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Every AL team's needs heading into the winter meetings

Alex Trautwig / Major League Baseball / Getty

Major League Baseball's winter meetings open Monday in San Diego as executives and agents from around the league gather to do business.

In order to get you ready for what's expected to be a busy four days, below are salary breakdowns and roster needs for each American League team. Guaranteed salaries are based on the average annual value of each contract, according to luxury-tax calculations, while arbitration projections are provided by MLB Trade Rumors. The 2020 luxury-tax threshold is set at $208 million.

Baltimore Orioles

Guaranteed salaries: $37.16M
Arbitration eligible: $25M
0-3 year players: $14M
Dead money: $0
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $81.86M

Team needs: Everything

The Orioles could use an upgrade at almost every position around the diamond, but that won't happen this winter. Taking advantage of a deep pool of free-agent infielders should be the first step before shifting focus to veteran pitchers looking for an opportunity to rebuild their value. Few players left on Baltimore's roster are capable of bringing back much of a return, so the Orioles will have to hope they get solid contributions from free-agent signees and can flip them later on for future assets.

Boston Red Sox

Guaranteed salaries: $139M
Arbitration eligible: $61.1M
0-3 year players: $5.175M
Dead money: $0
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $220.27M

Team needs: Backup C, 2B, 1B, No. 5 SP

Chaim Bloom inherited an incredibly talented core, though it came with an enormous payroll and little depth. Boston's new chief baseball officer is tasked with trying to fill out a roster without spending much money; luckily, he has plenty of experience doing just that with the Rays. Starting pitching should be the priority, especially at the back end of the rotation where the Red Sox struggled mightily in 2019. It'll be important to find a replacement for Mitch Moreland at first base and a suitable backup catcher behind Christian Vazquez, as well as determine who will play second base. And that doesn't even begin to cover the issue of Mookie Betts' future.

Chicago White Sox

Guaranteed salaries: $60.45M
Arbitration eligible: $20.1M
0-3 year players: $12.96M
Dead money: $1M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $109.5M

Team needs: SP, RF, RP, 2B

Though the White Sox have already spent significant money this offseason, they'll need to do more if they want to challenge for a playoff spot for the first time since 2008. Dropping $123 million on Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal was a bit of an overpay, but the team has plenty of payroll flexibility and those two should be key contributors. The club would benefit from another power bat that can play the corner outfield, as well as a top-tier starter to slot alongside Lucas Giolito. As the Twins and Indians both appear to be taking a step back, now is the time to start complementing Chicago's exceptional nucleus of young players with veteran free agents.

Cleveland Indians

Guaranteed salaries: $66.38M
Arbitration eligible: $24.3M
0-3 year players: $11.8M
Dead money: $0
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $117.48M

Team needs: 2B/3B, Corner OF, RP

Cleveland needs to make decisions about Corey Kluber's and Francisco Lindor's futures in the organization before addressing the rest of the roster. The team has the starting-pitching depth to move on from Kluber and can use the return or the salary savings elsewhere. Cleveland needs to replace Jason Kipnis at second base (or third base, depending on where Jose Ramirez plays) while trying to figure out who will supply consistent production from the corner outfield positions, which seems to be a recurring issue.

Detroit Tigers

Guaranteed salaries: $53M
Arbitration eligible: $14.6M
0-3 year players: $14.6M
Dead money: $6M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $103.2M

Team needs: Everything

Miguel Cabrera, Jordan Zimmermann, and Prince Fielder, who was forced to retire in 2016, make up roughly half of the Tigers' payroll in 2020. That tells you all you need to know about the state of the franchise. Much like the rest of baseball's bottom feeders, Detroit could use help everywhere. Expect the front office to be busy browsing the surplus of veteran players on short-term deals, while also leaving plenty of room for young players coming up through the system. The 100-loss seasons won't stop anytime soon.

Houston Astros

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Guaranteed salaries: $146.45M
Arbitration eligible: $51.6M
0-3 year players: $12.96M
Dead money: $0
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $226.01M

Team needs: SP, RP, C

The Astros' core has finally gotten expensive, and that will force the front office to get creative. Adding Zack Greinke at the deadline all but assured Gerrit Cole's time in Houston is over. Adding another top-of-the-rotation arm is a must, even with Lance McCullers Jr. returning from Tommy John surgery. Martin Maldonado and Robinson Chirinos are both free agents, so acquiring catching help is another priority. The club was already able to shed Jake Marisnick in order to clear out a little payroll and a spot for Kyle Tucker.

Kansas City Royals

Guaranteed salaries: $44.6M
Arbitration eligible: $0
0-3 year players: $15.2M
Dead money: $5M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $79.8M

Team needs: RP, SP, OF

Despite new ownership, don't expect a sudden influx of cash for a team coming off back-to-back 100-plus-loss seasons. Like the other rebuilding clubs, the Royals need help in almost every area. The organization should be encouraged by last season's strong performances from Jorge Soler, Hunter Dozier, and Whit Merrifield, though the front office would arguably be better off selling high on the latter. Expect plenty of bargain hunting on short-term deals.

Los Angeles Angels

Guaranteed salaries: $101.6M
Arbitration eligible: $25.1M
0-3 year players: $11.27M
Dead money: $1M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $153.9M

Team needs: SP, RP, C

How much longer can the Angels waste Mike Trout? The question has been asked consistently throughout the franchise's playoff drought, which reached a fifth consecutive season in 2019. Even with the best player in baseball, the club will continue to flounder unless it builds a much better rotation. Shohei Ohtani's return will help, but the team needs a legitimate ace like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, plus another arm. Upgrades to the outfield, first base/DH, behind the plate, and the bullpen are also necessary. The Angels have done a poor job of developing players and must try to improve through free agency.

Minnesota Twins

Guaranteed salaries: $64.3M
Arbitration eligible: $31.2M
0-3 year players: $8.4M
Dead money: $0.5M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $119.4M

Team needs: SP, RP

The Twins brought back Jake Odorizzi on a one-year deal and reportedly inked Michael Pineda to a two-year pact, helping mitigate losses after starting pitchers Kyle Gibson and Martin Perez became free agents. It's unlikely they'll be players for Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, and Zack Wheeler is off the board, so the focus should be on the second tier of veteran starters like Madison Bumgarner, Dallas Keuchel, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Luckily, last season's homer-crushing offense is mostly intact, so the front office can dedicate its resources to pitching.

New York Yankees

Guaranteed salaries: $132.6M
Arbitration eligible: $34.6M
0-3 year players: $8.45M
Dead money: $26.2M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $216.85M

Team needs: SP

Enough messing around. It's time the Yankees go back to being the Evil Empire and use their financial muscle to outbid everyone for the ace they need. If spring comes and Brian Cashman hasn't signed either Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, the offseason should be considered a failure. The Yankees haven't won a World Series since 2009, and with a roster and payroll committed to winning now, it's championship or bust.

Oakland Athletics

Guaranteed salaries: $47.8M
Arbitration eligible: $39.3M
0-3 year players: $11.8M
Dead money: $0.5M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $114.4M

Team needs: 2B, SP, RP

The A's continue to be competitive despite their relative frugality. After non-tendering former closer Blake Treinen, they could use reinforcements at the back end of the bullpen to serve as a bridge to Liam Hendriks. Infielder Franklin Barreto has struggled and Sheldon Neuse underwhelmed during his first cup of coffee at the major-league level. Unfortunately, the middle-infield market is pretty thin, and splurging for Didi Gregorius seems unlikely. If Oakland makes a big move, it will likely be a savvy trade, not handing out a pricey contract.

Seattle Mariners

Guaranteed salaries: $44.3M
Arbitration eligible: $6.6M
0-3 year players: $12.4M
Dead money: $25.8M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $104.1M

Team needs: A little bit of everything

That's a lot of dead money. Seattle is giving other teams more than $25 million to pay players to not play for the Mariners. Don't expect Jerry Dipoto to make a big free-agent splash. The order of the day will be to trade veterans like Kyle Seager and Dee Gordon, if possible, to help expedite a rebuild. If the returns are too paltry, it wouldn't be shocking if the team also dangled All-Star outfielder Mitch Haniger. Anticipate any signings to be smaller in scale in hopes of finding cheap lightning in a bottle.

Tampa Bay Rays

Guaranteed salaries: $42.4M
Arbitration eligible: $9.7M
0-3 year players: $14M
Dead money: $2.1M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $83.2M

Team needs: SP, impact bat

The historically small-market Rays surprised the baseball world when they invested in Charlie Morton on a multi-year deal last offseason. Will they make a similarly aggressive move heading into 2020? The Rays proved that they could hang with the big spenders thanks to an excellent farm system that's bearing fruit at the right time, expediting what may have once looked like a lengthy impending rebuild. Morton won't be around long term - he has a vesting option for 2021 - so adding to the young (i.e. affordable) pitching staff now is paramount. Getting a potent bat without breaking the bank is another priority. At 36, Edwin Encarnacion seems like a logical fit.

Texas Rangers

Guaranteed salaries: $82.8M
Arbitration eligible: $17.5M
0-3 year players: $10.7M
Dead money: $11M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $137M

Team needs: SP, 3B

Despite strong - and frankly, unexpected - seasons from Lance Lynn and Mike Minor, the Rangers don't quite look like a contender. Adding Kyle Gibson may work out, but it's not an earth-shattering signing. With money to spend and a new stadium about to open, it's time to actually replace Adrian Beltre at the hot corner. Few teams got less production at third base than the Rangers did in 2019, their first season without Beltre - a combined 25 homers with a .372 slugging percentage. If fixing that means backing a truck full of money into Anthony Rendon's driveway, so be it. That's a long-term solution that will pay dividends when the team is ready to compete again.

Toronto Blue Jays

Guaranteed salaries: $23.5M
Arbitration eligible: $14.7M
0-3 year players: $14.65M
Dead money: $15.2M
Estimated benefits: $15M
Total: $83.05M

Team needs: SP, RP, OF, 1B/DH

To take the next step, the Blue Jays need to spend on pitching. Their core of position players has arrived and is at its cheapest. Toronto had one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball last season, and the current crop is made up of back-end arms. Much like the Cubs did by landing Jon Lester, the Blue Jays' front office needs to signal to the current roster and fan base that it's preparing to contend. Signing one of the top starters on the market is an effective way to do that. An abysmal outfield needs to be addressed as well, preferably by adding someone who can catch the ball - an area where the Blue Jays struggled in 2019. And the lineup is also in severe need of a veteran bat that can slide into the middle of the order. The pieces are out there if Toronto is willing to pay.

Salary projections courtesy Cot's Baseball. Figures are approximate and subject to change depending on arbitration.

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