The World Series is over and congratulations to the Texas Rangers on their first title. Now, the baseball industry is officially moving into the offseason schedule.
Which team will win it all in 2024? Measurements taken over the coming months will determine this. The annual general managers’ meetings, which will take place Tuesday through Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona, serve as a kickoff of sorts. At general managers’ meetings, trade discussions between teams begin in earnest and clubs conduct initial negotiations with free agent representatives. (In case you missed it, here’s my ranking of the 40 best free agentswith contract projections and best team fits.) There usually aren’t many trades or signings during general managers’ meetings, but these discussions set the stage for future deals that are usually made during winter meetings, which will take place this year. December 3-7 in Nashville, Tennessee.
General manager meetings are vital to the business and baseball aspects of baseball operations. The two main purposes of the meetings are to cover important issues that impact the former and to bring teams together to facilitate the latter, which is evidenced by teams sharing their biggest off-season needs with each other. .
I have contacted the commissioner’s office to find out what major business topics will be on next week’s agenda for baseball executives to discuss. I also contacted the front office decision makers for 28 of the 30 teams (exceptions noted below), who told me the team’s top needs that they would share with their counterparts.
Here’s a look at what to expect as meetings begin next week at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa in Montelucia.
Business side of baseball operations
From a commercial point of view, the GM meetings will be highlighted by the following themes:
• Review rule changes for 2023 and discuss possible future rule changes. This will include a debate on the implementation a challenge system for the ball and strikes or by going directly to an automated strike zone.
• Evaluate the current playoff format and debate whether it should be changed, including discussing whether five days off for teams with a first-round bye (i.e. division winners ) are too long and need to be adjusted.
• Discuss league-wide medical issues, including pitching injuries.
• Discuss MLB initiatives in the area of scouting, including pooling, drafting and international amateur signings.
• Examine the league’s efforts to make “improvements” to affiliated minor leagues and the player development environment.
• A briefing on the Oakland A’s possible move to Las Vegas and where they might play in the meantime.
Baseball side of baseball operations
Now let’s move on to how teams are approaching roster construction this offseason. Once again, I reached out to front office executives across the league and asked them what their team’s most pressing needs were. Keep in mind that key needs, even if an executive is completely transparent, don’t cover every type of player a team will pursue in free agency. Just because a team says their biggest need is, say, a corner outfielder, doesn’t mean they won’t commit and attempt to draft an elite reliever. or Shohei Ohtani. This simply means that the team is mainly focusing on certain parts of the team this winter. Conclusion: there is a big difference between needs And wanna.
Here’s a look at each team’s biggest needs, based on what front-office executives have told me.
To the East
Orioles: A starting pitcher and bullpen help.
Rays: Start throwing depth and determine their infield.
Blue Jays: A corner outfield stick, as they expect to move Daulton Varsho in center field.
Yankees: Helps in center field and left field, with a preference for left-handed hitters.
Red Sox: A right-handed outfielder, a second baseman and a starting pitcher.
AL Central
Twins: Starting throwing depth and a center fielder to complement Byron Buxton.
Guardians: Bats, most likely in the outfield and DH.
Tigers: A right-handed hitter and pitcher.
White Sox: Starting pitcher, catcher and helper in the middle of the field as well as a corner outfielder.
Royals: Starting pitchers and relievers and a veteran bat or two.
West
Astros: Hire a new manager. Also, mid-lever bullpen arms and a backup catcher.
Rangers: I didn’t ask GM Chris Young that question during the World Series because I didn’t think it was appropriate to bother him. However, the Rangers’ biggest need is clearly to improve their bullpen depth.
Sailors: Either a single lineup anchor or players with better contact rates to use throughout the order.
angels: A starting pitcher, bullpen upgrades, a mid-order bat and a corner outfielder.
As: Starting pitchers and relievers and a mid-range bat.
NL East
Brave: A starting pitcher to replace Kyle WrightWho’s gonna do it miss the entire 2024 season with a shoulder injury.
Phillies: Re-sign Aaron Nola or acquire a starting pitcher to replace him.
Marlins: A president of baseball operations and a general manager.
Dishes: Starting pitching and bullpen depth.
Nationals: A veteran starting pitcher and a corner outfield bat.
Central NL
Brewers: Retain manager Craig Advisor or replace him if he leaves. Also add the starting pitch.
Small: A corner bat and bullpen upgrades.
Reds: Started pitching and bullpen additions with an emphasis on quality and depth, as well as a right-handed outfielder.
Pirates: Improve the starting pitch and deepen the lineup.
Cardinals: Throws, throws and more throws.
NL West
Dodgers: Start of the pitch.
Diamond back: I have not contacted GM Mike Hazen because he was busy with the World Series. However, based on the playoffs, I think a veteran starting pitcher would be their biggest need.
Padres: Bullpen’s help with Josh Hader is expected to leave in free agency.
giants: Star players to build around, an infield offense, a starting pitcher and a shortstop.
Rockies: Develop pitch depth, up and down the staff.
GO FURTHER
MLB offseason schedule: Key moments for contracts, awards and free agency
(Top photo of free agent closer Josh Hader: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
