Countdown to Spring Training: A 30-team guide
The arrival of a new calendar year brings increased anticipation for Spring Training, and with camp now about six weeks away for Major League clubs, each has several questions that need to be answered before Opening Day. Here's a look at those questions, as well as a link to other important information for all 30 teams, including the key dates to know for fans looking ahead to Cactus League and Grapefruit League play in 2020.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves
Who will bat cleanup for Atlanta on Opening Day? Possibilities abound -- will Josh Donaldson be back, or will it be a player brought in via trade, perhaps Kris Bryant or Francisco Lindor? Then there are the questions of who will fill out the starting rotation and whether Freddie Freeman will be fully healthy and ready to go for Spring Training. More >
Marlins
With several of Miami's highly touted prospects set to arrive in the Majors in 2020, the team's biggest questions revolve around how much better an anemic offense will become, and how much closer the club is to contending. More >
Mets
Some intriguing offseason storylines will carry over into Spring Training, including whether Yoenis Céspedes will play and what he will contribute, and whether the club will try to secure contract extensions for stars like Pete Alonso, Noah Syndergaard and Michael Conforto. More >
Nationals
The infield remains unsettled, as does the bullpen. In both cases, answers may depend on where free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson lands. And then there's the overriding question -- will there be a World Series hangover for the defending champs? More >
Phillies
Philadelphia has made some big moves this offseason, but are there still more to come? Who will be the second baseman on Opening Day? Will there be additions to the bullpen? More >
NL CENTRAL
Brewers
Will general manager David Stearns keep making moves to bolster the starting rotation? What about third base? And will Josh Hader be on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster? More >
Cardinals
Who's going to be the left fielder? Assuming Marcell Ozuna is gone, that's a big vacancy for St. Louis to fill, as is the closer's role with Jordan Hicks out until at least midsummer recovering from Tommy John surgery. More >
Cubs
With David Ross taking the helm as manager, what will Spring Training look like? Will Year 2 of Craig Kimbrel be better? When will we see Nico Hoerner, the club's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline? More >
Pirates
There are a lot of questions for Pittsburgh as the club heads toward Spring Training, with most of them revolving around new general manager Ben Cherington and new manager Derek Shelton. How will Pittsburgh add talent? And how will it be deployed? More >
Reds
Cincinnati added Mike Moustakas as a free agent via the richest deal in franchise history, but the club still could use upgrades for its offense, not to mention some more experienced arms in the bullpen. More >
NL WEST
D-backs
When will Madison Bumgarner face the Giants for the first time? Will Ketel Marte be in center field or at second base, and how is he recovering from that stress reaction in his back? Especially given its Trade Deadline activity in recent years, how will Arizona approach deals this season? More >
Dodgers
Mookie Betts? Francisco Lindor? Other? With the Dodgers reportedly focused on making a big move, what will it be? With Hyun Jin Ryu gone, who fills out the starting rotation? And what else does Los Angeles have in store to bolster its bullpen after acquiring Blake Treinen? More >
Giants
It's going to be a season of big change in San Francisco -- there's a new manager in Gabe Kapler and, for the first time in a decade, the Giants will open a season without franchise legend Madison Bumgarner. How will Kapler fare, and how will the starting rotation take shape? More >
Padres
San Diego has a couple of highly touted pitchers on the cusp of the big leagues. When will we see No. 1 prospect MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino (No. 3)? On the offensive side, will the Padres get more out of big-money bats Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers? And is 2020 the year this up-and-coming club becomes a postseason contender? More >
Rockies
It's been a quiet offseason for Colorado, but there are important salary arbitration cases upcoming for Trevor Story and Jon Gray, among others. And the Rockies are conducting a prospect-oriented pitching development program in Scottsdale, Ariz., from January 13-25. More >
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays
Intrigue abounds in Toronto, where Hyun-Jin Ryu arrives to be the ace of the rotation, and young stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio will enter their second Major League seasons. What can we expect the young and exciting Jays to deliver in 2020? More >
Orioles
Which young players will take advantage of extended looks in 2020 and emerge as candidates to be part of the long-term future in Baltimore? More >
Rays
Following their first postseason appearance since 2013, can the Rays push deeper into October in 2020? As we head toward Spring Training, key questions for Tampa Bay include whether or not the club will have a five-man starting rotation. More >
Red Sox
As Boston tries to rebound following a disappointing 2019, big questions include Chris Sale's health, the bullpen and who plays first base. More >
Yankees
The Yanks have big goals for 2020: With Gerrit Cole now at the top of their rotation and joining a roster that reached the American League Championship Series last season, it's World Series or bust. More >
AL CENTRAL
Indians
With Corey Kluber -- and potentially Francisco Lindor -- traded away, the Tribe will move on in its quest to regain supremacy in the AL Central. Cleveland has some holes to fill, particularly at second base and in the outfield. And will there be additions to the bullpen? More >
Royals
There will be many new faces at Spring Training for Kansas City by way of non-roster invites. But don't be surprised if you see some more arriving in the latter part of the offseason, as the club's pitching staff needs to be bolstered. More >
Tigers
Questions abound for Detroit: Is 2020 the year the team turns the corner in its rebuild? What moves remain in free agency? What should we expect to see in Spring Training? More >
Twins
Three main questions remain this offseason for the Twins: Who will be the club's fifth starter? Is Brusdar Graterol a starter or a reliever? And who will be the club's fourth outfielder? More >
White Sox
It's been a busy offseason on the South Side. With so many significant moves, who will be the most intriguing player to watch in 2020? Are the White Sox good enough to contend for the postseason? More >
AL WEST
Angels
They made the big splash and landed star Anthony Rendon in free agency. But do the Angels have enough pitching to contend? More >
Astros
The big question for Houston will be who fills the third spot in the rotation, which has a gaping hole after the departure of Gerrit Cole to the Yankees. More >
Athletics
The A's need a starting second baseman and the bullpen needs fixing. How does Oakland approach these issues over the rest of the offseason? More >
Mariners
It's been a relatively quiet offseason for Seattle after general manager Jerry Dipoto had a busy one the year before. But after inking No. 4 prospect Evan White to a contract extension, what's next for Seattle before Opening Day? More >
Rangers
Texas has a pretty daunting top of the rotation, with Corey Kluber joining Mike Minor and Lance Lynn. How will they fare? Will they be able to lift Texas into contention? More >