The World Series is over, and congratulations to the Texas Rangers on their first title. Now, the baseball industry officially shifts to the offseason calendar.
Which team will win it all in 2024? The moves made over the next few months will help determine that. The annual general managers meetings, which will take place Tuesday through Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz., serve as a kickoff of sorts. During the GM meetings, trade discussions between teams begin in earnest and clubs hold initial negotiations with free agents’ representatives. (In case you missed it, here is my ranking of the top 40 free agents, with contract predictions and best team fits.) There aren’t usually a lot of trades or signings during the GM meetings, but these talks set the stage for future deals that typically are consummated at the Winter Meetings, which this year will be held from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7 in Nashville, Tenn.
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The GM meetings are vital to the business and baseball sides of baseball operations. The two main purposes of the meetings are to cover significant issues that impact the former and to bring teams together to facilitate the latter, which is highlighted by teams sharing their biggest offseason needs with each other.
I reached out to the commissioner’s office to learn the main business topics that will be on the agenda next week for the baseball executives to discuss. I also contacted front-office decision-makers for 28 of the 30 teams (exceptions noted below), who told me the key team needs they will be sharing with their counterparts.
Here is a look at what to expect as the meetings get underway next week at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia.
Business side of baseball operations
The pitch clock and other rule changes will be reviewed at the meetings. (Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)From a business perspective, the GM meetings will be highlighted by the following topics:
• Review the 2023 rule changes and discuss possible future rule changes. This will include debate over either implementing a challenge system for ball and strikes or going directly to an automated strike zone.
• Evaluate the current postseason format and debate whether it should be changed, including discussing whether five days off for teams with a first-round bye (i.e., the division winners) is too much and needs to be adjusted.
• Discuss league-wide medical issues, including pitching injuries.
• Discuss MLB initiatives in the scouting space, including the combine, the draft and international amateur signings.
• Review the league’s efforts to make “improvements” with minor-league affiliates and the player-development environment.
• A briefing on the possible move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas and where they might play in the interim.
Baseball side of baseball operations
What will David Stearns do in his first offseason leading baseball operations for the Mets? (Gordon Donovan / NurPhoto via Associated Press)Now, let’s turn to how teams are approaching their roster construction this offseason. Again, I reached out to front-office leaders across the league and asked for their team’s most pressing needs. Keep in mind that key needs, even if an exec is being fully transparent, do not cover every type of player a team will pursue in free agency. Just because a team says its biggest need is, say, a corner outfielder, doesn’t mean it won’t engage with and attempt to sign an elite reliever, or even Shohei Ohtani. It simply means that the team is most focused on trying to address certain parts of the roster this winter. Bottom line: There is a big difference between needs and wants.
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Here is a rundown of the biggest needs for each team, based on what front-office execs told me.
AL East
Orioles: A starting pitcher and bullpen help.
Rays: Starting pitching depth and figuring out their infield.
Blue Jays: A corner outfield bat, as they expect to move Daulton Varsho to center field.
Yankees: Help in center field and left field, with a preference for left-handed hitters.
Red Sox: A right-handed-hitting outfielder, a second baseman and a starting pitcher.
AL Central
Twins: Starting pitching depth and a center fielder to complement Byron Buxton.
Guardians: Bats, most likely in the outfield and at DH.
Tigers: A right-handed hitter and pitching.
White Sox: Starting pitching, catching and middle-infield help plus a corner outfielder.
Royals: Starting pitchers and relievers and a veteran bat or two.
AL West
Astros: Hire a new manager. Also, mid-leverage bullpen arms and backup catcher.
Rangers: I didn’t ask GM Chris Young this question during the World Series because I didn’t think it was appropriate to bother him. However, the Rangers’ biggest need is clearly to improve their bullpen depth.
Mariners: Either a single lineup anchor or players with better contact rates to be used throughout the order.
Angels: A starting pitcher, bullpen upgrades, a middle-of-the-order bat and a corner outfielder.
A’s: Starting pitchers and relievers and a middle-of-the-order bat.
NL East
Braves: A starting pitcher to replace Kyle Wright, who will miss all of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury.
Phillies: Re-sign Aaron Nola or acquire a starting pitcher to replace him.
Marlins: A president of baseball operations and a general manager.
Mets: Starting pitching and bullpen depth.
Nationals: A veteran starting pitcher and a corner outfield bat.
NL Central
Brewers: Retain manager Craig Counsell or replace him if he leaves. Also, add starting pitching.
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Cubs: A corner bat and bullpen upgrades.
Reds: Starting pitching and bullpen additions with a focus on quality and depth, plus a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Pirates: Upgrade the starting pitching and deepen the lineup.
Cardinals: Pitching, pitching and more pitching.
NL West
Dodgers: Starting pitching.
Diamondbacks: I didn’t reach out to GM Mike Hazen as he was occupied with the World Series. However, based on the postseason, I think a veteran starting pitcher would be their biggest need.
Padres: Bullpen help with Josh Hader expected to leave in free agency.
Giants: Star players to build around, outfield offense, a starting pitcher and a shortstop.
Rockies: Build pitching depth, from top to bottom of staff.
GO DEEPER
MLB's offseason schedule: The key moments for contracts, awards and free agency
(Top photo of free-agent closer Josh Hader: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
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