The offseason needs for every MLB team

86 wins weren't enough to make the playoffs in the NL, so the Diamondbacks watched from the sidelines for the third straight season. The future of the lineup looks bright, but Ketel Marte is a major trade candidate after causing a stir for the second straight year. He might not be easy to move, with questions about his attitude, a down year, and at least four years remaining on his deal. First base is a need if the team doesn't trust Tyler Locklear to take over, and the bullpen could use more depth despite the return of Justin Martinez from injury. The starting rotation will also be counting on Corbin Burnes' health, which hasn't been a great bet recently.

The Athletics enter their final year in California before their move to Vegas, and the team's needs are clear. They allowed a whopping 937 runs in 2026, and beyond Gage Jump, the young pitching is lacking. The team is desperate to shore up the starting rotation and bullpen, but the lineup is in good shape with a bevy of foundational pieces and the soon-to-arrive top prospect Leo De Vries.

Atlanta surprised with a 94-win regular season and NL East title, but they ran out of steam late in the year. There's a clear need at shortstop and left field, and the pitching staff has too many what-ifs. Ace Chris Sale is going on age 38, while Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, AJ Smith-Shawver, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep have major health concerns. The bullpen could also lose free agent closer Raisel Iglesias.

After yet another disappointing year, falling short of 80 wins, the Orioles will regroup. The struggles aren't for lack of talent with a loaded, young lineup, but Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and others didn't post well last season. The O's have already stated they want help at catcher after trading Adley Rutschman. The return of Jordan Westburg from injury should help, but the team clearly needs more from young pitchers Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz while also adding more depth. On the other hand, the bullpen looks strong with the returns of Felix Bautista and Ryan Helsley from injuries.

A late surge by Boston led to an 87-win season and a second straight Wild Card berth, but they fell short in the playoffs. The results were impressive considering that they were without Garrett Crochet for most of the season. The addition of Adley Rutschman and the return of Roman Anthony could potentially transform the lineup next season, though adding competition for Jarren Duran could be in the cards after a down year. The rotation could use more depth at the bottom after losing Sonny Gray, and the pen could also use some innings eaters behind Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Erik Miller.

The Cubs' 89-win season was remarkable given the injuries to their pitching staff, and it's clearly an area they need to address first. They hope for healthy returns from Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, and Ben Brown, but even that isn't enough. The bullpen also needs more depth. The outfield could also see a complete revamp around superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong, with Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Conforto heading toward free agency.

The White Sox saw a 24-win improvement and a surprising playoff berth, but they shouldn't count on all the good fortune repeating. The lineup looks in good shape with more help on the way, but the pitching depth is lacking. Sean Burke and Davis Martin are likely the only rotation members from 2026 who can be counted on next season, though Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith are also prominent candidates to start. They got quality innings from surprising places in the bullpen and would do well to add more depth in that area.

With Hunter Greene set to miss 2027 due to injury and several losses in the lineup, a complete revamp could be for the Reds this offseason. The team is lacking a clear center fielder going into next season, and Ke'Bryan Hayes' continued struggles leave them open to possibilities at the hot corner. Top prospect Alfredo Duno will eventually replace free agent catcher Tyler Stephenson, but it remains to be seen if he will be ready by Opening Day. Starting pitching depth is badly needed behind Chase Burns and Nick Lodolo, and the bullpen is in shambles.

Cleveland fell short in the ALCS for the second time in three years, but there's a lot to like for a team that continues to exceed expectations. The pending arrival of top first-base prospect Ralphy Velazquez adds excitement, but the team could use more outfield depth to challenge Steven Kwan and Angel Martinez. The rotation looks very strong with Gavin Williams and Parker Messick at the top, but Tanner Bibee struggled for the second straight year, and the fifth rotation spot is wide open.

The Rockies roster is already in better shape after one year with Paul DePodesta running the front office, but they're far from contention. The lineup is clearly stronger, with a mix of young talent and veterans, and top prospect Charlie Condon on the doorstep. As for the pitching, the situation looks as dire as ever after the team cashed in on Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik at the deadline and lost multiple veterans. 

Replacing Tarik Skubal won't be easy, but Detroit should expect to compete in 2027. There aren't clear starters for either second base or right field, though there are some in-house candidates. The starting rotation looks very interesting with young pitchers like Troy Melton, Jackson Jobe, and River Ryan. As for the bullpen, it clearly underachieved last season and could use another power pitcher or two.

The Astros won the AL West by finishing .500 before getting promptly ousted in the playoffs. The resurgence of Yordan Alvarez was a positive, but the team is now contending with the clear decline of Jose Altuve, along with other areas of the lineup that need addressing. The pitching situation is also in rough shape, with Tatusya Imai disappointing last season and the loss of setup man Bryan Abreu. The team can hope for rebounds from several starters like Hunter Brown, Hayden Wesneski, and Cristian Javier, but that won't be enough.

The Royals took a nosedive after finishing above .500 in consecutive years, and the issues are clear. The outfield needs an immediate offensive jolt around right fielder Jac Caglianone, and the pitching staff is in rough shape at the bottom. The prospects are dire with injured ace Cole Ragans possibly out for 2027, and it's not a stretch to say the Royals need at least a handful of new bullpen arms.

The Angels extended their streak to 11 straight losing seasons, but there's hope with new ownership. Turning the team around won't happen overnight, with the farm system needing to be addressed first. Los Angeles has clear holes at second base and in the outfield as they try to surround franchise players Mike Trout and Zach Neto. The starting rotation shows promise with Reid Detmers and Walbert Urena coming off outstanding years, and Ryan Johnson showing progress, but more is needed. The bullpen is in rough shape from top to bottom.

Anything short of a World Series victory is a disappointment for the Dodgers, who fell short to Milwaukee in the NLCS. The team's core is getting older, but they have a jolt coming with Josue De Paula and several other top prospects on the cusp. Filling out the bench will still be key. The team could use some additional depth on the backend of the rotation, and the bullpen might also be an issue if Edwin Diaz can't rebound.

Miami has hovered around .500 in three of the last four seasons, and their youth movement looks promising. Still, there are clear areas of need. The team has to decide what it has with Esteury Ruiz and Owen Caissie in the outfield, and the pitching staff clearly needs more depth. That's especially true in the pen, where the team is lacking a proven closer.

It was nearly a perfect season from start to finish for the Brewers, who should return a deep and talented roster in 2027. They still have room to improve over Joey Ortiz and David Hamilton at the hot corner, and Milwaukee is always on the hunt for more pitching depth. The pending arrivals of Jesus Made, Luis Pena, and Andrew Fischer should help make up for the possible loss of Jake Bauers

The Twins tread water for much of 2026 after losing ace Pablo Lopez in Spring Training. His return should increase the ceiling next season, along with the arrivals of top prospects Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Marek Houston. First base is a clear need, and the team is also set to lose Ryan Jeffers at catcher. More starting rotation depth would help, and the Twins would do well to shore up the bullpen rather than leaving it to chance like they did last season.

It was another disappointing year for the Mets, though better health from Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor would go a long way toward getting the team back on track. They still have some clear holes, with the declines of Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien leaving clear holes in the lineup. The starting rotation has interesting young talent but needs more depth (perhaps Tarik Skubal?), and the bullpen is lacking reliable arms despite giving Devin Williams big money last offseason.

Like the Dodgers, anything short of a World Series is a disappointment for the Yankees. The difference is that they last won it all in 2009. The lineup is in a good place, assuming Aaron Judge returns healthy, but will lose Jazz Chisholm and clearly need to improve upon Ryan McMahon at third base. The bullpen also needs a revamp, as they could lose free agent closer David Bednar.

The competitive window is closing quickly for the veteran-laden Phillies. J.T. Realmuto is in clear decline at catcher, and the Adolis Garcia experiment in right field didn't go well. It's possible top prospect Aidan Miller will be able to replace free agent Alec Bohm at third base, but it's not something the team should count on. The bullpen was great at the top with Jhoan Duran and Jonathan Bowlan, but they need more depth.

The Pirates had a relatively disappointing season with 82 wins, as hyped prospect Konnor Griffin missed much of the year and Paul Skenes struggled at times. The clear hole in the lineup is third base, and the backend of the rotation is also an area of need given Mitch Keller's decline. The bullpen looks great at the top with Mason Montgomery and Luke Weaver, but they need to fill in behind them.

The Padres have won at least 90 games in three straight seasons, but have plenty of areas to address. Left field and second base are clear areas of need, especially with Jake Cronenworth's decline, and the starting rotation is in very rough shape with the possible losses of Michael King, Nick Pivetta, and Walker Buehler.

The Giants would like to put 2026 behind them as quickly as possible after winning only 65 games, their worst result since 2017. A catcher is a clear need after trading Patrick Bailey, and the pitching staff desperately needs help. The starting rotation has talent, led by Logan Webb and Landen Roupp, but needs more depth, while the bullpen is lacking, but they are hopeful for the return of Randy Rodriguez from injury.

Not many teams were more disappointing than the Mariners in 2026, but help is on the way. The team saw the arrivals of Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, and Kade Anderson, and top prospect Ryan Sloan is right behind them. They would do well to add some veteran insurance for Emerson, Montes, and Cole Young, but the roster remains one of the most talented in the game. Rebound seasons from star players Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, Bryan Woo, and George Kirby will be key in 2027.

The Cardinals fizzled late in the year after a surprising start, and they're already seeing the fruits of a strong farm system. The team still has to decide if they have enough at third base, while Thomas Saggese and Blaze Jordan are the primary candidates. The starting rotation is also lacking upside, but has innings eaters like Kyle Leahy, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, and Matthew Liberatore. The bullpen also has issues behind closer Riley O'Brien.

The Rays came up short in the World Series, but there's a lot to like about their 2027 roster. The middle infield could use help, unless Carson Williams reaches his potential. The return of Ryan Pepiot from injury should spur the starting rotation, but the bottom of the bullpen could use some help.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for the third straight year, hovering near .500. There are clear holes in the lineup, particularly in the outfield. It's possible top prospect Sebastian Walcott will make the move and fill a hole, but they also need insurance for the struggling Evan Carter. The starting rotation is getting old quickly, with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi underachieving last season, while the bullpen is lacking behind closer Jacob Latz.

Toronto's hopes of a rebound could rest on the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after a disappointing season, but the outfield also desperately needs a revamp. They could need as many as three new outfielders this offseason. The addition of Jose Soriano and the return of Cody Ponce add optimism for the rotation, but the fifth spot is unsettled.

Washington has several exciting prospects on the cusp, particularly in the middle infield and pitching. Finding a long-term center fielder remains on the docket. The pitching staff is making progress, with Cade Cavalli signed long-term and the addition of Connelly Early, but another innings eater and some reliable bullpen arms would help.