Author: Deesha Thosar

Posted on

What’s Next: How Devin Williams’ Deal Impacts the Yankees, Mets, and Edwin Diaz

Like millions of New Yorkers, Devin Williams took the subway to work this year. He genuinely enjoyed getting on the 4 train to the Bronx before every home game. Towering at 6-foot-2, he somehow went unnoticed in the large crowds packing the platform several hours before first pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Following Monday night’s deal, Williams secured the opportunity to continue that routine on a different subway line to a different borough. The 31-year-old reliever reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $45 million, plus bonuses, with the New York Mets, where he will look to start fresh and re-establish himself as the high-octane reliever he once was with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Williams, and his patented airbender changeup, recorded a razor-thin 1.83 ERA across six seasons with the Brewers before he was traded to the Yankees in Dec. 2024. The Bronx Bombers believed they were getting a fearless, high-profile closer who would dominate opposing lineups and deliver saves in New York. But, for much of the season, their Devin Williams Experience was an unpredictable roller coaster. In April, he posted a 9.00 ERA in 12 relief appearances. In May and June, he improved to a 2.66 ERA in 22 outings. He struggled again in July, recording a 5.73 ERA in 11 appearances before stabilizing himself as a setup man, like he was for Josh Hader in Milwaukee. Williams finished the season with 13 consecutive scoreless outings, including four shutout innings in the playoffs, with all those coming in setup roles.

There is still a ton of upside to the overall quality of his pitches. Williams is a former Rookie of the Year and two-time recipient of the National League Reliever of the Year award. Despite his rocky season in the Bronx, his strikeout rate remained elite. His 2.68 FIP compared to his 4.79 season ERA suggested he ran into some poor luck and weak defense. The Mets, for their part, are aiming to correct both of those departments.

Here is what’s next for the Mets, Yankees, and the relief-pitching market after Williams’ new three-year pact in Queens:

What’s next for the Mets

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Much like the Mets’ trade for second baseman Marcus Semien, their deal for Williams is something of a two-parter. The Semien deal will make more sense when or if the team fills the hole Brandon Nimmo left behind in the outfield. And the signing for Williams will look better if closer Edwin Diaz comes back to Queens. 

The Mets are still interested in re-signing Diaz, the top relief pitcher on the market, even after their three-year contract with Williams. You might wonder if it’s realistic to believe the Mets would spend north of $100 million on two relievers alone this offseason, while continuing their pursuit of free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. But these are the Steve Cohen-owned Mets, where anything is fiscally possible and logic often defies reason. 

Plus, the Mets bullpen was one of its weaknesses this past season, particularly down the stretch. Adding Williams for a high-leverage role, which could include either setting up for someone like Diaz or another top closer on the market, already makes the bullpen better than where it ranked a few months ago. Still, the possibility of Diaz walking away in free agency and Williams becoming the Mets closer is on the table. In that event, give credit to the Mets for creating a reliable parachute rather than waiting for Diaz, watching relievers fly off the board, and being caught with their tail between their legs.

Williams still has elite stuff, and he recalibrated down the stretch for the Yankees. No matter what, the Mets acquired a top high-leverage reliever who overcame the challenge of pitching in New York, and is ready to serve in whatever role the team needs. Now, the Mets need to focus on bringing the trumpets back to Citi Field.

What’s next for the Yankees

(Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Even though Williams improved on the mound in a setup role to Luke Weaver and David Bednar in the final month-plus of the Yankees season, he never looked truly comfortable in pinstripes. And the Yankees never seemed interested in bringing him back. In fact, it would’ve been more of a surprise if Williams re-signed with the Yankees rather than walk away. So his decision to bounce from the Bronx is hardly altering general manager Brian Cashman’s blueprint for the bullpen this offseason. Now, how will the Yankees pivot, and what do they have planned?

Outside of Trent Grisham accepting his $22 million qualifying offer to stay in the Bronx and re-signing left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, it’s so far been a sleepy winter for the Yankees. That being said, there is plenty of offseason left, and Cashman has to make a slurry of moves to fill the many vacancies in his bullpen. Weaver, Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Jonathan Loaisiga, Scott Effross, and Jake Cousins all entered free agency this offseason. 

Who’s left? The Yankees have one more year remaining with closer David Bednar before he hits free agency next winter. Behind Bednar, the club will deploy Camilo Doval, Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, and Yarbrough in some capacity. The Yankees should be in the mix for a high-leverage reliever to fill out their bullpen. Paring Bednar with either Diaz or free agent Robert Suarez would make for a formidable back of the bullpen. Either way, their sights should be set on an elite acquisition. 

What’s next for the reliever market

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

It’s a good time to be a proven relief pitcher right now. Williams joined Ryan Helsley as two back-end relievers who received major multi-year deals coming off of 4.00-plus ERA walk years. In both cases, Williams and Helsley still had solid underlying metrics despite their high season ERAs. Helsley struggled for the Mets after the trade deadline, recording a 7.20 ERA with pitch-tipping issues in 22 relief appearances, and he still secured two years and $28 million from the Orioles this offseason.

Diaz remains the top free-agent reliever on the market, followed by Suarez, who is coming off an NL-best 40-save season for the Padres. The next tier of free-agent relievers with closing experience includes Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Kenley Jansen, with Weaver and Kyle Finnegan right behind them. The Blue Jays and Yankees remain big players in the relief market, a department that’s had a scorching start so far this offseason. 

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

What’s Next: How Dylan Cease’s 7-Year Megadeal Affects Blue Jays and Padres

It’s not just ovens experiencing blistering heat this holiday season. The stove is sizzling hot after the first major free agent flew off the board on Thanksgiving eve. 

Right-hander Dylan Cease reportedly signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on a massive seven-year, $210 million contract that will take him through his age-36 season. Cease, the top starting pitcher on the market this winter, has eclipsed more than 200 strikeouts and at least 32 starts in each of the past five seasons. These days, that type of durability is unheard of. No other pitcher in the majors has completed more than three 200-strikeout seasons in the past five years. 

Cease recorded the highest swing-and-miss rate (33.4%) in the majors for the Padres this year, even as his overall numbers were more underwhelming (4.55 ERA, career-high 21 home runs allowed) with familiar command issues in his walk year. Still, Cease is one year removed from finishing fourth in Cy Young award voting, and his 3.56 FIP and 3.43 expected ERA suggests he ran into some bad luck and poor defense in San Diego this past season.

Weak defense shouldn’t be a problem in Canada. Cease joins a dynamic Blue Jays team hungry to finish the job after their booming World Series appearance that forced a Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cease’s long-term pact is the largest pitching contract in franchise history. Let it be known: the Jays aren’t messing around.

Here’s what next for the Blue Jays, Padres, and the starting-pitching market after Cease’s deal: 

What’s next for Toronto

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

The defending American League champions got their front-of-the-rotation starter nearly two weeks before the winter meetings, showing the high level of aggression that many in the industry expected from the Blue Jays after their successful run to the Fall Classic. Cease’s 29.8% strikeout rate was the third-highest among all qualified major-league pitchers this year. Only Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet induced strikeouts at a higher clip in 2025. Cease’s elite whiff rate is exactly what the Blue Jays needed to add firepower to the rotation. 

With Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt departing for free agency, the Blue Jays had an obvious need for a top starting pitcher this offseason. Cease boosts a strong rotation led by Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and Shane Bieber, who unexpectedly opted in with the Blue Jays for $16 million in 2026 just days after falling to the Dodgers in the World Series. At the time, Bieber’s decision seemed like it could be the best news of Toronto’s offseason — particularly with his salary being a steal for the team. But it turned out the Jays front office had a bolder commitment in mind. 

Gausman and Bieber will become free agents after the 2026 season, so Cease’s long-term deal will help keep the Blue Jays in contention beyond next year. While the rotation looks set for Toronto, the organization still has to re-sign its headlining free-agent: homegrown shortstop Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays are committed to spending big this winter after getting a taste of the biggest stage in baseball. The megadeal for Cease shouldn’t stop them from securing Bichette, who is mutually interested in staying up north. 

What’s next for San Diego

(Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Cease helped lead the Padres to the playoffs in each of his two seasons in San Diego, and it’s unclear how they’ll aim to fill his void. But it’s not as if this is a surprise. They floated his name at July’s trade deadline before opting to retain him, and his scoreless outing against the Cubs in the National League Wild Card series was always expected to be his last start for the Padres. Cease’s departure is part of why this offseason is so uncertain for the Friars. 

Besides the Baltimore Orioles, arguably no other contender needs starting pitching more than San Diego. In addition to Cease, the rotation also lost right-hander Michael King to free agency. Yu Darvish will miss the entire season due to elbow surgery, which is his second major elbow operation and could be career-ending. Joe Musgrove, at least, will return from his 2024 Tommy John surgery, but it’s anyone’s guess how effective he’ll be after missing the 2025 season and how long it will take to find his form. As of now, Nick Pivetta will begin the season as their ace after he recorded a career-best 2.87 ERA in 31 starts for San Diego this year.

In addition to the precarious state of the rotation, the Padres have the challenge of competing in the cutthroat NL West under new rookie manager Craig Stammen — all under the backdrop of a potential franchise sale. Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.’s name has been floated in trade talks this offseason as the Padres try to balance multiple high-cost agreements, particularly given the exorbitant long-term contracts of Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. Despite all the moving parts and question marks surrounding the club, acquiring an established starter to stabilize the rotation remains the Padres’ biggest need. 

What’s next for the starting-pitching market

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

With the top arm off the board and headed to Canada for the next seven seasons, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, King, Tatsuya Imai, Nick Martinez, Bassitt, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are among the upper-tier free-agent starters still looking to be signed before Opening Day rolls around. We have seen the starting-pitching market gain traction in recent days, with Sonny Gray going to the Red Sox and Grayson Rodriguez going to the Angels. All of that movement could force other contenders to get impatient and show more urgency for a top arm before it’s too late. Expect fierce competition for the top-flight starters remaining, especially Valdez, Suarez and King.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

What’s Next: How the Blockbuster Trade for Marcus Semien, Brandon Nimmo Affects Mets and Rangers

Early this year, as Mets players poured into Port St. Lucie, Fla. for the start of spring training, president of baseball operations David Stearns was fielding questions about naming the next team captain. Brandon Nimmo, the Mets’ homegrown outfielder who was drafted by the organization in 2011, was a part of that discussion. 

It was only fair, since Nimmo was the longest-tenured Met before he agreed to waive his no-trade clause on Sunday, authorizing the club to send him to Texas in exchange for veteran All-Star infielder Marcus Semien. The shocking trade removed a clubhouse leader and fan favorite from New York, and added a defensive upgrade with a championship pedigree at second base. 

Between the time of those team captain conversations and the blockbuster trade, the Mets suffered a historic collapse from first place and failed to qualify for the playoffs this year. Stearns didn’t mince words on Monday when explaining why he broke up the team’s core. “Running back the exact same group wasn’t the right thing to do,” he said. 

The Mets will take on the remainder of Semien’s contract (he’s owed $72 million through 2028), while relinquishing the long-term financial obligation tying them to Nimmo ($102.5 million remaining through 2030), an eight-year contract that was designed by former general manager Billy Eppler in December 2022. 

Nimmo, in a social-media post on Monday afternoon, bid farewell to a legacy that had a lasting impact in Queens, saying, “There is truly no way I could adequately put into words how much my tenure with the Mets has meant to me … The last 14 years have felt like a dream.” The 32-year-old Wyoming native leaves the Mets with the sixth-most runs scored in team history. He ranks eighth in on-base percentage, ninth in home runs, and 10th in total bases and doubles. Though he didn’t win a championship with his homegrown team, fans will always remember Nimmo as a consummate pro who gave his all for the franchise. 

Here’s what’s next for each team, and Semien’s future impact, after the fascinating trade:

What’s next for the Mets?

(Photo by Nik Pennington/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Semien’s addition to the Mets infield addresses Stearns’ stated goal of improving run prevention. The 35-year-old, after winning his second-career Gold Glove award this year, is expected to be their full-time second baseman, a position that has become a revolving door in recent years, with the team prioritizing Jeff McNeil’s positional versatility. Semien will give the Mets an everyday, reliable option at second base, and his glove has remained a huge asset of his overall skillset (more on that later). 

Mainly, though, removing Nimmo from their outfield plans allows the Mets to go after top-flight free-agent outfielders this winter. They should be all-in on a potential bidding war for Cody Bellinger, whom the Yankees also want to re-sign, as well as in the mix for Kyle Tucker. Stearns on Monday said, “Anything would be realistic right now,” regarding the team’s financial flexibility and spending big in free agency. In other words, even if the Mets re-sign their top free agents, first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz, that will not preclude them from going after Bellinger/Tucker to fill their void in left field.

Still, how does Semien’s new role on the team impact McNeil’s usage? Stearns spoke to McNeil on Sunday night in part to ensure that, going forward, the veteran infielder is comfortable spending time at a corner-outfield position and even at first base, if needed. Even so, it remains unclear how New York’s younger infielders, including Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio, fit into the bigger picture next year. The Mets have an abundance of MLB-ready infielders now, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they dipped into that pool for more trades this offseason.

What’s next for the Rangers?

(Photo by Calvin Hernandez/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Before agreeing to the trade, Nimmo confirmed with Texas that the club was still committed to winning a championship. “This wasn’t a rebuild that I was coming into,” Nimmo said in a Zoom conference with reporters on Monday. “This was somewhere that I was extremely wanted, and they made that abundantly clear. And in the next five years, we would be competing for World Series titles, year in and year out.”

If subtracting Semien from the equation does not signal an immediate rebuild for the Rangers, then Nimmo’s addition to the lineup is expected to improve an offense that ranked 26th in slugging this past year. Nimmo recorded career highs in home runs (25), RBI (92), and hard-hit rate (50.2%) in 2025 — while his on-base percentage (.324) and walk rate (7.7%) both hit career lows. When healthy, Nimmo is a productive left-handed bat who will essentially take over for outfielder Adolis Garcia, who was non-tendered by the Rangers to become a free agent last week. 

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers navigate the rest of their offseason, particularly since president of baseball operations Chris Young is leading an effort to cut payroll while, apparently, keeping their goals of winning a championship intact. 

Can Semien rebound offensively?

(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

The quick and short answer is, don’t count on it. Semien recorded career lows in batting average (.230), slugging percentage (.364), and OPS (.669) in 2025 – pointing to an offensive decline for the former two-time Silver Slugger as he approaches his age-35 season. Stearns said that Semien “can contribute to winning baseball in a variety of different ways, and the bat may not actually lead the way at this point in his career.” Rather, the Mets are counting on the veteran to bring his sparkling defensive ability to New York, a strength of his longtime career that so far has not diminished. 

Semien appeared in 127 games for the Rangers in 2025 and recorded 7 Outs Above Average and 5 Defensive Runs Saved, per Statcast, to go with a career-best .996 fielding percentage. For comparison, McNeil appeared in 106 games at second base for the Mets in 2025 and recorded 4 OAA and 3 DRS to go with a .983 fielding percentage. Semien is not the answer for how the Mets will replace Nimmo’s offensive production, but the veteran will pair up with shortstop Francisco Lindor for a sharper duo up the middle.

In addition to his defensive acumen, the Mets also like Semien’s makeup. He takes his craft seriously, has an elite work ethic, practices hard and, notably, Stearns mentioned that Semien holds his teammates to those same expectations and how that will “fit in very well for our group.” The Mets traded away a clubhouse leader in Nimmo, but they’re replacing him with another high-character individual in Semien who has been well-regarded by teammates going back to his days playing for Oakland a decade ago. His tireless mentality and drive to win should bode well in a Mets clubhouse that has, at times, lacked the required urgency to be successful over the course of the long baseball season.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

What’s Next: How Trent Grisham’s Deal Affects the Yankees, Free Agent Outfielders

Yankees manager Aaron Boone calls Trent Grisham “The Big Sleep” for his tempered and straight-faced demeanor in clutch moments. During the season, the team even sported T-shirts with Grisham’s new nickname during batting practice.  

It’s not surprising that Trent Grisham accepted the Yankees’ one-year, $22 million qualifying offer to play a third season in pinstripes. But it was at least eyebrow-raising that the outfielder decided not to test a thin market this winter, where he was expected to land a multi-year deal given his prime age and breakout season at the plate.

The 29-year-old outfielder has become a steady presence in the Yankees clubhouse since the Padres traded him to New York, alongside Juan Soto, ahead of the 2024 season. He’s tight with team captain Aaron Judge, with both players maintaining a calm and even-keeled composure throughout the long and grueling baseball season. 

Grisham’s return means that the Yankees aren’t confident that their prospects are ready to take the next step as everyday contributors at the major-league level. Grisham also gives the team a parachute in case it does not sign a top free-agent outfielder this winter. 

Here’s what’s next after Grisham’s new deal:

What’s Next for the Bronx Bombers

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

For those concerned that Grisham’s salary will prevent the Yankees from spending money elsewhere, that is unlikely to be the case. The Yankees are projected to have a 2026 luxury tax payroll of just over $284 million, which would put them in the top penalty tier for the fourth consecutive season. There’s more work to be done, and they should still be swinging big this offseason. 

After the reunion with Grisham, the Yankees are projected to have the sixth-best center-field production in MLB next year, and they’re not done. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that Grisham accepting the one-year qualifying offer doesn’t hamper his ability to go after outfielder Cody Bellinger. 

But the thing is, if Bellinger does return to the Bronx, there’s added uncertainty surrounding the team’s developing outfielders, Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones (No. 4 overall top prospect). It’s hard to imagine a world in which Bellinger, Grisham, and Aaron Judge are patrolling the outfield and Dominguez/Jones are still on the 40-man roster. In that scenario, expect a trade to be made.

If Bellinger signs elsewhere, then it’s more likely the Yankees open spring training with Dominguez and Jones competing for the open left-field job. Of course, New York is still keeping tabs on top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, too. If the team makes any outside addition to the outfield, Dominguez or Jones could be on the move. 

What’s Next For Grisham

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

The lefty-swinging center fielder enjoyed a career year this past season, swatting 34 home runs with the majority of those coming from the leadoff spot, setting the table for Judge & Co. to do the rest of the damage.  Since Grisham bet on himself with the one-year deal, he’s under pressure next year to prove his breakout season at the plate wasn’t just a fluke. 

The Yankees believe Grisham can repeat a 30-homer season, and his left-handed swing is a perfect match against the backdrop of Yankee Stadium’s short porch. More than that, Grisham has excelled offensively after stepping away from Petco Park. This year, he boasted a career-best walk rate of 14.1% to go with a career-best strikeout rate of 23.6%. His exit velocity jumped up a few notches. He recorded the second-best wRC+ (129) in the majors across all qualified center fielders, behind only Twins slugger Byron Buxton. 

As long as Grisham doesn’t drastically regress next year, the Yankees should be happy he’s back, and he’ll be setting himself up for an even bigger payday. Next offseason, Grisham won’t have the qualifying offer restricting his options. And with no draft-pick compensation attached, a contender could realistically push a $100-million contract across the table next winter. 

What’s Next For The Outfield Market

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Grisham coming off the board diminishes what was already a weak outfield market, particularly in center field. Though Bellinger is still considered the top free-agent center fielder on the market, this year he played the least amount of games in the middle of the diamond, logging more innings in left and right field, as well as several games at first base. 

After Bellinger, there’s 32-year-old Harrison Bader, 31-year-old Cedric Mullins, and then an enormous drop-off in talent among free-agent center fielders. And even within the top-end of that group, Bader is viewed as a part-time center fielder, and Mullins was worse than league average at the plate this past season. 

So Grisham’s departure from free agency was a huge detriment to teams seeking a center field piece, which includes the Mets, Phillies, Tigers, and Astros. Now, some of these contenders will have to get creative through trades or in-house promotions to fill that need.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs for all 30 Teams

Eyeing a World Series title? Want to make a postseason push? Just field a competitive team? Every MLB team is going to want to address some roster questions in the offseason. 

Let’s take stock of all 30 teams, going by division, and what’s the main issue they’ll want to address with free agency in full effect. And while you’re at it, check out who we think are the top 30 free agents of the offseason.

JUMP TO: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

AL EAST

The Blue Jays will aim to run it back and reach the World Series after their Game 7 heartbreak. The Yankees want to re-sign a key offensive piece. The Red Sox need to settle things down and shore up some pitching. The Rays will return to their home stadium and will look for some normalcy. The Orioles should build on a young and promising lineup that’s due for a bounce-back season. READ MORE

NL EAST

The Mets spent big last offseason but couldn’t reach October baseball. The Phillies took the division crown and looked poised for a World Series run but fell short once again. Both teams are expected to headline the NL East next season, but three other teams — the Marlins, Braves, and Nationals — will try to build toward making the division race a bit more interesting. READ MORE

AL CENTRAL

The Tigers somehow survived a historic second-half collapse and qualified for the playoffs, only to lose in the American League Division Series.  The Guardians had one of the most improbable runs to clinch the division. The Royals are one or two impact players away from making a playoff appearance. The Twins still haven’t demonstrated whether they’re fielding a competitive team next year, and the White Sox… Well, they’ll be better than they were a year ago. READ MORE

NL CENTRAL

The Brewers are all-in on their competitive window after a sensational season. The Cubs made it to the postseason, but will they take another big swing on top talent this winter? Then there’s the Reds offense, which has a slugging problem. The Cardinals are starting a new era and going back to the foundational basics. And the Pirates, with the fourth-lowest payroll in baseball, have to prove they’ll be aggressive enough to build around their star ace. READ MORE

AL WEST 

The Mariners will try to turn their ALCS heartbreak into championship fuel. The Astros are hungry to get back into contention after missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years. The Rangers desperately need their once-powerful offense to find success again while their All-Star starting pitchers are still dealing. The Athletics have a West Sacramento problem. And the Angels, once again, are facing significant challenges to build a winning club. READ MORE

NL WEST

The Dodgers won the World Series again and are going for a three-peat. The Padres are under pressure to revamp their starting rotation against the backdrop of a potential sale of the franchise. The Giants might have something special cooking, but they’ll need to sign some intriguing pickups. The D-backs will have to work hard and get creative to address their roster flaws. And the Rockies will re-examine their rebuild with fresh eyes. READ MORE

Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

Biggest needs for Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Rockies in 2026

The Dodgers won the World Series again, and next year, they’re going for a three-peat. The Padres are under pressure to revamp their starting rotation — against the backdrop of a potential sale of the franchise.

The Giants might have something special cooking, but they’ll need to spend on a couple of intriguing pickups. The D-backs will have to work hard and get creative to address their roster flaws, including upgrading what is currently an uninspiring pitching staff. And the Rockies will re-examine their rebuild with fresh eyes.

After analyzing the American League West, our series wraps up with the National League West. Here are the biggest needs for a division that’s had the same winner in 12 of the past 13 years:

Teams are listed in order of their records, best to worst, in the 2025 season.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

(Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest needs: Outfield and bullpen 

Yes, even the back-to-back champions have flaws. Their outfielders produced just 98 wRC+ this season, which was good for 17th in the major leagues. Their bullpen, too, was ranked in the bottom third of the league and was as shaky as ever before Roki Sasaki moved to closing duties and helped ease some of the load. 

As usual, expect the Dodgers to swing big in free agency this offseason, as well as use their deep and talented farm system for shrewd trades. Kyle Tucker’s name has been floated around, and he makes too much sense for this Dodgers squad in need of an impact bat from a corner outfielder. They’re able to mitigate their mistakes better than most, as they did with Michael Conforto’s contract as well as the money spent on Tanner Scott. The thing is, even if they made no substantial upgrades this winter, they’re still the favorites to win in 2026.  

SAN DIEGO PADRES

(Photo by Meg McLaughlin/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching

Arguably no other contender needs starting pitching more than the Padres. They lost Dylan Cease and Michael King to free agency this offseason. Yu Darvish will miss the entire season due to elbow surgery, which is his second major elbow operation and could be career-ending. Joe Musgrove, at least, will return from his 2024 Tommy John surgery, but it’s anyone’s guess how effective he’ll be after missing the 2025 season and how long it will take to find his form.

As of now, Nick Pivetta will begin the season as their ace after he recorded a career-best 2.87 ERA in 31 starts for San Diego this year. It will be intriguing if the Padres opt to make Mason Miller a starter, but that’s just another question mark in a long list of them. Given the latest news out of San Diego, with the Seidler family considering a sale of the franchise, it puts into question how active the team will even be in free agency this winter. 

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

(Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Pitching depth

The Giants’ big hire of rookie manager Tony Vitello, who joins the club from the University of Tennessee with no professional managing experience, will look better if president of baseball operations Buster Posey gives him a talented roster to work with. That starts with filling up the pitching staff with top-tier names in both the rotation and bullpen. 

The 1-2 punch of Logan Webb and Robbie Ray is solid, particularly because they combined for 389.1 innings and 66 starts this year. But the Giants need more quality arms beyond those two, and I’m expecting them to go big in free agency, vying for starters at the top of the market. Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Shota Imanaga, and Zac Gallen should all be in play as potential acquisitions. 

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

(Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest needs: Starting pitching, relief pitching

Right after the Padres, it’s the D-backs that need to upgrade their starting pitching the most this winter. After losing Gallen to free agency, they’ll have Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Eduardo Rodriguez in the rotation. Going into the season without a clear-cut ace is bad news. Corbin Burnes is targeting a return to the staff sometime around the All-Star break. So the Snakes need another quality starter to hold them over for the season, as they hope the All-Stars in their lineup — Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and company — can do the rest. 

But another area of weakness this year was their bullpen. D-backs relievers ranked 27th in MLB with a 4.82 ERA that was better only than the Angels, Rockies, and Nationals. Lacking a true closer, the relief corps converted just 42 of 71 save opportunities, resulting in a (shield your eyes) 59% save rate. I’m not expecting Arizona to shop in the Edwin Diaz aisle, but significant attention must be paid to high-leverage relievers before Opening Day. 

COLORADO ROCKIES

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 13: Colorado Rockies new President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta during his introductory press conference at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, November 13, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: The whole kit and caboodle

Coming off a 119-loss season, what don’t the Rockies need? Out of the blue, they hired Paul DePodesta to lead their baseball operations, bringing him back to Major League Baseball for the first time in a decade. He takes over for Rockies brass after spending the past 10 years working for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. At least Colorado is thinking outside the box, right? Now the organization will depend on DePodesta to fill their many vacancies, including hiring a manager, while taking a fresh look at their rebuild. On the field, the Rockies need more starting pitching, bullpen help, an offensive boost, and sharper defense. That should cover everything.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs for Mariners, Astros, Rangers, Athletics, Angels

The Mariners will try to turn their Game 7 heartbreak into championship fuel. The Astros are hungry to get back into postseason contention after missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years. 

The Rangers desperately need their once-powerful offense to find success again while their All-Star starting pitchers are still dealing. The Athletics have a West Sacramento problem. And the Angels, once again, are facing significant challenges to build a winning club under a short timeline.

After assessing the National League Central, our series continues with the American League West. Here are the biggest needs for a division that could feature cutthroat races between at least three legitimate contenders:

Teams are listed in order of their records, best to worst, in the 2025 season.

SEATTLE MARINERS

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: 3/4 of the infield

The only infielder left over from Seattle’s hard-fought postseason run is shortstop J.P. Crawford. Everyone else, including Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, and Jorge Polanco, entered free agency. But the Mariners came one win away from their first World Series appearance in franchise history, and they’d like to run it back. Now, they’re essentially at the same place they were during July’s trade deadline, before the front office added Naylor and Suarez to play first and third base, respectively. 

Re-signing Naylor should be their top priority. He was a seamless fit in Seattle, posting a 138 OPS+ in 54 games while adding the pesky attitude and competitive energy that the team lacked before the trade. Naylor, set to enter his age-29 season, is at the top of the first-base market alongside Pete Alonso, and he’s expected to receive plenty of calls from contending teams. So running it back won’t be easy for the M’s. But they should have the financial flexibility to have a splashy offseason — with Alex Bregman being another solid fit for their opening at third. 

HOUSTON ASTROS

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching

Sure, the Astros would like to re-sign free agent Framber Valdez, but I’m not convinced they’ll remain in the mix for their long-time ace when his price inevitably gets too steep. Valdez is the top left-handed free-agent starting pitcher on the market this winter. The highly-coveted 32-year-old would significantly improve the chances of any World Series contender. Recent history shows the Astros are comfortable backing out of a bidding war even when their high-profile players hit free agency, like they did with George Springer, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker. 

So if Houston moves on from Valdez, they’ll be on the lookout for a quality starting pitcher to take his place. I’m still expecting the Astros to pivot to top-tier arms, with someone like Ranger Suarez, Michael King, or Zac Gallen potentially being good fits. When healthy, Houston still has the pieces to be a threat in the division. This year they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Astros should be plenty hungry to get back into contention. 

TEXAS RANGERS

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Pitching depth

The Rangers were among the top 10 teams in terms of payroll, and it helped them record the best team ERA in the majors this year. They’ve since lost several of those effective arms to free agency (Tyler Mahle, Patrick Corbin, Merrill Kelly, Shawn Armstrong and more). Now the Rangers must work to revamp the pitching staff and recreate the team’s strength for 2026. A rotation of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, Cody Bradford and Jacob Latz only works if their veteran starters stay healthy. And pinning their hopes on 38-year-old deGrom and 36-year-old Eovaldi combining for 50–60 starts again is a lofty, if unwise, expectation. 

It would help to add another back-end starter and bullpen arms to safeguard against injuries and bolster a strong pitching staff. But, as terrific as those arms were in 2025, the Rangers ultimately didn’t qualify for the playoffs due to a lack of offense. Their 92 wRC+ ranked 25th in MLB, pointing to a second-straight down year for a lineup that won the World Series in 2023. Marcus Semien and Joc Pederson are owed a combined $43 million in 2026, and they have to start pulling their weight. Ditto for Adolis Garcia, who has hit below-league average for the past two seasons. The Rangers can stock up on excellent pitching all they want, but they’ll need their lineup to bounce back to contend again. 

ATHLETICS

(Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching

The A’s were actually in a better spot at this time last year, because they were able to land an established starter like Luis Severino to pitch in West Sacramento. But, after seeing his results in the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, it will be extremely challenging to persuade any quality starter to pitch there. Severino went 2-9 with a 6.01 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 home games, compared to his 6-2 record with a 3.02 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 road games this year.

Career numbers will take a hit and future contract value will depreciate for any pitcher willing to take the mound for the A’s while they continue to play in West Sacramento. That’s not a great combination when the club needs an established veteran arm or two to lead what was otherwise an encouraging offensive performance from the young A’s lineup in the second half of the season. The A’s ranked 27th in team ERA this year, and it’s difficult to see that position improving in 2026.

LOS ANGELES ANGLES

(Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching

New Angels manager Kurt Suzuki and GM Perry Minasian are on one-year deals … and the team is not a contender as the roster currently stands. Coming off a 90-loss season, Los Angeles needs starting-pitching help to even consider vying for a wild-card spot, but they might have to trade one of their offensive assets to get there. And if they want to improve via free agency, shopping in the mid- to low-tier market range for starters isn’t going to be a significant enough upgrade to the rotation to make a difference in this division. So, barring some shocking and splashy moves, the Angels appear headed toward extending the longest active postseason drought in MLB. Los Angeles has missed October baseball since 2014. But hey, at least they have Mike Trout.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs for Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Pirates

The small-market Brewers are all-in on their competitive window after a sensational 97-win season. The Cubs made it as far as the National League Division Series with their new lineup that featured (most likely) only one season of Kyle Tucker. Will Chicago take another big swing on top talent this winter?

Then there’s the Reds offense, which has a slugging problem. The Cardinals are starting a new era and going back to the foundational basics. And the Pirates, with the fourth-lowest payroll in baseball, have to prove they’ll be aggressive enough to build a significantly stronger lineup that could actually support their star ace.

After unpacking the American League Central, we look at the NL Central. Here are the biggest needs for a division that this year featured three teams competing in the postseason:

Teams are listed in order of their records, best to worst, in the 2025 season.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

 (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitcher(s)

Milwaukee made an uncharacteristic move when it extended a one-year, $22 million qualifying offer to right-hander Brandon Woodruff. The homegrown Brewer declined his $20 million mutual option, becoming a free agent, and then the front office gave him the opportunity to come back on a one-year deal. Though we don’t yet know Woodruff’s decision, which very well could involve seeking a multi-year deal with another top contender, it was surprising to see the low-revenue Brewers go all-in for the starting pitcher. Woodruff missed the 2024 season with injury and returned this year to make 12 starts and record a 3.20 ERA before missing the postseason with a different injury. That the Brewers extended the qualifying offer to Woodruff suggests that they believe his health issues are behind him, and they’re confident he will put up excellent numbers in 2026.

If Woodruff walks away from Milwaukee, the Brew Crew will need an established starting pitcher to lead what is otherwise a young and thin rotation. They picked up the club option on Freddy Peralta, making him a steal at $8 million next season, but the Brewers are said to be shopping the right-hander before he enters free agency next offseason. The Brewers are in a competitive window, and with two huge question marks in the rotation, they’ll need to acquire quality starters this winter, depending on the futures of Woodruff and Peralta.

CHICAGO CUBS

(Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Replenishing the bullpen

Brad Keller, Ryan Brasier, Aaron Civale, Drew Pomeranz, Taylor Rogers, Michael Soroka, and Caleb Thielbar have all entered free agency. That means the Cubs lost seven relievers – nearly their entire bullpen, except Daniel Palencia — this offseason. The front office not only has to restock its relief corps, but the Cubs need high-leverage arms as their top priority. They’ll have to get creative, through both free agency and trade, to replenish a bullpen that ranked 11th in ERA (3.78) and flashed the lowest walk rate (7.9%) in the majors. 

Still, Cubs relievers deeply struggled to induce swing-and-miss. Chicago’s bullpen had the fourth-highest contact rate this year, better only than the Giants, Tigers, and Royals. They’ll have to do better than that to remain competitive in a Kyle Tucker-less world, since they’re not expected to bring back the highly coveted free-agent outfielder. While they could still be in the market for an outfielder, they seem comfortable with their in-house options (Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, top prospect Owen Caissie) filling out their vacancies.

CINCINNATI REDS

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Power hitters, more offense

The Reds had the fifth-worst offense in baseball this year, and thanks to the Mets’ collapse, they still managed to make the playoffs as the final wild-card team before being swept by the Dodgers in the first round. But the true fabric of Cincinnati’s lineup needs some major retooling. The Reds’ .391 slugging percentage was ranked 21st in the majors, and Elly De La Cruz’s second-half slump didn’t help. The offense needs a consistent power hitter to help improve those numbers, but they’ll have to spend big in free agency, or dip into the more attractive pieces in their farm system, to land a top-tier slugger who could make any sort of difference. 

The Reds front office was encouraged by the team’s first postseason appearance since 2020. But the organization still has not advanced beyond the Division Series since 1995, when the Reds lost to the Braves in the Championship Series. Their rotation, led by All-Star Hunter Greene, is ready to compete. Cincinnati must capitalize on that starting-pitching strength by building a better offense.

ST LOUIS CARDINALS

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Set the groundwork for a better future

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Cardinals have a new front-office leader in Chaim Bloom. The new president of baseball operations will begin this new era of St. Louis baseball by focusing on building a talent base for the long-term, and that starts by trading away some, if not all, of these top veteran players: Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras. That’s just the baseline; there could be more 40-man players on the move. The Cardinals want young and controllable players in return, particularly starting pitchers, to shape future rosters. They want to focus on drafting and developing star players again. 

You would be right to think this is a rebuild, even if there’s no bulldozer tearing down the entire roster. Just don’t expect their payroll for 2026 to be among the top in the sport. The Cardinals are allocating any financial flexibility toward improving internal systems before spending money on a roster that’s for sure not going to contend next year. They’re aiming to set the groundwork for a better future this offseason. The return pieces on trade packages will be crucial to their goals. Keep an eye on the players the Cardinals will get back.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

 (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Major offensive boost

The Pirates’ numbers on offense this year were downright ugly. Spencer Horwitz (118 wRC+) and Joey Bart (101 wRC+) were the only hitters to perform better than league average. Not even Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen or Tommy Pham cracked that mark. They hit the fewest home runs in baseball, and it wasn’t even close, as well as recording the third-worst batting average in MLB. It was a real shame, because the Pirates pitching staff recorded the seventh-best ERA (3.76) and the fourth-best fWAR (19.1) in the major leagues, wasting away a Cy Young season from Paul Skenes. 

With a dominant ace leading the rotation, the Pirates actually have a chance at contending for the postseason. But they have major work to do to improve the offense to get there, and it remains a long shot that they’ll boost the lineup enough to be considered competitive all in one offseason. McCutchen and Pham are free agents, so they’re looking to fill at least a corner-outfield vacancy. Will Oneil Cruz finally take a significant step forward in his age-27 season? Either way, expect the Pirates to make moves to try and give their pitching staff some level of run support. 

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs For Guardians, Tigers, Royals, Twins, White Sox

The Guardians were the only team with a negative run differential in this year’s postseason, pointing to a vulnerable area that needs to be addressed. The Tigers somehow survived a historic second-half collapse and qualified for the playoffs, only to lose to the Seattle Mariners in the 15th inning of Game 5 of the American League Division Series. 

The Royals are one or two impact players away from making a playoff run for just the second time since their 2015 championship. The Twins still haven’t demonstrated whether they’re fielding a competitive team next year, and the White Sox… Well, they’ll be better than they were a year ago.

After tackling the needs of the East, our series continues with the American League Central. Here are the biggest needs for a division that’s no longer considered a laughingstock, but still has plenty of work to do:

Teams are listed in order of their records, best to worst, in the 2025 season.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

(Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Offensive boost 

The Guardians’ 3.9 runs per game this year were ranked 28th in MLB, better only than the Rockies and Pirates. And they still finished first in the division! Even so, for a lineup led by Jose Ramirez, who is consistently one of the game’s best hitters, outscoring only Colorado and Pittsburgh is preposterous. “Guards Ball,” or similar to the contact-driven style of offense we saw from the Toronto Blue Jays in their loud run to the World Series, works better when there is some level of consistent power involved. And, like the Jays, it would help if the Guardians doubled their payroll. 

Alas, there are no indications that Cleveland will run a payroll that’s higher than the $90–100 million range it’s been comfortable with in recent years. But there should still be some financial flexibility for free agents or trades heading into the 2026 season. The Guardians can attempt to address their lack of threats at the plate by adding a right-handed bat or two to their lefty-heavy lineup. I’m skeptical that they would pay lavishly for free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, and though he would significantly improve their offense, that’s a splashy move Cleveland typically hesitates to make. It’s more likely they will promote their No. 2 overall prospect, outfielder Chase DeLauter, who hits for both average and power, but his injury history is worth keeping an eye on.

DETROIT TIGERS

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching (if keeping Tarik Skubal)

Anything and everything the Tigers do this offseason will have the Skubal Decision looming all over it. He has expressed his interest in wanting to make Detroit a baseball city again. He is the current face of their franchise. The Tigers are an up-and-coming organization with legitimate World Series chances when Skubal is leading the rotation. He belongs in Detroit long-term, but will the Tigers ever pay him what he’s worth? The two sides are reportedly far apart in negotiations for an extension, and now the soon-to-be repeat Cy Young award winner looks all but certain to enter free agency next offseason, if not, become a trade-deadline candidate in July. 

So if the Tigers aren’t blown away by an enticing trade package (think: king’s ransom) for Skubal this winter, they can go ahead and plan for another year of contention with him in 2026. If that’s the case, they need starting-pitching help behind their ace. Going after left-handed free agent Ranger Suarez would create a terrific 1-2 punch in the rotation. Detroit has room in the payroll to add a top-tier starter, unless they’re allocating that money toward their corner-infield holes. Like last offseason, Alex Bregman is a free agent again and the Tigers could once again be finalists for the veteran third baseman. 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Thump from outfielders

The Royals rotation — led by Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, and friends — is built to win now. The Royals have to improve their offense to supplement that strong starting-pitching staff. They can start by building around a core group of hitters — including Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Maikel Garcia — that patrols the infield. The Royals need more thump in the lineup from their outfielders, with a clear need at a corner position. Kansas City outfielders ranked last in MLB in on-base percentage and slugging, and 29th in batting average this year. 

Since the Royals have a surplus of starters and catching depth in the farm system, it’s possible they’ll focus on trades to improve those mediocre numbers. But it’s not as if they flash a payroll that’s in the basement next to the Marlins, A’s, White Sox, or Pirates. The Royals can certainly afford to shop for an outfielder on the market, where someone like free agent Cody Bellinger could make an impact. And, in a division as unpredictable as the AL Central, they have to go for it. Adding an impact bat could make them the favorites to win the division next year.

MINNESOTA TWINS

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Relief pitchers

Are the Twins going into a rebuild after gutting the team at the trade deadline this year? Or are they actually trying to be competitive and aiming to fill a significant number of roster holes for next year? As of now, it’s unclear. But Twins fans deserve some hope for the future, so let’s presume it’s the latter, and Minnesota will take on the challenge of addressing its roster weaknesses. That starts with adding to a bullpen that lost closer Jhoan Duran and more relievers in Louis Varland, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe as part of July’s fire sale.

There’s a ton of opportunity to rebuild here, if only because the Twins are essentially starting from scratch. They can transform one of their many starting pitchers into a relief arm, like they did with Jax and Varland. But, even if they go that route, it’s hard to imagine the Twins going through the offseason without at least one outside addition, either through trade or free agency. No, a deal for Edwin Diaz isn’t expected. But, as the hot stove season progresses, there will be a handful of mid- to low-tier free-agent relievers who will get squeezed into accepting deals.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Pitching in starting and relief

The White Sox won 19 more games this year than they did last year. Sure, they still finished with 102 losses in 2025, but they genuinely looked like a slightly better-than mediocre baseball team in the second half of the season. They almost finished with a .500 record in July, falling just one win short of that achievement. All of which to say, there were at times flashes of encouragement from the White Sox this year. It appears we are past their infamous 2024 season, where they recorded the most losses (121) in modern MLB history.

To continue in their rebuild, they could finally trade outfielder Luis Robert Jr. after years of speculation, rid themselves of his $20 million salary, and put it to better use in the pitching staff. Chicago needs more veteran arms in the rotation and bullpen to help offset the workload of their younger pitchers. These don’t necessarily need to be quality arms. But innings-eaters will help simplify the development of top left-handed prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, since both pitchers are expected to be promoted in 2026.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Posted on

MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs for Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Braves, Nationals

The Mets spent big last offseason but couldn’t reach October baseball. The Phillies looked poised for a World Series run but fell short once again. 

Both teams are expected to headline the NL East next season, but three other teams — the Marlins, Braves, and Nationals — will try to build toward making the division race a bit more interesting. 

After tackling the American League East, our series continues with the NL East. Here are the biggest needs for a star-studded division that boasts multiple World Series contenders:

Teams are listed in order of their records, best to worst, in the 2025 season.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Re-signing Kyle Schwarber

Given the lack of a clear replacement for Schwarber — really, there is no replacing the 56-home run season he just put up — keeping the 33-year-old in Philly is undoubtedly the team’s biggest need this winter. We’ve been mentioning the possibility of the Phillies’ championship window closing for years now, and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is finally at that crossroads. Letting Schwarber walk away would signal the first domino falling. Paying what is expected to be a long-term nine-figure contract would help keep that window open. 

Still, Dombrowski has to make more decisions regarding the uncertainty of his roster beyond Schwarber — though he is the club’s biggest priority. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and left-hander Ranger Suarez are also free agents. Zack Wheeler’s availability going forward is in question after his thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Bryce Harper was reportedly “hurt” by Dombrowski’s comments on his 2025 performance, which the two-time MVP interpreted as trade speculation. So, yes, there’s a lot going on in Philly. But the core has won the division in back-to-back seasons now, before being eliminated in the NLDS in both years. With a few shrewd moves, the Phillies still have a chance at winning the World Series, but it starts with bringing back their elite designated hitter. 

NEW YORK METS

(Photo by Heather Khalifa/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Starting pitching

The Juan-Soto powered Mets, with all their championship dreams and Big-Apple bragging rights over their crosstown rivals, walked into the 2025 season without a true ace. Flashing a $342 million payroll without a top-tier reliable starting pitcher was an indefensible miscalculation. President of baseball operations David Stearns cannot make that same mistake again. Fixing the club’s weak rotation is a significant task, but a savvy trade or two could be the answer. 

Right-hander Freddy Peralta reuniting with Stearns in Queens would be a good fit, but the Brewers picked up his $8 million team option, making him a steal after his 33-start, 2.70 ERA season. It would now be surprising if Milwaukee was willing to part with Peralta. Then there’s the possibility of a Tarik Skubal trade. If the Mets are willing to put together an extremely attractive trade package that involves emptying out the top talent in their farm system, Skubal is exactly the type of elite ace that the rotation needs to build around long-term. Otherwise, the Mets should be shopping at the top of the free-agent market for arms like Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Michael King. But it’s important to note that the Amazins haven’t had an ace since Jacob deGrom departed in free agency for the Texas Rangers. They need a long-term solution, not a temporary bandage.

MIAMI MARLINS

(Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: First base 

The Marlins are coming off a largely successful season with a ton of encouraging developments within their still-young, still-rebuilding roster. They had breakout offensive performances from Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee. They weren’t even mathematically eliminated from postseason contention until the final week of the regular season. They won 17 more games in 2025 than they did in 2024, jumping from last to third place in the division in that span. It was a better year than most expected from the Fish, and they have a real shot at getting into the expanded playoffs in 2026. 

To do so, they will need to find an upgrade at first base, preferably a right-handed power bat to balance out their lefty-heavy lineup. It’s unclear if the Marlins will spend more than usual this offseason after promoting Gabe Kapler to general manager under president of baseball operations Peter Bendix. I’m expecting Miami to be in the market for a mid- to low-tier free agent first baseman, rather than going for Pete Alonso or Josh Naylor at the top end. Someone like Rhys Hoskins could make sense for the Marlins. Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 90 games for the Brewers, and he’s likely to land a one- or two-year deal at a reasonable price range that should fall under $20 million. 

ATLANTA BRAVES

(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Shortstop

Before Ha-Seong Kim somewhat surprisingly declined his $16 million player option, I would’ve said starting pitching was the Braves’ biggest need. And while Atlanta still has hopes of re-signing Kim, they at least have competition now – with top playoff contenders like the Yankees and Blue Jays expected to be in the mix to solve their middle-infield vacancies this offseason. So now, the Braves’ biggest priority this winter is signing a shortstop. Their in-house option, Nick Allen, was excellent in the dirt with his glove. But his .535 OPS isn’t going to cut it. 

It’s a thin market for shortstops this winter, with Miguel Rojas’ 4.5 WAR leading the short list of free agents. After Rojas, there’s only Bo Bichette, Kim, and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa as far as quality middle-infield options. Bichette, of course, provides the best bat among that group. But it’s unlikely the Braves are willing to pay for his exorbitant price tag. If they are, then it would make more sense to move Bichette to second base, since he ranked last among all qualified shortstops with a -10 fielding run value in 2025. That way, they can shift Ozzie Albies to shortstop and solve their middle-infield problem. Otherwise, their best plan is probably to remain in the mix for Kim and bring him back on a pricier deal. 

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) <!–>

–>

Biggest need: Developing their young stars

The Nationals have plenty of room in their payroll to shop for splashy free agents, but they’re not there yet. Still in a rebuild, their first-year president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and rookie manager Blake Butera will likely focus on upgrading various parts of their organization, including technology and analytics, before advertising Washington D.C. as a free-agent destination. 

Rather than solving any major roster holes, it’s more important for the Nationals to continue developing their young stars to ensure they will have promising futures. That includes Dylan Crewes, C.J. Abrams, and even Daylen Lile after he posted a 137 OPS+ in his first 91 games in the big leagues this year. Their rebuild only works if those young hitters are taking positive steps forward. Wood, an All-Star in 2025, is about to enter his third year in the majors, and he could benefit from the Nationals adding a power hitter who will protect him in the lineup. Toboni has said his front office will focus on adding controllable starting pitchers, but with left-hander MacKenzie Gore expected to be on the move before he becomes available for arbitration next year, the Nats can look to secure a power-hitting first baseman in a potential trade for their southpaw.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports