Dodgers have made a veritable storm in free company; might the commerce market — perhaps even one other prime arm like Corbin Burnes or Dylan Cease — be subsequent? — Sonja Chen

Giants: Which different influence gamers can they land this offseason?
The Giants confirmed they may efficiently woo a prime free agent by signing KBO star Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million deal, however they’ll have to proceed beefing up their roster to maintain tempo within the aggressive NL West. They could not land Shohei Ohtani, watching him be a part of the rival Dodgers, and likewise got here up brief within the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes, however they may nonetheless pivot to different free brokers resembling Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Shōta Imanaga, Matt Chapman or Rhys Hoskins. — Maria Guardado

Padres: Do they’ve sufficient pitching? And if not, the place do they discover it?
There are different holes on this roster, notably within the outfield. But the sheer variety of innings — high quality innings — that should be changed is very large. The Juan Soto commerce helped this trigger in an enormous manner (albeit at an awfully steep value). The Padres landed 4 younger pitchers, all of whom ought to contribute in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Yuki Matsui signing ought to assist deal with some leverage aid innings. But there’s nonetheless work to be completed — some undoubtedly through free company, however normal supervisor A.J. Preller has discovered front-line pitching on the commerce entrance earlier than. — AJ Cassavell

Rockies: How will they add expertise to the rotation?
As the calendar 12 months wound down, the Rockies have been kicking the tires with groups in hopes of buying and selling for a confirmed beginning pitcher. With Germán Márquez out till the second half and Antonio Senzatela unsure to return in 2024 (each underwent Tommy John surgical procedures), recently-acquired right-hander Cal Quantrill and lefties Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber are the one veterans. Righties Peter Lambert, Ryan Feltner and Noah Davis have a complete of 69 begins between them. The Rockies additionally determine to signal veterans below Minor League offers to create depth and competitors. — Thomas Harding