With the offseason almost two months old, MLBTR is going through all 30 teams’ remaining needs by division. We’ve already checked in on the NL East, AL West, AL Central, and NL Central. Next up: the National League West.
Arizona Diamondbacks [Offseason Outlook]
The Snakes have overseen quite the busy offseason effort thus far. To an extent, though, the activity to date hints at more to come. If there’s an area that’s fully set, it’s the rotation … unless the organization decides to pull the trigger on a deal sending out pending free agent lefty Robbie Ray. That would be a strategic decision to turn a win-now asset into future value. It’s unlikely but not impossible that a hypothetical return would impact the immediate roster the way last year’s Paul Goldschmidt trade did.
The position-player mix could be settled, too, though it’s also possible to imagine the club adding another piece. In the event that the D-Backs find good value on a center field-capable 4th outfielder or a second/third baseman, they could shuffle the assignments of existing players accordingly. Otherwise, the bullpen unit still feels susceptible of improvement. If the Diamondbacks don’t find other ways of investing their remaining available payroll space, they could pick up one or more of the experienced late-inning arms still waiting around in free agency.
Colorado Rockies [Offseason Outlook]
For some teams, the remaining needs are largely the same as the preexisting needs. The Rox really haven’t done much of anything this winter, picking up well-traveled veteran catcher Drew Butera and taking low-cost shots on pitchers Tyler Kinley and Jose Mujica. Adding better options in those areas remains a priority, albeit a seemingly unfunded one.
If there’s a dramatic move to be made this winter, it’ll happen on the trade side. The Rockies are at least chatting with rivals about Nolan Arenado. No doubt they’re fielding calls on Jon Gray, German Marquez, and Trevor Story as well. And it still seems plausible to imagine Charlie Blackmon being made available as a means of alleviating the team’s payroll pressures, though we’ve seen no real indication of talks on the well-compensated outfielder.
Los Angeles Dodgers [Offseason Outlook]
What do you get for the roster that has everything? A bigger star, of course. That’s what the Dodgers have reportedly set out to find, eschewing marginal upgrades and allowing Hyun-Jin Ryu to depart via free agency while stalking bigger game.
With the open market now rather picked over, the Dodgers appear to be focused on structuring complicated trades involving some of the game’s best players. Francisco Lindor? Mike Clevinger? Mookie Betts? Intriguing targets abound. Whether any will land in Chavez Ravine remains unknown.
If the Dodgers whiff on their primary objective, will the offseason be a bust? Perhaps, though there’s still ample talent on hand to sweep away the NL West for the eighth-straight time and the summer trade deadline will offer new opportunities to add. There’s an argument that the club could really use another quality late-inning arm, even after a $10MM roll of the dice on Blake Treinen, but that’s about as close to a true “need” as you get with this stacked roster.
San Diego Padres [Offseason Outlook]
If you think this offseason could be drawing to a close, look no farther than the Friars for one of several rosters that could still see major change. The club has certainly picked up some new pieces — skyrocketing reliever Drew Pomeranz, solid starter Zach Davies, outfielders Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham, and second baseman Jurickson Profar — but doesn’t look to have made overwhelming strides in advance of a critical season.
There’s certainly an argument to be made that the Padres can roll with their existing talent. There’s upside in quite a few places of the roster and more coming through the pipeline. But making a real run at the Dodgers-dominated NL West is not going to be easy, if it’s plausible at all. And the NL Wild Card figures to be tightly contested. Even breaking a nine-year run of losing records isn’t a sure thing.
With the threat of organizational change looming, the Padres should continue pushing for a blockbuster, win-now addition. And they probably ought to increase their pain tolerance for striking a deal. There’s still potential to improve in the outfield, especially in center, and at the top of the rotation. The Friars would like to upgrade behind the dish but will probably find that difficult to pull off. Finding a taker for Wil Myers is another notable possibility, with extension talks to follow during Spring Training.
San Francisco Giants [Offseason Outlook]
The Giants are in an awkward position, carrying a combination of underperforming, expensive veterans and cheaply acquired, still-not-established (but not necessarily youthful) players. President of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi has made a few upside-oriented adds this winter but has yet to make any major moves.
Far more than plugging holes, Zaidi is looking for opportunities to build the organization’s talent base. But with the existing collection of established players and the team’s win-always market situation, there’s also some impetus to turn out a competitive product.
More than anything, the Giants could stand to improve at the back of the bullpen and in the outfield. Zaidi has gleefully churned through untold numbers of players at these precise areas since taking the helm. He has made a few finds but there’s plenty of work left to be done. Fortunately, there are some experienced relievers and higher-ceiling corner outfielders still floating around the open market, with trade opportunities perhaps also still alive, so the Giants could yet make more acquisitions.
StandUpGuy
I’m 90 miles outside Los Angeles. Can’t stop driving. I don’t know why.
StandUpGuy
So many questions. I need an answer. 2 years later, it’s still on my mind.
woodguy
Yes, OJ is guilty
MoRivera 1999
You’re wasting our time at the top of the thread. Again.
Yankees1000%
Question who’s you guys think have made the best move in mlb in this winter meting?
gogoblue
Best signing: Gerrit Cole. Yankees overpaid him, but he was the best free agent available this year in my opinion, so the Yankees get best signing recognition.
Best signing (non-Gerrit Cole): Yasmani Grandal. Anthony Rendon is better player, but Grandal plays premium position, and he cost less than one-third of what Rendon got from the Angels. So he’s the best value signing, imo.
Best signing (teamwise): White Sox. They signed Grandal, Abreu, Keuchel, Encarnacion, and Gio Gonzalez all for less than what the Yankees paid to Cole. Awesome job by White Sox management so far.
Koamalu
White Sox signings amount to an 8 win improvement. The Angels signings and trades a 12 win improvement. All for less than the Yankees paid Cole.
BlueSkyLA
Bringing the White Sox and the Angels right up breakeven seasons, which only goes to show that trying to win it all is not an exercise in cost-effectiveness.
jimthegoat
Angels will win less than 12 more games than last year.
tigerd7335
What are you smoking and can I have some
fox471 Dave
Yankees.
themarlinskid
Marlins, good trade for villar, great signing with the two year deal for dickerson as well as a low risk high reward on the waiver pickup of jesus aguilar! No bias here lmao
HalosHeavenJJ
I think the Dodgers would be wise to let the season start and see if they really have any needs. Bullpen performances are up and down, injuries abs bad years happen.
Take a great roster, see how it shakes up, adjust if needed.
amk3510
Yeah and when the season start fans will freak out about them not having another starter. Their offseason ends 7/31.
larry48
I have faith in Andrew Friedman he has done a great job for 5 years. He will get what we need before the deadline.
Roebuck37
That’s the wisest reply I’ve seen this off season regarding the Dodgers. Take 2 months to eval the team, 2 months to go after the players you need, and then play out the season for the last 2 months.
BlueSkyLA
Right, and hope the pickings aren’t slim to none in July. Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow. The procrastinator’s motto. Very wise.
DodgerNation
Believe it or not, not all of us dodgers fans are cry babies. Some of us actually understand baseball.
BlueSkyLA
I see no sign that you do. Your claim might be believable if you or anyone else explained how any of this will actually work. Good luck. Not that I expect you or anyone else to try. That would take thinking it through. Insults are so much easier.
BlueSkyLA
{chirp chirp}
skyyalpha
If the Dodgers don’t trade for Betts or Lindor/Clev this offseason, they’ll still be available in July. Nobody else is looking at those guys right now.
dynamite drop in monty
Let him get his own. He’s got Syracuse money.
Spare Tire Dixon
“In the event that the D-Backs find good value on a center field-capable 4th outfielder or a second/third baseman, they could shuffle the assignments of existing players accordingly.”
That sounds like Ender Inciarte and Johan Camargo. Maybe the Braves can put them together with some of that pitching prospect depth to get Robbie Ray?
DTD_ATL
I’m not sure they’d be interested in giving up younger players and prospects for a 1 yr rental, especially one that isn’t a superstar. A lot will also depend on signing Donaldson. If they get him, they’re most likely tapped out financially so any move would likely have to lower payroll.
Spare Tire Dixon
Braves send P Kyle Wright, OF Ender Inciarte, IF Johan Camargo to Arizona for P Robbie Ray.
Braves flip P Robbie Ray to Dodgers for 3B Jacob Turner.
Since the D’Backs would likely never send Ray directly to division rival L.A.
sevans36
Seems way too much for ray. 4 years of camargo, 2 years of inciarte and 5-6 yrs of wright is an overpay for 1 year of a decent mid rotation starter. IMO.
Junts1
The Dodgers aren’t gonna trade Turner without an in-house replacement (or probably at all), he is the absolute heart and soul of the team. Switching Turner for Ray would actively make the Dodgers worse; he’s not that much better than the people he’d be taking innings from.
This is a fantasy.
differentbears
I’m guessing it’d be easier for the Braves to just sign Jacob Turner and try to convert the pitcher into a 3B.
skyyalpha
I mean, we’d have to go sign Jacob Turner first. At least he’d be cheap.
Rangers29
Not a Padres fan, but mark my words, next year will be their year. 90+ wins. And, they will also go get a reliable starter in Boyd, Wood, Price, or Ray, and if they get any of those guys, that makes them all the more nasty if they win the WC. (Note: if Profar goes back to his former top prospect self, I will cry, I wished the rangers would have kept him after he put up pretty good 18′, but good luck to him.)
amk3510
This takes the over rating of the Padres to a new level
Rangers29
And I like Trent Grisham.
angelsfan4life
Boyd will be Shelby Miller 2.0
Kwflanne
I am a padres fan….. and that’s not happening. They will be lucky to get to .500
SanDiegoPaul
Agreed.
Boo Cocky
ZiPS and sportsbook o/u disagree with you. Padres are WC contenders
FriarJohnny
I hope you are correct my friend!
Koamalu
At this point, they have improved 1.5 wins over last season based on the players they added and subtracted. Vegas has them at 77 wins. Probably an accurate over under.
They are already over the amount of money the ownership said they could spend, so they won’t be adding anyone that costs more than the person being traded away.
Boo Cocky
Their over/under is 84.5
jimthegoat
Rangers got out from under that guy at the perfect time
ghostrobot
Giants should be buying bad contracts for prospects as much as possible and focus on crapping the bed til 2023
BasesLoaded
That only works if teams are willing to give up good prospects for those bad contracts. The Giants taking on $96 million of David Price is not worth it for Triston Casas.. Giants taking on Wil Myers for a lower tier prospect isn’t worth either. Teams like the Redsox want to build up their farm, but they’re not going to do it by trading the little prospects they have. The Pads are not going to help the Giants by handing them prospects. Teams don’t want to part with prospects.. It makes this more challenging.
CCCTL
As teams start being stingy with the upper tiers of prospects, Zaidi decides to fuel his rebuild through salary dumps, thereby setting himself up to get not-top-ranked prospects.
Yeah, that sure sounds like the post-even-year-bs Giants.
Jean Matrac
Whether it’s the Giants or some other team, SD is not getting anyone to take Myers with anything other than an upper level prospect. So it depends on how much SD wants to move the contract. SF is one of the very few teams able to take Myers. It’s not about not helping the Giants. It’s about how much they want to be rid of Myers’ contact. My guess is they’re probably desperate to get him off the books, putting the Giants in the driver’s seat. They get a good prospect, or SD rolls with Myers for another season.
Sharocko
I think the perception from baseball writers is that Preller is desperate to move Myers (and maybe he is)…but so far not so desperate enough where a deal has been done to this day. Im thinking if he was that desperate to also add quality prospect just for the sake of moving Myers…sonething would have be done already.
Myers might be def be overpaid…but he’s not a Ellsbury (or any of these dudes who are going through cases where there teams are trying get back money back)…point is overcrowded OF or not…Padres shouldn’t just move him at the expense of giving up any top prospects…guess we’ll just have to see how desperate Padres will end up being.
Jean Matrac
Well, if Myers was the only bad contract then Preller could pretend that he’s good with Myers for another season. But he also has that horrible Hosmer contract, with another potentially bad deal with Machado. Not sure Preller can win either way. He looks bad with bad contracts on the books, and he looks bad if he has to package a good prospect to rid the team of Myers. So just because he hasn’t dealt him yet doesn’t mean he isn’t desperate to do so.
Sharocko
Like i said…we’ll see how desperate Preller is in moving Myers. All im saying is and could be wrong…but if i were another team willing to take on Wil Myers…i probably wouldnt hold my breath for a Luis Patino, Taylor Trammell, CJ Abrahms type as you kind of suggested (“SD is not getting anyone to take Myers with anything other than an upper level prospect.”) Unless you mean upper level like…Ty France, Ed Olivarez, Owen Miller, etc…guys in higher minor leagues who have potential to provide solid depth in majors.
jimthegoat
Myers is terrible but his value can’t get any lower so SD is probably better off just rolling with them and hoping that he can rebuild some semblance of value.
Sharocko
Those are pretty much my thoughts too. Even paying down some salary would even make sense with a lesser prospect…otherwise just hold onto him and see if he can try to reclaim an sembelance of his 2016 season under the new manager/coaching staff.
Jean Matrac
I agree that holding on to him is probably the most likely and smartest thing for Preller. But that doesn’t mean he still isn’t desperate. My point was that he’s caught between being desperate to unload Myers, and desperate not to trade away a good prospect. BTW my response was to the assertion that Preller would not help the Giants, and all they could expect was a low level guy. So again, if Preller wants to dump salary on the Giants, it will take more than a low level prospect.
jimthegoat
I would say I don’t see Preller doing a division rival any favors, but he did trade Yasmani Grandal for Matt Kemp once…
Sharocko
I guess my point is…the media seems to be painting a picture that Preller needs to trade Myers stat/asap…but no deal has come to fruition. That seems consistent with his history of waiting things out until there is smething that he thinks makes sense for the team (overriding the “pressure” to trade him now while giving up a top prospect.) Still plenty of offseason…but ill say it again to whatever team may end up with Myers (if any)…id be suprised if any of the padres top 8 prospects would be attached with myers (unless the padres got another young Mlb player to replace that prospect’s position in other deals.) TBD
Jean Matrac
Not sure that since a trade hasn’t happened yet is an indication that Preller isn’t desperate. And if you’re correct about none of the top 8 guys being part of the deal, then a deal is not going to happen. No team is taking Myers if they’re only getting the #9, or lower prospect. Which is why I think he remains a Padre, even if Preller is desperate to move him.
Sharocko
But from a certain perspective…the Padres’ prospect line runs deep enough where that shouldnt ultimately be a deal breaker (#9 thru 20 are better then alot of other teams)…and maybe trading team can get multiple prospects.
Ultimately i think the way the Padres move Myers (if it does happen)…is to pay down his future salary coupled with those type of prospects that are not near the very top of the system.
VegasSDfan
Davies? I was so outraged by this trade at the time.
Is Davies going to help the Padres?
keepinthafaithsd1
You have to think of this as Lauer for Davies and Urias for Grish. In that case we won that trade with brew crew.
VegasSDfan
Depends on what Urias does. I know he started off 2019 looking overmatched, but he really turned it around.
Urias is the deciding factor, I would error to say he will turn into the real deal.
larry48
No, you lost both trades, who trades a top prospect after less than 1 year. Urias will become a good player for the Brewers.
jimthegoat
@larry48 Preller doesn’t seem to learn from his mistakes
jimthegoat
@keepinthafaithsd1 How do you figure? Lauer and Davies are basically the same pitcher but Lauer has 3 more years of control and Urias >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Grisham
Wolverines2
Who cares how many years of control Lauer has?! Where exactly did you see him fitting into the pitching staff THIS year, much less once Gore and Patiño are up?
jimthegoat
“Where exactly did you see him fitting into the pitching staff THIS year, much less once Gore and Patiño are up?”
The same place Davies fits into the pitching staff. They’re the same pitcher, just throwing with different arms.
larry48
No, he now only last about 4 innings with 100 pitches.
snotrocket
I will start having serious doubts about the “genius” Farhan if he signs anyone other than bounce back guys and relievers to flip until Crawford, Belt, Posey, Longoria, Shark, and Cueto are off the books and the young guys are up and contributing. Now isn’t the time to sign a Castellanos or an Ozuna to 4 or so years when they aren’t going to help you even approach the hump, let alone get over it.
HalosHeavenJJ
I’m a little surprised at the lack of talk of trading Shark. He’s a better chip than Price, I think. Had a much better 2019 and is owed much less money.
snotrocket
And Boyd for that matter. If the Giants ate half his contract he should bring back at least one interesting prospect. He threw 180 innings of 3.5 ball last year. Last I checked being available to pitch and preventing runs at a decent clip helps win more games than “intriguing peripherals”.
TellItGoodbye
What do you get a team that hasn’t won the World Series in over THREE DECADES?
tannedt
As a Padres fan, the mere mention of “extension” in the same sentence with “Myers” sent a shiver up my colon.
larry48
LOL
Dorothy_Mantooth
I think that was a tremor, not a shiver
towinagain
Losing hope as a Padres fan. This could be another painful season.
VegasSDfan
Predictions will be all over the place from playoffs to 75 wins. The Padres have to go out and win games.
Kenneth Weber
But hopefully at least with a healthy Tatis. He’s fun to watch every night.
Jean Matrac
Agree. Though I’m a Giant’s fan, I was really disappointed when he went down. He is a phenomenal talent IMO.
KHE
Farhan isn’t going to do anything, or he would have done it by now. He’s a liar and we can see right through his smoke screen.. He doesn’t plan on upgrading anything, period !! What a waist of skin !!
snotrocket
As he shouldn’t. They don’t have a core to build around. Why saddle the team with more big money contracts when they are going to suck until the old washed up dudes are gone?
rightyspecialist
#THIS is the kind of post you get when you mix one the games top executives with one of the dumbest fanbases in baseball.
22jclark
Do what? What do you suggest he do? Bad contracts, poor performing veterans, no farm system, lousy hitters ballpark, etc… He has started rebuilding the farm (middle of the pack now and moving up) I believe 4 of the first 75 picks in the 2020 draft. Dumped Melancon’s crappy contract on the Braves, picked up Dubon for not much, signed Yaz and Dickerson. I’d say he’s had a pretty great first year on the job.
Redwolves3
Dickerson has to be able to stay on the field if he has any chance of being productive.
IjustloveBaseball
Akiyama would’ve been a nice fit in SF — bummer they didn’t go after him.
CNichols
They need to tear it all down and build back up from the ground with youth. I don’t know if giving an OF who will be 32 in April a 3 year deal really fits that plan, but it makes a bunch of sense for a team that wants to compete like the Reds.
bbatardo
I think the Padres will surprise people this year, but they still need another move or 2 to do it.
CNichols
I think they’re like one more solid bat away from being a .500 team, but they need to plug at least two holes in their lineup if they want to actually compete for a wild card spot. If they could acquire someone like Starling Marte fand have a top of the order that’s comprised of Tatis, Pham, Marte, and Machado, that would be a very good start to their lineup.
The problem is after that Hosmer is going to produce very minimally, and there’s a so much uncertainty about whether or not Profar, Grisham, and Meijia/Hedges will be productive, whereas the Dodgers lineup is going to be more or less solid 1 through 8.
With like half a lineup and then question marks, its still kind of hard to see SD being that competitive unless everything goes right for them, but it’s certainly possible.
scottaz
Hazen has already signaled that the Dbacks are prepared to expend some prospect capital this off-season. Trading for a CF is now the top priority. Ketel won’t be playing much CF this year, but it looks like the Dbacks lineup is set with Ketel penciled in there. Yes, the Dbacks have that flexibility and don’t appear desperate for a CF. Good for appearances. Dbacks will trade for a CF. Buxton in a trade for starting pitcher starved Twins. Starling Marte if the Pirates ever decide what to do. Mookie from BoSox if they throw in one or two top prospects to unload that contract and get under the tax threshold. Or, yes maybe even reuniting with Inciarte if the Braves throw in one or two top prospect pitchers.
homerheins
I like how you’re thinking. I prefer Ketel to play more 2B than CF, and it makes sense they would keep his legs and back fresh, since his bat is so important. I would love the Buxton trade. Yeah, I don’t see the Mookie trade, but would love it. Jackie Bradley maybe. I wonder how much Starling costs. Yes to Ender if he’s cheap in prospect capital.
DTD_ATL
Why would the Braves send Inciarte and top pitching prospects? His contract isn’t a burden at all so they’re not going to move him just to move him.
pustule bosey
there is no reason for the giants to pursue a veteran bullpen piece. 2021 ought to be the year the giants can start putting together the next wave with bart, hjelle, luciano, ramos and some of the other guys to get a real gauge of what pieces are needed to build a successful team. with that date in mind it is understandable why farhan is entertaining castillanos since a 3 or 4 year contract makes for a guy that can stick through a rebuild kind of like how markakis has been through the Braves rebuild, on the other hand there is no reason to buy a couple of years of an ex offensive bullpen arm that may or may not be particularly needed and could block giving a younger guy some airtime.
holycow16
Go Cubs Go
jd396
“Zaidi has gleefully churned through untold numbers of players”
[scrolls up to see who wrote the post]
Yep! Ever the wordsmith…
padreforlife
Finding a taker for loser Myers stop already! It’s not happening was never happening