How NL teams have addressed their weakest positions of 2023

There’s nonetheless loads of time left within the offseason for groups to test objects off their winter to-do lists, however with the spirit of vacation buying within the air, let’s check out what baseball groups have already completed to repair their roster’s weakest hyperlinks from final season. Utilizing Baseball Reference’s listing of how each team performed (as per bWAR) by position in 2022, let’s begin with the 15 Nationwide League golf equipment….

Braves (Pinch-hitting, 0.3 bWAR): We’ll begin with a workforce with out many weak factors, because the Braves amassed 104 wins thanks largely to among the best offensive lineups in baseball historical past. Atlanta’s on a regular basis gamers had been so good and so sturdy that the bench didn’t get a lot of an opportunity to hit the sphere, whilst late-game subs. As to how the bench depth may enhance, Vaughn Grissom is anticipated to tackle a bigger position, and David Fletcher was acquired from the Angels as a backup infield improve over Nicky Lopez.

Brewers (First base, 0.4 bWAR): Carlos Santana is a free agent, Rowdy Tellez was non-tendered, and Mark Canha was traded to the Tigers because the Brew Crew may kind of fully reshuffle their first base combine. GM Matt Arnold
did hint that Santana may return and highly-touted prospect Tyler Black may issue at both nook infield place, however for now, first base stays considerably in flux. Jake Bauers was acquired from the Yankees and presently tasks to work with Owen Miller in a platoon on the chilly nook.

Cardinals (Pinch-hitting, 0.2 bWAR): St. Louis’ rotation issues have been well-documented, and their 4.1 rotation bWAR ranked twenty eighth of 30 groups. Nonetheless, pinch-hitting was technically the Cardinals’ weakest level by pure bWAR metrics, and this space may simply enhance with higher outcomes from the workforce’s in-house choices. On paper, the Playing cards have loads of versatile position-player depth, although they want to determine which members of this group will probably be lineup regulars or maybe off the workforce altogether.

Cubs (First base, 0.4 bWAR): Even with Cody Bellinger getting an enormous chunk of the enjoying time at first base, he hit solely .267/.310/.467 over 200 plate appearances as a primary baseman, in distinction to his red-hot .323/.381/.548 slash line in 339 PA as a middle fielder. A Matt Mervis/Patrick Wisdom/Christopher Morel mixture is presently in place on the chilly nook, but it doesn’t really feel just like the Cubs are going to only stand pat the place. Wrigleyville has been linked to such commerce and free agent targets as Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, and Rhys Hoskins, plus a reunion with Bellinger can’t but be dominated out.

Diamondbacks (Third base, 0.0 bWAR): The NL champions solely received replacement-level manufacturing on the scorching nook final 12 months, however Arizona has already made an enormous transfer by including Eugenio Suarez in a trade with the Mariners. It’s a attainable short-term repair since 2024 is the final assured 12 months of Suarez’s contract, although he ought to present the D’Backs with some additional energy whereas the workforce will get some extra time to judge Jordan Lawlar’s readiness at shortstop (which may shift Gerardo Perdomo to 3rd base sooner or later).

Dodgers (Pinch-hitting, 1.3 bWAR): Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers’ “weakest place” remains to be fairly respectable. The return of Gavin Lux and the acquisition of Manuel Margot ought to increase the expertise ground on the roster when it comes to bench depth, as youthful gamers like Miguel Vargas or Michael Busch may contribute in backup or part-time roles, reasonably than being relied on (as Vargas was final season) for a high-pressure beginning position. The left area place additionally generated 1.4 bWAR in 2023, and Los Angeles hopes that the addition of Margot may also help on that entrance, plus a return to kind for Chris Taylor would assist a ton.

Giants (Shortstop, -1.3 bWAR): Longtime shortstop Brendan Crawford battled accidents all season lengthy and wasn’t very productive when he was on the sphere, leaving the Giants short-handed at one of the crucial essential positions on the diamond. High prospect Marco Luciano made his MLB debut final season and can get an extended look in 2024, however San Francisco is also looking around for shortstop assist, maybe simply as a one-year stopgap to assist Luciano ease into the massive leagues.

Marlins (Catcher, -0.6 bWAR): Jacob Stallings wasn’t tendered a contract, and Christian Bethancourt was acquired from the Guardians as president of baseball operations Peter Bendix picked up one other of his former gamers from the Rays. The Bethancourt/Nick Fortes tandem is not less than a defensively stout pairing behind the plate, although Miami isn’t completed exploring the market for more catching help, and former Cardinal Andrew Knizner is reportedly of curiosity.

Mets (Third base, -1.2 bWAR): No workforce received much less from the new nook than the Amazins, however New York’s initial plan for the offseason was to maintain rolling with youthful gamers like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, or Mark Vientos. Nonetheless, Mauricio will now miss most or the entire season due to a torn ACL, decreasing the choices to Baty, Vientos, or utilityman Joey Wendle. Justin Turner is reportedly a participant of curiosity for the Mets, which may match since Turner would additionally get plenty of time as a DH, permitting for the kids to get motion on the third base spot. If not Turner, another veteran infield depth possibility could possibly be obtained, but the Mets wish to give their prime prospects a while since 2024 is wanting like one thing of an analysis 12 months for the workforce.

Nationals (Designated hitter, 0.7 bWAR): Joey Meneses received the majority of DH at-bats in 2023, and he couldn’t sustain the magic of his stunning 2022 breakout, hitting solely .275/.321/.401 in his second 12 months within the majors. Meneses may get extra time at first base now that Dominic Smith has been non-tendered, and Washington additionally introduced in Juan Yepez and Lewin Diaz on minor-league offers. In brief, each the DH and first base spots are mainly open-call auditions at this level, because the Nationals most likely aren’t more likely to purchase a longer-term reply for both place whereas the workforce remains to be rebuilding. The designated hitter position may not be addressed immediately, because the Nats may find yourself biking a number of gamers by means of the place.

Padres (First base/pinch-hitting, 0.5 bWAR): San Diego’s crowded infield image resulted in Jake Cronenworth getting a lot of the first base alternative, and he struggled after posting some very strong numbers from 2020-22. Cronenworth remains to be the favourite for the place at this level, and his massive contract makes it doubtless that he’ll nonetheless be on the roster subsequent 12 months despite the fact that Cronenworth’s title has surfaced in some trade talks. Manny Machado will probably be used as a DH early within the season till he absolutely recovers from his elbow surgical procedure, which considerably complicates any plans San Diego may need in acquiring a slugging first base/DH kind, but such a participant may nonetheless be a clever addition if the Padres really feel assured Machado received’t want an excessive amount of time to get absolutely wholesome. As a lot because the Padres’ offseason has been outlined thus far by payroll cuts, their current signing of reliever Yuki Matsui signifies that the workforce remains to be planning to contend, and getting one other massive bat within the lineup looks like a should.

Phillies (Third base, 0.4 bWAR): Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa largely break up the third base duties in 2023, as Bohm noticed plenty of time at first base with Rhys Hoskins out and till Bryce Harper was able to take over because the common first baseman. Harper will probably be sticking at first base in 2024, so Bohm will probably be again because the full-time third baseman. The previous prime prospect has been roughly a league-average hitter in his 4 MLB seasons and his glovework at third base nonetheless garners blended opinions, so if the Phillies did wish to make an even bigger transfer to their on a regular basis core, Bohm could be a candidate to be the odd man out. That stated, president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski has indicated that the Phils are kind of completed with their top-tier winter buying.

Pirates (Catcher/shortstop, -0.9 bWAR): The reply is identical at each positions for the Bucs — get full and wholesome seasons from two of their greatest younger gamers. Oneil Cruz missed virtually the complete season on account of ankle surgical procedure, whereas Henry Davis made his MLB debut however barely performed any catcher, largely seeing time with no consideration fielder as a substitute. Sadly, one other prime catching prospect in Endy Rodriguez will miss the complete season on account of UCL surgical procedure, so Davis now seems to be to be the best choice behind the plate until the Pirates favor to make use of Jason Delay and Ali Sanchez whereas Davis will get extra acclimated to the place.

Reds (Proper area/DH/Pinch-hitting, 0.7 bWAR): Cincinnati had a three-way tie within the “weakest place” race, and the reply to all three positions could be inside enhancements. Or, not less than a shuffle brought on by the signing of Jeimer Candelario, which can additional crowd the infield and push Spencer Steer into a transparent left area position. It will in flip make Will Benson and Jake Fraley into the proper area platoon, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Jonathan India may now be in line for DH responsibility now that the Reds have parted methods with Joey Votto. There are many transferring elements right here for the Reds, to not point out the truth that Cincinnati may nonetheless transfer one in all their infielders in a commerce for pitching.

Rockies (First base/second base, -0.6 bWAR): Colorado hopes to have Kris Bryant and Brendan Rodgers wholesome, which might robotically make issues higher on the two lackluster infield positions. It’s been a fairly quiet winter thus far for the Rockies, as their restricted transactions thus far have understandably been centered on including pitching. Colorado solely obtained 0.6 bWAR from its beginning pitchers in 2023, the bottom mark in baseball.