Every NL team's biggest remaining needs
There are still plenty of impact free agents looking for homes before spring training kicks off in about a month. Some teams are putting the final touches on rosters, while there's lots of work for other clubs to do before the 2021 campaign.
Let's look at what each National League team should focus on before camps open:
*Feature was published before the Rockies reportedly traded Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks
2021 40-man payroll: $103M
Space under luxury tax: $107M
Highest-paid player: Madison Bumgarner ($19M)
Dead money: $10.3M (Zack Greinke)
Team needs: Outfielder, closer
Potential targets: Jackie Bradley Jr., Kevin Pillar, Alex Colome, Mark Melancon
The Diamondbacks' offseason has been very mellow after landing Bumgarner and Starling Marte last winter, which doesn't bode well for a team looking to compete with the Padres and Dodgers in the NL West. Arizona didn't get much from rookie Daulton Varsho in 2020. The 24-year-old is projected to start in center field, but he slashed .188/.287/.366 with three homers over 37 games. The club's bullpen is also young and inexperienced. Closer Stefan Crichton owns five career saves in 62 appearances over three campaigns.
Atlanta Braves
2021 40-man payroll: $138.1M
Space under luxury tax: $71.9M
Highest-paid player: Freddie Freeman ($22.3M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Outfielder, third baseman
Potential targets: Marcell Ozuna, Eddie Rosario, Justin Turner, Renato Nunez
The Braves have watched the rival Mets improve significantly this offseason. Meanwhile, Atlanta added Charlie Morton to its rotation in November, but the team still hasn't addressed the offensive hole left after Ozuna's departure as a free agent. Austin Riley is projected to start at third, but he owns a .736 OPS over 131 games, and an upgrade would help the Braves survive the league's toughest division.
Chicago Cubs
2021 40-man payroll: $137.2M
Space under luxury tax: $72.8M
Highest-paid player: Jason Heyward ($21M)
Dead money: $3M (Yu Darvish)
Team needs: Starting pitchers, second baseman
Potential targets: James Paxton, Chris Archer, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Rodon, Kolten Wong
Shipping Darvish off to the Padres for prospects left a crater in the Cubs' rotation. Chicago isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot with the foursome of Zach Davies, Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay, and Tyson Miller following No. 1 starter Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs should also pursue an upgrade over David Bote at second. The club could look drastically different come Opening Day, with stars such as Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Willson Contreras on the trade block.
Cincinnati Reds
2021 40-man payroll: $125.6M
Space under luxury tax: $84.4M
Highest-paid player: Joey Votto ($25M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Shortstop, starting pitcher
Potential targets: Didi Gregorius, Brett Anderson, Rick Porcello
The Reds have been linked to Gregorius in free agency while seeking a viable starting shortstop. Jose Garcia, 22, is the best internal option, but the team will likely look elsewhere because winning the NL Central in 2021 is within reach. Cincinnati could also add a veteran hurler to offset the loss of Trevor Bauer.
Colorado Rockies
2021 40-man payroll: $145.1M
Space under luxury tax: $64.9M
Highest-paid player: Nolan Arenado ($35M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Outfielder, first baseman, catcher, reliever
Potential targets: Yasiel Puig, Josh Reddick, Mitch Moreland, Tyler Flowers, Sean Doolittle
Another winter when the Rockies' biggest stars have been mentioned in trade rumors. Arenado holds an opt-out clause following the 2021 campaign, and Trevor Story can hit free agency after this coming season. Colorado's front office has done little to convince its two franchise players to stick around. The club's outfield is lackluster beyond Charlie Blackmon, starting backstop Elias Diaz owns a .655 OPS with 15 homers in 276 career games, and projected first baseman Josh Fuentes has logged just 54 appearances. There are durability questions in the bullpen, too, as 35-year-old closer Daniel Bard recorded 23 outings in 2020 after a six-year hiatus.
Los Angeles Dodgers
2021 40-man payroll: $204.4M
Space under luxury tax: $5.6M
Highest-paid player: Clayton Kershaw ($31M)
Dead money: Kenta Maeda ($500K)
Team needs: Third base
Potential targets: Justin Turner, Renato Nunez
The defending World Series champions boast a loaded lineup, rotation, and bullpen. Los Angeles' only glaring hole is at third, as Edwin Rios would start unless Turner returns. Former top prospect Gavin Lux is waiting in case Chris Taylor regresses at second. However, the latter accrued a .842 OPS over 56 games last season.
Miami Marlins
2021 40-man payroll: $73.6M
Space under luxury tax: $136.4M
Highest-paid player: Starling Marte ($12.5M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Shortstop, second baseman, catcher, reliever
Potential targets: Didi Gregorius, Jonathan Schoop, Trevor Rosenthal, Brandon Workman
The Marlins still need a lot of work despite making the postseason last year for the first time since 2003. Miguel Rojas, Jon Berti, and Jorge Alfaro are fine players, but Miami will be in tough against the Braves, Mets, Phillies, and Nationals without serious improvements. The club's bullpen includes a bunch of guys who aren't household names. The likes of Anthony Bass and Yimi Garcia aren't going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing hitters.
Milwaukee Brewers
2021 40-man payroll: $103M
Space under luxury tax: $107M
Highest-paid player: Lorenzo Cain ($17M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Shortstop, third baseman, first baseman
Potential targets: Didi Gregorius, Renato Nunez, C.J. Cron
The left side of the Brewers' infield is underwhelming. Improving over Orlando Arcia and Luis Urias would go a long way toward helping Milwaukee win a weak division. The duo is still young, but Arcia and Urias haven't shown much in the majors. Starting first baseman Daniel Vogelbach slashed .328/.418/.569 with four homers over 19 games. The 2019 All-Star could be a boom-or-bust hitter for the Brewers, and the team would be wise to put a backup plan in place.
New York Mets
2021 40-man payroll: $182.9M
Space under luxury tax: $27.1M
Highest-paid player: Jacob deGrom ($36M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Starting pitcher
Potential targets: Trevor Bauer, James Paxton, Jake Odorizzi
The Mets have been aggressively trying to improve since deep-pocketed owner Steve Cohen purchased the team. New York upgraded its bullpen, catcher, shortstop, and rotation by acquiring Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann, and Trevor May. Signing Bauer, who New York is reportedly interested in still, would give the Mets one of the league's top rotations, especially after Noah Syndergaard returns from injury this summer.
Philadelphia Phillies
2021 40-man payroll: $170.7M
Space under luxury tax: $39.3M
Highest-paid player: Bryce Harper ($27.5M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Shortstop, outfielder, starting pitcher
Potential targets: Didi Gregorius, Jackie Bradley Jr., James Paxton, Jake Odorizzi, Anibal Sanchez
The Phillies have been busy under new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who brought back star catcher J.T. Realmuto and added Archie Bradley, Jose Alvarado, and Sam Coonrod to shore up a bullpen that was historically bad in 2020. After reaching an agreement with Realmuto, the Phillies can focus on finding a shortstop, center fielder, and starter. Philadelphia has been linked to Gregorius, Bradley Jr., and Anibal Sanchez.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2021 40-man payroll: $58.3M
Space under luxury tax: $151.7M
Highest-paid player: Gregory Polanco ($11.6M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Starting pitchers, relievers, outfielder
Potential targets: Matt Shoemaker, Carlos Rodon, Shane Greene, Tommy Hunter, Jake Marisnick, Nomar Mazara
General manager Ben Cherington's teardown has been in full swing after the Pirates finished 2020 with the league's worst record. Josh Bell, Jameson Taillon, and Joe Musgrove netted 11 prospects, and Pittsburgh might not be done making trades. In the meantime, the Pirates could use rotation help due to a lack of experience. The same goes for center field, where Anthony Alford is projected to start after playing only 51 games in the big leagues.
San Diego Padres
2021 40-man payroll: $172.2M
Space under luxury tax: $37.8M
Highest-paid player: Manny Machado ($34M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Relief pitcher
Potential targets: Trevor Rosenthal, Jake McGee, Sean Doolittle
The Padres look like a juggernaut after an impressive offseason that featured the acquisitions of Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Ha-Seong Kim, Joe Musgrove, and Victor Cartini. San Diego is very deep, but adding another arm could help improve the bullpen after the departure of Kirby Yates, and with Rosenthal potentially leaving too. The latter didn't allow an earned run in 10 outings with the Padres last season, and he's still available on the free-agent market.
San Francisco Giants
2021 40-man payroll: $152.5M
Space under luxury tax: $57.5M
Highest-paid player: Buster Posey ($22.1M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Outfielder, relief pitcher
Potential targets: Jackie Bradley Jr., Eddie Rosario, Trevor Rosenthal, Jeremy Jeffress
The Giants look like a third-place team in the NL West, but they've vastly improved after nearly making the postseason. San Francisco doesn't necessarily need an outfielder, but the team has been looking at Rosario and Bradley as upgrades. A bullpen that was worth minus-0.4 fWAR last season could also use some extra help, especially at the back end, as the Giants don't employ an obvious closer.
St. Louis Cardinals
2021 40-man payroll: $153.6M
Space under luxury tax: $56.4M
Highest-paid player: Paul Goldschmidt ($25.3M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Catcher, infielder
Potential targets: Yadier Molina, Kolten Wong, Brad Miller
The Cardinals have been one of the offseason's most inactive teams, having only signed Adam Wainwright to a one-year deal. St. Louis could benefit from acquiring a replacement for Wong, but the Cardinals also appear to be happy using Tommy Edman at second and Matt Carpenter at third. The Cardinals' main focus this offseason has been trying to convince Yadier Molina to return, though reports of a potential Nolan Arenado trade are certainly interesting.
Washington Nationals
2021 40-man payroll: $193M
Space under luxury tax: $17M
Highest-paid player: Stephen Strasburg ($35M)
Dead money: None
Team needs: Third base
Potential targets: Maikel Franco, Asdrubal Cabrera
There isn't much left for Mike Rizzo to do after an impressive offseason featuring the acquisitions of Josh Bell, Brad Hand, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Avila, and Jon Lester, but third base remains unsettled in Washington. Carter Kieboom struggled in 2020, and he doesn't maintain a firm grip on the position, which led to offseason trade rumors involving the Nationals and the Cubs' Kris Bryant. Rizzo recently poured cold water on that speculation, but perhaps the increase in activity from the Nationals' NL East competitors will reignite talks between the two sides.