While this winter has been notably thin on major transactions, several clubs have already made big strides to shore up the positions that plagued them last season. Baseball Reference breaks down how all 30 teams fared in 2017 on a position-by-position basis, as ranked by bWAR. Here’s a rundown of what each team has done to address its most glaring weak point…
Angels (DH, -1.3 bWAR): Shohei Ohtani‘s attempt to be a two-way player in the big leagues will be one of baseball’s most fascinating stories in 2018, and the Angels are intent on giving the Japanese star some DH at-bats on days he isn’t pitching. Even if it takes a while for Ohtani to adjust to MLB pitching, there’s really nowhere to go but up for the Angels at the DH spot in the wake of Albert Pujols‘ career-worst year. The Halos can only hope that the slugger (owed $114MM through 2021) still has something left in the tank as he enters his age-38 season. One plus is that Pujols has enjoyed a normal offseason this year, as opposed to surgeries and rehabs in the previous two winters, and L.A. hopes to even deploy Pujols at first base for a couple of games per week to accommodate Ohtani at designated hitter.
Astros (DH, 0.5 bWAR): Age finally caught up with Carlos Beltran in 2017, as the veteran struggled in what ended up being his final Major League season. With Beltran now retired, the Astros plan to use Evan Gattis as their primary designated hitter, though you could see several players rotated through the DH spot to provide rest and at-bats to Houston’s wide array of talented hitters.
Athletics (Catcher, -0.2 bWAR): Bruce Maxwell, Josh Phegley, and Stephen Vogt (who is now a Brewer) didn’t give the A’s much behind the plate last year, and the position was further complicated after Maxwell was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. While GM David Forst said in November that the team still expects Maxwell to be its primary catcher next season, Oakland stands out as a potential dark horse candidate for a catching upgrade. Jonathan Lucroy and Alex Avila are notable names on the free agent market, and J.T. Realmuto seems to be available if the A’s are willing to meet the Marlins’ very high asking price.
Blue Jays (Right field, -1.4 bWAR): The Jose Bautista era ended on a sour note, as the longtime slugger delivered sub-replacement numbers in his final season in Toronto. Teoscar Hernandez is the favorite for the right field job after his strong late-season debut with the Jays, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Toronto make a big acquisition for either corner outfield slot, especially since the team’s contention window is already closing. The Blue Jays have reportedly checked in on several notable outfielders, including J.D. Martinez, Lorenzo Cain, and Jay Bruce.
Braves (Left field, -1.6 bWAR): This was the lowest bWAR of any left field situation in the game last season, largely thanks to Matt Kemp‘s sub-replacement level performance. Kemp, however, is no longer in the mix after a unique five-player trade with the Dodgers that re-arranged both teams’ salary commitments and created a much-needed opening in Atlanta’s outfield for star prospect Ronald Acuna. It isn’t clear if Acuna will play in left or right field when he arrives in the bigs, so veteran Nick Markakis (if he isn’t himself traded) could be taking over for Kemp in left field on Opening Day.
Brewers (Center field, 1.0 bWAR): Keon Broxton is the incumbent with Brett Phillips on hand as a platoon option, though star prospect Lewis Brinson is expected to work his way into the lineup in 2018. While Milwaukee’s young center field mix didn’t produce much in 2017, therefore, the team is still quite comfortable with the position going forward. Broxton has even received some trade attention, so it’s possible the Brew Crew could clear a path for Brinson to make an even earlier impact.
Cardinals (Right field, 1.4 bWAR): The Cards were looking to both acquire and move outfielders this winter, as they looked to land a big bat while dealing from their surplus of young and/or struggling younger outfielders. After getting in deep with the Marlins on the Giancarlo Stanton talks, St. Louis ended up landing another Miami outfielder in Marcell Ozuna. His addition will shift Tommy Pham to center field and Dexter Fowler into right, as even Fowler’s middling 2017 numbers provide a marked upgrade over what Stephen Piscotty and Randal Grichuk provided last year. The team dealt from its surplus by trading Piscotty to the A’s, though the Cardinals have enough depth in both the outfield and infield that they still have the pieces for another big swap.
Cubs (Left field, 1.0 bWAR): It’s too soon for Chicago to give up on Kyle Schwarber, especially now that the slugger is another year removed from major knee surgery. The Cubs pride themselves on multi-positional roster depth, so if Schwarber needs to be spelled, Ian Happ or Ben Zobrist can also handle left field, though Zobrist is also looking for a bounce-back year.
Diamondbacks (Left field, 0.4 bWAR): With J.D. Martinez unlikely to return to Arizona’s outfield, the D’Backs are hoping that Yasmany Tomas is healthy (after groin injuries and core surgery) and finally primed for a true breakout season. The team really has no choice but to be patient, as Tomas is owed $42.5MM through the 2020 season and has little trade value.
Dodgers (Center field, 1.4 bWAR): “Weak spot” is kind of a relative term on a stacked Dodgers roster. Breakout star Chris Taylor got more and more time in center as the season went on, and Taylor looks to get the bulk of the playing time up the middle this season with Joc Pederson shifting over to left field. The Dodgers have a lot of platoon depth on hand to further augment their outfield, plus the impending arrival of top prospect Alex Verdugo. A big trade can’t be ruled out, as Taylor’s versatility allows L.A. to potentially shift him elsewhere around the diamond.
Giants (Center field, -1.7 bWAR): San Francisco’s outfield was an overall disaster in 2017, with all three positions delivering negative-bWAR totals. The Giants have been aggressively searching the market for all sorts of outfield help, and made one potential addition-by-subtraction move by trading Denard Span to the Rays as part of the Evan Longoria deal. Span’s inclusion in the trade was mostly due to offset salaries, though his declining center field glove made him a liability in spacious AT&T Park. The Giants have checked in on numerous trade and free agent options for center, though they could end up going with defensively-gifted prospect Steven Duggar as long as they can find at least one big bat for the corner spots.
Indians (Right field, 1.1 bWAR): The Lonnie Chisenhall/Brandon Guyer platoon looks to be in effect for 2018 at the moment, though the Tribe has multiple other outfield options (Abraham Almonte, Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin, and maybe even minors signing Melvin Upton) to provide depth not just in right field, but also for the injury-plagued Michael Brantley in left.
Mariners (First base, 0.7 bWAR): GM Jerry Dipoto made a play for what he hopes is a long-term asset at first base by acquiring Ryon Healy from the A’s in mid-November. Healy has shown little plate discipline but some solid pop during his brief big league career, and he’ll now get a clear everyday opportunity in Seattle. Dan Vogelbach and Rule 5 Draft pick Mike Ford could provide a left-handed hitting complement to Healy at the position.
Marlins (Bullpen, -0.9 bWAR): Miami’s relief corps was the worst in the game by the bWAR metric, though with another rebuild underway, the Marlins are unlikely to do much in the way of high-profile additions. The bullpen will be the testing ground for whatever young arms don’t make the starting rotation, plus maybe a couple of low-cost veterans added on minor league contracts.
Mets (Third base/shortstop, 0.2 bWAR): The left side of the infield was a problem spot for the Mets all season, though they already seem to have the two positions settled for next year. Top prospect Amed Rosario will be the everyday shortstop, while New York exercised its $8.5MM club option on Asdrubal Cabrera and will use him regularly at third base. David Wright could also be a factor at the hot corner, though it isn’t known if Wright will ever be able to take the field again given his injury history.
Nationals (Catcher, -1.7 bWAR): No team got less from its catching situation in 2017, as Matt Wieters delivered a terrible year both offensively and as a pitch-framer. Wieters exercised his $10.5MM player option for 2018, leaving the Nats stuck with a major hole in their lineup unless Wieters can get on track after three seasons of steady offensive decline. The team may need to get creative to upgrade at catcher given Wieters’ salary, though the Nats have already asked the Marlins about Realmuto’s availability.
Orioles (Right field/DH, 0.0 bWAR): Baltimore’s much-maligned rotation managed a cumulative 0.1 bWAR, so the right field and designated hitter positions were actually the Orioles’ biggest weak spots last season. Mark Trumbo‘s poor season factored into both positions, while Seth Smith could hit but wasn’t much of a fielder, and Joey Rickard flashed a strong glove but provided nothing at the plate. Top prospect Austin Hays is expected to provide help in right perhaps as early as Opening Day, while the Orioles will hope Trumbo (owed $26MM over the next two years) can rebound.
Padres (Catcher, -0.5 bWAR): Austin Hedges‘ outstanding defense wasn’t enough to offset the severe lack of offensive production from both Hedges and backups Hector Sanchez and Luis Torrens. San Diego is committed to Hedges as its catcher of the future, and is certainly willing to allow him some growing pains at the plate if he keeps displaying such excellent glovework.
Phillies (First base, -0.2 bWAR): Rhys Hoskins‘ late-season explosion came too late to save the Phils’ woeful first base production, plus Hoskins also spent half his time as a left fielder. The team’s right fielders were next on the list with a cumulative -0.1 bWAR, so both positions were upgraded by Philadelphia’s surprising move to sign Carlos Santana. The longtime Cleveland slugger instantly provides a big boost at first, while Hoskins’ move to left field and Aaron Altherr becoming the regular right fielder will reinforce both corner positions, and keep shaky defender Nick Williams as a part-timer.
Pirates (Right field, -0.5 bWAR): Gregory Polanco‘s injury-riddled season left both the outfielder and his team wishing for better health in 2018. While the Bucs could add another outfielder either as a backup or as a starter if Andrew McCutchen is traded, Polanco’s spot is safe.
Rangers (Second base, -0.3 bWAR): After Rougned Odor signed a six-year, $49.5MM extension in late March, he took an enormous step back at the plate, hitting just .204/.252/.397 over 651 PA despite 30 home runs. The Rangers can only hope that his 2017 was just an aberration after making such a big financial commitment to the young second baseman.
Rays (Catcher, 0.6 bWAR): This is hardly the first time that catcher has been the weakest spot on the diamond in Tampa, though the team has at least a short-term solution in place in Wilson Ramos. His recovery from knee surgery kept him from making his 2017 debut until late June, and the Rays are hoping another offseason of rest and recovery will get Ramos back in his 2016 form.
Reds (Starting pitching, -1.8 bWAR): After posting the lowest cumulative bWAR of any rotation in baseball, the rebuilding Reds won’t be making any big signings, aside from maybe an inning-eating veteran on a minor league contract. Instead, Cincinnati is counting on better health and continued development from its young arms.
Red Sox (DH, -0.1 bWAR): Shoulder problems bothered Hanley Ramirez for much of the year, and the Sox are hoping that surgery can help the slugger return to his excellent 2016 form. There continue to be rumblings that Boston is interested in landing a big bat, however, so Ramirez could potentially find himself in a DH timeshare or, health permitting, seeing more time at first base depending on what other hitter the Red Sox may or may not add.
Rockies (Left field/right field, -0.5 bWAR): Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond‘s struggles are well-documented, though it’s worth noting that while Gerardo Parra hit .309/.341/.452 over 425 PA, that still worked out to a below-average 90 wRC+ for a player who called Coors Field home. It doesn’t seem like CarGo will return and, with the option of using Desmond at first base, Colorado could still make a big splash for corner outfield help.
Royals (Shortstop, -0.2 bWAR): Alcides Escobar‘s glove has always bailed out his subpar bat, though since his fielding was only decent in 2017, it led to an overall poor season for the veteran and it gave K.C. the lowest bWAR total of any team at shortstop. With Escobar now a free agent, the Royals will go with young Raul Mondesi Jr. as their new shortstop. Mondesi may be able to top Escobar’s bWAR based on defense alone in 2018, and his impressive Triple-A numbers suggest a lot of upside at the plate.
Tigers (DH, -0.3 bWAR): The chief concern is that Victor Martinez is healthy after twice suffering irregular heartbeat issues last year and undergoing chronic ablation surgery in September. The hope is that V-Mart is able to return without any further issues, and if he displays some of his old hitting form, the Tigers could then potentially shop him at the trade deadline. The rebuilding team could also give Martinez extra rest to give Miguel Cabrera some DH days or to give at-bats to some younger players.
Twins (Bullpen, 1.6 bWAR): Minnesota will take part in the Fernando Rodney Experience after signing the veteran closer to a one-year, $4.25MM deal with a club option for 2019. Rodney steps into the closer’s job while newly-signed Zach Duke will add another left-handed element (along with Taylor Rogers) to the pen. Some more moves are likely to come, and a reunion with free agent Matt Belisle can’t be ruled out. While the Twins certainly needed to upgrade their bullpen, it’s worth noting that no team had more bWAR from its “worst position” than the Twins received from their relief corps. This high talent floor on the roster may explain how the Twins made their surprise run to a wild card berth.
White Sox (Center field, -0.8 fWAR): Injuries shortened Leury Garcia‘s season and kept Charlie Tilson off the field entirely in 2017, while Adam Engel provided speed and defense but no hitting whatsoever. Garcia looks like the favorite for the bulk of action in center to begin the year in Chicago, though this position is very much in flux depending on Tilson’s health.
Yankees (First base, 0.0 bWAR): After missing all of 2016 and most of 2017 due to injury, Greg Bird showed enough down the stretch to reinforce the Yankees’ confidence in him as their first baseman of the future. It’s possible that a veteran could be signed to a minors deal to join Tyler Austin as the primary backups at the position, as Chase Headley is no longer around to provide cover at first base.
Note: Designated hitter was technically the weakest position by bWAR for several National League teams, though those weren’t counted since NL teams so rarely have a DH in the lineup.
Bird will be a breakout star of 2018
No, Bird won’t be a breakout star in 2018. I’d be happy if he were healthy on the field contributing 60% of the time. #scoutseyes
That syndrome he had with his ankle was taken care of and he took flight as soon as he came back off the DL and showed no fear in the post season. He will be a force imo and will catch many people off guard. I’m a huge believer of bird !
I hope that you get your wish, because Bird is a very fragile baseball player. #scoutseyes
Everyone that isn’t a yankee homer realizes that a breakout for Bird would be playing 40% of the Yankees games
He has had injuries but he is still young and I’ve watched him every day he has played. Nothing is certain in baseball but this kid can absolutely rake and has shown that he can on the ML level
I’m not sure I understand how you’re using the term “absolutely rake”
His projections:
2018 Proj. 25 285 251 37 60 13 1 14 43 2 1 29 69 .239 .323 .466 .789
The only raking he’d be doing w/ that is leaves in October.
Bird will easily break those projections..
Yah, Bird is a good leaf raker. Baseballs not so much.
Also the braves will probably be out of the playoffs in April, so you can rack the left over leaves from last year.
I love you haters who bash players when they have barely ever watched the player actually play.
I love you fans who praise players when they have barely ever watched them play.
You and I both. Most under estimate Bird but he may prove to be the best all around hitter on the team.
Players can easily break out and exceed predictions that’s why baseball is so great #scoutseyes
Good scouts can see the ones that are breakout contender guys and can see the ones that are pretenders. Bird is 1/2 pretender and 1/2 contender. Which means in english terms he’ll never be a star, but he’ll have good moments when he is not on the bench injured. #scoutseyes
You do realize Stanton is on the team now right? Bird has an absolutely zero chance of being the best hitter in the team.
Why? His last truly outstanding season was 2013 in the minors
Let’s try some objectivity. If Bird continues like he did coming back from injury, he’ll be above MLB average for 1B. He has power, and using just those 2nd half stats, his SLG would have him 4th among 1Bmen. But so far the OBP, 22nd overall is way below what it should be. His OPS in the 2nd half would have him about 9th among MLB for 1B which is why I have him above average, but he will not be in the same conversation as Votto, Goldy, Freeman, Bellinger, Rizzo, etc, unless he makes some big strides. And he is not that good of a defender.
Spot on
Yankees addressed their weakest spot….Manager!
Right, Boone will be the Steve Kerr of baseball. Stanton . Heck grab darvish Arrieta and Cobb.
From the article on the MLBTR on the Blue Jays, “since the team’s contention window is already closing.”
FYI, McFly, the Blue Jays contention window closed last year. This collection of players especially the starting rotation is done, over. Rebuild time.
MLBTR, please stop drinking the Blue Jays Mgmt Kool-Aid that this team can contend. They do not need just a corner outfielder in a rookie that will do little to help them. The Jays need a #1, #3, PowerBat Speedy RF, 40% catcher, new SS, new 2nd base, lead off guy, lefty shutdown reliever. Yeesh. #Scoutseyes
What does “#scoutseyes” mean? Baseball scouts tear their eyes out after reading your comments?
Use your imagination
His response was about as imaginative as it gets!
Jimmy:
You make the same comment repeatedly about what you think the Jays need to compete, but never once have you offered a single suggestion on anyone the team should pursue to do that.
In this, the season of making resolutions and bettering oneself, I believe this is something you may want to consider.
Happy new year!
Many ballplayers could fill the roles that I have “repeatedly” suggested that the Jays need. However there’s no point in suggesting trades or FA’s because only Atkins and Shapiro know the inside market dynamics as it relates to the Jays.
To me it’s obvious, they need a #1 and a #3. Cole fits a #3, his days as a #1 are over.
As far as obtaining a #1, they would have to trade for it and I am under the impression that the handcuffs have been put on Atkins against trading any of the Jays really good prospects, so they are not getting a #1.
They need a speedy RF, Cain would do great. But I scout him a 2 good years left and he probably wants 4 or 5 year contract.
Since Russell Martin can only catch 60% of the time, they need a 40% catcher. I don;’t see any I like on the FA market now, so a trade is necessary, but without Shapiro’s permission to give up prospects, it ain’t happening.
And so on.
Hence my repeated cry of rebuild and we all need to stop listening to the Shapiro/Atkins Kool-Aid of competing. It ain’t happening this year. Period.
The Jays will probably start the year off well, but decline quickly due to age, injuries,and lack of quality depth. #scoutseyes
The Jays need bats not arms. They already have the #1 starter you keep going on about.
With a solid outfield addition, health and some depth signings the Jays will be a legit WC contender.
What #1 are you referring too? Stroman is not a # 1,, he is a #2. He blows innings like a rookie losing his emotions all the time. Sanchez is not a #1, his finger is not healed and he will be back in the pen before long. Trust me, I know someone in the room, Sanchez will be back in the pen.
So who is the number 1 on the Jays?
You forgot Scoutseyes!
I don’t mean for this to sound snarky, but have you tried looking for patterns in the kinds of players they’ve acquired (for the Jays and Indians)? Most GM’s inadvertently give clues as to the kind of players they target through their actions, if not their words.
How Teams Have Addressed Their Weakest Positions Of 2017
You should have added a section for teams that have done NOTHING!!
Such as the Orioles, they have done absolutely nothing and I think they are waiting for Christmas 2018 to do something!
Or the Jays. Zero nada, zilch. Orioles and Jays will battle it out for last in the ALEast.
Maybe, but you still have a decent rotation and closer
No the Jays rotation isn’t decent. Sanchez will end up in the pen because of his finger, Happ will regress further, Estrada has a hierniated disk and can’t maintain control game after game. That leaves Stroman, a #2.
This rotation is a mess. Good for last place or 4th in the ALEast.
Jays have a good closer in Osuna.
The Jays rotation is much better than your trying to make it out to be..
Jays don’t need much help in the bullpen and those are the guys signing right now. When the market for outfielders heats up the Jays will make a move.
Wrong. Time will bear out what I am saying as true and accurate. Jays rotation will stink by all star break. @scoutseyes
Zips projections have the Jays rotation at nearly 12 WAR.
Zips projections are irrelevant. Going forward is what matters based on scouting intuition not war or any other stat that looks backwards. #scoutseyes.
Bahahgaha
your comments make me wanna rip my eyes out. youre clearly not a scout.
My scouting projections for the Jays in 2017, in Dec and Jan 2016 were right-on. Do you want a review? Just like last year, time will bare out what I am saying for the Jays in 2018. #scoutseyes
The o’s should just sell jones and machado and get it over with
Yes
Yes, but when? They might get more by waiting until the non-waiver deadline.
I think they might get more for a full season of Machado than a half-season of him. It’s not like he’s signing an extension
I’m not sure that’s the case since I agree he isn’t signing an extension. But I see trading for him now as a bigger risk. What if the team that acquires him loses their ace and has a few other key injuries and they under-perform missing the PS? In July teams will know whether it’s worth it or not to give up valuable assets to put them over the top, much like what the Cubs did to get Chapman.
Teams will be desperate for those guys by the deadline and give the o’s whatever they want look at the miller and chapman trades
I may be completely wrong, but it seems to me that the O’s don’t know what they want to do. They’re stuck with some terrible contracts, need help all over, and are/were willing to move Machado. There’s no real hint of trying to get better or blow it up.
This offseason has been one of the worst, all of the trade talks and Scott Boras is holding up everything.
It will make for the best January ever for free agent signings.
Or the best February, or March?
Angelsfan, I agree, but I can’t help but enjoy the irony, since the Angels have clearly had the be best offseason so far. Still have some pitching questions, mostly because of durability issues, but most teams have that same problem.
The Dodgers using Taylor in CF even when Pederson is in the lineup is pretty strange, but nobody seems to question it.
Because Joc was terrible in CF and Taylor played well
Because Joc was terrible in CF while Taylor was decent
No idea why it posted twice so ignore the 2nd one
you posted two different times using a different word…
The first time on the app it said error did not submit. So i typed it again. But it really did submit.
I’m going to ignore the first one and just read the second one.
Seriously? Taylor is better with both the bat, at least in 2017, and the glove. Pederson is a bad center-fielder. He has a -13 DRS, and a -3.4 UZR/150 for his career in CF. Taylor isn’t an elite defender, but still much better than Pederson.
Seriously, since I said, when both are in the lineup.
Not impressed with defensive stats. They are unstable and can rate a player good defensively one year and then bad the next, which probably isn’t an actual measurement of their performance. Taylor is a converted infielder who has played only a relative handful of games in CF, so good luck rating his defensive play statistically.
It would be foolish to reject defensive stats completely just because they aren’t perfect. Small samples are even more misleading on defensive stats than hitting stats. Fangraphs, the inventor of UZR and UZR/150, even say to look at at least 2 seasons for those stats, so I will concede that Taylor’s defense is still not determined.
But, when Pederson averages -14 DRS, and a -11.9 UZR/150 over what amounts to 3 full seasons, for all OF positions, it’s pretty clear he is a substandard defender. In fact whatever defensive stat you look at beyond the overly simplistic Fielding % like dWAR, or Total Zone Rating he comes up short. His glove work is indefensible, and only a biased homer would try to do so.
So now I am a biased homer merely for being reasonably skeptical about defensive stats, which you acknowledge are far from perfect? It also won’t do to simply reject any stat that doesn’t make your point by labeling it “overly simplistic.”
I’m surprised you don’t have a problem with Fangraphs acting as an apologist for their own stat. The fact that they have to qualify their own numbers by admitting that the dataset isn’t stable enough to make a judgement on a year-by-year basis should tell you something about the quality of the data and method of analysis. It isn’t because the sample size is small, when you consider how many interactions a fielder has with a baseball over the course of a season. Hundreds, if not thousands. If you can’t make a stable model from that much data, then something is wrong with the data.
I don’t reject these stats entirely, but I take them with a huge dose of salt, as I think every fan should.
BlueSky, it’s about potential as well. They likely see Taylor improving with more experience.
You might be on to something here. Taylor has been remarkably adaptable, first to playing LF and then taking over in CF when Pederson was demoted. If you ask me the Dodgers would prefer to move him back into a super-utility role but they aren’t ready to give the CF job back to Pederson.
The other part of this story that can’t be told entirely with numbers is coaching. Pretty clearly the Dodgers weren’t very happy with Pederson’s lack of adjustments at the plate. I don’t think it was all about performance, it was also about taking coaching. I believe the Dodgers’ management philosophy is nobody is special and no position is protected. They sent Puig down for similar reasons.
Mets: signed a special advisor Manaya! You are some kind of optimist to say we will get ANYTHING out of D. Wright.
And now metseventually is MIA here. Maybe Fred’s signing of Omar caused too much stress?
They need more than the left side of the infield. These are lean times in Flushing and fans should be cautious when buying tickets and T-shirt’s. Watch YES network instead of SNY.
The Wilpon’s should finally be hung out to dry. Embarrass them as you hurt them in their pocketbook and perhaps you will get free to be more than sick about the yankees..
Let me be the first to predict that we won’t be getting anything out of Wright for 2019, either.
“”…the Cardinals have enough depth in both the outfield and infield that they still have the pieces for another big swap.” Yes, but will they?
Would you give up Kelly, Hudson and another prospect for Colome…if the Rays need catching then give them Kelly and move on with it
Kelly + Hudson would be an overpay.
I agree it might but with Davis of the market you are looking at the next best thing…3 years of Colome might deserve an overpay considering it still wouldn’t hurt the Cardinals system that bad…Kelly hurts a little. Ok, make a duper package with Archer and Colome…Kelly,Hudson, Wacha, Grichuk, Another outfield prospect…that gives the Rays an outfielder, pitcher Mlb ready and an outfielder, pitcher for the future plus Kelly an mlb ready/future catcher…cardinals get a closer and improve the rotation…plus they keep Reyes, weaver and flaherty
Its seems like an overpay, considering the value placed on young, almost guaranteed, mlb talent these days, but that being said, to get Archer, amd Colome that seems close to what I think it would/should take. And I say do it. Or throw pickem, 2 pitchers (not Reyes or Weaver) and gyrko and a lottery for Machado. Do it.
If the Rays are indeed blowing it up, they would probably look at guys like Kelly and O’Neill who would come with full control and considerable upside. Mottola would have a challenge getting O’Neill to cut down on the K’s, but I’m sure he’d be up for it.
No. But some combo of Kelly and Hudson/gomber/hicks and grichuk plus maybe a lottery low level, for Colome and Archer. Sweeten as needed.
good to see the bucs make improvements. oh wait….must of been daydreaming…
Pittsburgh is another team who seems to be stuck picking a direction, no doubt. Lot of players with expiring contracts after 2018.
How do you induce the Nats to surrender Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom? Couple Realmuto with Ziegler and take back Weiters and his $10.5M for one season. The deal is still a money saver for Miami and the team would add potentially solid players..
Williams is a shaky defender? He’s a better outfielder than Hoskins, who isn’t comfortable in the outfield. Williams has better range & understands how to play in the outfield. Hoskins also hit a hundred points lower in the games he played in left field. Why? Because he was thinking about his defense. I like Hoskins, but the Phillies are setting him up to fail
Anytime you look at a full body of work and ignore the season game by game or even in smaller “chunks” you are not always getting the full picture,
Naturally I an not going to list every game log but I will go week by week and then look and see if you think playing LF was detrimental to Hoskins hitting.
8/10-8/16 – 160/276/520…….. 53 inn LF 7 inn 1B
8/17-8/23 – 391/533/957……. 52 inn LF 9 inn 1B
8/24-8/30 – 357/379/821……. 41 inn LF 22 inn 1B
8/31-9/7 – 273/448/500……. 36.1 inn LF 18.1 inn 1B
9/8-9/15 – 348/515/1.130….. 17 inn LF 50 inn 1B (incl a 15 inn gm)
9/16-9/22 – 174/321/261……. 21 inn LF 41 inn 1B
9/23-10/1 – 115/294/154……. 17 inn LF 56 inn 1B
Look at the #’s carefully and you will see that 2 of his 3 terrible weeks the majority of his playing time was 1B.
During his monster 4 week period from 8/17-9/15 when he slashed 344/471/854 he played 146.1 inn LF and 99.1 inn at 1B
Still think LF messed with his bat?
This could be nothing more than a coincidence
It could be a great many things. I just think it’s a bit premature to say that playing LF messed with his bat.
Despite the love I’ve had for cardinal nation, it’s hard to sign off on the baffling coaching that has been present under Matheny’s tenure. Glad to see the original secret weapon back with the team with Oquendo’s return. A lot of us thought it was crazy to not hire him as manager and go with Matheny 5 years ago. Matheny is on the hot seat this year, and without a decent playoff run, I believe he’ll be addressed next off-season.
It seemed like the Cardinals bullpen was a greater weakness than right. 2018 so far looks worse.
Stros biggest need has been bullpen. Adding Joe Smith and Hector Rondon is a plus, but they still need to add a lefty. After that next biggest need is a backup catcher / late inning defensive substitute for McCann as Gattis will take up most of the DH at-bats.
Your hearing it here first . Yanks trade Stanton to Dodgers next off season and sign Machado and Harper !!
Astros bullpen was decent enough during the season. Devo was an AS, Harris was injured/ former AS, Giles bad October led many to question his role (my guess is that he bounces back to average MLB closer) and they had a musical chair situation between Guydan, Jankowski, Tolliver, Diaz and a couple others. Getting Peacock back to the pen and a healthy Harris would help a lot. That being said, I’m glad they made the Smith and Rondon signings. Hopefully Sipp bounces back but I’m not holding my breath… Beltran on the other hand was a huge black hole in an otherwise historically great lineup. Gattis should be a huge upgrade. And I’m guessing Stassi takes the backup catcher role.
The headline should have been “How Teams Have Addressed Their Weakest Positions Of 2017 So Far”.
Pham/Grichuk LF/Fowler CF/Ozuna RF,3B Frazier or the Moose,DeJong SS,Gryko or Wong 2B and Carpenter 1B. Mets need a backup Catcher.
?
Todd Frazier most recently played for the New York Yankees, while Moustakas most recently played for the Royals. What about the Mets?
Also, Pham should hopefully play the majority in center as long as his eyes and Mike Matheny work correctly.
The Mets need more than a backup catcher; they need a starting catcher that can play defense, Call a good game, frame a pitch and hit.
As an angels fan they addressed several weaknesses other than dh like left field, second and third base added a bullpen arm I hope ohtani pans out but you never know how players will transition I think if the angels pitching is healthy they’ll be the first wildcard this season I feel like we are a ace away from the division
The defending World Series champs are in that division they are more then just one ace pitcher away from them.
I think the Astros are clearly the team to beat in the AL West, but it’s worth noting that they worked hard and late into 2017. Less rest isn’t going to help a rotation (pre-Verlander) that sent virtually everyone to the DL at least once last season. The timing of their injuries rarely left them shorthanded, but I wonder if that could be an issue in 2018. Also, their lack of LHH’s didn’t seem to hurt them last season, but it makes things easier for their opponents as well.
I would be surprised if they don’t bring in another LHH and lean on Gattis heavily.
The article was about teams addressing their biggest need, not all of them. I like the Angels chances for a WC berth, but like most teams they need to stay healthy for them to have a shot at the PS.
For the Braves to compete they need a# 1, 3rd baseman, LF or RF ( whichever Acuna won’t be in), and for Swanson to step it up.
Yes, but that’s going to happen in an offseason. You didn’t list the Braves’ biggest long-term need, even more so than an ace — catcher. Yes, Flowers/Suzuki were incredible last year, but I want what you’re drinking if you think they can pull an encore. Long-term, there’s a bevy of burgeoning talent: Alex Jackson, Brett Cumberland, Kade Scivicque, but none of them are that well-rounded, though admittedly each are making strides. Somehow prying Realmuto away from MIA’s cold-dead hands would be a great use of prospects, especially when you look at how bleak the upcoming free agents are. Next year will have a lot of elite talent, but not much even for catchers.
Really, you think Catcher is the Braves’ biggest concern? Their Dynamic Duo doesn’t need to repeat their 2017 performances to be effective. I wouldn’t be surprised if they extend Flowers at some point.
They probably won’t contend next season, but their biggest concerns do appear to be 3B and Left or Right Field. They might get help for their rotation at some point with Soroka and Allard.
All of these assessments look accurate, but it’s weird that only the Reds have starting pitching as their biggest area of need.
Also weird that Seattle will be experimenting with their 3rd first sacker from Oakland in 2 years and Healy’s numbers were the worst. I don’t blame them for going cheap at 1B, though. Mike Ford could prove to be a Rule 5 steal and there should be plenty of cheap options at the deadline if needed.