Spring Training 2024: The Biggest Question for Each MLB Team

Accident – Death – Obituary News : As the calendar flips to a new year, Spring Training is fast approaching for Major League Baseball teams. With rosters taking shape and the MLB landscape becoming clearer, each team faces important questions before heading to Arizona or Florida to open camp. Here’s a look at the biggest question for each club before Spring Training:

Blue Jays: Will they pivot… again?
The Blue Jays have been known to make big moves in the past, and this offseason is no different. The question is, which direction will they go in? Will they swing big on a player like Cody Bellinger, target a surprise name on the trade market, or stick with a collection of mid-range signings? The Blue Jays need to determine the broad, philosophical direction they want to take their franchise in.

Orioles: How will they upgrade their rotation?
The Orioles are in need of a big-league-caliber starting pitcher to upgrade their rotation for the 2024 season. General manager Mike Elias has expressed his desire to add a quality starter, but so far, nothing has materialized. With the free-agent market for pitchers being pricey, it’s more likely that the Orioles will acquire a new rotation piece through a trade, using their talented position-player prospects as trade chips.

Rays: What is the status of Wander Franco?
The Rays have a solid roster overall, but the biggest question mark revolves around the status of Wander Franco. The young shortstop spent the final weeks of the season on administrative leave and remains under investigation by MLB and authorities in the Dominican Republic. The team awaits updates on his situation, as his presence or absence will greatly impact their plans for the upcoming season.

Red Sox: Who will they add to the rotation?
Starting pitching is the Red Sox’s biggest priority this offseason. They have already addressed some needs by acquiring Tyler O’Neill and adding a right-handed bat, but they still need to solidify their rotation. The Red Sox have been linked to several top free agents and have expressed interest in both domestic and international options.

Yankees: How will they upgrade their pitching?
The Yankees are looking to upgrade their pitching staff, especially after missing out on a potential acquisition. They have considered several options, including reunions with Jordan Montgomery or Frankie Montas, a trade for Corbin Burnes, or building a super bullpen with Jordan Hicks. The Yankees had a solid staff last season, but they want to ensure they have enough depth and talent to support their ace, Gerrit Cole.

Guardians: Will they trade Shane Bieber?
The Guardians have made some moves to improve their roster, but they still need offensive help. One option they may consider is trading their ace pitcher, Shane Bieber, to acquire that help. While Bieber’s trade value may not be what it used to be, he remains a valuable asset that could bring in the offensive boost the Guardians need.

Royals: Can they add more?
The Royals have already made significant improvements by adding six free agents, but they still have work to do. They need to focus on adding depth to their bullpen and a lefty bench piece who can complement their infield starters and outfield mix. With a thin position player depth on their roster, the Royals will look to make one more reliable addition to mitigate potential adversity throughout the season.

Tigers: Add one more bat or trust in the kids?
The Tigers have been open to giving young hitters opportunities to crack the roster. However, if a useful veteran infielder becomes available on a short-term deal, they may seize the opportunity to improve their depth and push their young players further. The Tigers will weigh their options carefully before making a decision.

Twins: Will they find a worthwhile deal involving Jorge Polanco and/or Max Kepler?
The Twins have limited spending freedom this offseason and may need to make moves via trade to strengthen their team, particularly on the pitching side. Two players who could potentially be involved in trade discussions are Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler. The Twins will assess their options and see if they can find a deal that benefits their team in both the present and the future.

White Sox: Where will Dylan Cease pitch at the start of the ’24 season?
The White Sox have a talented young pitcher in Dylan Cease, who has been a consistent performer in recent seasons. The team will evaluate their options and potential trade offers for Cease. If they don’t receive an offer that meets their expectations, they may hold on to him and benefit from his strong contributions to their rotation.

Angels: How much are they willing to spend after losing Ohtani?
After losing Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have some money to spend and several areas to address. They may look to add a bat-first player to help replace Ohtani’s production at designated hitter, as well as another utility-type player and a top-tier starting pitcher. The Angels have room to make significant additions and strengthen their roster.

Astros: Can they add to the bullpen?
The Astros have some holes to fill in their bullpen after the departure of veteran relievers. While they plan to rely on internal candidates, they may also look to add external options to bolster their bullpen depth. The Astros will explore both avenues to ensure they have a strong relief corps for the upcoming season.

As Spring Training approaches, each team faces important questions that will shape their roster and direction for the 2024 season. It will be interesting to see how these questions are answered and how the teams address their specific needs before opening camp in Arizona or Florida..