The scorching range has been chilly via the primary three weeks of November, however the motion is anticipated to warmth up quickly because the MLB winter matchups method. In the meantime, we’re every staff to determine its three largest wants this offseason and which free brokers may fill them.
Our collection continues with the American League West.
HOUSTON ASTROS
1. Third base: It’s unusual to assume that Alex Bregman is carrying a special uniform. Will the Astros entrance workplace heed Jose Altuve’s plea to retain him? It will not come low cost, and it could require proprietor Jim Crane to do what he did not do when Carlos Correa left, however perceive that it needs to be on the high of his winter to-do checklist. If Bregman leaves, inner options are restricted and there’s a vital decline in his standing on the free agent market behind him.
2. First Base: It’s laborious to think about the Astros feeling nice early within the season with Jon Singleton and Victor Caratini as their high first base choices. The aforementioned Christian Walker, Pete Alonso and Carlos Santana can be found. On the opposite hand, how lengthy does the signing of Jose Abreu stay within the Astros’ nightmares? Their choice on the spot may hinge on their confidence in prospect Zach Dezenzo’s availability to contribute and whether or not they may dish out the cash wanted to maintain Bregman of their lineup.
3. Outfield: The Astros began Jason Heyward, who was launched in late August by the Dodgers, in left discipline within the playoffs. Heyward is now a free agent. The inner choices on the 40-man roster increase questions. Chas McCormick failed to copy his 2023 type, and Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubon have been additionally beneath league common. It will not be lengthy earlier than high prospect Jacob Melton roams Houston’s outfield, however signing a longtime bat in opposition to righties would assist. Maybe it is a spot for Jesse Winker or Michael Conforto, or maybe the Astros may make a commerce for Cody Bellinger, who may assist fill wants each within the outfield and at first.
TEXAS RANGERS
1. Relief pitch: Only 4 groups had the next bullpen ERA than the Rangers final 12 months, and that is with Kirby Yates (1.17 ERA) going 33-for-34 in save possibilities in an All-Star season and David Robertson (3.00) which made a strong contribution. Now, their three most trusted high-leverage choices – Yates, Robertson and Jose Leclerc, who has made 41 saves in his eight seasons with the membership – are all free brokers. A return might be within the playing cards for any of them, however the again finish of the bullpen must be the highest offseason precedence, whether or not via free company or the commerce market, the place maybe Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley might be had for the correct bundle.
2. Start of launch: The rotation can also be having success, with Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Max Scherzer all hitting free company. Eovaldi could be the largest loss, and the Rangers may nonetheless attempt to retain him after declining his $20 million participant vesting possibility. The present rotation of Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford and rookies Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker brings each upside and volatility, particularly contemplating the harm historical past right here, so the Rangers ought to look so as to add some stability . Someone from the second tier of beginning pitchers in the marketplace – Eovaldi, Yusei Kikuchi, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino – may make sense, or maybe they may get a deal accomplished for a Sonny Gray or a Garrett Crochet.
3. Receiver: Jonah Heim was among the many plethora of Rangers championship contributors who regressed in 2024. An All-Star and Gold Glover a 12 months in the past, he produced the bottom wRC+ of any catcher with a minimum of 400 plate appearances this season and made a I step again defensively. With backup Carson Kelly hitting free company, the Rangers may have so as to add some assist behind the plate. Upside is proscribed on the open market, however Kelly, Kyle Higashioka, Danny Jansen, Gary Sanchez and Yasmani Grandal are among the many choices. Given MItch Garver’s struggles this 12 months in Seattle, may the Mariners be open to returning the 2023 Rangers champion to a division rival?
SEATTLE SAILORS
1. Third base: The Mariners are anticipated to function on the next price range than their $145 million payroll for 2024. Exactly how a lot they’re prepared to run the account will decide how far more pop they will actually add to the lineup. Could their newest disappointment break them with custom and get them into the Alex Bregman or Willy Adames sweepstakes? I would not rely on it, however that is the type of injection this offense in all probability wants. They may additionally look to the commerce market, the place the Phillies’ Alec Bohm could be an amazing match for a Seattle staff that has tried and failed to scale back its strikeout price in 2024.
2. Second Base: The Jorge Polanco deal did not work out. He’s now a free agent, and the Mariners must be seen as a possible vacation spot for Gleyber Torres after his mercurial stint in New York. They would possibly be capable of dwell along with his defensive errors if he can get the offense going once more. If they do not need to take that danger, they may get a greater protection with a decrease offensive ceiling in Ha-Seong Kim, whose skill to maneuver across the diamond may make him a sexy piece for a Seattle staff that wants a number of infield. assist. On the commerce market, this might be an attention-grabbing spot for Brandon Lowe. If they do not make a transfer, prospect Cole Young may discover himself within the equation sooner relatively than later.
3. First Base: The Mariners want so as to add some power someplace, and there are many routes they may take at first base. They may carry again Justin Turner, who had a 128 OPS+ in 48 video games whereas platooning late within the 12 months with Luke Raley, attempt to revive Paul Goldschmidt, or swing larger for Christian Walker or Pete Alonso. The commerce market may provide one other avenue, as Seattle’s glut of beginning pitching might be sufficient to entice Cleveland to maneuver Josh Naylor, Tampa Bay to commerce Yandy Díaz, or Boston to deal Triston Casas. If the Mariners stayed right here, prospect Tyler Locklear would doubtless take an extended take a look at the place.
ATHLETICS
1. Third base: What’s it like having to recruit a participant in Sacramento? The A’s are about to search out out what sort of problem may current themselves as they seek for choices at third base, the place 10 completely different gamers have logged a minimum of some motion on the plate in 2024. Darell Hernaiz and Brett Harris might be a part of the combination, and prospect Max Muncy has logged time on the scorching nook in Triple-A, however the reply may come from outdoors the group. This might be one other logical touchdown spot for Ha-Seong Kim, but when they make Brent Rooker out there, that would open the door for a difference-making participant on the commerce entrance as nicely.
2. Start of launch: Will flamethrower nearer Mason Miller return to the beginning function? That’s a query the A’s should reply. Regardless, after seeing progress in 2024, they may want extra expertise within the rotation. I might count on them so as to add a veteran pitcher to the beginning group to assist information the trail ahead for the rookie group. Perhaps a reunion with Frankie Montas might be within the playing cards, however there is not any scarcity of low-cost choices (Jose Quintana? Andrew Heaney? Martin Perez?) to fill out the rotation.
3. Relief pitch: The A’s could need assistance from your entire pitching workers, however the want will develop into particularly evident within the bullpen if Miller strikes into the rotation, particularly with Lucas Erceg now in Kansas City. Another skilled arm on the again finish would make a number of sense.
ANGELS OF LOS ANGELES
1. Start of launch: The rotation may use somebody with extra swing-and-miss stuff. The addition of Kyle Hendricks would not change that. Prospects Caden Dana, George Klassen or Sam Aldeghiri may present a lift, however it could make sense if somebody like defending champion and Los Angeles native Jack Flaherty or one other free agent like Yusei Kikuchi, Sean Manaea, Nick Pivetta, Nathan Eovaldi or Shane Bieber would find yourself on tempo for the Angels, who’ve been energetic because the begin in free company.
2. A confirmed inside: The most obvious transfer could be so as to add a 3rd baseman, contemplating Anthony Rendon averaged 51 video games per season throughout his Angels tenure and had a team-worst .574 OPS (and 66 OPS+) in 2024. But Luis Rengifo that would change down there if the Angels could make a transfer at second base, which can also be a query mark subsequent season. Prospect Christian Moore might be prepared to assist quickly, however they may use one other confirmed bat and extra depth within the infield regardless. Ha-Seong Kim or Gleyber Torres might be a match if the Angels aren’t prepared to dabble in Alex Bregman or Willy Adames sweepstakes.
3. Central court docket: If the Angels need to give Mike Trout extra time at a nook spot or at DH to maintain him wholesome, they want a greater possibility in heart. However there are usually not a lot of them on the open market. Do they’ve the potential capital to make a commerce for Luis Robert Jr. or Cody Bellinger? If not, somebody like Harrison Bader would possibly make sense.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports. He beforehand coated the LA Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU graduate, Rowan was born in California, raised in Texas, then returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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