One storyline to keep an eye on for every MLB team heading into the offseason

Whether they like it or not, the D’Backs are looking at a facelift this winter. Patrick Corbin, A.J. Pollock, Daniel Descalso and Jon Jay are all headed toward free agency. Although they picked up Paul Goldschmidt’s 2019 option, a look around at their surroundings could push them toward at least entertaining the notion of considering offers for the six-time All-Star. The bonus of completing a move to get Zack Greinke — and the remaining $104.5 million on his deal— off the book would be a cake topper as well.

This winter should be assuring that the rapid rise of the Braves does not take any steps backward in Year 2. There is a need to beef up the bullpen as well as add more pop at the plate. Decisions on whether to bring back Nick Markakis or look for a trade for Ender Inciarte would create space to add an impact outfield bat. Meanwhile, a reunion with Craig Kimbrel wouldn’t be the worst idea to consider either, as he would add true impact to the pen.

The good news is that after dropping 115 games and clearing ranks in the clubhouse and front office, things can’t possibly get worse next year. The issue now is picking up the pieces and how. A decision still needs to be made regarding a new manager, whether to bring back franchise mainstay Adam Jones and where to take advantage of the free-agent market. It is far from a one-year cleanup effort, but it has to start somewhere.

Although Kimbrel produced a postseason far from his usual standard, keeping him on board is an essential effort ahead for the Red Sox. The bullpen was already the weak point for the team throughout the season, even with Kimbrel converting 42 of 47 save opportunities on the year. Kimbrel could be in line for a record pact for a closer, especially considering Wade Davis’ $52 million deal last winter, but he is worth every dime for this team.

Shortly after his club was eliminated in the NL Wild Card game, Theo Epstein minced no words in stating his dissatisfaction with the team’s season. So how will that manifest itself this winter? Cole Hamels’ $20 million option could be picked up, but what outside help could be on the way as well? Nathan Eovaldi would make sense for adding further stability to a shaky starting staff, but doubling down on relief help as well would do a world of good, at a more risk-averse price range.

Although the expectations for the White Sox were to not win much last season, neither was it going as badly as it did. While their young hitters will likely be left to mature into their roles, the pitching staff needs some salvation from outside the organization. They have the money to spend on higher-end options for the starting staff, although a single-player splurge is unlikely. However, the Sox should not be counted out as having a bit of "mystery team" potential as well — if the right situation arises at any position.

Aside from wasted MVP-caliber seasons from Joey Votto, the biggest constant for the Reds has been an inability to nail down a consistent rotation. General manager Nick Krall should take advantage of both a deep stash of mid-level starting options on the open market as well as the depth of prospects he could leverage via trade to completely overhaul the Reds' staff this winter. The average ERA of Cincinnati pitchers who made at least 20 starts in 2018 was a robust 5.01.

While the Indians are again unlikely to be challenged by any of their divisional foes, they did take a clear step backward among the rest of the AL elites last year. With Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Michael Brantley set to hit free agency (and a need to keep finances under control for the forthcoming raises due to Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez), the Indians will have to do some smart but precise shopping.

The Rockies' established formula for success — big bats, deep bullpen, work out the rest — is up for review this winter. The bullpen finished as the 26th- ranked ERA in the game last year, a far cry from expectations set in 2017. The focus could be on fixing what went wrong there, but attention will also need to be paid to the everyday lineup card. Both D.J. LeMahieu and Carlos Gonzalez are headed toward free agency, though David Dahl and top prospect Brendan Rodgers could be looked to as the players to alleviate those potential losses.

The AL’s most complicated ongoing rebuild is in Detroit, which has needs all over the field. With a still massive commitment to Miguel Cabrera on the books, the Tigers' spending will remain cautious. With that said, they could be home for several short-term, second- and third-tier contracts to behave as bridge contributors.

The Astros have few pressing needs (although keeping both Marwin Gonzalez and Charlie Morton in-house should be considered) but could benefit from a comprehensive upgrade behind the plate. The ideal fit would be J.T. Realmuto, who would add a steadying presence within the lineup and an experienced backstop who can make a defensive impact as well. If they cannot ply Realmuto from the grip of the Marlins, Wilson Ramos and Kurt Suzuki represent solid, reasonably priced options.

The Royals rapid decline hit rock bottom in 2018, as they lost 22 more games in 2018 than in ’17, only two years removed from a World Series title. One of the main culprits in this free fall was a horrific pitching staff that had the 28^th ranked starting ERA and 29^th ranked bullpen. The more likely focus will be on reviving the bullpen, which is a much more cost-effective option for a team that stated it will continue to lower payroll from the $83 million level it was at a year ago.

After a second consecutive trip to the World Series came up fruitless, the Dodgers will no doubt look to tinker with their roster this winter and make up that elusive space between themselves and the commissioner’s trophy. A big part of how they go about that effort hinges on what Clayton Kershaw decides to do. The legendary lefty could opt out of the final two years of his contract to lock down a larger total guarantee than the $64 million left on his current deal. L.A. will without a doubt pull out all the stops to keep him in Dodger blue, a pursuit that could complicate its aggressiveness to go after other upgrade efforts.

With the clock ticking on the promise of Mike Trout being in town, the Angels need to make the most of his time at the heart of the Anaheim roster. With a new manager for the first time in 20 years in Brad Ausmus, the job now is to address the numerous upgrades that are overdue, including the corner infield and behind the plate. However, the most immediate and pressing issue is the starting staff, which was already in bad shape before Shohei Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery. All options should be pursued, with Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel, Hyun-jin Ryu all being pushed for here.

The offseason got off to a fast start for the Marlins, who worked deftly to free up enough space to add both of the prized Mesa brothers to their system. But before the Fish can continue wholeheartedly into their rebuild, there is one final piece remaining in play in the form of J.T. Realmuto. A year after playing in protest amid a stated desire to be dealt away from the Miami roster massacre of last winter, Realmuto doubled down on that demand early in the 2018-19 offseason, refusing to discuss a contract extension. When Derek Jeter and Co. do ultimately settle on a trade partner, getting a no-doubt package of prospects in return will prove vital in assuring the team's tear down was not in vain after questionable returns from last winter’s two-MVP outfield dismantle.

The Brewers breakout year was certainly an immediate payoff from both an aggressive offseason that bore Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain and an in-season push to land Mike Moustakas, Joakim Soria and Jonathan Schoop. But despite all of this, their starting staff was one that was able to be masked by both a big offense and a dominant bullpen. This winter, it would be a sound investment to not tempt fate again and play in the mid-level starter market that fits in their price range, if for nothing else to raise their floor a bit.

Despite being one of baseball’s most active opportunists last winter, the entirety of the 2018 season was a misfire for the Twins. After a busy season of trading off bad and outdated parts and firing manager Paul Molitor just a year after he won AL Manager of the Year, expect the Twins to continue to be active in getting back on track this winter, albeit far more conservatively. With needs across the infield and throughout the bullpen and starting staff, Minnesota could be a popular home for veterans looking to audition for new deals in 2019.

The Mets offseason got off to a predictably awkward start when the club settled on agent Brodie Van Wagenen as an out-of-the-blue hire as general manager. It was a strange move to say the least, as Van Wagenen has no previous team executive experience and had negotiated against the club as recently as this summer as agent to ace Jacob deGrom — who he is now the pitcher's de facto boss. Yet another oddly unique move by baseball’s biggest front office circus and one that could make the decision-making path this winter an interesting one, to say the least.

The goal in the Bronx is a clear one: Close the gap on the Red Sox by any means necessary. It has been a decade since the last Yankee World Series win, and the offseason ahead of that title saw the team spend $423 million on CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett to send a jolt of life into both the lineup and starting staff. Could a blockbuster winter featuring Patrick Corbin, Nathan Eovaldi and even, say, Manny Machado, be in line in a similar fashion?

With the promise they showed for 80 percent of 2018 now moving ahead their arrival date on the competitive scene, the Phillies need to act with urgency to keep pace within an NL East that is turning over. Considering this, the goal should be clear for general manager Matt Klentak: Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or broke. The fit is clear for both young studs, who would sit squarely at the heart of the rising property in the East. Plus, they have the financial muscle to bid as aggressively as is required for either proven young stud.

After watching the Pirates trade away Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole last winter, only to then make a stunning move to acquire Chris Archer at the trade deadline, it can be confusing to assess what the plan is in Pittsburgh. But after the team declined Josh Harrison’s $10 million option for 2019 on Wednesday, the goal is clearly to get costs down. So more minor deals on the open market to fill in roster gaps (such as in the infield) and potentially further cash-friendly trades could be in the plan.

The loss of Sean Manaea hurt the A’s in a very direct fashion last year, leaving them exposed in the AL Wild Card game without a clear go-to option. While they will never bid at the top of the open market for pitching, the A’s would be well served to dig into the depth of this year’s pitching options to protect the gains they made in the standings this year. Lance Lynn, Clay Buchholz, Ervin Santana, Tyson Ross and Matt Harvey could all fit the bill.

The youth movement is eminent, that is without a doubt. But as the club continues to introduce the waves of its impressive rank of prospects, adding a few reasonably priced veteran starters to steady the road would be a smart investment to bide its time. There could also be the urge to make a big splash via packaging a few of those prospects together and pursuing a front line arm of the caliber of Noah Syndergaard, Michael Fulmer or even Jacob deGrom.

The Giants have found themselves in a purgatory of sorts over the past few years. They are in too deep with big, unmovable (and largely underperforming) contracts to rebuild but also too light on young talent to commit to a youth movement at any way. After taking out options on Madison Bumgarner and Pablo Sandoval already, along with $125 million due to seven returning players, they might just decide to keep on spending and give it another shot. There could be some "mystery team" potential here in the Bryce Harper pursuit.

In recent years, the story of the Cardinals has not been who they have added. Rather, it has been who they haven’t. Jason Heyward spurred the club in favor of their in-division rivals in Chicago shortly after being outbid at the last second for David Price by the Red Sox. Last winter, it was Giancarlo Stanton turning away a trade that would have sent him to St. Louis, in favor of the Bronx. With a massive need in the middle of their lineup, can the Cards break the bank enough to add a transformational bat in the form of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado? Or will they again be forced to turn to secondary options amid a decade-worst playoff dry spell?

If Seattle is to finally end its 17-year postseason absence, it is going to take an all-in approach to adding difference-making talents. A front line arm is needed to bolster a starting staff that finished 21^st  in ERA in a pitcher’s ballpark. In the everyday lineup, aside from re-signing Nelson Cruz, a long-time void in center field needs to be address, while a middle of the order bat is needed to make up for declines from Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager.

The Rays were baseball’s most surprising team down the stretch despite still finishing well outside of an anti-climactic playoff scene. One way to close that gap is to give manager Kevin Cash as diverse of a pitching staff as possible. After he redefined the notion of "bullpening" by unleashing his relievers in all possible ways, adding more depth to that pen (in addition to adding some cost-conscious starting options) could lead to a breakthrough effort in Tampa.

With the potential retirement of Adrian Beltre looming, the books being closed on financial commitments to Cole Hamels and Jeff Banister being given his walking papers, the winds of change are blowing strong. A rebuilding era is unavoidable and will start by leveling one of the game’s worst pitching staffs and starting over. Last year’s non-Hamels core of Bartolo Colon, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Moore and Doug Fister combined for a 5.71 ERA.

With many of the old standards in Toronto having already moved on, the youth movement that is set to be led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Richard Urena, Bo Bichette and of course, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is primed to get started in 2019. Filling in the pieces around the integration of those young stars will take priority this winter and likely via the starting staff, which produced the 28 ^th worst ERA in the majors last season.

There is still a host of unfinished business for the Nationals following one of (if not) the most disappointing seasons to date. But before the page can be turned in earnest, a legit effort must be mounted to keep the franchise’s current (and future) cornerstone in town. The list of what must be accomplished without Harper in the fold, as opposed to with him, is night and day and represents the most pivotal turning point in the franchise’s D.C. history.