Need for each team this winter

For some teams, this time of year means fixing some of the things that didn’t go well in 2021. For others, the focus might be on trying to retain their own free agents or filling in the gaps left by the departure of those who they go to other novenas.

With that in mind, here’s a look at each team’s biggest need this offseason.

Blue Jays: Starting pitching

If they can’t keep Robbie Ray, they’ll need to add another front-line starter to accompany Puerto Rican José Berríos at the head of the rotation. Left-hander Steven Matz is also a free agent, so they may have to fill two spots.

They could go for: Robbie Ray, Marcus Stroman

The Orioles, who lost 110 games, finished 2021 with a 5.84 team ERA, the worst in MLB. General manager Mike Elias has yet to offer his first multi-year contract to a free agent since arriving in Baltimore. With a lot of starting pitching on the market, will this be the year?

You could go for: Anthony DeSclafani, Brett Anderson

The Rays have plenty of young pitching, but Tamba Bay’s monicular body would benefit from a veteran starter to help guide youngsters like Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen and Luis Patiño, especially with Tyler Glanow out for all of 2022. Tommy John surgery.

You could go for: Danny Duffy, Corey Kluber

Red Sox: Starting pitching

Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi returned to lead the pitching while Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck remain under contractual control of the club. Another front-row starter makes sense if they want to catch up with Tamba Bay in the AL East.

They could go for: Robbie Ray, Marcus Stroman

Fortunately for the Yankees, the free market is full of shortstops, so if they’re willing to spend, they should get one. Fans have mentioned Puerto Rican Carlos Correa a lot, but the Yankees need left-handed hitters, so Corey Seager could be their top priority:

You could go for: Corey Seager, Carlos Correa

Myles Straw will return to cover center field again, but the team needs production from the corners. They may stay the way they are, but adding at least one impact hitter makes sense if the price is right.

You could go for: Mark Canha, Michael Conforto

The Royals have several young arms trying to establish themselves at the Major League level, but the arrival of a veteran starter would go a long way toward taking that next step.

You could go for: Drew Smyly, Alex Wood

AJ Hinch’s presence on the Tigers has raised much speculation about a meeting with Correa, but the fight for his services will be tough. The good news for Detroit is that there are many options on the free market.

They could go for: Carlos Correa, Trevor Story

Twins: Starting pitching

Dominican Michael Pineda is a free agent and the trades of Puerto Rican José Berríos and JA Happ left gaps in the rotation that must be filled via free agency or trade. They also need relievers.

They could go for: Alex Cobb, Carlos Rodón

White Sox: Second base

After sending Nick Madrigal to the Cubs in the Craig Kimbrel trade, Chicago acquired Cesar Hernandez to cover second base, but he did not fare well in 53 games with the Bigfoot, so the White Sox could try. fix the problem in free agency.

You could go for: Marcus Semien, Chris Taylor

Angels: Starting pitching

Isn’t it like that every year when it comes to the Angels? The rotation – which finished 22nd in MLB with a 4.78 ERA – has Alex Cobb and Dylan Bundy now in free agency. They have the Angels to improve on the mound if they want to end that long drought without going to the postseason.

You could go for: Max Scherzer, Marcus Stroman

It’s not certain that Justin Verlander is coming back and Zack Greinke is also a free agent. Lance McCullers Jr. is a solid starter and some of the young arms showed a lot in 2021, but for a team that wants to compete, adding an ace should be a priority.

You could go for: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander

Oakland’s bullpen was 10th in the American League with a 4.21 team ERA. With Yusmeiro Petit, Sergio Romo and Trevor Rosenthal now on the free market, and the club with options on left-handers Jake Diekman and Andrew Chafin’s contracts, the Athletics have to rebuild their bullpen.

You could go for: Mark Melancon, Daniel Hudson

Mariners: A powerful infielder

The Mariners could look for a shortstop among several options, although they may try to sign one to move him to third for the ongoing Gold Glove JP Crawford. They may be going for third base, though, as they need to replace Kyle Seager.

They could go for: Kris Bryant, Trevor Story

Texas’ rotation had a team ERA of 5.33 in 2021, the 28th among 30 teams, but the board has said it plans to be aggressive in free agency this winter. Finding a top-tier starter should be a priority. They could also go for shortstop.

They could go for: Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard

Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t be back in action until April or May, so the Braves will have to fill a hole in the outfield until the Venezuelan is healthy. It would be enough to retain two of his current rangers. Adam Duvall’s $ 7 million option seems out of the question, but Joc Pederson’s $ 10 million option may be too much. Atlanta will likely have to sign at least one more ranger.

They could go for: Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler

In 2021, the Marlins moved Colombian catcher Jorge Alfaro to left field for the final two months of the season, handing catcher Alex Jackson, Sandy Léon and Payton Henry. No one from that group will be the solution behind the plate if Miami’s ninth is to put up the fight, so the team will be looking for a receiver via trade or in the free agent market.

They could go for: Yan Gomes, Manny Piña

Michael Conforto is a free agent, leaving Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil the only possible starting rangers on the roster. The Mets are urgent to add thunder to the lineup, and the outfield is the obvious place to do it.

They could go for: Kris Bryant, Starling Mars

Nationals: Starting pitching

Patrick Corbin and Josiah Gray are the only starters on the team who are healthy heading into 2022, with both Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross in check for the start of the season. Cade Cavalli and Joan Adon could sneak into the rotation at some point, while Josh Rogers, Erick Fedde and Paolo Espino of Panama are other insider options. If Washington wants to fight, it would help to add a veteran starter.

You could go for: Zach Davies, Steven Matz

With a 4.60 ERA, the Phillies’ bullpen finished 25th in the majors and set a record for missed saves in a season. Archie Bradley, Ian Kennedy and Hector Neris are free agents, so rebuilding the reliever corps will be a priority for Dave Dombrowski this winter.

You could go for: Raisel Iglesias, Corey Knebel

Assuming he won’t be traded, closer Josh Hader will return along with Devin Williams to take over the final innings at Milwaukee. But Brad Boxberger and Hunter Strickland are eligible for free agency, so Milwaukee must look for a “bridge” between its large rotation and the back of the bullpen.

They could go for: Andrew Chafin, Collin McHugh

** Cardinals: Shortstop **

The Cardinals were paired with Trevor Story ahead of the trade deadline and the shortstop would be a perfect fit playing alongside Nolan Arenado. The St. Louis ninth – who may decide to ditch shortstop Paul DeJong this winter – could try to sign one of the many luxury shorts available on the market this year.

They could go for: Corey Seager, Trevor Story

Cubs: Starting pitching

Kyle Hendricks continues to lead the rotation, while Alec Mills will likely have earned a spot for next season. After those two, Adbert Alzolay, Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson make up the rest of the depth, indicating that the Cubs, who plan to be active this winter, will be looking for a luxury starter to stabilize the rotation.

You could go for: Alex Cobb, Marcus Stroman

Pirates: Garden Corners

The Pirates outfielders (led by Gregory Polanco) had a combined OPS of .655 in 2021, the second-worst in the majors, ahead only of the Royals. Ben Gamel and Anthony Alford could compete for the left field spot, but adding an impact bat to the right field would make sense for Pittsburgh.

You could go for: Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler

The Reds’ bullpen finished 27th in the majors with a 4.99 ERA in 2021, and since four different pitchers had seven or eight saves each, Cincinnati would benefit from the addition of a trusted veteran arm to the ninth inning.

You could go for: Ian Kennedy, Mark Melancon

Arizona’s relief finished 28th in the majors with a 5.08 ERA, one of many reasons the club lost 101 games in 2021. Joakim Soria and Tyler Clippard led the team with six saves. each, so adding a closer would be helpful. But of the nine Arizona relievers who made 30 or more appearances, seven had ERAs worse than 4.80, so this bullpen is desperate for depth.

They could go for: Mychal Givens, Héctor Neris

Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are free agents, so renewing with one of them seems to be in the Dodgers’ plans. If one (or both) sign with other teams, Los Angeles will have to fill those spots in the rotation.

You could go for: Kevin Gausman, Alex Cobb

Giants: Starting pitching

Eighty percent of the Giants’ rotation – Kevin Gausman, Alex Wood, Anthony DeSclafani and Johnny Cueto – are free agents, leaving Logan Webb the only starter under contract with San Francisco heading into 2022. San Francisco will try to retain some of its free agents, but adding a starter or two may be on the agenda.

You could go for: Eduardo Rodríguez, Noah Syndergaard

The Padres could lose free agent Mark Melancon this winter, so they would have to find a new closer. The GG AJ Preller always aims high, so San Diego could woo the best closers on the market.

You could go for: Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen

Rockies: Impact bat for outfields

After trading Nolan Arenado and with the possible loss of Trevor Story as a free agent, the Rockies will try to add an impact bat to the offensive order. Colorado outfielders had fewer home runs than any team short of Arizona.

You could go for: Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber