What MLB Contenders Must Do To Return To Postseason

Patrick Gustavson, Sports Editor

Though it has been just a month since the Boston Red Sox hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy, the hot stove is in full force as all 30 teams look to bolster their roster in the hopes of winning the Fall Classic.

Perhaps the most compelling team this offseason is the New York Yankees. With money to burn, they could be in on the biggest free agents like outfielder Bryce Harper and shortstop Manny Machado. But the priority seems to be starting pitching. Having already acquired lefty James Paxton, they are still major players for fellow southpaw Patrick Corbin.

Another team with the ability to spend big is the National League champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers. After locking up ace Clayton Kershaw, their rotation is set, but they still need relievers to go with Kenley Jansen. While they could turn to the open market for the solution, they have a surplus of position players that could be traded and have the defensive flexibility to do so. Outfielders Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson seem most likely to be moved.

The Cubs are in a similar position to the Dodgers in terms of offensive surplus. They certainly have the money to sign Harper or Machado, but would need to make corresponding moves to accommodate. Slugging outfielder Kyle Schwarber seems to be a prime candidate to be moved to a team in need of a big lefty bat. They’re also going to need consistency from starting pitchers Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood, who were nothing short of horrible in their first season with the club.

After re-signing Steve Pearce, the Red Sox lineup is likely set in stone, identical to that of their championship team. Their biggest need is the bullpen, as Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly could depart in free agency. This leaves them with Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes to hold down the late innings. Re-signing Kimbrel and Kelly is the easy solution, but they could also turn to Andrew Miller, Adam Ottavino or David Robertson.

Another team with a desperate need in the bullpen is the Indians, who were the third-worst in the AL in 2018 in that category. They could possibly lose Miller and closer Allen, leaving them incredibly thin behind lefty Brad Hand. The Tribe’s expected unwillingness to spend could mean this hole remains for another year.

While the Astros are set in the late innings, they will turn their attention to the rotation. They will likely lose Dallas Keuchel to free agency and possibly Charlie Morton, in addition to Lance McCullers, due to Tommy John Surgery. Though they could stretch out relievers Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock, who have started in the past, the Stros may also look to the market to fill this void.

Another team that will surely look to shore up their rotation is the Brewers, who were just one win away from the Fall Classic. Though Jimmy Nelson will return from injury, they seem likely to make a splash, with Keuchel, Corbin, Nathan Eovaldi and JA Happ being in play.

But with teams like the Phillies and White Sox having money to spend, a new challenger to the playoff sphere could emerge.