MLB Power Rankings: Where each team stands heading into offseason
Welcome to the first edition of theScore's MLB Power Rankings for the offseason. We rank each team on where they sit heading into the winter.
1. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta remains the most complete team heading into the offseason. The Braves return the core of their 104-win club with the biggest pieces - Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Sean Murphy - all signed through at least 2028. Alex Anthopoulos said payroll is set to increase, so look for him to add starting pitching help and beef up the bench depth.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia moves into the winter with its loaded lineup intact, allowing Dave Dombrowski to focus on the pitching staff. It's up in the air whether Aaron Nola returns or if the front office pivots to another starter. The Phillies need to add a front-of-the-rotation arm, especially with Zack Wheeler a year away from free agency. Bryce Harper's transition to first base is expected to force out Rhys Hoskins, freeing up some additional money Philadelphia could use on the bullpen.
3. Houston Astros
The Astros have some questions to answer this offseason. Now that they've found their replacement for Dusty Baker in Joe Espada, the attention turns to the roster. Houston will need to add some relief help and have to consider if it will bring back Michael Brantley. The offense remains strong but could always use at least one more addition. Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman have only one year remaining before free agency. Will the Astros find a way to keep both and extend their window?
4. Texas Rangers
Texas will return most of the core roster that won the franchise's first World Series. Rangers general manager Chris Young will have to decide how to proceed with free-agent lefty Jordan Montgomery, a crucial piece of the puzzle this past October. The club could slot Dane Dunning into the rotation if Montgomery departs, but depth could be an issue.
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles were the 2023 darlings of MLB, claiming the AL East for the first time since 2014 with 101 wins. Baltimore's stable of homegrown talent continues to emerge with a host of prospects in the system ready to make an impact. The time seems right for MLB Executive of the Year Mike Elias to go out and make a splash by trade, free agency, or both to take the next step toward World Series contention.
6. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays could enter into uncharted territory in terms of payroll commitments. Tyler Glasnow's $25-million price tag might make him a trade candidate if Tampa is looking to cut payroll to some extent or spread that money around the roster. The Rays will also seek some clarity on Wander Franco's status and how that might pertain to roster construction and financial planning.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers
With an eye on this offseason and pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, it feels like the Dodgers have been tailoring everything over the past few years. Los Angeles is a strong contender to sign the two-way star but must also address a rotation that fell apart in the postseason. Clayton Kershaw won't be an option until the second half of 2024, at the earliest, if they re-sign him. And the Dodgers need to replace several offensive pieces in J.D. Martinez, David Peralta, and Jason Heyward.
8. Toronto Blue Jays
It's a critical offseason in Toronto. The Blue Jays have a number of areas to address and need to replace a handful of key veteran contributors who are likely to depart, including Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, and Whit Merrifield. General manager Ross Atkins must find a way to add an impact bat to help boost a lineup that struggled to consistently score and hit home runs.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are coming off a surprise run to the World Series after an 84-win regular season. With a solid young core of players and more set to arrive soon, expect the front office to continue to build out the roster. Arizona should prioritize adding a corner outfielder and third baseman, while the rotation could use at least one addition. This club bottomed out in 2021 with 110 losses. It's time to really invest in the roster.
10. Seattle Mariners
Seattle was one of the more disappointing teams this year, failing to reach the playoffs after an encouraging 2022 season. Expect Jerry Dipoto to be active again - the man loves a trade - in search of more offense. The Mariners spoiled a great performance from their pitching staff by finishing 12th in runs and 16th in OPS. With Teoscar Hernández hitting free agency, Seattle needs at least one more power bat.
11. Milwaukee Brewers
The first order of business in Milwaukee is finding a new manager after Craig Counsell's shocking departure to the division rival Cubs. Seeing someone else perched on the top step of the Brewers dugout after Counsell's long and successful run will be strange. With just one year of club control remaining, this could be the best chance for the club to maximize a return on Corbin Burnes if re-signing him seems unlikely. Does Milwaukee blow things up or try to keep building with this core?
12. Minnesota Twins
The Twins have several key free agents, including Cy Young finalist Sonny Gray. It'll be interesting to see what ownership approves regarding payroll commitments. One of the big questions heading into 2024 is whether Byron Buxton's troublesome knee will enable him to play center field. If it doesn't, that'll alter what Derek Falvey and Thad Levine need to do to address the position.
13. New York Yankees
The Yankees enter the offseason in a bit of an identity crisis. Despite missing the postseason for the first time in seven seasons, New York brought back Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman. However, the team has vowed to look under the hood and think differently. That said, recent press conferences from Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman make it sound like more of the same is coming. The Yankees need to address their pitching and have to get more athletic. With Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge in their primes and the club coming off an embarrassing season, there's no excuse for New York not to be aggressive.
14. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are throwing new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow into the fire. Boston is expected to be aggressive this winter following back-to-back last-place seasons. The club will primarily focus on the mound after their starters ranked 22nd in ERA and 27th in innings pitched. Breslow could have money to spend but might start dealing from a much-improved farm system. Boston also needs to add some right-handed bats.
15. San Diego Padres
No team will be under the microscope more this offseason than the Padres. Coming off an incredibly disappointing campaign, San Diego has a number of key departures, including Blake Snell and Josh Hader. The team must also figure out what to do with Juan Soto, as he's a year away from free agency. The team is reportedly looking to cut significant salary but also want to remain competitive. If the front office can't agree to an extension with Soto, trading the star outfielder makes a lot of sense. Not only would the Padres clear out salary - Soto is projected to earn $33 million in 2024 - but they could bring in pieces to build up the depth the team lacked a season ago.
16. New York Mets
It's hard to pinpoint how the Mets will approach the first offseason with new president of baseball operations David Stearns in control. New York is expected to contend for Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The starting rotation should be Stearns' biggest area of importance to address. New York will pay Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander close to $60 million in 2024 to pitch for someone else.
17. Miami Marlins
The Marlins are hoping the arrival of president of baseball operations Peter Bendix from Tampa Bay will stabilize things after Kim Ng's surprising departure. Bendix should continue to look for ways to improve an offense that finished the regular season 26th in runs scored.
18. Cincinnati Reds
With the Brewers and Cardinals facing uncertain times, the path to NL Central contention appears wide open for the ascending Reds. Cincinnati is loaded with homegrown players on the position side of things, but the team's rotation lacks to an extent. The Reds will look to Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo to take another step forward in 2024. However, executive Nick Krall should look to bring in at least one impact starting pitcher this offseason.
19. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs' offseason revolves around the dilemma surrounding Cody Bellinger. The 2019 NL MVP enjoyed a renaissance season in Chicago while playing on a one-year contract. Bellinger is one of the most interesting free agents on the market, as teams will have to navigate how much stock to put into his 2023 performance against his struggles over the previous three campaigns. The Cubs are rumored to have money to spend and plan to be aggressive this winter.
20. San Francisco Giants
Is this finally the offseason the Giants land the star free agent they've coveted for years? After striking out on some big fish, expect San Francisco to make a hard run at Ohtani. New manager Bob Melvin will likely want several offensive upgrades to a club that ranked 19th in homers and 24th in runs scored last season. Is top prospect Marco Luciano ready to take over at shortstop for Brandon Crawford?
21. St. Louis Cardinals
It's all about pitching for the Cardinals this winter following an embarrassing season. After the rotation posted the fifth-worst ERA in the majors, John Mozeliak will be shopping for multiple starting pitchers. Expect St. Louis to add arms in free agency and trades, dealing from a surplus of position players.
22. Cleveland Guardians
Much like the Brewers, baseball fans in Cleveland will have to get used to seeing someone other than Terry Francona in the dugout for the first time since 2012. Ace Shane Bieber has one year left before free agency, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Guardians tested the waters to see what he might fetch in a trade. Cleveland can afford to move Bieber with Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen ready to pick up the slack.
23. Los Angeles Angels
Where do the Angels go from here? Ohtani likely isn't returning, and the front office needs to think of which direction it wants to take. Does the team continue to frivolously spend on veteran free agents to try and build around Mike Trout, or does it shop the future Hall of Famer this winter and try to rebuild? Some young, intriguing pieces are on the roster, but this club is so far away from resembling a contender.
24. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers' most significant offseason move was poaching former White Sox television broadcaster Jason Benetti to call games. While that's certainly a great move off the field, Detroit needs to get things going in a positive direction on it. Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Kerry Carpenter are an intriguing trio, but the Tigers will only take meaningful steps forward if the starting rotation improves. Replacing Eduardo Rodriguez is a necessity. Adding Mark Canha from the Brewers shows that the team plans to be competitive.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates took a meaningful step forward in 2023, posting a respectable 76-win season. There's a lot to like in the lineup with Bryan Reynolds' extension and a slew of talented homegrown players. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington needs to decide what right-hander Mitch Keller's future is with only two years of club control remaining.
26. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have seen former stalwarts Tim Anderson and José Abreu depart over the past two years. It appears the club is turning the reigns at shortstop over to talented prospect Colson Montgomery. White Sox general manager Chris Getz should prioritize improving the starting rotation in his first offseason in charge, but he's already said no player is untouchable.
27. Washington Nationals
The Nationals can see the stars aligning for the next era of baseball in Washington. C.J. Abrams, Lane Thomas, and Keibert Ruiz are on the position player side, while Josiah Gray and Mackenzie Gore are in the rotation. With Dylan Crews, James Wood, and Brady House waiting in the wings, things are looking up for the Nationals after a rough stretch since winning the 2019 World Series.
28. Kansas City Royals
After a breakout sophomore season, the Royals should do everything possible to sign shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to a long-term contract extension. Kansas City needs more in the rotation beyond 2023 breakout star Cole Ragans. Developing pitchers has been an issue for the team for several years, and it might need to overpay in trade or free agency to bring in the type of impact it needs.
29. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are always a candidate to surprise in the offseason. They shocked the baseball world in 2022 by giving Kris Bryant a seven-year, $182-million contract. Colorado should look to surround Ezequiel Tovar and Nolan Jones with more talent in the lineup.
30. Oakland Athletics
The Athletics have dealt most of their marquee players over the past few years. It's hard to imagine Oakland doing much this offseason outside of signing a few veteran stopgaps to plug holes across the roster. Hopefully, there's a resolution on where the team will be playing moving forward.