Offseason team needs: AL East
Welcome to theScore's MLB offseason team needs, in which we'll break down every club's roster and its key free agents, along with how holes could be filled in free agency. Up first is the AL East.
AL EAST | NL EAST I AL CENTRAL I NL CENTRAL I AL WEST I NL WEST
Baltimore Orioles
2018 Record: 47-115 (5th in division)
Projected 2019 payroll: $82.5M
Key free agents: Adam Jones
Needs: Starting pitcher, outfielder, closer, third baseman
Projected Lineup
Order | Player | Pos | Age |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tim Beckham | 2B | 28 |
2 | DJ Stewart | RF | 24 |
3 | Jonathan Villar | SS | 27 |
4 | Trey Mancini | LF | 26 |
5 | Mark Trumbo | DH | 32 |
6 | Chris Davis | 1B | 32 |
7 | Renato Nunez | 3B | 24 |
8 | Austin Wynns | C | 27 |
9 | Cedric Mullins | CF | 24 |
Projected Rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Dylan Bundy | R | 26 |
2 | Alex Cobb | R | 31 |
3 | Andrew Cashner | R | 32 |
4 | David Hess | R | 25 |
5 | Josh Rogers | L | 24 |
Following one of the worst seasons in baseball history, the Orioles are expected to lose stalwart Adam Jones in free agency as they shift into a rebuild. The team could use an affordable closer or setup man, depending on its plans for Mychal Givens. A reunion with Brad Brach could fill the need and give Baltimore a trade chip in July.
Boston Red Sox
2018 Record: 108-54 (1st in division)
Projected 2019 payroll: $222M
Key free agents: Craig Kimbrel, Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Kelly, Ian Kinsler, Drew Pomeranz
Needs: Closer, starting pitcher
Projected Lineup
Order | Player | Pos | Age |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mookie Betts | RF | 26 |
2 | Andrew Benintendi | LF | 24 |
3 | J.D. Martinez | DH | 31 |
4 | Xander Bogaerts | SS | 26 |
5 | Mitch Moreland | 1B | 33 |
6 | Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 35 |
7 | Rafael Devers | 3B | 22 |
8 | Christian Vazquez | C | 28 |
9 | Jackie Bradley Jr. | CF | 28 |
Projected Rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Chris Sale | L | 29 |
2 | David Price | L | 33 |
3 | Rick Porcello | R | 29 |
4 | Eduardo Rodriguez | L | 25 |
5 | Brian Johnson | L | 27 |
Re-signing Craig Kimbrel and Nathan Eovaldi would be wise decisions that fill two of the team's needs, but neither will come cheap. Otherwise, the return of reliever Andrew Miller would be a solid backup plan. The Red Sox should also look at a free-agent second baseman like DJ LeMahieu based on Dustin Pedroia's unpredictable health.
New York Yankees
2018 Record: 100-62 (2nd in division)
Projected 2019 payroll: $156.2M
Key free agents: Zach Britton, J.A. Happ, Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson, Lance Lynn, Neil Walker, Adeiny Hechavarria
Needs: Second baseman or shortstop, first baseman, starting pitcher
Projected Lineup
Order | Player | Pos | Age |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Brett Gardner | LF | 35 |
2 | Aaron Judge | RF | 26 |
3 | Aaron Hicks | CF | 29 |
4 | Giancarlo Stanton | DH | 29 |
5 | Gary Sanchez | C | 25 |
6 | Miguel Andujar | 3B | 23 |
7 | Gleyber Torres | SS | 21 |
8 | Luke Voit | 1B | 27 |
9 | Tyler Wade | 2B | 24 |
Projected Rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Masahiro Tanaka | R | 30 |
2 | Luis Severino | R | 24 |
3 | CC Sabathia | L | 38 |
4 | Sonny Gray | R | 29 |
5 | Domingo German | R | 26 |
With Didi Gregorius set to miss half the season, the Yankees need a shortstop (or a second baseman if they shift Gleyber Torres over to fill in). They could go after Manny Machado if the price is right, but GM Brian Cashman insists he's seeking pitching. Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, and James Paxton have all been linked to the Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays
2018 Record: 90-72 (3rd in division)
Projected 2019 payroll: $36.1M
Key free agents: Carlos Gomez, Sergio Romo
Needs: Designated hitter, closer
Projected Lineup
Order | Player | Pos | Age |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Kevin Kiermaier | CF | 28 |
2 | Tommy Pham | LF | 30 |
3 | Joey Wendle | 2B | 28 |
4 | C.J. Cron | 1B | 28 |
5 | Ji-Man Choi | DH | 27 |
6 | Willy Adames | SS | 23 |
7 | Austin Meadows | RF | 23 |
8 | Mike Zunino | C | 27 |
9 | Matt Duffy | 3B | 27 |
Projected Rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Blake Snell | L | 25 |
2 | Tyler Glasnow | R | 25 |
3 | Ryan Yarbrough | L | 26 |
4 | Yonny Chirinos | R | 24 |
5 | Jalen Beeks | L | 25 |
The Rays addressed their need for a starting catcher by acquiring Mike Zunino, but could still use a DH. With very few dollars committed to their 2019 roster, that could mean taking a run at a premier player like Nelson Cruz or Josh Donaldson. Tampa's reportedly interested in Cruz, while Donaldson, who was born in Florida and is familiar with the AL East, might be looking for a short-term deal to rebuild his value.
Toronto Blue Jays
2018 Record: 73-89 (4th in division)
Projected 2019 payroll: $108.4M
Key free agents: Marco Estrada, Tyler Clippard
Needs: Starting pitcher, relief pitcher, outfielder
Projected Lineup
Order | Player | Pos | Age |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Billy McKinney | LF | 24 |
2 | Randal Grichuk | RF | 27 |
3 | Justin Smoak | 1B | 31 |
4 | Kendrys Morales | DH | 35 |
5 | Troy Tulowitzki | SS | 34 |
6 | Danny Jansen | C | 23 |
7 | Kevin Pillar | CF | 29 |
8 | Aledmys Diaz | 3B | 28 |
9 | Devon Travis | 2B | 27 |
Projected Rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Marcus Stroman | R | 27 |
2 | Aaron Sanchez | R | 26 |
3 | Ryan Borucki | L | 24 |
4 | Sean Reid-Foley | R | 23 |
5 | Thomas Pannone | L | 24 |
The Blue Jays are a mix of young and old, as they'll begin their rebuild while playing out the expiring (and expensive) contracts of veteran players. Their best course of action in free agency would be acquiring affordable bullpen help who could be flipped to another team at the trade deadline. Ryan Madson, Sergio Romo, Shawn Kelley, and Joakim Soria are options who come to mind.