This is each club's biggest offseason need

This is each club's biggest offseason need

October 30th, 2018

Now that the World Series has concluded, the Hot Stove will be ignited when more than 100 players hit the free-agent market. The biggest headlines will center around Manny Machado and , but only two teams (or maybe one if all this "The Phillies can actually get both of them!" talk is for real) will be fitting those superstars for uniforms.
But the coming weeks and months will be an opportunity for all 30 teams to make themselves better for the 2019 season, whether they're swimming in the deep end of the free-agent pool or wading in the shallow end. The beauty of free agency is that there are all types of players available depending on what a team's needs are.
With that in mind, here's a look at each team's biggest need as they embark on another interesting offseason.
American League East
Blue Jays: Starting pitching
Toronto starters ranked 28th in the Majors with a 5.14 ERA, and although prospects Thomas Pannone and could get a look in the No. 5 spot, the Blue Jays figure to add at least one starter from outside the organization this offseason.
Potential FA targets:, ,
Orioles: Starting pitching
Baltimore starters posted a 5.48 ERA last season, the worst in MLB. Although the Orioles figure to be in the beginning stages of a rebuilding process, they will still need to send a starter to the mound every five days. , Alex Cobb and will occupy the first three spots, leaving two holes in the rotation. And that's assuming none of them are traded, which is a bold assumption.
Potential FA targets: Hellickson, Holland,
Rays: Versatile arms
Given Tampa Bay's frequent use of an "opener" rather than a traditional starter, what would be surprising this offseason would be for the Rays to go out and spend money on traditional starters, especially with prospects , and all slated to return from elbow surgery by the second half of the 2019 season.
Potential FA targets:, ,
Red Sox: Closer
is a free agent, though his asking price might be higher than president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is willing to pay given the arbitration raises due to , and , among others.
Potential FA targets: Kimbrel, Zach Britton,

Yankees: Starting pitching
New York is believed to be enamored with , who ranks as the No. 1 free-agent starter on the market (unless opts out, of course). The Yankees could bring back free agents J.A. Happ and/or . A trade for a controllable starter also remains in play.
Potential FA targets: Corbin, Happ,
AL Central
Indians: Outfield
The bullpen could be a priority given the free-agent status of both and , but with also headed for the open market, Cleveland will be on the lookout for his potential replacement.
Potential FA targets:, ,

Royals: Relief pitching
Kansas City's 5.04 bullpen ERA ranked 29th in MLB, ahead of only the Marlins. Considering that the Royals' 2014-15 World Series teams were built largely on the strength of strong bullpens, it would make sense for general manager Dayton Moore to bolster his relief corps, rather than spending on starters.
Potential FA targets:, Joe Kelly,
Tigers: Starting pitching
Detroit needs a new shortstop and possibly another outfielder, but adding a starting pitcher or two would appear to be its most glaring need. Just as they did last offseason with Mike Fiers and , the Tigers could target rebound candidates.
Potential FA targets:, ,
Twins: Relief pitching
Say this much for the Twins: Their pitching staff was consistent in 2018. Minnesota's rotation ranked 22nd in the Majors with a 4.54 ERA, while its bullpen ranked 22nd with a 4.45 ERA. After trading and , the bullpen needs a makeover, so expect the Twins to be active on that front.
Potential FA targets: Allen, ,
White Sox: Pitching
Chicago could be a year away from really making a splash on the free-agent market, though it's possible GM Rick Hahn takes a run at a big-ticket item such as Machado. Still, adding one or two starters, one or two relievers -- or all of the above -- are believed to be the priority.
Potential FA targets: Keuchel, ,
AL West
Angels: Pitching
Although the Halos will be in the market for both a first baseman and a catcher, the most pressing need is clearly pitching. With no true No. 1 starter as recovers from Tommy John surgery, the Angels could take a run at either Corbin or Keuchel. Corbin was drafted by the Halos in the second round in 2009 before being traded the following year in a deal for Dan Haren.
Potential FA targets: Corbin, Keuchel, Happ

Astros: Catcher
The Astros are one of the few teams that won't be desperately looking to add pitching. Who will be behind the plate to catch those pitchers, on the other hand, is an unanswered question. is a free agent, while 's $15 million option figures to be declined by Houston. The Astros could try to pry J.T. Realmuto away from the Marlins in a trade, or pursue one of the available free agents.
Potential FA targets:, ,
Athletics: Starting pitching
Oakland boasted the third-best bullpen ERA in the game last season at 3.37, though midseason acquisitions Rodney, Familia and may all leave via free agency. The A's rotation will be without ace following Tommy John surgery, while , and are all free agents.
Potential FA targets: Sabathia, Gonzalez, Holland
Mariners: Center fielder
Wait, didn't the Mariners acquire Dee Gordon last offseason to play center field? Yes, though things changed when was suspended last season, prompting the club to move Gordon to second base, where he looked far more comfortable. Cano is back, but Seattle could move him to first base or DH, depending on whether returns with a new contract. The Mariners liked what they saw from during his 94 games with the team in 2018, making him a possibility to return.
Potential FA targets: Span, Gardner, Jones
Rangers: Starting pitching
The rotation is the top priority for Texas, which has Mike Minor slotted into one spot and questions concerning the other four. GM Jon Daniels could look to both the trade and free-agent market to fill those holes, though the Rangers seem unlikely to spend big money for another year, as their new ballpark is slated to open for the 2020 season.
Potential FA targets:, Gonzalez,
National League East
Braves: Catcher
Atlanta has made no secret of its desire to add a starting catcher, namely Realmuto, whom it tried to acquire both last offseason and again in July. The Braves have money to spend, with both Harper and Kimbrel lining up as potential targets. But Realmuto remains the apple of Atlanta's eye, while other free-agent catchers could serve as consolation prizes.
Potential FA targets: Ramos, Grandal, McCann

Marlins: First baseman
Last summer's trade of left Miami with no firm plan at first base for the short- or long-term, with and representing the current options. None of MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Marlins prospects are first basemen, so Miami figures to target a stopgap at the position until it can either develop one or find one in a trade.
Potential FA targets:, ,

Mets: Relief pitching
When the Mets dealt Familia to the A's last summer, it left a big hole at the back end of the bullpen. With several top-tier relievers available on the free-agent market, New York could make a splash with a new ninth-inning specialist. , and represent for the only certainties in the bullpen, so it's likely the Mets will target more than one established relief arm this offseason.
Potential FA targets: Kimbrel, Britton, Miller, Familia

Nationals: Starting pitching
The Nationals' entire offseason plan likely hinges on what happens with Harper. If Washington signs him, it may be tough to spend a lot elsewhere. If Harper leaves town, the Nats should be able to pursue one or two other free agents, namely starting pitchers to insert behind Max Scherzer, and .
Potential FA targets: Corbin, Happ, Keuchel

Phillies: Impact bat
Philadelphia is expected to be one of the most active teams in this offseason's free-agent market as it looks to upgrade both its lineup and defense. The Phillies will be swimming in the deep end of the free-agent pool, so expect to hear plenty of talk about the two biggest names out there: Machado and Harper.
Potential FA targets: Harper, Machado, A.J. Pollock

NL Central
Brewers: Relief pitching
Milwaukee's bullpen was certainly a strength despite falling short of the World Series, and while it might make more sense to pursue a top-notch starter such as Corbin, the Brewers might be better served by adding another relief arm or two to the relatively low-cost trio of , and .
Potential FA targets: Kimbrel, Familia,
Cardinals: Impact bat
St. Louis needs a big bat in the middle of the lineup, ideally at third base or in right field. Of course, the two most prolific players on the market are Machado (a shortstop who has played most of his career at third base) and Harper, a right fielder. Harper is a better fit given his left-handed bat, though it remains to be seen whether the Cardinals will be willing to shell out the kind of money it will take to land either superstar. Then again, the Cards were willing to take on 's contract a year ago via trade, so anything is possible.
Potential FA targets: Harper, Machado, Josh Donaldson
Cubs: Starting pitching
This might seem strange after the Cubs spent $164 million on and last offseason, but Chicago was forced to make a midseason trade for Cole Hamels to bolster their rotation for the second half of the season. Hamels has a $20 million option, which would lock him up for one year, but one way or another, the Cubs will target a starter.
Potential FA targets: Hamels, Eovaldi, Miley
Pirates: Shortstop
Infield prospect didn't appear ready for primetime during his six-week stint in the Majors (.478 OPS), so Pittsburgh will surely look for a veteran stopgap to help ease the transition for the 25-year-old. Longtime shortstop is a free agent, but he could be re-signed to fill that role.
Potential FA targets: Mercer, ,
Reds: Starting pitching
Cincinnati appears primed to spend some money on the rotation this offseason as it seeks the club's first winning season since 2013. With a number of mid-rotation options available in free agency, the Reds should be able to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Potential FA targets:Matt Harvey, Sanchez, Lynn

NL West
D-backs: Starting pitching
Most expect Corbin to move on from Arizona, leaving a huge void atop the D-backs' rotation. Unless they can somehow move a huge portion of Zack Greinke's contract -- he's still owed $104.5 million -- it seems far-fetched that Arizona would shell out big bucks for a pitcher, especially if it opts to let Corbin walk.
Potential FA targets: Happ, Miley,

Dodgers: Relief pitching
The Dodgers didn't do much to replace and Tony Watson after they left last season via free agency, but Los Angeles is likely to address its bullpen this offseason. Having reset their luxury tax by keeping the payroll beneath the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, the Dodgers will have plenty of money to spend if they so choose. Note: Should Kershaw exercise his opt-out clause, he'll immediately become the team's top priority.
Potential FA targets: Miller, , Britton
Giants: Impact bat
The Giants have been mentioned as often as any team this side of D.C. any time Harper's name has come up, making San Francisco a popular pick for the former NL MVP Award winner's eventual landing spot. The Giants need to add an impact bat, and few are as impactful as Harper. The one snag? They have more than $150 million committed to nine players.
Potential FA targets: Harper, Pollock, Donaldson
Padres: Starting pitching
All five spots in the rotation are pretty much up for grabs, so Padres GM A.J. Preller has his work cut out for him this offseason. With 10 players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, San Diego could try to make a big splash on the trade market -- , perhaps? -- though the Padres figure to look for a mid-level free-agent arm or two, as well.
Potential FA targets: Hellickson, Holland, Gonzalez
Rockies: Impact bat
's versatility means Colorado can look for a bat in the outfield or at first base, though is hoping to get his shot at the latter. DJ LeMahieu is also a free agent, meaning second base could be in play, as well.
Potential FA targets: Brantley, ,