With the baseball world’s eyes skilled on Orlando, Fla., over the subsequent few days for the Winter Conferences, it is a good time to take a look at every crew’s largest want heading into the annual occasion, one which regularly serves as a catalyst for Sizzling Range motion.
We requested every of the 30 MLB.com beat writers for some perception as to what their membership’s largest want is because the Winter Conferences get set to kick off:
Blue Jays: One large batThe apparent candidates listed here are Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker, provided that Kyle Schwarber isn’t as clear a match on this roster. Whereas Bichette’s worth will probably be excessive and Tucker’s even greater, the Blue Jays have proven a willingness to spend and their possession group appears to be emboldened by the World Sequence run that sparked unbelievable nationwide curiosity within the crew. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the engine of this lineup and the Blue Jays are hoping for yet one more nice season from George Springer, however they want some assist in the midst of the order, particularly given the uncertainty round Anthony Santander following a tough debut season reduce quick by a shoulder damage. The Blue Jays are by no means hesitant to go off the board, both, simply as they did final offseason by including Andrés Giménez on the Winter Conferences. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: A frontline beginning pitcherKyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers may kind a powerful 1-2 punch atop Baltimore’s workers in 2026. However the O’s want one other frontline starter — any person to group with Bradish and Rogers within the higher half of the rotation, and even to function an ace above that duo. The Orioles’ commerce for Corbin Burnes forward of the 2024 season labored out fairly effectively earlier than he left for Arizona final offseason. Possibly Baltimore will once more discover the commerce marketplace for a top-tier starter, although the O’s have expressed a willingness to develop their payroll and may very well be within the combine for marquee free brokers resembling Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Michael King and others. — Jake Rill
Rays: CatcherThe Rays like their present defensive-minded duo, Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes, and so they count on each to be extra comfy subsequent season after coming over on the Commerce Deadline. Plus, offensive-oriented prospect Dominic Keegan isn’t far behind in Triple-A. Nevertheless it’s arduous to disregard that their catchers hit simply .185 with an MLB-worst .592 OPS final season, and so they’re at all times in search of a long-term, on a regular basis resolution behind the plate, somebody who can meet their defensive customary and lengthen their lineup. Is that participant obtainable this offseason? — Adam Berry
Pink Sox: A giant batThe Pink Sox want a slugger who can sit within the third or fourth spot within the lineup and keep there all season. The Pink Sox had that man for years, and his identify was Rafael Devers. The star left-handed hitter was dealt to the Giants for a large number of causes again on June 15, and Boston is aware of it’s important to interchange his manufacturing to go deep into October. Regulate Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, the 2 largest bats on the free-agent market. Solely Aaron Decide has hit extra homers than these two sluggers during the last seven seasons. In an ideal world, Alonso could be one of the best match due to his right-handed bat in a lineup that wants extra stability. However no one in Boston would complain about winding up with Schwarber. — Ian Browne
Yankees: Bullpen helpNew York’s bullpen pitched to a 4.37 ERA this previous season, which ranked eleventh within the 15-team American League — hardly what they envisioned after importing Devin Williams and his celebrated “Airbender” in a commerce. Williams was out and in of the nearer’s function, whereas Luke Weaver (additionally now a free agent) posted inconsistent outcomes. The Yanks tried to patch their ‘pen on the Commerce Deadline, buying David Bednar and Camilo Doval, amongst others. Bednar was stable, posting a 2.19 ERA and 10 saves in 22 appearances, whereas Doval is a high-upside undertaking. They’ve already re-signed Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough, which is a begin, however the Yanks are in search of extra lockdown assist in the late innings. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: OffenseCleveland’s prime want is bolstering an offense that struggled for prolonged stretches final season. Including a confirmed veteran to the outfield combine is one avenue that will make a ton of sense, and a right-handed hitter may very well be a perfect match. Cleveland heart fielders had a .574 OPS final season, and its proper fielders had a .605 OPS. The outfield image is heavy on lefties, from children Chase DeLauter, George Valera and C.J. Kayfus to All-Star and four-time Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan. — Tim Stebbins
Royals: OffenseThe Royals are eager on upgrading their offense for 2026, both with an influence bat for the center of their order or with dependable and confirmed depth down on the backside. The outfield is the probably path for an addition, because the Royals’ outfield has been among the many least productive within the Majors for a number of years. However Kansas Metropolis may additionally discover some assist with a flexible participant who can bounce between the infield and outfield. It’s time for the Royals to seek out the items that may assist their core group of hitters take the subsequent step as an offense. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: BullpenThe pitching chaos technique that marked Detroit’s postseason cost in 2024 had some points final season due partly to a thinner group of reliable relievers by season’s finish. President of baseball operations Scott Harris, supervisor A.J. Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter constructed a deep bullpen of homegrown prospects, waiver claims and low-key free-agent provides, however that group confirmed the consequences of all these innings final season. Detroit’s dabbling into the free-agent nearer market suggests a possible change in method, although re-signing Kyle Finnegan would retain a critically versatile arm. — Jason Beck
Twins: BullpenIt’s bullpen by a mile, and it’s not totally clear what’s second. Minnesota traded away its prime 5 relievers on the Deadline final 12 months, leaving solely Cole Sands, Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk from what had beforehand been a powerful reduction corps. And up to now, the Twins have solely added one new arm to the combination (right-hander Eric Orze) this winter. It’s probably that one or two of the membership’s beginning candidates or beginning prospects can be moved to reduction work, besides, there’s a necessity for most likely at the least two established relievers. — Matthew Leach
White Sox: Late-inning leverageThe actual White Sox reply on this class is: just a little little bit of the whole lot. The crew can be in search of a left-handed bat, both within the nook outfield spots or nook infield, with Miguel Vargas capable of play first or third, and one other veteran arm for the rotation even with the addition of free agent Anthony Kay (not but formally introduced). In addition they have gifted younger hurlers resembling Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor and Mike Vasil in place to make use of all through the bullpen’s later innings, however for a crew with a 15-36 ledger in video games determined by one run in 2025, and a 23-58 complete report in video games determined by one or two runs, including a veteran drive to the eighth or ninth is sensible. Truly, including a set nearer makes much more sense. — Scott Merkin
Angels: PitchingThe Angels traded for Grayson Rodriguez and signed Alek Manoah to a one-year deal however neither pitched within the Majors in 2025, so that they’re nonetheless in want of extra beginning pitching and bullpen assist. The Angels stay probably so as to add at the least one starter to the combination and in addition have to discover a nearer with veteran Kenley Jansen a free agent. They saved roughly $13-14 million by buying and selling Taylor Ward for Rodriguez and will use a few of that cash to spend on pitching. However they’re additionally nonetheless in search of a 3rd baseman and presumably a middle fielder. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Beginning pitchingThe Astros’ want so as to add one other controllable beginning pitcher is prone to be fulfilled by means of trades from their Main League roster, with heart fielder Jake Meyers entrance and heart in these talks. The membership doesn’t have the monetary assets to signal any of the big-name free brokers available on the market, although they did make a transfer on Dec. 2 by agreeing to a take care of right-hander Ryan Weiss, who had pitched the earlier two years in Korea. He’ll be a part of the combination of depth items behind Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti — a listing that features Lance McCullers Jr., Colton Gordon, Jason Alexander, AJ Blubaugh and J.P. France. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: PitchingThe Athletics’ essential focus is to enhance on the pitching facet, each within the rotation and within the bullpen. Because the roster at present stands, Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs are the one two established starters. Following them are some thrilling however inexperienced younger arms resembling Luis Morales, Jacob Lopez and Jack Perkins. MLB High 100 prospects Gage Leap (No. 60) and Jamie Arnold (No. 38) may additionally think about quickly. The A’s additionally stay and not using a set nearer and must also be out there for a reliever with some closing expertise. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: Confirmed bullpen helpSeattle was out there for a number of relievers — and bought a soar on the Conferences by buying and selling for lefty Jose A. Ferrer to pair with Gabe Speier. Now the membership would love a higher-leverage arm that the membership clearly may’ve used within the playoffs to go along with Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash and Eduard Bazardo. Every of the Mariners’ three non-tendered gamers — Gregory Santos, Tayler Saucedo and Trent Thornton — had been relievers, although solely Thornton had a significant function in 2025 earlier than struggling a season-ending Achilles damage. It’s attainable that the membership seems to be to a different unheralded arm in Spring Coaching, very similar to they did with Paul Sewald, Justin Topa and Speier on this period. However the membership can be just a few years faraway from these success tales, and a extra confirmed choice is perhaps the extra palatable route. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: CatcherThe Rangers already added a bit by subtraction with the strikes over the primary few weeks of the offseason, once they non-tendered a trio of World Sequence heroes in Adolis García, Jonah Heim and Josh Sborz. They traded one other once they flipped Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo. However the job is much from completed. There are a variety of different wants on the guidelines, however the largest is probably going one other catcher to pair with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. With Heim non-tendered and minimal depth on the prime of the farm system, Texas is desperately in want of an influence bat behind the plate that’s able to dealing with a veteran pitching workers, very similar to Heim in 2023. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: Bolster the beginning rotationComing off a season throughout which six of their beginning pitchers had been on the injured record for at the least six weeks, the Braves have to fortify their rotation with a confirmed arm. Including a frontline choice would additionally fulfill the long-term want that will come up if this proves to be Chris Sale’s remaining season with the membership. There’s a want so as to add a bat and presumably at the least yet one more high-leverage reliever. However health-related considerations dealing with Grant Holmes, Reynaldo López and to some extent Spencer Schwellenbach create a fair larger want for the Braves to do no matter essential to keep away from the rotation points that arose this previous season. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: First baseThe Marlins’ 2025 group produced the fourth-lowest OPS (.663) within the Majors. Inside candidates embrace Eric Wagaman (86 OPS+), adopted by teammates who primarily performed elsewhere. Liam Hicks (94 OPS+) typically moved from catcher to first to maintain his bat within the lineup. Miami used pregame to work with outfielder Heriberto Hernández (116 OPS+) at first for a similar motive. Graham Pauley (88 OPS+) and Connor Norby (90 OPS+) may slide over from third. Exterior choices embrace these on the free-agent market (from Ryan O’Hearn to Rhys Hoskins) and attainable commerce matches. — Christina De Nicola
Mets: A frontline beginning pitcherThe Mets nonetheless want to determine whether or not Pete Alonso and/or Edwin Díaz will return. They’re trying into an enormous bat for the outfield. All of these are main considerations. However the transfer that will most transfer the needle for these Mets could be the acquisition of a frontline starter to pair with Nolan McLean on the prime of the rotation. Beginning pitching points had been the obvious motive why the Mets didn’t make the playoffs in 2025. Whereas the present rotation options loads of depth, it’s missing in upside. The Mets want to repair that, with the commerce market their most definitely avenue for doing so. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: First baseThe Nationals’ most evident want is at first base. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand highlighted 1B/DH/OF free agent Ryan O’Hearn as a possible match. The lefty-batting O’Hearn hit 17 house runs with a .803 OPS final season. Swap-hitting veteran Josh Bell, who completed out final season beginning on the place, is a free agent. There’s a chance Bell and the Nats may reunite for a 3rd time given his established relationships with younger gamers within the clubhouse. Washington tendered a contract to second baseman Luis García Jr., who bought seems to be at first base final season. Might the lefty-hitter make the defensive shift in 2026? — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: A giant batThe Phillies need to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, who led the NL in house runs and RBIs and completed second for NL MVP behind Shohei Ohtani. He not solely contributes on the plate, however he’s an incredible chief within the clubhouse, and a valued supporter of the group. But when the Phillies someway fall quick of their pursuit, they completely should reply with a powerful Plan B. It may very well be Kyle Tucker. It may very well be Pete Alonso. It may very well be any person in a commerce. However the Phillies completely should discover an All-Star-caliber expertise to hit forward of or simply behind Bryce Harper. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: Energy within the lineupLast 12 months’s Brewers didn’t have a lot of it, rating twenty second of the 30 groups in house runs and twenty ninth in barrels per plate look, successful as an alternative with elite plate self-discipline, contact and pace. It carried them by means of the common season, when Milwaukee gained an MLB-best 97 video games and ranked third in runs scored, however ran out proper round Sport 3 of the NLDS, because the Brewers simply bought previous the Cubs earlier than being unable to maintain any type of rally in opposition to the Dodgers and their elite beginning pitching within the NLCS. The Brewers did see an influence bump from growing hitters like Brice Turang and Sal Frelick and can depend on extra subsequent season, together with one other step ahead for 21-year-old budding star Jackson Chourio. But when they will discover a technique to squeeze it onto a roster with few holes for the time being, an enormous bat may assist. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: A veteran beginning pitcherThis goes to rely largely on who’s traded within the coming months, however the straightforward reply is a veteran who can anchor the workers. The membership traded Sonny Grey and isn’t anticipated to pursue Miles Mikolas — two confirmed starters who mixed for 22 wins, 63 begins and 337 innings in 2025. The Playing cards want a veteran to pair with Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, Kyle Leahy and the newly acquired Richard Fitts. Fitts, who pitched for the Pink Sox the previous two seasons, is absolutely recovered from a serious nerve damage that sidelined him with numbness in his throwing arm for 2 weeks. Tyler Mahle, who was 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 16 begins with the Rangers, would possibly match on a one-year deal. Or would they dare splurge in free company to convey former Playing cards prospect Zac Gallen again into the group? — John Denton
Cubs: PitchingThe prime precedence for the Cubs heading into this offseason was so as to add to the entrance finish of the rotation and herald a number of arms for the bullpen. Shota Imanaga’s resolution to just accept a one-year qualifying supply helped on the rotation entrance, as did Chicago’s signing of reliever Phil Maton (two years, $14.5 million), however there’s nonetheless work to be executed. Including yet one more bona fide beginning pitcher would actually assist strengthen the depth for that group. And with practically the whole lot of the Cubs’ late-inning arms hitting free company (notably: Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz), the ballclub goes to focus on a wide range of choices by way of commerce, free company or different smaller transactions. Supervisor Craig Counsell has referred to as the hunt for arms a “365-day” course of, however there’s urgency to stockpile now. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: BatsEmphasis on plural. Final 12 months’s Pirates crew completed final in baseball in runs, house runs and OPS. They will want bounce-back seasons from gamers like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, however additionally they want so as to add to the lineup. Their most urgent wants are a nook outfielder and an infielder on the left facet. They might use a real No. 1 catcher, one other infielder and even only a large bat to be a DH. In addition they gave themselves a necessity for a 3rd baseman once they traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds in July, whereas the outfield has wanted assist for years. It’s arduous to see this being a profitable offseason with out upgrading at the least a type of two positions. — Alex Stumpf
Reds: A giant bat to spice up the offenseDespite taking part in within the smaller confines of Nice American Ball Park, the Reds’ offense was ranked twenty first in homers and nineteenth in OPS in the course of the 2025 season. Their No. 3 hitter within the lineup, All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, led the crew with solely 22 homers, together with 4 after the All-Star break whereas he was getting a gradual weight-reduction plan of offspeed pitches. De La Cruz lacked a constant energy bat within the cleanup spot to guard him and lengthen the Cincinnati lineup. Whereas somebody like Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso may appear financially out of the query, the Reds want somebody who can add energy and punch to their order. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: Pitching, pitching and extra pitchingDid we point out that the D-backs want pitching? With Merrill Kelly traded on the Deadline and Zac Gallen declining the crew’s qualifying supply, Arizona has two enormous holes to fill on the prime of its rotation. Whereas the D-backs do have gifted younger pitchers of their farm system, they’re planning on competing for the postseason in 2026, so that they need to purchase pitchers who’ve already had some success on the large league degree. As well as, the crew’s bullpen was terrible final 12 months and they are going to be with out co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez initially of the 12 months as each get well from Tommy John surgical procedure, so that they might want to purchase backend bullpen assist as effectively. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: Stability within the bullpenAfter experiencing peak bullpen volatility this previous season, the Dodgers may improve the reduction corps for 2026. Their relievers threw extra innings (657 2/3) than another crew, however they mixed for a 4.27 ERA and 27 blown saves, tied with the Phillies for the seventh-most within the Majors. L.A. spent large on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates within the earlier offseason, and neither panned out as hoped — so how will the crew proceed this winter? — Sonja Chen
Giants: Beginning pitchingThe Giants’ most urgent want stays beginning pitching depth, which they didn’t have sufficient of whereas going 81-81 in 2025 and lacking the playoffs for the fourth straight 12 months. San Francisco has a pair of All-Stars — Logan Webb and Robbie Ray — on the prime of its rotation and a stable third choice in Landen Roupp, however the outlook for the remainder of the group is unclear. Justin Verlander is a free agent and Hayden Birdsong couldn’t clear up his management points after being demoted to Triple-A Sacramento, so the Giants will probably want so as to add at the least two starters to make sure they’ve sufficient high quality arms to get by means of the season subsequent 12 months. — Maria Guardado
Padres: A number of startersStop me in the event you’ve heard this earlier than: The Padres want beginning pitching. And whereas that is true of each crew each offseason, it’s very true of those Padres. They’re squarely of their rivalry window with a largely full offense and an elite bullpen. However they’ve three dependable starters on their 40-man roster.
So … A.J. Preller has work to do. He’ll want to seek out his subsequent Nick Pivetta — an particularly shrewd signing from final offseason — as Pivetta rapidly ascended into an ace. After which he’ll most likely want so as to add two extra starters past that. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: Veteran experienceExpect the Rockies to stay younger. However by the tip of final season, at the least 4 rookie place gamers and two to a few first-time regulars had been within the every day lineup, plus rookies made up three-fifths of the beginning rotation. That’s an excessive amount of youth for a crew to be aggressive. Large spending on free brokers isn’t warranted, however arguments may very well be made for rising the expertise degree at first base, second base and third base, in addition to including expertise to the rotation. For now, gamers who made Main League debuts in 2025 prime the depth chart at first base (Blaine Crim), second base (Ryan Ritter) and third base (Kyle Karros). — Thomas Harding
