There’s nonetheless loads of time left within the offseason for groups to test gadgets off their winter to-do lists, however with the spirit of vacation procuring 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 listing of how every staff carried out (as per bWAR) by place in 2022, let’s begin with the 15 Nationwide League golf equipment….
Braves (Pinch-hitting, 0.3 bWAR): We’ll begin with a staff with out many weak factors, because the Braves amassed 104 wins thanks principally to among the finest 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, at the same time as late-game subs. As to how the bench depth would possibly enhance, Vaughn Grissom is anticipated 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 would possibly kind of fully reshuffle their first base combine. GM Matt Arnold
did trace that Santana may return and highly-touted prospect Tyler Black may 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 initiatives 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. Nonetheless, pinch-hitting was technically the Cardinals’ weakest level by pure bWAR metrics, and this space would possibly simply enhance with higher outcomes from the staff’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 staff altogether.
Cubs (First base, 0.4 bWAR): Even with Cody Bellinger getting a giant chunk of the taking part in 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 Knowledge/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 simply 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 acquired replacement-level manufacturing on the sizzling nook final yr, however Arizona has already made a giant transfer by including Eugenio Suarez in a commerce with the Mariners. It’s a potential 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 staff will get some extra time to judge Jordan Lawlar’s readiness at shortstop (which may shift Gerardo Perdomo to 3rd base sooner or later).
Dodgers (Pinch-hitting, 1.3 bWAR): Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers’ “weakest place” continues to be fairly respectable. The return of Gavin Lux and the acquisition of Manuel Margot ought to increase the expertise flooring on the roster when it comes to bench depth, as youthful gamers like Miguel Vargas or Michael Busch may contribute in backup or part-time roles, slightly 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 will help 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 probably the most vital 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 additionally wanting round 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 at the very least a defensively stout pairing behind the plate, although Miami isn’t executed exploring the market for extra catching assist, and former Cardinal Andrew Knizner is reportedly of curiosity.
Mets (Third base, -1.2 bWAR): No staff acquired much less from the new nook than the Amazins, however New York’s preliminary plan for the offseason was to maintain rolling with youthful gamers like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, or Mark Vientos. Nonetheless, Mauricio will now miss most or the entire season resulting from a torn ACL, decreasing the choices to Baty, Vientos, or utilityman Joey Wendle. Justin Turner is reportedly a participant of curiosity for the Mets, which may match since Turner would additionally get plenty 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 could possibly be obtained, but the Mets need to give their high prospects a while since 2024 is wanting like one thing of an analysis yr for the staff.
Nationals (Designated hitter, 0.7 bWAR): Joey Meneses acquired the majority of DH at-bats in 2023, and he couldn’t sustain the magic of his stunning 2022 breakout, hitting solely .275/.321/.401 in his second yr within the majors. Meneses may 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. In brief, each the DH and first base spots are mainly open-call auditions at this level, because the Nationals most likely aren’t prone to purchase a longer-term reply for both place whereas the staff continues to be rebuilding. The designated hitter function may not be addressed immediately, because the Nats would possibly find yourself biking a number of gamers via the place.
Padres (First base/pinch-hitting, 0.5 bWAR): San Diego’s crowded infield image resulted in Jake Cronenworth getting many of the first base alternative, and he struggled after posting some very stable numbers from 2020-22. Cronenworth continues to be the favourite for the place at this level, and his huge contract makes it possible that he’ll nonetheless be on the roster subsequent yr regardless that Cronenworth’s identify has surfaced in some commerce 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 might need in acquiring a slugging first base/DH kind, but such a participant would possibly nonetheless be a smart 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 to this point by payroll cuts, their latest signing of reliever Yuki Matsui signifies that the staff continues to be planning to contend, and getting one other huge bat within the lineup looks like a should.
Phillies (Third base, 0.4 bWAR): Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa principally cut up the third base duties in 2023, as Bohm noticed plenty 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 need to make a much bigger transfer to their on a regular basis core, Bohm could be 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 procuring.
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 finest younger gamers. Oneil Cruz missed nearly all the season resulting from ankle surgical procedure, whereas Henry Davis made his MLB debut however barely performed any catcher, principally seeing time without any consideration fielder as an alternative. Sadly, one other high catching prospect in Endy Rodriguez will miss all the season resulting from UCL surgical procedure, so Davis now seems to be to be the best choice behind the plate until the Pirates desire 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 could be inside enhancements. Or, at the very least a shuffle attributable to the signing of Jeimer Candelario, which is able to additional crowd the infield and push Spencer Steer into a transparent left discipline function. This can in flip make Will Benson and Jake Fraley into the proper discipline platoon, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Jonathan India would possibly now be in line for DH responsibility now that the Reds have parted methods with Joey Votto. There are many transferring components right here for the Reds, to not point out the truth that Cincinnati would possibly nonetheless transfer one among 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 to this point for the Rockies, as their restricted transactions to this point have understandably been centered on including pitching. Colorado solely obtained 0.6 bWAR from its beginning pitchers in 2023, the bottom mark in baseball.
