Whether or not for gamers or groups, it’s onerous to have an excellent season with out a few issues going proper. And people issues can take many shapes and types over the course of 162 video games: the fitting location on a fastball at simply the fitting second, a pleasant hop right here, a well-timed profitable streak there, a wholesome rotation all season.
All 30 groups have want lists for what must go proper for them in 2024. Some lists are longer than others, and a few needs could appear extra like tall orders than comfy predictions. However a part of the fantastic thing about baseball is how the sport has a manner of granting even daring needs in essentially the most stunning of the way.
With Opening Day upon us, right here’s what must go proper for every group in 2024.
Blue Jays: Bounce-back bats
The Blue Jays are betting huge on inner enhancements. Justin Turner headlined the offensive additions, changing Brandon Belt’s position from a yr in the past, however the Blue Jays want extra from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho, simply to call just a few. Energy needs to be a spotlight right here, as this lineup is able to a lot extra upside. It’s additionally harmful to wager on the Blue Jays’ rotation repeating its glorious (and wholesome) 2023 season, so this lineup wants to show the clock again to ‘21 and put this group on its again once more. – Keegan Matheson
Orioles: Rotation reinforcements
In final yr’s American League Division Sequence, the O’s didn’t have sufficient top-end beginning pitching to compete with the eventual champion Rangers. They’ve since boosted their rotation with the Feb. 1 commerce for ace Corbin Burnes. However they’ll additionally now be with out two key arms to open the season – Kyle Bradish (proper UCL sprain) and John Means (left elbow restoration). Baltimore can be a scary group to face in a postseason collection with Burnes, Bradish, Means and Grayson Rodriguez as its starters. So it wants Bradish and Means to return again and pitch effectively – or, if not, reinforce the rotation in another manner. – Jake Rill
Rays: Energy, pace and early leads
The Rays are usually constructed on a basis of pitching and protection, however their lineup stole the present final season. They hit 230 dwelling runs, fourth-most within the American League, and stole 160 bases, second-most within the AL, whereas producing a .776 OPS as a group that additionally ranked second within the AL. With a much less confirmed rotation than lately, the Rays want a repeat of that form of dynamic offensive efficiency this season. As a result of if they will create sufficient runs to safe an early lead, as a rule, their bullpen – which appears just like the group’s biggest energy – ought to make it arise. Pitching coach Kyle Snyder known as this aid corps the deepest group of his tenure in Tampa Bay, and it’s onerous to argue with that assertion. – Adam Berry
Crimson Sox: Protection must take huge step ahead
Protection, or lack thereof, was an enormous downside for the Crimson Sox final season, making life robust on the pitching employees. If the membership can cease freely giving outs, its core of younger pitchers has a greater likelihood of taking a step ahead this season. One factor that may assistance is having shortstop Trevor Story wholesome from the beginning. The Sox additionally want extra consistency on the corners from Rafael Devers and Triston Casas than they bought a yr in the past. The outfield protection needs to be athletic and a strongpoint of the membership, with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Tyler O’Neill and Wilyer Abreu enjoying necessary roles. – Ian Browne
Yankees: The Soto & Choose Present
The Yankees acknowledged that their lineup had important points coming off a season by which they ranked twenty fifth in runs scored. First, relying solely upon Aaron Choose to duplicate his 62-homer efficiency in 2022 was most likely not an excellent long-term plan, and second, the left-right steadiness that supervisor Aaron Boone values was noticeably absent. Enter Juan Soto. The Yanks paid a major worth to import the game’s greatest left-handed hitter, and his arrival provides a crucial dimension to the offense. The one-two punch of Soto and Choose ought to group for online game numbers. Bounce-back seasons from Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu may even be necessary, particularly whereas the Yanks look forward to ace Gerrit Cole to return. – Bryan Hoch
Guardians: Youth needs to be the reply
It’s time for all of the prospects who’ve been sitting in Cleveland’s system to lastly get a good look within the huge leagues. With youth comes plenty of query marks. If these younger gamers can ship, this is usually a contending group, however that’s a giant ask. Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Gavin Williams (as soon as he’s wholesome) must construct on super rookie seasons and battle off sophomore hiccups. Bo Naylor might want to settle in offensively and be a constant contributor to the offense. Tyler Freeman might want to benefit from getting frequent at-bats in middle area. Brayan Rocchio might want to show that the whole lot he labored on together with his method on the plate can translate to the common season. And when even youthful guys (like Kyle Manzardo) inevitably get known as as much as the Majors, they may should be rapid contributors. Briefly, the whole lot has to go proper for the Guardians to get again on observe. – Mandy Bell
The roster additions must show they had been definitely worth the monetary dedication, and the offense wants to enhance. However the Royals actually need to get off to a greater begin to the season this yr. It’s true that every one 162 video games matter, and essentially the most significant video games are down the stretch. However the Royals have gotten off to a chilly begin lately, and final yr it particularly sank their season once they went 7-22 within the first month. This yr, the Royals will play 19 of their first 32 video games in opposition to groups that went to the postseason final yr. The opposite 13 video games are in opposition to the Mets, White Sox and Tigers, so the Royals do have an opportunity to make an announcement of their division in opposition to the latter two and the Twins. The Royals are rightfully targeted on one sport at a time. But when they will emerge from the primary four-to-six weeks of the season nonetheless preventing within the standings, momentum may begin to roll – and that would make it a enjoyable summer time in Kansas Metropolis. – Anne Rogers
Tigers: Youth should serve up hits
The younger hitters the Tigers have constructed their lineup round must take steps ahead. For Spencer Torkelson, which means translating his energy numbers into extra run manufacturing and turning into a extra constant hitter, particularly in opposition to offspeed pitches. For Riley Greene, which means turning his onerous contact into extra line-drive and home-run energy whereas staying wholesome. For Kerry Carpenter, which means additional decreasing his chase charge and doing extra injury in opposition to breaking balls. For Parker Meadows, which means utilizing pace to his benefit on offense in addition to he does within the area. An offensive rejuvenation from Javier Báez can be a lift, however a bonus. – Jason Beck
Twins: Any semblance of constant well being from the ‘Massive Three’
There’s an unlimited variance within the Minnesota lineup’s potential outcomes this season. If Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis are wholesome and enjoying as much as their unbelievable group potential, this might legitimately be one of the crucial harmful offenses within the American League. And, as everyone knows, it’s additionally solely possible that one, two or all three are harm and/or enjoying effectively under that stage, as was the case for many of final season. (And nonetheless, the Twins completed fifth within the AL in scoring in 2023.) The fact will nearly definitely find yourself someplace in between – however the place on that spectrum these three collectively fall may have a major say within the Twins’ destiny this yr, particularly in the event that they’re enjoying in October. – Do-Hyoung Park
White Sox: Younger expertise must develop, carry out
The White Sox will not be going by means of a rebuild, as has been talked about many instances earlier than. At the very least, they aren’t following the trail of an entire teardown. However they may want younger gamers similar to right-handers Jordan Leasure and Nick Nastrini and even Opening Day starter Garrett Crochet, who is just 24, to carry out of their elevated roles and be taught as they go. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the group’s high prospect and No. 9 total in accordance with MLB Pipeline, ought to attain the Majors in some unspecified time in the future in ‘24. Good well being additionally will likely be important throughout the board, as there may be expertise on this group, however they should keep within the lineup all through the course of a season. – Scott Merkin
Angels: Wholesome gamers and bounce-back pitching
The Angels gained 73 video games in each 2022 and 2023, and that was with two-way celebrity Shohei Ohtani on the roster – so loads has to go proper for them to contend this season. Like each season, well being will likely be key, as they will’t afford extra accidents from Mike Trout or Anthony Rendon. The Angels want their beginning pitchers to bounce again after a down season final yr, as Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and Tyler Anderson all took a step again. The membership additionally wants the younger gamers to carry out, similar to Logan O’Hoppe, Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth. – Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Beginning pitching holds it collectively
That begins with getting wholesome. Justin Verlander and José Urquidy are beginning the season on the injured record however may very well be again early within the season. The Astros additionally hope to get Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia again midseason. Till then, Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier will likely be on the lookout for bounce-back seasons after struggling for lengthy stretches final yr, and the Astros want 2023 rookies J.P. France and Hunter Brown to take a step ahead. – Brian McTaggart
Athletics: Rotation wants some stability
It could’t get a lot worse than final yr, when the A’s tied a Main League file with 24 completely different beginning pitchers. They sought to deal with that problem this offseason by buying veterans Alex Wooden and Ross Stripling to hitch a rotation that features Paul Blackburn, JP Sears and hard-throwing No. 10 prospect Joe Boyle because the possible fifth starter. The A’s know they’ll undergo greater than 5 starters in a season, however preserving that variety of starters used considerably down from final yr will go a great distance of their quest for a giant step ahead in 2024. – Martín Gallegos
Mariners: Julio and beginning pitching
They’ve a blossoming star who, at his greatest, may very well be able to profitable the American League MVP Award, and a cadre of beginning pitchers on a brief record amongst favorites for the AL Cy Younger Award. The bullpen has query marks however a observe file, and the new-look lineup options gamers with damage histories but additionally promise. But, the blueprint for a way the Mariners are constructed hinges so closely on Julio Rodríguez enjoying at an elite stage for the whole season slightly than in spurts, and the rotation of Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo (who’s already ticketed for the IL to begin the yr) remaining wholesome. – Daniel Kramer
Rangers: Rotation must make it to the Commerce Deadline
The Rangers have a trio of veteran pitchers anticipated to make their return from damage this summer time: Max Scherzer in June, Tyler Mahle in July and Jacob deGrom in August. However the rotation – now headed by Nathan Eovaldi, with Jon Grey, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney, Michael Lorenzen and Cody Bradford falling behind him – completely has to make it till then for it to even matter. The rotation has a relative lack of depth for the time being, with few huge league-ready choices in Triple-A Spherical Rock, so the primary half of the season hinges on the well being and stability of these six starters. – Kennedi Landry
Braves: Hold everybody on the sphere
This group merely wants to remain wholesome. They return most of the identical gamers from a group that claimed 104 wins, regardless of going many of the season with out two of their high beginning pitchers (Max Fried and Kyle Wright). Fried and Spencer Strider are legit Cy Younger candidates and Ronald Acuña Jr.’s bid for a second straight MVP may very well be threatened by the manufacturing of teammates Matt Olson and Austin Riley. Atlanta possesses one of many sport’s greatest offenses and an elite rotation. But it surely gained’t be stunning if the group’s fortified bullpen attracts equal reward as Atlanta bids for a seventh straight NL East title. – Mark Bowman
Marlins: Everybody should step up
If the 2023 Marlins taught us something, it’s that accidents might be overcome if others pitch in. Miami reached the postseason regardless of extended absences from the likes of Jazz Chisholm Jr. to Trevor Rogers. In ‘24, the Marlins will likely be with out ace Sandy Alcantara and All-Star slugger Jorge Soler. Which means guys in new roles like A.J. Puk and Ryan Weathers, and newcomers Tim Anderson and Christian Bethancourt, should do their components. – Christina De Nicola
Mets: Luis Severino and Sean Manaea should hit their ceilings
The Mets are paying Severino $13 million and Manaea $14.5 million this season in hopes that these salaries will wind up seeming like bargains. Each are veterans with notable upside, as Severino demonstrated throughout All-Star seasons with the Yankees in 2017 and ‘18, and Manaea confirmed all through a powerful second half final yr. However Severino has been injury-prone, whereas Manaea has produced a 4.73 ERA over the previous two seasons mixed. If each pitchers can hit on their upside, the Mets would possibly coast right into a playoff berth. If neither does, it may very well be one other lengthy summer time in Flushing. – Anthony DiComo
Nationals: Enhance offensive manufacturing
The Nationals ranked final in dwelling runs and scored the fourth-fewest runs amongst NL groups final season. Aiming to spice up their offense, they’re on the lookout for a turnaround season from Joey Gallo. The veteran related on 21 dwelling runs final season with the Twins, however he solely hit .177. Gallo has not batted above .200 since a 2019 All-Star season, and the Nats hope he can set up consistency on the plate much like what Kyle Schwarber and Jeimer Candelario did lately. – Jessica Camerato
The Phillies know everyone nonetheless favors the Dodgers and Braves within the NL, however additionally they know they’ve superior additional within the postseason than both group the previous two years. They like their probabilities as a result of they consider they’ve an elite offense, probably the greatest rotations in baseball and a high-octane bullpen that throws fuel. It shouldn’t shock anyone if the Phillies make the postseason. If it doesn’t occur, it’s most definitely as a result of they misplaced a few of their stars alongside the way in which. They should keep wholesome. Taijuan Walker and Orion Kerkering will each open the season on the IL. Kerkering (sickness) needs to be again by April 9. The Phillies hope Walker (proper shoulder impingement) will solely miss just a few weeks. – Todd Zolecki
Brewers: Gamers need to seize their alternatives
Freddy Peralta is not ready within the wings behind Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff; he must be a No. 1, and ideally attain the aim he is set for himself of turning into a 200-inning workhorse. Rhys Hoskins is on a brand new group after lacking all of 2023; he must show he is nonetheless the 30-plus dwelling run hitter who can anchor the center of an order. Somebody must emerge as a dependable nearer whereas Devin Williams recovers from the stress fractures in his again. Promising pitchers like DL Corridor must show they will eat beneficial innings. Younger gamers like Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, Blake Perkins and Joey Wiemer must take steps ahead with enjoying time up for grabs – particularly after Garrett Mitchell suffered a fractured left hand simply earlier than Opening Day. And Jackson Chourio wants to remain calm by means of the hype and present the Brewers he belongs in The Present. – David Adler
Cardinals: The beginning employees should get wholesome and keep that manner
The Cardinals took an enormous gamble this offseason by attempting to patch their pitching issues with 34-year-old Sonny Grey and 36-year-olds Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. Already, Grey missed most of Spring Coaching with a hamstring pressure and can open the season on the 15-day injured record (backdated by three days). In the meantime, Gibson (10.80 ERA) and Lynn (5.79 ERA) struggled throughout rocky springs. Issue in additional spring struggles from Steven Matz (9.00 ERA) and Matthew Liberatore (moved to the bullpen) and the Cardinals may remorse not chasing after youthful, extra dependable starters. On the constructive aspect, Opening Day starter Miles Mikolas (2.25 ERA) appears poised for a giant bounce-back season and No. 2 starter Zach Thompson (2.81 ERA) has proven the promise of residing as much as his huge potential. Nonetheless, they gained’t be capable of assist the employees with out wholesome and productive seasons from Grey, Lynn, Gibson and Matz. – John Denton
Cubs: Steps ahead in ‘23 must show to be actual
There have been a handful of necessary developments final season that the Cubs should be indicators of what’s to return, versus deceptive mirages. Cody Bellinger was the Nationwide League’s Comeback Participant of the Yr and one of many sport’s elite situational hitters. Seiya Suzuki was one in every of baseball’s greatest hitters over the ultimate two months. Justin Steele emerged as a Cy Younger contender and Adbert Alzolay stepped up as a lock-down nearer. The pitching pipeline began to shore up weak spots within the rotation and bullpen. If that may all maintain up as actual, the Cubs will likely be in nice form in ‘24. – Jordan Bastian
Pirates: Beginning pitching must step up
The Pirates have a newly prolonged All-Star on the high of their rotation in Mitch Keller and loads of uncertainty afterwards. The group’s had success with soft-tossing lefty reclamation tasks just lately, and it has two extra in Martín Pérez and Marco Gonzales this yr. After that, it’s loads of younger arms, a few of which have a little bit of Main League expertise (Luis Ortiz, Quinn Priester), a few of which have none (Paul Skenes, Jared Jones). Keller alone can’t carry this rotation, so three or 4 pitchers are going to wish to step as much as no less than get the ball to the bullpen, which might be the energy of this employees. – Alex Stumpf
Reds: Restrict sophomore jinxes
Cincinnati had 16 rookies make their Main League debuts in 2023, however Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are anticipated to be an important contributors in 2024. As they’ve grow to be extra recognized, opponents have made their changes. These second-year gamers will likely be counted on to take steps ahead in 2024 and keep away from regression years, which will likely be key to the membership contending within the NL Central race. Matt McLain would headline this record, however his availability this yr is unsure after he underwent shoulder surgical procedure two days earlier than Opening Day. – Mark Sheldon
D-backs: They should steer clear of main accidents
The D-backs had been lucky on the damage entrance final yr. Catcher Gabriel Moreno missed just a little little bit of time, as did right-hander Merrill Kelly, however in any other case most of Arizona’s key performers had been capable of keep off the injured record. Within the closing week of Spring Coaching, the D-backs watched No. 3 starter Eduardo Rodriguez and nearer Paul Sewald go down with accidents. The D-backs have improved their depth and might most likely overcome these two accidents – the late addition of left-hander Jordan Montgomery definitely helps – however they will sick afford to have some other top-end man get harm. They took issues slowly with each Zac Gallen and Kelly this spring in hopes of preserving them robust all through the season. That will likely be a key for them. – Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: Beginning pitching well being
Whereas the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup will possible steal all of the headlines this season, the actual key to success for Los Angeles will likely be what it will get when it comes to well being and manufacturing from the beginning pitching employees. Not having enough starters was what finally doomed the Dodgers final season regardless of having probably the greatest offenses within the league. This yr, they’re counting on Tyler Glasnow, who has by no means pitched greater than 120 innings in a season, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s making the transition to the Majors. There’s additionally Walker Buehler, who’s getting shut to creating his return after present process a second Tommy John surgical procedure. If the Dodgers can get into October wholesome, they’re going to be a very robust out. – Juan Toribio
Giants: The beginning rotation must dominate
With Blake Snell and Logan Webb within the fold, the Giants may have the highest two finishers within the 2023 Nationwide League Cy Younger race main their rotation this yr. The group figures to grow to be even nastier as soon as 2023 All-Star Alex Cobb (left hip surgical procedure) and 2021 American League Cy Younger winner Robbie Ray (Tommy John surgical procedure) are again at full energy. Throw transformed reliever Jordan Hicks and younger pitching prospects like Kyle Harrison into the combo and San Francisco has the potential to boast the perfect beginning employees within the Majors by midseason. The Giants will go so far as their arms take them, in order that they’ll be leaning on their starters to constantly shut down opposing lineups and carry them again into the postseason in 2024. – Maria Guardado
Padres: Every thing that didn’t go proper in 2023
The Padres should be higher in shut video games after they completed 2-12 in extras and 9-23 in one-run video games. They should be higher situationally, and they should capitalize on their alternatives. (And, sure, they most likely want some higher late-game luck, too.) However maybe greater than something, when the season will get robust – and in some unspecified time in the future, it should – the Padres must punch again. Right here’s how first baseman Jake Cronenworth put it: “The largest factor is: How can we battle by means of and get by means of adversity? I don’t suppose we did the perfect job of that final yr. We had been undoubtedly all attempting to get out of what we had been in. However I believe all of us discovered a very beneficial lesson in … what we discovered from these instances that had been robust.” – AJ Cassavell
Rockies: Well being and primary high quality from the beginning rotation
Even throughout final yr’s 103-loss season and to date this spring, the Rockies’ most outstanding trait is a powerful protection at practically each place. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers (2022) and middle fielder Brenton Doyle (2023) personal Gold Glove Awards, and third baseman Ryan McMahon, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and proper fielder Charlie Blackmon have been finalists. Left fielder Nolan Jones displayed an influence throwing arm final season. Whereas it’s simpler stated than carried out, the pitchers can provide the Rockies a preventing likelihood in the event that they merely preserve the ball within the strike zone and contained in the park. The employees isn’t extremely regarded and depth is a matter, however lefty Kyle Freeland and righties Cal Quantrill and Dakota Hudson have pitched in postseason video games and are able to robust years, however none of them – or any of the opposite potential starters – are high-strikeout pitchers. They need to win with protection, however there’s a protection that they will win with. – Thomas Harding
