Stock Watch: Where teams stand ahead of MLB’s winter meetings
To say that much has changed since the World Series would be correct, but the landscape around MLB hasn’t so much shifted since the Dodgers danced at Yankee Stadium as it has been thrown into limbo. That’s the nature of the offseason: a chunk of the talent pool around the game enters free agency, the rumor mill lights up with tantalizing possibilities about the trade market, and we wait for stuff to happen.
Some stuff has already happened, and with MLB’s annual winter meetings set to kick off in Texas this weekend, expect plenty more in the days to come, probably including the biggest domino of the offseason: Juan Soto. Soto’s decision — like all moves, big or small — will change everything, because every win gained by one team is a loss that must be accounted for elsewhere in the league.
This edition of Stock Watch is meant to take a snapshot of where things stand as we await Soto and the rest of the upcoming moves. Consider this edition through the lens of “if the season began tomorrow,” which suggests a bizarre reality in which Soto, Corbin Burnes and the other top free agents are left without teams.
We will also compare these in-the-moment assessments against what we’ll call the “Run it Back” forecast. That’s the projection of how each team would be expected to do if it simply brought back all of its players. Players are still forecasted for 2025 and injury returnees reappear on depth charts, but they remain with the organizations they were with when the 2024 season ended. This will offer us both a sense of where we’ve gone since the World Series and where teams need to go from here.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Win average: 100.3 (Run it back: 98.8, 1st)
In the playoffs: 97.4% (Run it back: 96.1%)
Champions: 24.4% (Run it back: 21.6%)
So far: The Dodgers made the biggest splash of the offseason to date, inking star left-hander Blake Snell to a deal worth $182 million in total salary — at least that’s what it’s worth before we consider the complicated structure of the contract. Still, this is nearly three times more in total value than any other free agent deal signed so far. The Dodgers also retained super-utility player Tommy Edman on a five-year extension, though that doesn’t alter L.A.’s 2025 forecast, since he was already on board.
To do: Whatever they want? Championship teams typically see an on-paper dropoff after winning it all. That’s because key players they’ve acquired for the title push become free agents. L.A. had some of this (Jack Flaherty, Teoscar Hernandez) but the core of the team not only remains almost entirely intact, it has been boosted by the Snell signing. They can sign Soto, or not. They can make the best pitch to Roki Sasaki, but it won’t be devastating if he heads elsewhere. They can re-up with Clayton Kershaw whenever it’s convenient. The Dodgers will have to fill the lineup void opened up by Hernandez’s free agency, which they might do simply by re-signing him. It’s good to be in Dodger Blue these days.
2. Atlanta Braves
Win average: 97.2 (Run it back: 96.3, 2nd)
In the playoffs: 94.4% (Run it back: 93.0%)
Champions: 17.9% (Run it back: 16.8%)
So far: Just a couple of minor league deals for depth.
To do: The Braves’ standing here reminds us where they stood in our assessments when 2024 began. Basically, it was an open question about whether Atlanta or the Dodgers would emerge as the dominant superteam. Injuries rendered that question moot, though in many ways it’s really impressive the Braves extended their postseason appearance streak to seven years despite everything that went wrong. Now the forecasts assume a Ronald Acuna Jr. return, a full season from Austin Riley and some positive regression from the likes of Matt Olson, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy. But given the free agencies of Max Fried and Charlie Morton, the Braves very much need to be on the hunt for at least one frontline veteran starter. They are well positioned to land just such a player.
3. New York Yankees
Win average: 91.3 (Run it back: 94.2, 3rd)
In the playoffs: 78.0% (Run it back: 86.7%)
Champions: 9.9% (Run it back: 13.4%)
So far: Limbo. Everything seems to be on hold until Soto makes his decision.
To do: Though the Yankees land at the No. 3 spot, you can see that with Soto off the depth chart, they drop from the Dodgers/Braves tier into a pack with a number of other contenders. Convincing Soto to re-sign is obviously the top to-do item. Whether that happens, New York still needs to target a big first base bat to replace free agent Anthony Rizzo. Also, with Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill hitting free agency, the Yankees need to build out their bullpen depth. Same for the rotation. A veteran infielder might be good, too, given Gleyber Torres‘ free agency, but New York might be able to get by with internal options in that group.
4. Houston Astros
Win average: 90.6 (Run it back: 93.9, 4th)
In the playoffs: 76.5% (Run it back: 86.2%)
Champions: 9.3% (Run it back: 13.2%)
So far: Crickets.
To do: The Astros’ pitching depth means they can focus their resources, such as they are, on bringing back free agent Alex Bregman. If that doesn’t happen, the Astros will need to find a replacement while also looking for offensive upgrades at first base and perhaps the outfield, depending on how DH-heavy they want Yordan Alvarez‘s usage to be. Replacing Bregman is more than replacing third base production — losing him overturns the dynamic in their clubhouse. Houston’s offseason won’t really take shape until Bregman’s fate is known.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Win average: 89.6 (Run it back: 90.2, 5th)
In the playoffs: 71.9% (Run it back: 73.8%)
Champions: 6.8% (Run it back: 6.6%)
So far: A couple of fringe moves.
To do: We could almost imprint this sentence into a Stock Watch template: The Orioles need to add one or more midrotation (or better) starters. This is especially true at the moment since they added such a player last year in Burnes, who is currently the best remaining starter on the free agent market. Bringing him back is the best-case scenario, but if Burnes signs elsewhere, Baltimore needs to pivot quickly to someone such as Fried, Nathan Eovaldi or Max Scherzer — or all the above.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
Win average: 88.5 (Run it back: 87.3, 7th)
In the playoffs: 70.9% (Run it back: 66.1%)
Champions: 4.2% (Run it back: 4.0%)
So far: Non-tendered Austin Hays. Traded Scott Kingery to the Angels.
To do: It’s a little mystifying the Phillies haven’t emerged as a leading Soto suitor but, you know, it’s a lot of money and the Phillies already carry one of baseball’s biggest payrolls. Soto or not, the Phillies must upgrade offensively in the outfield or first base, preferably the former, as landing a first baseman would mean moving Bryce Harper back to the outfield. Beyond that, the Phils will seek to add pitching depth, but so will every other team.
7. Minnesota Twins
Win average: 86.7 (Run it back: 83.4, 13th)
In the playoffs: 61.4% (Run it back: 44.9%)
Champions: 4.3% (Run it back: 1.6%)
So far: Nada. The Twins have picked up some steam in their outlook largely because they had fewer impact free agents than other clubs.
To do: Injuries have undermined this era of Twins baseball. When former top prospect Alex Kirilloff decided to retire at 26 because of his ongoing and highly frustrating maladies, it was kind of symbolic of this problem. There’s not much the Twins can do to fix this over an offseason, but for now, the forecast models assume at least a measure of health for Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Joe Ryan & Co. Since the tight-fisted Twins aren’t likely to amp up payroll, better health is the key to their 2025 season. Given that, Minnesota would be a slight favorite to win the Central. But we haven’t seen a healthy Twins squad very often.
8. Seattle Mariners
Win average: 85.6 (Run it back: 84.3, 10th)
In the playoffs: 53.7% (Run it back: 46.7%)
Champions: 3.3% (Run it back: 2.2%)
So far: Declined Jorge Polanco‘s club option.
To do: For the many teams whose offseason has yet to kick into high gear as the winter meetings arrive, small changes in forecast are simply a reflection of changes elsewhere on the landscape. The Mariners are such a team right now. If these teams remain passive, their forecasts will erode as more competitors start to add. None of this sounds like Jerry Dipoto’s way of doing business. Yet for all his frenetic activity, one thing has remained at the top of his to-do list for quite a while now: The Mariners badly need to supercharge their offensive attack. Bats, bats, bats.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Win average: 85.5 (Run it back: 83.3, 14th)
In the playoffs: 57.8% (Run it back: 46.1%)
Champions: 2.4% (Run it back: 1.6%)
So far: Minor league deals and waiver claims. Low-level stuff. Declined Scott McGough‘s club option.
To do: The Diamondbacks weren’t beset with players hitting free agency, but they do have to address first base, where both Christian Walker and Josh Bell hit the market. The market is thin at this spot, and assuming Arizona won’t pony up for Pete Alonso, turning to an old face — Walker, Bell or Paul Goldschmidt — might be its best option.
10. San Diego Padres
Win average: 85.0 (Run it back: 86.1, 8th)
In the playoffs: 54.3% (Run it back: 60.2%)
Champions: 2.5% (Run it back: 2.9%)
So far: Zilch.
To do: For some teams, the “so far” summary is a matter of the club making additions that fall under the “deep cuts” umbrella. But the Padres have truly added no one. We know this won’t last. With Tanner Scott, Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim and Kyle Higashioka hitting free agency, there are holes to fill, especially given the number of prospects A.J. Preller has traded away in recent deals. San Diego can target depth on the pitching side but needs to up the ante in the lineup. The Pads also need a Higashioka replacement to pair with Luis Campusano behind the plate.
11. New York Mets
Win average: 84.0 (Run it back: 83.6, 12th)
In the playoffs: 49.9% (Run it back: 48.1%)
Champions: 2.0% (Run it back: 1.7%)
So far: As they did before last season, the Mets have gone heavy on the early minor league deal market to bolster depth. They also added starter Frankie Montas as one of the replacements on a rotation that saw a number of key contributors hit free agency. The Mets also traded for speed-and-defense center fielder Jose Siri, who is likely to fill the role held by Harrison Bader in 2024.
To do: We anticipate that despite David Stearns’ affinity for attacking the entire 40-man roster, and beyond, things are going to get much splashier than this. Soto’s decision comes first. Then we’ll see how the Mets pivot, if they need to. Bringing back Alonso is always a possibility but that might really depend on how New York views Brett Baty as an everyday third baseman, because Mark Vientos is a ready replacement for Alonso at first. If the Mets don’t land Soto, adding one or two front-line starters might be the next move — though they will still need to add power to the lineup.
12. Texas Rangers
Win average: 84.0 (Run it back: 88.1, 6th)
In the playoffs: 45.3% (Run it back: 65.5%)
Champions: 2.3% (Run it back: 4.1%)
So far: Signed Higashioka.
To do: Texas saw a lot of star power reach free agency, especially from the pitching staff. Even with Scherzer, Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney all hitting free agency, the Rangers still have a nice group of returning starters, one that could have a younger look if Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter continue to progress. The Rangers will still want another veteran, and bringing back Eovaldi would be the ideal outcome. Bullpen depth is always a target, but it’s especially important with Jose Leclerc, David Robertson and Kirby Yates all becoming free agents and Josh Sborz undergoing shoulder surgery. Luckily, Chris Young can largely focus on pitching additions, as the healthy version of the returning everyday lineup looks complete. Texas might want to bolster its bench a tad.
13. Kansas City Royals
Win average: 83.7 (Run it back: 81.4, 15th)
In the playoffs: 45.5% (Run it back: 34.7%)
Champions: 2.1% (Run it back: 0.9%)
So far: Re-signed Michael Wacha. Traded Brady Singer for Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer.
To do: Wacha was really the Royals’ only core free agent, so jumping the market and signing him early was a big step in Kansas City’s quest to retain the considerable ground it gained in 2024. But Kansas City also needs to get better in terms of baseline talent, especially because teams that make the kind of leap the Royals did last season are subject to more-than-usual regression. Adding India to solidify the leadoff slot is an upgrade, though his positional fit is harder to pin down. That also opens a Singer-shaped hole in the rotation, one perhaps K.C. can fill with injury returnee Kyle Wright or by the rumored plan to shift Kris Bubic back to starting pitching. But then that opens a void in the bullpen, where Bubic was really effective. And so it goes. More than anything, the Royals have to find another middle-of-the-order bat. Soto would work. OK, fine. But a splash in the next tier of free agent outfielders would be worth it, especially given the Royals’ fairly limited trade resources.
14. Toronto Blue Jays
Win average: 82.3 (Run it back: 81.1, 17th)
In the playoffs: 36.8% (Run it back: 31.2%)
Champions: 1.5% (Run it back: 1.0%)
So far: A lot of Soto rumors.
To do: Even without knowing the specifics of the offers from Soto’s rumored leading suitors, it feels as if the Blue Jays are a long shot. It’s not the money, either. More so, the problem is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Most of the Blue Jays’ best players can reach free agency by various means at the end of 2025 or 2026, with Guerrero being the biggest name on the list. As the franchise cornerstone, he’s the weather vane that tells us where the franchise is headed. What does a pitch to Soto — or any other free agent seeking a multiyear deal — sound like when a team’s superstar might walk after next season? Maybe the money will be enough, because that so often turns out to be the case. That doesn’t change the fact that Toronto’s top-line item is the same as it has been for some time: extend Guerrero. If that happens, we’ll know what’s what in Toronto.
15. Chicago Cubs
Win average: 82.1 (Run it back: 81.3, 16th)
In the playoffs: 44.0% (Run it back: 38.7%)
Champions: 1.1% (Run it back: 1.0%)
So far: Signed Matthew Boyd, traded for Eli Morgan and Matt Thaiss.
To do: After running in place for two seasons, just outside of the playoff bracket, the Cubs are getting younger. And not in a reset-the-roster way but more in a we’ve-been-waiting-on-these-guys way. In this version of going young, a midlevel team lets walk-year veterans go and has prospects ready to replace them. Chicago needs to make sure there is plenty of runway for young players such as Matt Shaw, Owen Cassie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara. Trading Cody Bellinger for pitching is an option, but only if the return moves the short-term needle. Either way, Chicago needs to amp up its options in the back end of the bullpen.
16. Cleveland Guardians
Win average: 82.0 (Run it back: 84.7, 9th)
In the playoffs: 36.9% (Run it back: 52.6%)
Champions: 1.3% (Run it back: 2.5%)
So far: Traded reliever Eli Morgan to the Cubs for prospect Alfonsin Rosario. Re-signed catcher Austin Hedges.
To do: The drop between Cleveland’s run-it-back forecast and right now is mostly due to shortfalls in the rotation. From the Guardians’ playoff roster, Boyd (now a Cub) and Alex Cobb hit the market. But the most impactful free agent departure is one that probably doesn’t get mentioned enough: former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, who should be back from elbow surgery in 2025. Adding to the rotation, whether it’s a new face or an old one, is by far the biggest checklist item for the Guardians this winter.
17. Tampa Bay Rays
Win average: 82.0 (Run it back: 80.4, 19th)
In the playoffs: 34.8% (Run it back: 27.9%)
Champions: 1.3% (Run it back: 0.8%)
So far: Traded Siri to the Mets for reliever Eric Orze.
To do: For every other team, we’re grounding our observations on the club’s list of free agents, both those they might lose and the ones they might pursue. The issues are far more complicated for the Rays, who lost their playing venue to a major weather event. The Rays aren’t generally big players in the free agent market as it is, but selling a year or more playing in the Yankees’ spring training stadium is tough. And yet the Rays are well positioned because of a wave of injury returnees on the pitching staff and an influx of talent from their flurry of trades at the 2024 deadline. Their needs aren’t top level — a righty-hitting catcher and a couple of other righty bats to balance the positional group.
18. Milwaukee Brewers
Win average: 81.6 (Run it back: 83.8, 11th)
In the playoffs: 40.9% (Run it back: 52.3%)
Champions: 1.0% (Run it back: 1.6%)
So far: A slew of minor league deals that could make an impact given the Brewers’ history of second-chance development with pitchers. Keep an eye on Jon Duplantier and Deivi Garcia in particular.
To do: Milwaukee saw starting shortstop Willy Adames hit free agency. What this means more than anything is the Brewers will get even younger. They have plenty in the infield to replace Adames, though the production will be shaped differently because there aren’t many middle infielders with Adames’ power. The Brewers could replace some of that with an addition in the first base/DH area. A veteran midrotation starter to solidify the innings outlook would make sense as well.
19. St. Louis Cardinals
Win average: 80.4 (Run it back: 80.8, 18th)
In the playoffs: 35.3% (Run it back: 36.2%)
Champions: 0.8% (Run it back: 0.8%)
So far: Declined club options on starter Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson.
To do: The Cardinals appear to be looking at 2025 as a self-imposed transition season, a move signified by the parting of the ways with Lynn and Gibson. Goldschmidt is a free agent and St. Louis has already anointed converted catcher Willson Contreras as his replacement. Nolan Arenado‘s name pops up almost daily in the rumor mill. Bringing closure to Arenado’s status is the biggest ticket item this winter for St. Louis. Once that’s over, it’s likely to be a quiet few months on the banks of the Mississippi. At some point in the near future, baseball ops chief-in-waiting Chaim Bloom will complete his own personal regression to the mean, going from small-market Tampa Bay to big-market Boston to right-in-the-middle St. Louis.
20. Detroit Tigers
Win average: 78.2 (Run it back: 77.2, 22nd)
In the playoffs: 21.2% (Run it back: 18.8%)
Champions: 0.4% (Run it back: 0.3%)
So far: Low-level roster maneuvering.
To do: The Tigers’ rebuild clicked in a big way at the end of last season, as a late flourish propelled Detroit into the ALDS. With that wind behind their sails, the Tigers look to find the right additions to bolster a young group poised to take another step in 2025. The numbers above bear attention, as they illustrate that while the Tigers’ run was fun, it did not necessarily mean Detroit has arrived. It’s still a roster rapidly trending in the right direction, but there are two overriding needs: a veteran starter who brings a young and potentially dynamic rotation into focus and a middle-of-the-order bat. The Tigers have the payroll space to make these things happen.
21. San Francisco Giants
Win average: 77.6 (Run it back: 79.2, 20th)
In the playoffs: 20.6% (Run it back: 26.6%)
Champions: 0.4% (Run it back: 0.6%)
So far: Signed Max Stassi to a minor league contract.
To do: We’re not listing many minor league deals, but we’re doing it for the Giants for a couple of reasons. First, Stassi has appeared in only five professional games over the past two seasons — in the minors for the White Sox — so that’s not a name you expected to see. Also, he represents Buster Posey’s first signee as the Giants’ chief decision-maker, replacing Farhan Zaidi. The Giants are losing some key production with the departures of Snell, Michael Conforto and Mark Canha, and it’s not clear they are willing to spend big to replace it. Whichever way Posey does it, the Giants need bats. Bad.
22. Boston Red Sox
Win average: 77.1 (Run it back: 77.8, 21st)
In the playoffs: 16.4% (Run it back: 18.6%)
Champions: 0.3% (Run it back: 0.4%)
So far: Signed relievers Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson to one-year deals.
To do: At the very least, the Red Sox will have an experienced bullpen with the addition of two more veteran lefties. Of course, the Red Sox have been often mentioned as a prime candidate to win the Soto sweepstakes. If that happens, it’s a new day at Fenway. There has been other talk of some pretty major rearranging as well, including moving Rafael Devers across the diamond, possibly as a way to accommodate a free agent such as Bregman. What would then happen to Triston Casas? What about Masataka Yoshida? There are many dominoes that could fall. Whatever happens, Boston needs starting pitchers and, given the makeup of the rest of the team, should spend aggressively to build out that group. That’s even more essential if Soto signs, because the Red Sox will be very much back in the championship conversation.
23. Athletics
Win average: 75.4 (Run it back: 73.3, 25th)
In the playoffs: 12.5% (Run it back: 8.3%)
Champions: 0.3% (Run it back: 0.1%)
So far: Signed starter Luis Severino. Traded infielder Nick Allen to the Braves for reliever Jared Johnson. Re-signed reliever T.J. McFarland.
To do: The A’s made some impressive gains during their final season in Oakland. Building off that is challenging, especially since, like the Rays, they will have to sell potential signees on playing in a non-major league venue. Apparently it’s not impossible: They signed Severino to a three-year deal Thursday, a contract that might be entirely played with Sacramento as the Athletics’ home venue. (Severino can reportedly opt out after the second year.) Ops chief David Forst had suggested an aggressive stance in the trade market, doing so while also suggesting that payroll will increase. Obviously, he wasn’t blowing smoke on the payroll part of it. A willingness to take on money is essential for a team trying to improve via the trade market, especially for a club such as the Athletics, who can’t be careless with their prospect depth. They need another starting pitcher and a middle-of-the-order bat, so it’s not going to be an easy puzzle to complete. Still, this already is not shaping up as a typical A’s offseason in the roster-building department.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
Win average: 74.5 (Run it back: 74.6, 24th)
In the playoffs: 13.9% (Run it back: 13.8%)
Champions: 0.2% (Run it back: 0.2%)
So far: A little poaching from teams with roster crunches.
To do: The Pirates have started the process of building depth, adding useful players such as Peter Strzelecki for the bullpen and Trey Cabbage to the position group. It’s only a start, and Pittsburgh in particular needs to add layers of depth to a pitching staff with tremendous upside. Even more important, it’s past time for the Pirates to add some dynamism to their offense. And that means spending, not generally an act you associate with the franchise. Pittsburgh has a yawning chasm at first base at a time when prodigious producers such as Goldschmidt, Alonso and Walker are available. Goldschmidt would make a lot of sense on a short-term, high-average-annual-value deal. Alas, these are the Pirates, and when it comes to high-profile free agency, it’s hard to believe it until you see it.
25. Cincinnati Reds
Win average: 74.5 (Run it back: 75.1, 23rd)
In the playoffs: 13.9% (Run it back: 15.1%)
Champions: 0.1% (Run it back: 0.2%)
So far: Acquired Singer for India and Wiemer. Re-signed Nick Martinez and Brent Suter.
To do: The addition of Singer and the retention of Martinez after he accepted the qualifying offer were huge for a young rotation that has a chance to be really dynamic. The position group has to account for the loss of India, but the return of Matt McLain from injury should take care of that and more. More than anything, a middle-of-the-order thumper would really start to make this look like a complete roster. There’s a lot of variance in how the Reds’ 2025 season could go, and that might well be a good thing. However, reducing that variance with a little proven production right now would be a good thing, too.
26. Los Angeles Angels
Win average: 73.7 (Run it back: 69.3, 27th)
In the playoffs: 8.5% (Run it back: 3.2%)
Champions: 0.1% (Run it back: 0.0%)
So far: Acquired Scott Kingery from the Phillies and Jorge Soler from the Braves. Claimed Ryan Noda off waivers from the A’s. Signed Yusei Kikuchi, Kevin Newman, Travis d’Arnaud and Kyle Hendricks.
To do: Print a lot of name tags, because there are going to be a lot of new faces in the Angels’ clubhouse. With their early offseason flurry of activity, the team has improved its baseline from terrible to not-quite-as-terrible. The moves would ordinarily signify a team looking to solidify the 11th through 40th spots on a roster with a high-upside core. Is that what the Angels have? Even if the young regulars such as Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Jo Adell and Nolan Schanuel continue to develop, the best chance for this theoretical contention-worthy top of the roster to show up is for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon to be fully healthy approximations of their best selves. How many times have we written a version of that? Well, it remains as true as ever. That said, it truly would be wonderful to see Trout enjoy a healthy season, because you know if that happens, the numbers will follow.
27. Miami Marlins
Win average: 70.2 (Run it back: 69.8, 26th)
In the playoffs: 4.9% (Run it back: 4.7%)
Champions: 0.0% (Run it back: 0.0%)
So far: All quiet. The Marlins hired a new manager in former Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough. He’ll be working with a very different roster in Miami.
To do: We’re still waiting to find out the fate of the Marlins’ last wave of starting pitchers, so many of whom wound up injured. Hopes for a turnaround 2025 season depend on getting some rotation innings from the likes of Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett and, eventually, Eury Perez. With an even younger wave of starters coming behind this group, there is some room here to maneuver in the trade market, but perhaps not in the short term. You kind of need some of the injured wings to first build back value. So there isn’t much of a to-do list here, not after so many of their veterans were already traded away last season. Some veterans looking for short-term, make-good deals — especially hitters — would fit nicely with the Marlins.
28. Washington Nationals
Win average: 66.7 (Run it back: 68.1, 28th)
In the playoffs: 2.0% (Run it back: 3.0%)
Champions: 0.0% (Run it back: 0.0%)
So far: Biding their time.
To do: The Nationals are one of the offseason’s most interesting teams because there are so many ways they could go. After waiting out the acquisition and development of a new prospect group, Mike Rizzo isn’t likely to start dealing them away for a short-term splash. But now that Patrick Corbin’s contract is off the books, the Nats have a wide-open payroll outlook. A frenzy of spending isn’t going to finish off the process, but a targeted burst can move the needle. If Washington finds the right long-term fit, it won’t need to wait until the new core is ready to contend. The Nats can start to operate as a club ready to win sooner than later. Young talent plus payroll flexibility is a pretty nice combination.
29. Chicago White Sox
Win average: 62.5 (Run it back: 63.9, 29th)
In the playoffs: 0.5% (Run it back: 0.9%)
Champions: 0.0% (Run it back: 0.0%)
So far: Signed outfielder Austin Slater.
To do: After a 121-loss season, the focus for second-year executive Chris Getz and first-time manager Will Venable remains firmly on the future. The White Sox’s minor league system has taken a leap or two while the big league roster has been hollowed out. That’s good, but Chicago can’t really shift out of acquisition mode just yet. In Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet, Getz still has two of the most lucrative trade possibilities out there. It just doesn’t make sense to keep them through a process that is still a year or two from completion. In the meantime, expect more moves like the Slater signing. Sexy? No. But it’s the kind of thing that can make a team look quasi-big league, and a productive player on an expiring contract is always a nice thing to have at the trade deadline.
30. Colorado Rockies
Win average: 56.4 (Run it back: 57.7, 30th)
In the playoffs: 0.1% (Run it back: 0.1%)
Champions: 0.0% (Run it back: 0.0%)
So far: Signed infielder Kyle Farmer. Traded for Owen Miller.
To do: Well, at least prospect Zac Veen was added to the 40-man roster. The Rockies non-tendered two players in Cal Quantrill and Brendan Rodgers, who are almost certainly better than the players who will replace them. You might do that if you have a hot-shot prospect ready to go. In the case of Rodgers, his spot will apparently be filled by Farmer. Rodgers is a marginally better hitter, a much better defender and six years younger. But his arbitration-fueled salary might have ended up costing the Rockies a million or two more than what Farmer signed for. Of course, given the Rockies’ current payroll (projected to rank 18th by Cot’s Contracts) they could have easily kept Rodgers and still signed Farmer, who has enough positional versatility to be a quality utility player. This is no way to run a franchise.
