There’s nonetheless loads of time left within the offseason for groups to test objects off their winter to-do lists, however with the spirit of vacation buying within the air, let’s check out what baseball groups have already executed to repair their roster’s weakest hyperlinks from final season. Utilizing Baseball Reference’s record of how each team performed (as per bWAR) by position in 2022, let’s begin with the 15 Nationwide League golf equipment….
Braves (Pinch-hitting, 0.3 bWAR): We’ll begin with a workforce with out many weak factors, because the Braves amassed 104 wins thanks largely to the most effective offensive lineups in baseball historical past. Atlanta’s on a regular basis gamers have been so good and so sturdy that the bench didn’t get a lot of an opportunity to hit the sector, whilst late-game subs. As to how the bench depth may enhance, Vaughn Grissom is predicted to tackle a bigger function, and David Fletcher was acquired from the Angels as a backup infield improve over Nicky Lopez.
Brewers (First base, 0.4 bWAR): Carlos Santana is a free agent, Rowdy Tellez was non-tendered, and Mark Canha was traded to the Tigers because the Brew Crew may kind of fully reshuffle their first base combine. GM Matt Arnold
did hint that Santana might return and highly-touted prospect Tyler Black might issue at both nook infield place, however for now, first base stays considerably in flux. Jake Bauers was acquired from the Yankees and at present tasks to work with Owen Miller in a platoon on the chilly nook.
Cardinals (Pinch-hitting, 0.2 bWAR): St. Louis’ rotation issues have been well-documented, and their 4.1 rotation bWAR ranked twenty eighth of 30 groups. Nevertheless, pinch-hitting was technically the Cardinals’ weakest level by pure bWAR metrics, and this space may simply enhance with higher outcomes from the workforce’s in-house choices. On paper, the Playing cards have loads of versatile position-player depth, although they want to determine which members of this group might be lineup regulars or maybe off the workforce altogether.
Cubs (First base, 0.4 bWAR): Even with Cody Bellinger getting an enormous chunk of the enjoying time at first base, he hit solely .267/.310/.467 over 200 plate appearances as a primary baseman, in distinction to his red-hot .323/.381/.548 slash line in 339 PA as a middle fielder. A Matt Mervis/Patrick Wisdom/Christopher Morel mixture is at present in place on the chilly nook, but it doesn’t really feel just like the Cubs are going to only stand pat the place. Wrigleyville has been linked to such commerce and free agent targets as Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, and Rhys Hoskins, plus a reunion with Bellinger can’t but be dominated out.
Diamondbacks (Third base, 0.0 bWAR): The NL champions solely received replacement-level manufacturing on the scorching nook final yr, however Arizona has already made an enormous transfer by including Eugenio Suarez in a trade with the Mariners. It’s a doable short-term repair since 2024 is the final assured yr of Suarez’s contract, although he ought to present the D’Backs with some additional energy whereas the workforce will get some extra time to judge Jordan Lawlar’s readiness at shortstop (which might shift Gerardo Perdomo to 3rd base sooner or later).
Dodgers (Pinch-hitting, 1.3 bWAR): Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers’ “weakest place” remains to be fairly respectable. The return of Gavin Lux and the acquisition of Manuel Margot ought to elevate the expertise ground on the roster when it comes to bench depth, as youthful gamers like Miguel Vargas or Michael Busch might contribute in backup or part-time roles, quite than being relied on (as Vargas was final season) for a high-pressure beginning function. The left discipline place additionally generated 1.4 bWAR in 2023, and Los Angeles hopes that the addition of Margot can assist on that entrance, plus a return to kind for Chris Taylor would assist a ton.
Giants (Shortstop, -1.3 bWAR): Longtime shortstop Brendan Crawford battled accidents all season lengthy and wasn’t very productive when he was on the sector, leaving the Giants short-handed at one of the crucial essential positions on the diamond. High prospect Marco Luciano made his MLB debut final season and can get an extended look in 2024, however San Francisco is also looking around for shortstop assist, maybe simply as a one-year stopgap to assist Luciano ease into the massive leagues.
Marlins (Catcher, -0.6 bWAR): Jacob Stallings wasn’t tendered a contract, and Christian Bethancourt was acquired from the Guardians as president of baseball operations Peter Bendix picked up one other of his former gamers from the Rays. The Bethancourt/Nick Fortes tandem is a minimum of a defensively stout pairing behind the plate, although Miami isn’t executed exploring the market for more catching help, and former Cardinal Andrew Knizner is reportedly of curiosity.
Mets (Third base, -1.2 bWAR): No workforce received much less from the new nook than the Amazins, however New York’s initial plan for the offseason was to maintain rolling with youthful gamers like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, or Mark Vientos. Nevertheless, Mauricio will now miss most or the entire season due to a torn ACL, lowering the choices to Baty, Vientos, or utilityman Joey Wendle. Justin Turner is reportedly a participant of curiosity for the Mets, which might match since Turner would additionally get loads of time as a DH, permitting for the kids to get motion on the third base spot. If not Turner, another veteran infield depth possibility might be obtained, but the Mets wish to give their high prospects a while since 2024 is trying like one thing of an analysis yr for the workforce.
Nationals (Designated hitter, 0.7 bWAR): Joey Meneses received the majority of DH at-bats in 2023, and he couldn’t sustain the magic of his shocking 2022 breakout, hitting solely .275/.321/.401 in his second yr within the majors. Meneses might get extra time at first base now that Dominic Smith has been non-tendered, and Washington additionally introduced in Juan Yepez and Lewin Diaz on minor-league offers. Briefly, each the DH and first base spots are principally open-call auditions at this level, because the Nationals most likely aren’t more likely to purchase a longer-term reply for both place whereas the workforce remains to be rebuilding. The designated hitter function won’t be addressed immediately, because the Nats may find yourself biking a number of gamers by way of the place.
Padres (First base/pinch-hitting, 0.5 bWAR): San Diego’s crowded infield image resulted in Jake Cronenworth getting a lot of the first base alternative, and he struggled after posting some very stable numbers from 2020-22. Cronenworth remains to be the favourite for the place at this level, and his large contract makes it possible that he’ll nonetheless be on the roster subsequent yr despite the fact that Cronenworth’s identify has surfaced in some trade talks. Manny Machado might be used as a DH early within the season till he totally recovers from his elbow surgical procedure, which considerably complicates any plans San Diego may need in acquiring a slugging first base/DH kind, but such a participant may nonetheless be a clever addition if the Padres really feel assured Machado received’t want an excessive amount of time to get totally wholesome. As a lot because the Padres’ offseason has been outlined up to now by payroll cuts, their latest signing of reliever Yuki Matsui signifies that the workforce remains to be planning to contend, and getting one other large bat within the lineup looks like a should.
Phillies (Third base, 0.4 bWAR): Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa largely break up the third base duties in 2023, as Bohm noticed loads of time at first base with Rhys Hoskins out and till Bryce Harper was able to take over because the common first baseman. Harper might be sticking at first base in 2024, so Bohm might be again because the full-time third baseman. The previous high prospect has been roughly a league-average hitter in his 4 MLB seasons and his glovework at third base nonetheless garners combined critiques, so if the Phillies did wish to make an even bigger transfer to their on a regular basis core, Bohm is perhaps a candidate to be the odd man out. That mentioned, president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski has indicated that the Phils are kind of executed with their top-tier winter buying.
Pirates (Catcher/shortstop, -0.9 bWAR): The reply is identical at each positions for the Bucs — get full and wholesome seasons from two of their greatest younger gamers. Oneil Cruz missed nearly all the season as a consequence of ankle surgical procedure, whereas Henry Davis made his MLB debut however barely performed any catcher, largely seeing time for granted fielder as a substitute. Sadly, one other high catching prospect in Endy Rodriguez will miss all the season as a consequence of UCL surgical procedure, so Davis now appears to be the best choice behind the plate except the Pirates favor to make use of Jason Delay and Ali Sanchez whereas Davis will get extra acclimated to the place.
Reds (Proper discipline/DH/Pinch-hitting, 0.7 bWAR): Cincinnati had a three-way tie within the “weakest place” race, and the reply to all three positions is perhaps inside enhancements. Or, a minimum of a shuffle brought on by the signing of Jeimer Candelario, which can additional crowd the infield and push Spencer Steer into a transparent left discipline function. This may in flip make Will Benson and Jake Fraley into the fitting discipline platoon, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Jonathan India may now be in line for DH obligation now that the Reds have parted methods with Joey Votto. There are many shifting components right here for the Reds, to not point out the truth that Cincinnati may nonetheless transfer considered one of their infielders in a commerce for pitching.
Rockies (First base/second base, -0.6 bWAR): Colorado hopes to have Kris Bryant and Brendan Rodgers wholesome, which might mechanically make issues higher on the two lackluster infield positions. It’s been a fairly quiet winter up to now for the Rockies, as their restricted transactions up to now have understandably been targeted on including pitching. Colorado solely acquired 0.6 bWAR from its beginning pitchers in 2023, the bottom mark in baseball.
