NL West team needs heading into winter meetings
Welcome to theScore's MLB offseason team needs, where we'll break down every club's roster and key departures, along with how holes could be filled in free agency ahead of the winter meetings (Dec. 4-7).
AL EAST I NL EAST I AL CENTRAL I NL CENTRAL I AL WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 record: 74-88 (4th in NL West)
Projected 40-man payroll: $99M
Key departures: Zach Davies, Ian Kennedy, Jordan Luplow, Caleb Smith
Needs: Catcher, designated hitter, starting pitcher
Where the lineup stands
| ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daulton Varsho (L) | CF | 4.6 |
| 2 | Ketel Marte (S) | 2B | 1.4 |
| 3 | Jake McCarthy (L) | RF | 2.3 |
| 4 | Christian Walker | 1B | 4.1 |
| 5 | Josh Rojas (L) | 3B | 2.7 |
| 6 | Corbin Carroll (L) | LF | 1.4 |
| 7 | Carson Kelly | C | 0.4 |
| 8 | Pavin Smith (L) | DH | 0.1 |
| 9 | Nick Ahmed | SS | 0.4 |
Kyle Lewis' addition isn't reflected in the lineup, but it likely will be by Opening Day. The Diamondbacks are experiencing a bit of a logjam in the outfield and will likely deal at least one of them. Varsho - a unique utility man capable of playing behind the dish - seems likeliest to be moved, freeing up a full-time spot for promising youngster Alek Thomas. They're not particularly close to contention, but the incoming prospects should provide plenty of excitement.
How the rotation looks
| ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Gallen | R | 4.3 |
| 2 | Merrill Kelly | R | 3.3 |
| 3 | Madison Bumgarner | L | 0.5 |
| 4 | Ryne Nelson | R | 0.3 |
| 5 | Drey Jameson | R | 0.5 |
The top trio makes up a decent starting rotation, and Gallen is perhaps the most underrated ace in the game right now. However, beyond Kelly and Bumgarner - both serviceable mid-rotation arms - the D-Backs lack depth. Nelson, Jameson, and Tyler Gilbert can get you through a 162-game campaign but won't provide anything above that. Perhaps Tommy Henry, Brandon Pfaadt, Blake Walston, or Slade Cecconi can step up soon.
Colorado Rockies
2022 record: 68-94 (5th)
Projected 40-man payroll: $178M
Key departures: Alex Colome, Carlos Estevez, Garrett Hampson, Jose Iglesias, Chad Kuhl, Scott Oberg
Needs: Shortstop, catcher, starting pitching, relief pitching, outfield
Where the lineup stands
| ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yonathan Daza | CF | 0.7 |
| 2 | Kris Bryant | LF | 0.6 |
| 3 | Ryan McMahon (L) | 3B | 3.1 |
| 4 | C.J. Cron | 1B | 1.3 |
| 5 | Charlie Blackmon (L) | DH | 0.1 |
| 6 | Brendan Rodgers | 2B | 1.7 |
| 7 | Randal Grichuk | RF | -0.2 |
| 8 | Elias Diaz | C | -1.4 |
| 9 | Ezequiel Tovar (S) | SS | -0.1 |
There's a lot of work to be done, but the heart of the order, including Bryant, McMahon, and Cron, isn't a terrible start. McMahon leaves something to be desired offensively but more than makes up for it on defense, and Bryant should bounce back from an injury-riddled debut season in Colorado. The Rockies will probably only make minor adjustments before the opener, but Blackmon's decline has made it much less tenable for him to occupy the DH spot, and that could change quickly into the campaign. Nolan Jones - a prospect acquired from the Guardians - is an interesting wild card to pay attention to, as he could slot in at numerous positions.
How the rotation looks
| ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German Marquez | R | 1.4 |
| 2 | Kyle Freeland | L | 2.6 |
| 3 | Jose Urena | R | 0.9 |
| 4 | Ryan Feltner | R | 0.6 |
| 5 | Austin Gomber | L | 0.9 |
The Rockies could stand pat here, rolling with a perfectly serviceable, if uninspired, rotation. Marquez and Freeland are as good of starters as Colorado has ever recruited. Urena, Feltner, and Gomber fill it out, and Anthony Senzatela or Ryan Rolison could also make an impact. Improving the starting staff would certainly be welcome after paying Bryant last winter, but it wouldn't be surprising if this was pretty close to the Opening Day staff.
Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 record: 111-51 (1st)
Projected 40-man payroll: $167M
Key departures: Tyler Anderson, Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo, Andrew Heaney, Tommy Kahnle, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Martin, Kevin Pillar, David Price, Edwin Rios, Justin Turner, Trea Turner
Needs: Starting pitching, shortstop
Where the lineup stands
| ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mookie Betts | RF | 6.6 |
| 2 | Freddie Freeman (L) | 1B | 7.1 |
| 3 | Will Smith | C | 3.9 |
| 4 | Max Muncy (L) | DH | 2.4 |
| 5 | Trayce Thompson | CF | 2.8 |
| 6 | Gavin Lux (L) | SS | 3.0 |
| 7 | Chris Taylor | 2B | 1.9 |
| 8 | Miguel Vargas | 3B | -0.5 |
| 9 | James Outman (L) | LF | 0.5 |
The lineup looks a lot different than at the end of this past season, but it'll likely change again drastically by the time Opening Day rolls around. Thompson proved to be an impact player, but he's likely better suited for a platoon role, while Vargas and Outman probably won't be starters either. Despite having a lot on the books, the Dodgers also have substantial spending power remaining and roughly $65 million to shell out before hitting the first tax level. Expect L.A. to fill the sizeable holes left by Trea Turner, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger with the splashy moves we've come to expect from this front office.
How the rotation looks
| ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton Kershaw | L | 3.8 |
| 2 | Julio Urias | L | 3.2 |
| 3 | Tony Gonsolin | R | 2.7 |
| 4 | Dustin May | R | 0.3 |
| 5 | Ryan Pepiot | R | -0.1 |
The Dodgers haven't yet decided whether Pepiot or the newly recruited Shelby Miller will occupy that fifth rotation spot, but they are already addressing their lack of options after losing Tyler Anderson to free agency, which is smart business. Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, and May are about as good a top four that any team can boast when healthy. Making sure they have the depth to make it through 162 games and play deep into October is the goal once again.
San Diego Padres
2022 record: 89-73 (2nd)
Projected 40-man payroll: $230M
Key departures: Jorge Alfaro, Josh Bell, Mike Clevinger, Brandon Drury, Pierce Johnson, Sean Manaea, Wil Myers, Craig Stammen
Needs: First baseman, starting pitching, outfield
Where the lineup stands
| ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ha-Seong Kim | SS | 3.7 |
| 2 | Juan Soto (L) | RF | 3.8 |
| 3 | Manny Machado | 3B | 7.4 |
| 4 | Jake Cronenworth (L) | 1B | 4.2 |
| 5 | Austin Nola | C | 0.2 |
| 6 | Trent Grisham (L) | CF | 2.1 |
| 7 | Eguy Rosario | 2B | 0.0 |
| 8 | Taylor Kohlwey (L) | DH | Rookie |
| 9 | Jose Azocar | LF | 0.5 |
While the roster seems to lack some depth in the bottom third, it'll be a different story when Fernando Tatis Jr. returns from his suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. Do the Padres plan for this by trading either Kim or Cronenworth during the winter? Or do they keep all three middle infielders and shift Tatis full-time to the outfield? There are a lot of permutations for the Friars to work through, but adding a slugging first baseman and/or designated hitter should be the first order of business. Alternatively, keeping that DH spot open to give Soto and Tatis regular off days might be clever. Either way, replacing Bell should be top of mind.
How the rotation looks
| ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yu Darvish | R | 4.2 |
| 2 | Blake Snell | L | 3.7 |
| 3 | Joe Musgrove | R | 3.5 |
| 4 | Nick Martinez | R | 0.5 |
| 5 | Adrian Morejon | L | 0.2 |
One year removed from boasting what was deemed the best starting rotation in baseball, the Padres are rocking a fresh starting five - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Clevinger and Sean Manaea didn't have an especially positive impact with their new clubs, and the former has already landed a new deal with the White Sox. San Diego could probably still add a starter to push Morejon into more of a swingman role, but Darvish, Snell, and Musgrove will be the trio of aces the team will rely upon in any order.
San Francisco Giants
2022 record: 81-81 (3rd)
Projected 40-man payroll: $137M
Key departures: Jose Alvarez, Brandon Belt, Evan Longoria, Carlos Rodon, Shelby Miller
Needs: First baseman, second baseman, outfield, starting pitching, relief pitching
Where the lineup stands
| ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LaMonte Wade Jr. (L) | LF | 0.2 |
| 2 | Thairo Estrada | 2B | 2.7 |
| 3 | Joc Pederson (L) | DH | 2.1 |
| 4 | J.D. Davis | 1B | 1.0 |
| 5 | Mike Yastrzemski (L) | CF | 2.2 |
| 6 | Wilmer Flores | 3B | 1.4 |
| 7 | Brandon Crawford (L) | SS | 2.0 |
| 8 | Joey Bart | C | 0.6 |
| 9 | Luis Gonzalez (L) | RF | 0.3 |
Giants fans have been waiting for Farhan Zaidi to make a splashy move since taking over as president of baseball operations in 2018. Bringing back Pederson was a solid way to begin the winter, but Aaron Judge seems to be the real target and would likely dictate what San Francisco's front office does for the remainder of the offseason. If they miss out on Judge, this lineup could be what to expect on Opening Day. But if they land Judge, do the Giants also move Crawford - owed $16 million - to more of a bench role in the final year of his deal and go after one of the top free-agent shortstops? Do they move Bart to a more part-time role and chase one of the top catchers on the trade market, such as Sean Murphy or Alejandro Kirk? The Giants are the wild cards of the league, and it all seems to ride on whether they pony up for Judge.
How the rotation looks
| ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logan Webb | R | 4.2 |
| 2 | Alex Cobb | R | 3.7 |
| 3 | Alex Wood | L | 1.7 |
| 4 | Anthony DeSclafani | R | 0.0 |
| 5 | Jakob Junis | R | 1.3 |
If San Francisco does hope to contend, the rotation is not without its issues, and Rodon's departure certainly stings. However, there's no reason the club can't reinvest the money it expected to pay the free-agent left-hander ($22.5 million) into recruiting one of the big names, such as Jacob deGrom or Justin Verlander. Maybe an innings eater like Chris Bassitt - with whom Zaidi would be familiar thanks to their shared tenure with the Oakland Athletics - makes more sense as a complementary addition alongside Webb, Cobb, Wood, and DeSclafani. Regardless, adding a proven ace after Webb's slight regression could be transformative.