The baseball hot stove is heating up, as teams gear up for the start of Spring Training. There are a lot of questions surrounding each team, as they look to finalize their rosters before heading to Arizona or Florida.
For the Blue Jays, the biggest question is whether they will pivot once again. Last year, they traded away some offensive power for more pitching and defense. Now, they will need to decide whether another significant shift is needed.
With the Orioles, the main concern is how they will upgrade their rotation. General manager Mike Elias has expressed a desire to add a big-league-caliber starting pitcher for the 2024 season, and they may need to look to the trade market to fill this need.
The Rays have mostly a solid roster, but the status of standout player Wander Franco remains uncertain. Franco was on administrative leave at the end of the season and is under investigation by MLB and authorities in the Dominican Republic.
The Red Sox are focused on adding to their rotation, as they look to secure their pitching needs for the upcoming season. Starting pitching has been a top priority for Boston, and they are considering several free agent and trade options.
The Yankees are also looking to upgrade their pitching staff. With a solid ERA last season, the team is looking to bolster their rotation and potentially build a super bullpen with new additions.
The Guardians are considering trading star pitcher Shane Bieber, as they look to add offensive help. The Royals and Tigers are similarly considering adding to their rosters, while the Twins are weighing potential trade deals.
The White Sox will have to decide on the future of pitcher Dylan Cease, while the Angels will look to spend and replace production lost from Shohei Ohtani’s departure. The Astros are focused on adding to their bullpen with the departure of veteran relievers.
As the hot stove season continues, teams will have to address all these questions and more before heading into Spring Training. The offseason promises to be an exciting time for the MLB, as teams make the necessary moves to improve their rosters before the start of the new season.
