2023 MLB Offseason Outlook
Tier 3: The Builders
With the 2022 season in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward to 2023. The Astros took some pressure off of themselves with a World Series victory, but 29 other teams are tasked with figuring out how to be in Houston’s position next fall— or, in some cases, at some point down the road.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking a look at each team’s outlook for the coming offseason and beyond. For this next group, it’s time to take the next steps towards contention, whether that comes from signing big-name free agents or dealing from a position of strength to add big league talent.
18. Detroit Tigers
Young core- Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Joey Wentz, Alex Faedo, Alex Lange
Key veterans- Javier Báez, Austin Meadows, Jeimer Candelario, Eduardo Rodriguez, Joe Jiménez
Prospects knocking at the door- Ryan Kreidler
Needs- front-line starter, impact bat, bullpen depth, controllable players
Free agent targets- Willson Contreras, Carlos Correa, Brandon Nimmo, Andrew Benintendi, Mitch Haniger, Justin Verlander, Matt Strahm, Matt Wisler
Trade targets- Ivan Herrera, Danny Jansen, Gleyber Torres, Brendan Rodgers, Alek Thomas, Taylor Trammell, Pablo López
Trade pieces- Austin Meadows, Joe Jiménez, Tarik Skubal
40-man candidates- Parker Meadows, Reese Olson, Zack Hess
Detroit is now tied for the longest playoff drought in all of baseball, with the lowest winning percentage over that eight-year span. The Tigers went out and signed Javy Báez and Eduardo Rodriguez last offseason, but both players struggled mightily in 2022– as did nearly everybody else on the team, including top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.
It is imperative that the front office continues to make a push heading into 2023, though. Carlos Correa and Justin Verlander, both of whom have ties to manager A.J. Hinch, may be pipe dreams, but there are plenty of other avenues to explore in free agency. Additionally, there are several controllable bats the Tigers could look into acquiring to replace some of the mediocrity from last year’s lineup. Skubal should be a part of this team’s future, but he has been discussed in trade talks and could bring back a large return.
17. Miami Marlins
Young core- Jazz Chisholm Jr, Jordan Groshans, JJ Bleday, Bryan De La Cruz, Jesús Sánchez, Peyton Burdick, Jesús Luzardo, Edward Cabrera
Key veterans- Garrett Cooper, Sandy Alcantara, Pablo López, Dylan Floro
Prospects knocking at the door- N/A
Needs- up-the-middle impact bats, back-end bullpen help
Free agent targets- Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Brandon Nimmo, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen
Trade targets- Tim Anderson, Bryan Reynolds
Trade pieces- Pablo López
40-man candidates- Griffin Conine, Victor Victor Mesa, Zach King
Miami has graduated a ton of prospects over the last two years, and as a result, the upper minors are devoid of healthy big league talent. On the position player side of things, there is plenty of young depth, but no star power. With plenty of impactful, up-the-middle bats available this offseason, the time to strike is right now. Free agency is always an option, but the Marlins can deal from a position of strength and trade away some starting pitching. Lopez’s name has come up in trade talks for the last year, but Trevor Rogers and Braxton Garrett could also be appealing on a smaller scale. Adding to the bullpen – particularly a late-inning veteran – should be a priority, as well.
16. Texas Rangers
Young core- Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran, Adolis García, Leody Taveras
Key veterans- Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, José Leclerc
Prospects knocking at the door- Cole Winn
Needs- pitching, center field, bench bats
Free agent targets- Brandon Nimmo, Josh Bell, Brandon Drury, Brandon Belt, Jacob deGrom, Clayton Kershaw, Kodai Senga, Martín Pérez, Andrew Heaney, Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman
Trade targets- Ian Happ, Bryan Reynolds, Pablo López, Patrick Sandoval
Trade pieces- Mitch Garver
40-man candidates- Jonathan Ornelas, Davis Wendzel, Dustin Harris, Owen White, Cole Winn, Mason Englert
Last offseason, offense was a priority, as the Rangers brought in Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Now, it’s time to shift the focus to pitching. Jacob deGrom and Kodai Senga are on Texas’ radar, but filling out this rotation will take more than just adding a front-line piece. The front office could try to get creative in the trade market to acquire one of Lopez or Sandoval.
The bullpen also needs a ton of work, with three spots entirely up for grabs. Adding a veteran back-end piece to a group of young, talented arms could transform the entire staff. That said, there are still a few holes in the lineup, particularly in the outfield and at DH, that shouldn’t go unaddressed.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
Young core- Daulton Varsho, Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, Geraldo Perdomo, Seth Beer, Josh Rojas, Ryne Nelson, Drey Jameson, Tommy Henry, Kevin Ginkel
Key veterans- Carson Kelly, Christian Walker, Ketel Marte, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly
Prospects knocking at the door- Brandon Pfaadt
Needs- mid-rotation starter, bullpen help, infield depth
Free agent targets- Dansby Swanson, Brandon Drury, Tyler Anderson, Martin Pérez, Chris Bassitt, Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin
Trade targets- Gleyber Torres, Frankie Montas, Pablo López, A.J. Puk
Trade pieces- Alek Thomas, Corbin Martin
40-man candidates- Dominic Fletcher, Dominic Canzone, Jorge Barrosa, Justin Martinez
This Diamondbacks team is absolutely loaded with middle-tier talent. Zac Gallen looks like an ace and Corbin Carroll has superstar upside, but beyond that, there is an abundance of complementary pieces.
Arizona should certainly be in the running for each of the top four shortstops – a reunion with Dansby Swanson feels the most realistic – but with no major holes offensively, the focus should be pitching. The rotation currently projects to host at least two rookies, so adding a No. 2 behind Gallen, and thus creating lots of depth, is necessary.
It will be an uphill battle for the Dbacks to compete with the Dodgers and Padres in 2023, but with the extra playoff team in each league, GM Mike Hazen should do whatever he can to fortify this roster.
14. Baltimore Orioles
Young core- Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, DL Hall, Félix Bautista
Key veterans- Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, John Means
Prospects knocking at the door- Colton Cowser, Connor Norby, Joseph Ortiz, Jordan Westburg, Grayson Rodriguez, Drew Rom
Needs- starting pitching, impact bats, defense
Free agent targets- Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, Brandon Drury, Trey Mancini, Mike Zunino, Kevin Kiermaier, Carlos Rodón, Kodai Senga, Taijuan Walker, Zach Eflin
Trade targets- Ryan McMahon, Michael Taylor, Germán Márquez, Frankie Montas, Pablo López
Trade pieces- Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander
40-man candidates- Andrew Daschbach, Joseph Ortiz, Grayson Rodriguez, Drew Rom
Moving Cedric Mullins would hurt; but acquiring four big league-ready pieces could really help Baltimore both jump start and elongate its window of contention following its first season over .500 since 2016.
Even if Grayson Rodriguez cracks the Opening Day rotation, another arm or two is needed for that group to be taken seriously. Rodriguez has ace upside, so Baltimore can target mid-rotation arms without breaking the bank or parting with top prospects. The Orioles should be in on every middle-of-the-order bat, but it’s also crucial that they fill any starting role with a quality defender, with Jorge Mateo and, in this case, Mullins, no longer in the lineup.
With lots of money to spend and plenty of prospects ready to take the leap, Baltimore could be headed for an exciting season.