Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 8
What is the main concern for the A’s in 2024? When will they make another attempt to improve their team? Despite settling on Las Vegas as a permanent home, the A’s are uncertain about their location for the 2025-2027 seasons. With a combined 214 losses in the past two years, it is likely that they will continue to struggle in the upcoming season. Their offseason changes have been minimal.
According to owner Hal Steinbrenner’s original plan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto would have joined the Yankees’ rotation as the second pitcher behind Gerrit Cole. However, this did not come to fruition and now the team is facing uncertainty about their rotation depth going into the season. Questions remain about Nestor Cortes’ health, the performance of Carlos Rodon in his second year with the team (especially with some fans’ doubts), Clarke Schmidt’s development, and the possibility of adding another pitcher before the end of winter. – Olney
After the passing of their innovative owner Peter Seidler, the Padres made the decision to reduce expenses for the upcoming season and will have a less talented team in 2024. Key players Juan Soto and Hader are no longer on the team, and it is likely that Blake Snell will also depart. In their place, the Padres have acquired several young starting pitchers, mainly through trading Soto to the Yankees, and have completely revamped their bullpen. However, they still have a pressing need for outfielders and could benefit from adding another strong hitter at first base or designated hitter. While another top starting pitcher would be beneficial, it would have to be through a trade.
Important statistic for each National League team » | American League teams »
Passan reported that Ohtani has once again surprised the world.
Predicting the remaining years of Ohtani’s professional career.
Take a deep breath. Despite a lower-than-expected budget, Jerry Dipoto, the president of baseball operations, has once again utilized his creative approach to building a team. To summarize, the following players have been added to the roster: Mitch Garver, Jorge Polanco, Luis Urias, Mitch Haniger, Luke Raley, Samad Taylor, Seby Zavala, Carlos Vargas, and Austin Voth. Departing from the team are Teoscar Hernandez, Eugenio Suarez, Robbie Ray, Jarred Kelenic, Justin Topa, Anthony DeSclafani (who had a brief stint with the team), Jose Caballero, Mike Ford, Tom Murphy, Marco Gonzales, and Isaiah Campbell. It’s difficult to say if the new group is an improvement. While the starting rotation remains unchanged, there may be concerns about the depth of the bullpen. Additionally, Haniger and Urias will need to rebound from underwhelming performances last season. — SchoenfieldFinal 2023 regular-season ranking: 27
The Marlins qualified for the playoffs in 2023, but have not made any significant moves during the offseason. This is not quite as drastic as the changes made after their 1997 World Series win, but it may not inspire confidence in Marlins fans. The new president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, has focused more on assessing the team rather than making strategic moves. This may not be a bad decision for a team that had a negative run differential and lacks a strong farm system, especially since they will be without Sandy Alcantara as he recovers from surgery. — Commentary by Schoenfield
It is surprising that Toronto did not qualify for the playoffs in the previous season even though they had the strongest rotation in the league. This highlights the lackluster performance of their offense in 2023. They ranked 16th in home runs and 14th in runs scored, which is unexpected for a team with players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The question for Toronto in 2024 is: How can they improve their lineup when it remains mostly unchanged? The only significant change so far is the acquisition of Justin Turner, who fills the spot left by free agent Brandon Belt. – OlneyFinal 2023 regular-season ranking: 5Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 11
As camps approach, some notable free agents remain unsigned, leaving us to anticipate the start of the 2024 season.Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 9Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 28
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 24
What is the current position of each team as they head into spring training? Have the Dodgers’ recent additions placed them at the top spot? How do the reigning World Series champions rank in our list? And where do the Yankees, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, rank?
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 4
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 1
The White Sox are approaching the offseason as if they are rebounding from a 100-win season, rather than the 102 losses they actually experienced. This has resulted in some interesting acquisitions, but mostly on a smaller scale. One example is Erick Fedde, who is now part of a revamped starting rotation that still includes Dylan Cease – although his future with the team remains uncertain. Cease is expected to start the season with the team, but may not finish it as trade discussions are likely to resume during the summer. The primary uncertainties this offseason lie in right field and second base, positions that have not been solidified by Chicago for several years. Newcomer Nicky Lopez will see playing time at second, while Gavin Sheets could potentially be the opening day right fielder. However, this situation seems to be a recurring theme for the White Sox – they are at a standstill, at best.
The Angels were dealt a huge blow when Shohei Ohtani left for the rival Dodgers this offseason. They have yet to find a replacement for him as a pitcher or hitter. While Angels GM Perry Minasian has improved their bullpen, he hasn’t made many other moves besides adding veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks. With a weak farm system ranked last by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel for 2024, the Angels need more offensive help and a top starting pitcher to support their young staff. However, unless they make big signings like Cody Bellinger or trade for Snell, it will be difficult to do so without negatively impacting their current roster. — Gonzalez
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 26Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 25
The Rockies’ pitching lineup, which will be missing both German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela in the first half, had the worst earned run average of any major league team last season. In response, the management brought in Cal Quantrill, Dakota Hudson, and Anthony Molina, with the latter being a Rule 5 draft pick. However, this may not be enough to improve their performance. Despite playing half of their games at Coors Field, the offense only ranked 20th in terms of OPS. Instead of making new signings, the Rockies are relying on the health of Kris Bryant, development of Ezequiel Tovar, and excellence of Nolan Jones. Therefore, there are still many uncertainties surrounding the Rockies as they enter the 2024 season. Finding solutions to these issues is proving to be a challenge. – Gonzalez
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 13Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 12
The Phillies have not made many moves this offseason, aside from re-signing Aaron Nola and attempting to acquire Yamamoto. They did express interest in pitchers Jordan Hicks and Robert Stephenson, but were unable to sign either of them. As of now, their fifth starter is Cristopher Sanchez, with rookie Orion Kerkering playing a significant role in the bullpen and Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache in center field (with Brandon Marsh in left). In summary, the Phillies have not closed the gap between themselves and the Braves.
The Cubs have not had the same relationship with Boras as the Rangers. This may prevent them from reuniting with Cody Bellinger or signing third baseman Matt Chapman. Both sides are taking a risk by playing a game of chicken. Bellinger may not have many other options with big markets, and the Cubs’ offense will suffer without him. However, the team is confident in their highly ranked farm system, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. It is unclear if Boras will back down and accept a smaller deal, as the outcome of this situation is uncertain.
The Dodgers have had an amazing offseason. They spent a large amount of money on two players, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who are expected to have a huge impact on the team. They also added Tyler Glasnow, a highly coveted pitcher, and Teoscar Hernandez, considered one of the top corner outfielders in free agency. With another 100-win season under their belt, the Dodgers are looking like a dominant force.
The Braves, who had a record-setting lineup last season, could have had a quiet offseason but instead chose to make two intriguing moves by acquiring left fielder Jarred Kelenic and pitcher Chris Sale. Kelenic, a former top-10 prospect, did not live up to expectations in Seattle but at 24 years old, he showed improvement last season with a batting average of .253, on-base percentage of .327, and slugging percentage of .419. Sale, who made 20 starts for the Red Sox in 2021, had his best season since 2019 and struck out 125 batters in 102⅔ innings. Despite injury concerns, he still has the ability to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 30
Olney states that Theo Epstein will be remembered as the best general manager in history due to his success with breaking the long World Series droughts for both the Red Sox and Cubs. However, it is surprising that his addition to the front office is the main offseason move for a struggling Red Sox team. While they require improvements in offense and pitching, the top priority is whether manager Alex Cora will extend his contract.
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 7
Last season, the Giants ranked last in terms of innings pitched by their starting pitchers. In response, they have signed a reliever with a long career who will now become a starting pitcher, and also traded for a former top pitcher who is not expected to return until at least midseason. While there is a possibility that Jordan Hicks will excel in his new role and that Robbie Ray will make a miraculous comeback from Tommy John surgery and perform at his Cy Young level in the last two months of the regular season, there are still significant concerns surrounding the rotation. One of these concerns is how Alex Cobb will fare in his return from hip surgery. Additionally, even after signing Jung Hoo Lee, the lineup still has several weaknesses.
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 23
Analyzing Ohtani’s incredible contract agreement.
Kiley McDaniel »
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 21
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 20
Many people are excited about the young pitching rotation consisting of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen, who all showed potential in their first year. However, the Cleveland team has not solved the issue of having one of the weakest power-hitting outfielders in the history of the major leagues, with a total of only 18 home runs. They did acquire Estevan Florial from the Yankees, who hit 28 home runs in Triple-A, but also had a high number of strikeouts (144 in 101 games). Prospect George Valera has not lived up to expectations and struggled with a .211 batting average in Triple-A. The question remains: Where will the team find their offensive power? — Schoenfield
The Twins appear to be particularly impacted by the unclear RSN situation. During the offseason, their main priority was managing their finances rather than improving their team. They also had to deal with the loss of ace pitcher Sonny Gray to free agency and made a trade involving Jorge Polanco. As a result, they did not make many moves in the winter markets. This puts even more pressure on their key players, such as Byron Buxton (who plans to resume playing center field), Carlos Correa, and Royce Lewis, who all have a record of being prone to injuries. This was reported by Olney.
Can Milwaukee maintain its competitive edge under new manager Pat Murphy, or will it face a transitional period? The recent signing of Rhys Hoskins helps address some gaps in the team’s first base rotation, which has been unstable in recent years. However, the loss of key players such as Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes may pose challenges for the team’s pitching. As they head into spring, the main question remains: who will step up to fill the gap at the top of the rotation after Freddy Peralta? – Rogers
After making a surprising run to the World Series, the D-backs have taken bold action by acquiring Eduardo Rodriguez for their rotation and adding Eugenio Suarez and Joc Pederson to their lineup. They have also re-signed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to solidify their left field position. Overall, the team has made significant moves to strengthen their roster. As they look ahead to the 2024 season, their main concern is whether they have what it takes to defeat the strong Dodgers once again. – GonzalezFinal 2023 regular-season ranking: 29
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 6Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 19
Can we classify the Mets as strong, weak, or somewhere in between? Most likely, they fall somewhere in the middle. Their main objective was to secure the signing of Yamamoto, but when that fell through, they shifted their focus to second-tier (Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Harrison Bader) and third-tier free agents (Jorge Lopez, Joey Wendle). They also added Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor from the Brewers. In order for the team to succeed, they will need Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil to have a better season and for younger players Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty to show improvement.
The Pirates have not made significant alterations to their team this offseason aside from acquiring Aroldis Chapman. They may be banking on their promising but inexperienced players to perform consistently throughout the entire season. While Pittsburgh made waves last year, they struggled as the season progressed and their pitching staff suffered. However, top draft pick Henry Davis gained some experience, the young pitchers gained valuable playing time, and shortstop Oneil Cruz recovered from injury. While they may not have enough to contend for the entire season, the Pirates, under the guidance of manager Derek Shelton, will likely present a challenge for some teams as he keeps the team motivated through both successes and setbacks.
If you’re searching for a hidden gem, consider Detroit as a potential contender in the AL Central due to their stronger performance in the second half. The players that the Tigers have acquired in recent times are starting to show their potential. However, Detroit’s chances of success depend on their ability to improve their offense, as they ranked 28th in runs scored in 2023. Can rising stars like Riley Greene and experienced players like Javy Baez boost their scoring? — OlneyFinal 2023 regular-season ranking: 17
The top 100 potential candidates and daring forecasts are available for viewing.
Rating the top 30 farm systems for 2024.
Cincinnati was more efficient than many other teams in strengthening their pitching lineup during the offseason. They acquired four free agent pitchers and corner infielder Jeimer Candelario. The Reds may need to address a crowded infield, but it is a beneficial issue to have. Their focus in spring training will be on maintaining the health of their team, particularly their young pitchers Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft who were injured last season. With a talented roster, the Reds have no room for excuses this year. They could be a surprising contender in a competitive division.
Were the Cardinals able to address all their needs in the offseason, or did they prioritize quantity over quality? The team focused on adding older players to their pitching staff, but this was balanced out by the emergence of 21-year-old shortstop Masyn Winn. Additionally, outfielder Jordan Walker, who quietly had a solid performance last season for a struggling team, adds depth to the lineup. However, there are concerns surrounding pitchers Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn, who are expected to fill roles at the back of the rotation while Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas lead the front. The success of these players will greatly impact the outcome of the Cardinals’ season.Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 10
The addition of Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore team provides them with a veteran ace that was needed. With potential new ownership promising financial support, the Orioles are expected to strengthen their bullpen. Despite winning 101 games last season, the team is already more well-rounded than in 2024 and there is no doubt that the front office and owners will invest in filling any gaps during the trade deadline. Fans can now speculate and hope for the potential impact of Jackson Holliday’s debut in the major leagues, as he is the clear favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award. – Olney
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 18
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 16
Kobe assisted in convincing Shohei to join the Dodgers.Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 14
Our team of experts has analyzed and rated each baseball team by considering both their offseason performance and their performance from the previous year, 2023. We also received input from ESPN MLB analysts David Schoenfield, Buster Olney, Jesse Rogers, and Alden Gonzalez, who shared their observations for all 30 teams.
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 22
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 15
One of the main concerns for the Rays during the offseason was whether Wander Franco, their expected franchise player, would be able to join the team in 2024. His future on the team is now even more uncertain, as he may face discipline from MLB and ongoing visa issues, regardless of when his legal case is resolved. Without Franco, will the Rays be able to replicate their impressive offensive performance in 2023, when they led all AL East teams in runs scored? – Olney
Final 2023 regular-season ranking: 2
Although it is reasonable to question their pitching rotation, there are some uncertainties. Ohtani will not be able to pitch until 2025, Yamamoto has not yet faced professional batters, Glasnow recently recovered from Tommy John surgery, and Buehler has had two such procedures. Their addition of starting pitcher James Paxton also comes with potential injury issues.
Grades for MLB players in free agency
Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, and the recently acquired Josh Hader. However, the level of danger posed by Houston will likely hinge on whether Framber Valdez can regain his dominant sinker, which was inconsistent towards the end of the season. In his last 10 regular-season starts, he only averaged 4⅔ innings and had a 4.29 ERA, and his postseason ERA was a concerning 9.00. The success of Houston’s season could ultimately depend on whether Framber can find his form again. — Written by OlneyWay-too-early MLB Power RankingsFinal 2023 regular-season ranking: 3
Although there are differing views on the overall effectiveness of the players added, the Royals are making an effort to improve their team. These additions include Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Will Smith, Chris Stratton, Garrett Hampson, Adam Frazier, and Hunter Renfroe. Lugo and Wacha are particularly important, as they were strong performers last season and will help bolster a weak rotation. If Brady Singer rebounds and Cole Ragans lives up to his potential in the last two months of 2023, the Royals may have their best rotation since their World Series days. — Schoenfield
Could a reunion between Jordan Montgomery and the Rangers be on the horizon? It seems likely, as Scott Boras, the agent for Montgomery, has a strong relationship with the Rangers’ management. Boras has previously represented other players who have joined the Rangers, including Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. He also played a role in facilitating the trade that brought Montgomery and Max Scherzer to Texas last summer. With the Rangers’ regional sports network situation improving, they are in a good position to make moves and potentially have a successful season. And let’s not forget about Jacob deGrom, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could also join the Rangers in the future. All signs point to a competitive season for the Rangers, regardless of what transpires during the rest of spring training.
The Nationals have recently acquired Nick Senzel from the Reds and have also signed Joey Gallo. These moves would have generated more excitement a few years ago. Senzel, who was drafted second overall in 2016, has had injury struggles and a low OPS+ of 77 in his five seasons with the Reds. He will now have an opportunity to become the team’s regular third baseman. Gallo, on the other hand, has had two seasons with 40 or more home runs and even hit 38 in 2021. However, his batting averages have not been impressive in the past three seasons, with .199, .160, and .177. Since joining the Yankees in 2021, he has only produced a WAR of 1.2. — Written by Schoenfield
