This year’s MLB offseason is shaping up to be one of the more interesting ones in recent memory, with the looming cloud of labor negotiations hanging over the entire league. With the possibility of a lockout becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, both teams and players have plenty of reasons to get business done sooner rather than later.
The league recently submitted its latest proposal, which includes delaying the implementation of a salary cap until 2028, but there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding what comes next. It’s going to be a long winter, and teams would be wise to address their biggest needs before the possibility of a lockout puts everything on hold. Nobody wants to be left scrambling to make moves in a shortened window, especially with so much at stake.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at one thing each MLB team should prioritize this offseason as they prepare for what could be a very different year ahead.
Arizona Diamondbacks: First Baseman
There are realistically two answers for the D-backs here. Some will argue that adding pitching should be the priority, but I firmly believe first base needs to be at the top of their offseason checklist. Their 76 wRC+ at the position was the worst in baseball, falling 11 points behind the next team.
Arizona tried bringing in Carlos Santana last season, but that experiment never really got off the ground. Santana spent much of his time on the IL before the D-backs eventually designated him for assignment midway through the season.
If Arizona wants to make the postseason instead of missing out by a single game for the second time in three years, it’s time to get serious about finding a legitimate first baseman. Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte aren’t getting any younger, and this team can’t afford to waste another season of their primes.
Best Fit: Ty France, 1B
Athletics: Starting Pitching
The Athletics desperately need a legitimate starting pitcher who can slot into the top three of their rotation. The bigger question is whether they’ll be able to convince quality pitchers to come to Sacramento, especially with their extremely hitter-friendly environment.
There isn’t currently a pitcher on this staff who consistently strikes fear into opposing hitters. You could make an argument for Luis Severino, but he’s still trying to figure things out in Sacramento.
The Athletics have a lineup that I genuinely believe is capable of competing for a postseason spot right now. The problem is that their pitching staff hasn’t caught up. It’s time for the organization to invest in a legitimate rotation and give that offense a chance to compete.
Best Fit: Dustin May, SP
Atlanta Braves: Reliable Starting Pitcher
The Braves didn’t have a single starting pitcher record more than 30 starts in 2026. That’s a pretty significant concern, especially for a team with postseason aspirations.
Chris Sale continues to age like a fine wine, but if there’s one thing we know about baseball, it’s that Father Time eventually catches up with everyone.
Spencer Strider (8 GS) and Spencer Schwellenbach (0 GS) are still part of the picture, but neither should be expected to carry the rotation on their own. Atlanta needs someone who can take the ball every fifth day, consistently work six or seven innings, and give the team 30-plus starts.
A little stability in the rotation could go a long way for this team.
Best Fit: Ryan Yarbrough, SP
Baltimore Orioles: Ace Starting Pitcher
Ever since Corbin Burnes left, the Orioles haven’t had a true ace who opposing hitters have to game-plan around. They have talented arms like Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish, but neither has consistently established themselves as that type of pitcher.
Bradish has shown flashes of what he can become, but the inconsistency makes it difficult to fully trust him as the unquestioned leader of this rotation.
It’s time for Baltimore to strike while the iron is hot and go after an established arm. The Orioles are also in a position where they could pursue a shorter two-year deal with an older pitcher and reassess the market in 2028 or 2029.
They don’t necessarily need to make a decade-long commitment. They need someone who can give them a legitimate chance every time he takes the mound.
Best Fit: Kevin Gausman, SP
Boston Red Sox: Power Hitter
The Red Sox just completed one of the craziest MLB seasons I’ve seen in recent memory. If you’re looking for something interesting to bring up at Thanksgiving this year, Boston’s season should be pretty high on that list.
Despite having a season to remember, the Red Sox ultimately fell short of bringing another championship back to the city. Now that the dust has settled, one thing that really stands out to me is their lack of offensive production.
Boston ranked 23rd in runs scored, 26th in home runs, and 18th in OPS. No matter how you look at it, the offense simply didn’t produce consistently enough.
If the Red Sox want to seriously contend year after year, adding a legitimate power bat needs to be a priority. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Boston explore a potential Jarren Duran trade. It could open up left field while giving the Red Sox an opportunity to bring back a strong return for one of their more valuable players.
Best Fit: Randy Arozarena, LF
Chicago Cubs: Be Aggressive
After spending some time thinking about the Cubs, one thing became increasingly obvious to me: Chicago needs to be aggressive this offseason.
Losing Carson Kelly, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki all at once would be a massive blow to the roster. Their pitching staff also isn’t exactly the most reliable, with multiple arms working their way back from prolonged injuries.
The Cubs have too many questions to simply run things back and hope everything works out. They need to make a couple of major moves to stay competitive in the National League, especially with Milwaukee coming off a championship season.
Chicago needs one of its strongest offseasons in recent memory. Not only to keep pace with the Brewers, but also to make sure it doesn’t fall behind in an increasingly competitive National League.
Best Fits: Tarik Skubal, SP; Re-sign Seiya Suzuki, OF
Chicago White Sox: Reliable Starting Pitching
The White Sox are finally getting to a point where competing in the American League is a realistic expectation. They’ve put together an exciting young core that should continue surprising people next season.
The biggest thing holding them back is their starting pitching.
If you didn’t watch any of their postseason games, Chicago actually resorted to using an opener in every game. That’s not necessarily because the pitching staff was terrible, either. The White Sox combined for a 4.12 ERA while opposing hitters posted a .235 batting average against them.
The problem was getting games started on the right foot. Opponents scored in the first inning 34% of the time, and those early struggles became a major obstacle in their pursuit of a World Series title.
Chicago doesn’t need to completely overhaul its pitching staff. It needs someone who can consistently give the team quality innings and keep games under control from the beginning.
Best Fit: Trevor Rogers, SP
Cincinnati Reds: Finish Building the Big Three
The Reds have Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz, but who else is going to help carry this offense?
It would be unfortunate to waste the prime years of Stewart and De La Cruz on a team that simply doesn’t do enough to surround them with talent. Cincinnati needs to be aggressive this offseason, not only in adding another major piece to its core but also in filling out the rest of the lineup.
Great American Ball Park is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball, yet Cincinnati scored the fewest runs in the National League. They also never got the type of production they were hoping for from Eugenio Suárez after bringing him over.
This offense needs another legitimate threat. The Reds have the foundation, but it’s time to finish building around it.
Best Fit: Luis Arraez, 1B/2B
Cleveland Guardians: Find a Power Hitter
The Guardians absolutely need to find a power hitter this offseason. Whether that comes through free agency or the trade market doesn’t really matter. They just need someone who can consistently put the ball over the fence.
Cleveland had an extremely disappointing year in the power department, ranking 24th in runs scored, 27th in home runs, and 26th in OPS. To put things into perspective, Angel Martínez led the entire team with just 18 home runs.
The Guardians arguably could have made a run to the World Series with a legitimate power bat in the middle of their lineup. Instead, we’ll have to add the 2026 Guardians to our growing list of “What If?” teams.
Best Fit: Brandon Lowe, 2B
Colorado Rockies: Trade Hunter Goodman
The Rockies are reportedly beginning to field calls on Hunter Goodman again, and honestly, I think it’s time to pull the trigger.
If Colorado wants to be taken seriously and finally commit to a full rebuild, trading Goodman would be a pretty good place to start. The Yankees showed significant interest in him during the previous trade deadline, and they could once again become one of the biggest bidders.
I don’t really see much of a downside here. Goodman has legitimate value, and Colorado needs to start accumulating the type of young talent that can eventually turn this organization around.
It’s time to stop delaying the inevitable and start building for the future.
Best Fit: MLB-ready prospects in return for Hunter Goodman
Detroit Tigers: Rebuild the Bullpen
The Tigers probably could have made it further than anyone expected if they had a reliable bullpen. Outside of Kenley Jansen, there wasn’t a consistent relief option that Detroit could confidently turn to in high-pressure situations.
The lineup and starting rotation already have some solid pieces, so I don’t think either should be the organization’s main priority this offseason.
Detroit has enough talent to compete for the AL Central with its current core. The bullpen was the biggest thing holding this team back, and addressing it could make a massive difference in 2027.
Best Fit: David Bednar, RP
Houston Astros: Find Jose Altuve’s Replacement
No, I’m not saying Houston should trade Jose Altuve. I’m saying the Astros need to start thinking about what comes next when one of the greatest players in franchise history eventually retires.
The transition needs to be as smooth as possible, and Houston has some interesting pieces it could use to make that happen. Isaac Paredes could serve as a valuable trade chip, although the Astros would likely need to add more to land a prospect capable of eventually filling Altuve’s shoes.
Houston is still in a position to compete for another World Series, but that doesn’t mean it should ignore the future. At some point, the organization needs to stop living in 2022 and start preparing for the next generation of Astros baseball.
Best Fit: Franklin Arias, SS (#2 prospect in MLB)
Kansas City Royals: Left Fielder
Outside of Jac Caglianone, the Royals didn’t have another outfielder who consistently held up his end of the deal. Even Caglianone had some trouble getting things going during the first half of the season.
It would be unfortunate to see another MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr. go to waste because Kansas City couldn’t put enough talent around him.
The Royals’ outfield ranked 23rd in wRC+ with a 93. They made a move for Lane Thomas, but it’s time to find a longer-term solution rather than relying on short-term fixes.
Kansas City needs to start building an outfield that can stick around for more than a season.
Best Fit: Ian Happ, LF
Los Angeles Angels: Third Baseman
The Angels are finally moving on from the Anthony Rendon era, and with new ownership beginning to make its way into the front office, I’m genuinely hoping this means a fresh start for the organization.
Anaheim has struggled for several years now, and it’s getting increasingly difficult to watch Mike Trout’s prime years go by without meaningful postseason opportunities.
Adding a legitimate third baseman would be a good starting point. The Angels have plenty of work to do, but they need to start putting together a roster capable of competing rather than simply hoping things fall into place.
Trout deserves another opportunity to play meaningful October baseball, preferably for more than one series.
Best Fit: Alec Bohm, 3B
Los Angeles Dodgers: Trade Teoscar Hernández
I won’t lie to you and say this year’s free-agent class is anything to drool over. In fact, compared to previous offseasons, this class is pretty underwhelming. Teams looking for star players will have to be aggressive and strike while the iron is hot.
Thankfully for Dodgers fans, Los Angeles doesn’t necessarily have that problem. Instead, I think it’s time to give Josue De Paula a full-time opportunity in the lineup, potentially taking over the DH role.
Dodgers insiders have continued mentioning how badly this kid needs to be in the lineup. We got a small sample of what he could bring toward the end of the season, and I think there’s a lot to be excited about.
I know, trading Teoscar Hernández after everything he’s done for this organization probably makes me sound crazy. But at the end of the day, would you rather sell high on Teoscar, open up an opportunity for De Paula, and bring back some young talent? Or would you rather run it back with essentially the same squad?
Even after another successful season, there’s always room to improve. This could be one of those moves that helps keep the Dodgers competitive for years to come.
Best Fit: High-level prospects in return for Teoscar Hernández
Miami Marlins: Power, Power, and More Power
I’ll keep this one short and sweet, since I know Marlins fans might stop reading once we get past the second half.
I’m kidding, but seriously, this one is pretty simple. Miami needs power.
The Marlins have Otto Lopez, who has similarities to Luis Arraez in the way he approaches hitting. But imagine what this lineup could look like if they added a legitimate power threat in the middle of it?
Miami hit 168 home runs in 2026, good enough for just 22nd in the majors. If the Marlins want to stay competitive and avoid trading away Sandy Alcantara, it’s time to actually invest in building around what they already have.
Best Fit: Joc Pederson, DH
Milwaukee Brewers: Add a Pure Home Run Hitter
Picking up William Contreras’ option is a nice start, but why stop there? Especially after winning the World Series and sweeping the Dodgers?
The Brewers hit just 154 home runs in 2026, tied for the second-fewest in baseball. There’s no doubt in my mind that Milwaukee can remain competitive with much of its current core, but losing Jake Bauers to free agency creates another hole that needs to be addressed.
This team has earned the right to make some bigger moves, and adding a legitimate power threat would make an already dangerous lineup even tougher to deal with.
It’s time to see Milwaukee make a splash and potentially push further into luxury tax territory.
Best Fit: Re-sign Jake Bauers
Minnesota Twins: Re-sign Ryan Jeffers
The Twins need to do everything possible to keep Ryan Jeffers in Minnesota. With a qualifying offer already extended, the organization has made it clear that retaining him is a priority.
If the Rockies don’t end up trading Hunter Goodman, Jeffers could become one of the most sought-after catchers available this offseason.
Minnesota will need to be willing to open its pocketbook to make this happen, but keeping Jeffers would be a major step toward maintaining some stability at the position. The last thing the Twins need is another major hole to fill while trying to remain competitive in the American League.
Best Fit: Re-sign Ryan Jeffers, then add another power bat
New York Mets: Find a No. 1 Starter
After trading away Freddy Peralta at the deadline, the Mets are still searching for a true ace to lead their rotation.
We all know the Mets aren’t exactly shy about spending money, so this really comes down to identifying the best available option and being willing to pay what it takes.
New York has the resources to make a major move, and it shouldn’t settle for another middle-of-the-rotation arm if the goal is to compete for a World Series.
Best Fit: Trevor Rogers, SP
New York Yankees: Trade for Hunter Goodman
Outside of Aaron Judge, the Yankees have a lineup that leans heavily toward left-handed hitters. That can make things a little easier for opposing teams when they’re trying to build a pitching strategy against New York.
Adding Hunter Goodman would give the Yankees another legitimate right-handed power threat, potentially bringing 30-plus home run production to the lineup while addressing one of their biggest weaknesses.
Goodman makes a lot of sense for this roster, and I think New York should be willing to put together a serious offer to get a deal done.
Best Fit: Trade Austin Wells, Carlos Lagrange, Rory Fox, and Core Jackson for Hunter Goodman
Philadelphia Phillies: Add a Right-Handed Bat
The Phillies are in a similar situation to the Yankees. They have the pieces to make another postseason run, but they could use another quality bat to make the lineup even more dangerous.
Adding a right-handed hitter would give Philadelphia some much-needed balance and another option when facing left-handed pitching.
They don’t necessarily need to make the biggest splash of the offseason. They just need to identify the right player who can fill a specific role and help push this team closer to another World Series appearance.
Best Fit: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS/3B
Pittsburgh Pirates: Give Brandon Lowe a Long-Term Deal
The Pirates took a chance on Brandon Lowe, and it paid off in a massive way for Pittsburgh.
If the organization wants to continue trending upward and establish itself as a legitimate postseason contender, re-signing Lowe needs to be at the top of its offseason checklist.
His 35 home runs, 96 RBI, and 152 hits in 2026 aren’t exactly numbers you can replace overnight. Pittsburgh finally has a player who can make a major difference in the middle of its lineup, and letting him walk would be a massive step backward.
It’s time for the Pirates to show everyone that they’re serious about competing.
Best Fit: Four years, $90 million or more for Brandon Lowe
San Diego Padres: Rebuild the Rotation to Stay Competitive in the NL
After trading for Casey Mize and Robbie Ray, the Padres still have plenty of work to do with their starting rotation. They’re also facing the possibility of losing both Nick Pivetta and Michael King to free agency.
San Diego did enough to make the postseason, but it’s going to need to be extremely aggressive if it wants to remain competitive in the National League.
The Dodgers show no signs of slowing down, and the Diamondbacks continue to be that annoying mosquito in the room. The Padres can’t afford to stand still while their division rivals continue improving.
Adding multiple reliable arms should be the priority, starting with someone who can consistently give them quality innings.
Best Fit: Michael Soroka, SP
San Francisco Giants: Starting Pitching
The Giants are essentially left with Logan Webb and Landen Roupp as their only reliable starting pitchers heading into the offseason.
That’s a pretty concerning position to be in, especially after the way 2026 unfolded. San Francisco needs to make multiple additions to its rotation if it wants to avoid another season of fighting to stay out of the NL West basement with Colorado.
The Giants don’t necessarily need to land the biggest name on the market, but they do need to find pitchers who can consistently take the ball and give them a chance to win.
Best Fit: Clay Holmes, SP
Seattle Mariners: Add a Right-Handed Bat
If Randy Arozarena walks this offseason, the Mariners could be looking at an Opening Day lineup with seven left-handed hitters.
Cal Raleigh also had a surprising down year after hitting 60-plus home runs in 2025, while Julio Rodríguez continued to produce. Seattle needs to find at least one or two legitimate right-handed bats who can help balance the lineup.
Ideally, those additions would also be capable of handling left-handed pitching, something Arozarena struggled with.
The Mariners have a talented roster, but they can’t afford to become too predictable offensively. Adding some right-handed power would make this lineup much more difficult to attack.
Best Fit: Ian Happ, LF
St. Louis Cardinals: Bullpen and Closer
The Cardinals have a young roster that took a step forward in 2026 and could be ready to take another one next season.
Unfortunately, their bullpen was one of the biggest things holding them back. St. Louis struggled to find consistency throughout the season and never really established a reliable group of late-inning arms.
If the Cardinals want to be taken seriously as contenders, adding multiple bullpen pieces and a legitimate closer should be a priority.
They have a foundation worth building around. Now they need to make sure they can actually protect leads.
Best Fit: Adrian Morejon, RP
Tampa Bay Rays: Add Lineup Depth
The Rays were just a series away from winning a World Series, and they’re still a pretty scary team heading into the offseason.
Adding another quality bat to the middle of the lineup could be exactly what Tampa Bay needs to get over the hump. The organization isn’t exactly known for making massive splashes in free agency, but after coming so close to a championship, I’d like to see them be a little more aggressive.
The Rays have already shown that they can compete with some of the best teams in baseball. Now it’s about adding enough depth to make sure they can sustain that success throughout an entire season.
Best Fit: Joc Pederson, DH
Texas Rangers: Add a Reliable Bat
The Texas Rangers entered 2026 with the pieces to field one of the American League’s more dangerous offenses. However, a talented lineup means very little when its biggest contributors struggle to stay on the field.
Despite having Wyatt Langford, Corey Seager, Brandon Nimmo, and Josh Jung, along with a strong season from Ezequiel Duran, Texas finished 25th in runs scored and failed to reach the postseason in a weak AL West.
Their inability to keep key players healthy ultimately became one of the defining factors of a disappointing campaign.
Adding another dependable bat would give the Rangers some much-needed insurance and help take pressure off their biggest stars.
Best Fit: Mauricio Dubón, 2B/SS/OF
Toronto Blue Jays: Add a Solid, Reliable Batter
Coming off a World Series appearance, Toronto’s offense completely fell apart, finishing last in runs scored and home runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s down year certainly hurt, but the bigger issue was a lack of power throughout the lineup.
Kazuma Okamoto led the team with 33 home runs, while nobody else reached 16. A bounce-back from Guerrero would certainly help, but Ross Atkins needs to add another legitimate middle-of-the-order bat to get the Blue Jays back in contention.
Toronto can’t afford to rely on just two players to carry its offense. It needs more production throughout the lineup.
Best Fit: Taylor Ward, LF/RF
Washington Nationals: Rebuild the Bullpen From the Ground Up
Washington had all the makings of a surprise contender, with a young offense that ranked third in runs scored and encouraging breakout seasons from Cade Cavalli and Andrew Alvarez.
Unfortunately, its bullpen proved impossible to overcome. The Nationals blew an MLB-record 42 saves, 11 more than any other team, turning what could have been a playoff push into another disappointing season.
The offense has already shown what it’s capable of, and there are some promising pieces in the rotation. Now it’s time for the organization to address the one area that consistently let it down.
If Washington wants to take the next step in its rebuild, it needs to completely overhaul the bullpen. There’s only so much a good offense can do when the team can’t protect a lead.
Best Fit: Jake Bauers, 1B/LF
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