One holiday 🎁 for each MLB team
We're in the holiday spirit and ready to hand out one ideal gift for each MLB club heading into 2024. Let's reach into our bag of goodies and pick out what each team hopes to find under its tree.
Arizona Diamondbacks
🎁 A breakout season for Brandon Pfaadt: Pfaadt struggled in 96 regular-season innings last year, posting a 5.72 ERA. The right-hander rebounded in Arizona's run to the World Series, registering a 3.27 ERA across five postseason starts. Alongside Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and free-agent acquisition Eduardo Rodriguez, a strong performance from Pfaadt in 2024 would give Arizona one of the deepest rotations.
Atlanta Braves
🎁 An answer for the Phillies in October: The Braves have been ousted by Philadelphia in the NLDS in consecutive years. The Phillies just seem to have Atlanta's number. The Braves are expected to be one of baseball's best clubs yet again in 2024, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them meet the Phillies for a third straight year in October. They'll need to find a way to get over that hump if it happens.
Baltimore Orioles
🎁 Long-term contracts for core members: The Orioles were arguably the most surprising MLB team last season, winning 101 games and the AL East for the first time since 2014. General manager Mike Elias has a roster loaded with homegrown stars. The time is right to lock up the likes of Adley Rutschman and AL Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson to long-term extensions to solidify the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Boston Red Sox
🎁 A high-end starting pitcher: The Red Sox are in desperate need of a legitimate ace atop the rotation. Boston can no longer rely on Chris Sale for that type of production. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should leave no stone unturned when trying to upgrade a rotation that finished 22nd in ERA last year. Chairman Tom Werner promised in November that the team would go "full throttle" this winter, but so far, the Red Sox have been stuck in neutral.
Chicago White Sox
🎁 Maximize Dylan Cease's trade value: The White Sox are in the middle of a complete rebuild. Chicago bottomed out to a 61-win season in 2023. There aren't many big trade chips on the roster, but Cease is certainly one of them. With just two years of team control remaining, it's incumbent on new general manager Chris Getz to ensure the White Sox receive a suitable trade package for a pitcher of Cease's caliber.
Chicago Cubs
🎁 A star to build around: The Cubs poached Craig Counsell from the Brewers with the richest manager contract in history. Chicago was one of the teams reportedly in the running for Shohei Ohtani before he signed with the Dodgers. There are a number of quality players on the roster, but the Cubs need a high-end star to bring it all together.
Cleveland Guardians
🎁 More Naylor brothers fireworks: The Naylors both enjoyed strong seasons in 2023. Josh hit 17 home runs with a 128 wRC+, while younger brother Bo excelled defensively behind the plate and hit 11 home runs in just 67 games. The sky appears to be the limit for the pair, and they could be primed to author some memorable moments in Cleveland next season and beyond.
Cincinnati Reds
🎁 A more consistent Elly De La Cruz: The 21-year-old showcased brilliant flashes during his rookie season, including stealing all three bases in the same inning. However, after posting an .881 OPS in his first month in the league, De La Cruz's OPS declined in the final three months. The Reds need him to find a more stable baseline in 2024 if they hope to take another step toward contention.
Colorado Rockies
🎁 Another level for Nolan Jones: The 25-year-old was one of the few bright spots for the Rockies last season. Jones posted a 135 wRC+ with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, emerging as Colorado's best offensive player. With the Rockies expected to struggle once again in 2024 - they've yet to spend any money in free agency this winter - Jones taking another step is one of the few things worth getting excited about for Rockies fans.
Detroit Tigers
🎁 A full season from Tarik Skubal: The left-hander returned from injury last season, amassing an impressive 3.3 fWAR with 11.43 K/9 and a 2.80 ERA in just 80 1/3 innings. Skubal is fully capable of emerging as an AL Cy Young candidate in 2024.
Houston Astros
🎁 Extensions for Altuve and Bregman: Both Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are entering their final years under contract with the Astros. It's hard to imagine Houston without either beyond 2024. General manager Dana Brown made it known he'd like to keep both franchise pillars long term. This winter could be his last best chance to accomplish that goal before allowing the two-time World Series champions to test free agency.
Kansas City Royals
🎁 More wins: The Royals lost 106 games in 2023 en route to finishing in the basement of the AL Central for a second consecutive season. General manager J.J. Picollo has been aggressive in trying to improve the club, spending $105 million in free agency. The additions of Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in the rotation should help raise the floor. The Royals could easily improve by 10-to-15 wins in 2024.
Los Angeles Angels
🎁 Good health for Mike Trout: The three-time MVP hasn't appeared in more than 119 games in a season since 2019. There isn't much to be excited about when it comes to the Angels after losing a star like Ohtani. Trout finding a way to stay on the field will at least make Angels games watchable in 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers
🎁 Postseason success: Yes, the Dodgers won the World Series in the shortened 2020 season. However, outside of that run, postseason success has been somewhat elusive for the Dodgers of late, as Los Angeles has lost six of its last seven postseason games. With Ohtani on board, the expectations will continue to be World Series or bust.
Miami Marlins
🎁 A full season of Eury Pérez: The 20-year-old hit the ground running last season, racking up 108 strikeouts over 91 1/3 innings with a 3.15 ERA. With 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara out for the entire season, the Marlins will need Pérez to pick up the slack in the rotation.
Milwaukee Brewers
🎁 The Jackson Chourio experience: The Brewers enter 2024 in a bit of a state of flux. Counsell is gone, and stalwarts Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames are due to hit free agency at the end of the season. Despite that, fans should be excited for Chourio's debut. The 19-year-old inked the largest contract in history for a player yet to appear in a MLB game and looks ready to patrol center field in Milwaukee for many years.
Minnesota Twins
🎁 Byron Buxton in center field: Buxton is expected to return to the field after being used exclusively at DH last season in an effort to keep him healthy. The strategy didn't work, as Buxton appeared in only 85 games and slumped to his lowest OPS since 2018. The Twins are in a precarious position if Buxton is unable to stay healthy and productive.
New York Yankees
🎁 Soto living at the short porch: The Yankees have been missing a potent left-handed bat for what seems like five years. The acquisition of Juan Soto gives the team one of baseball's best all-around offensive players. He's always been a hitter who uses all parts of the field, but it's easy to imagine him using his considerable talent to take advantage of the short wall in right field at Yankee Stadium - especially in a contract year.
New York Mets
🎁 A new deal for Pete Alonso: The Mets slugger is entering his final season before free agency. Alonso's blossomed into one of the game's most potent power hitters, leading MLB with 192 home runs since his debut in 2019. Mets owner Steve Cohen hasn't been shy about spending and will need to do so to keep Alonso from wearing another uniform in 2025.
Oakland Athletics
🎁 Savoring the last days in Oakland: A's fans have every reason to be infuriated with how the situation surrounding the team has unfolded over the past few years. Unfortunately, the reality of the franchise's move to Las Vegas is setting in. With a new ballpark expected to be ready in 2028, the clock is ticking for fans in the Bay Area to enjoy the last sights and sounds of Athletics baseball. A time machine to try to rewrite history would be another good option as a gift for A's fans.
Philadelphia Phillies
🎁 World Series glory: The Phillies have been knocking on the door in each of the last two postseasons. There's only one thing left to do: win the whole thing. They're certainly equipped to do so in 2024.
Pittsburgh Pirates
🎁 Oneil Cruz: A fractured ankle limited Cruz to just nine games in 2023. The Pirates still had a promising season, finishing with their highest win total since 2018. Cruz's return to the lineup should be a tremendous boost for a team on the upswing entering 2024.
San Diego Padres
🎁 Continued commitment to winning: The Padres moved on from Soto and dealt with some financial constraints at the end of the 2023 campaign. San Diego's ownership is in a state of flux following the death of Peter Seidler. The Padres still have a number of long-term contracts on the books, and the fans have made it clear they'll show up to support a competitive team. The remaining core is still too talented to give up on.
San Francisco Giants
🎁 A superstar: San Francisco has money to spend but just hasn't found a way - for many reasons - to close the deal and secure a star to lead the team into the future. The recent addition of KBO outfielder Jung Hoo Lee should help provide a boost. However, the Giants are still lacking a singular talent that can act as a tentpole for the franchise. Farhan Zaidi's mission to find that star continues.
Seattle Mariners
🎁 A worthy co-star for Julio Rodríguez: The Mariners are in good hands with Rodríguez leading the franchise for the foreseeable future. The 22-year-old had an excellent sophomore season and appears poised to contend for AL MVP consistently moving forward. Seattle doesn't have much else in terms of star position players. Rodríguez deserves another talented player to take pressure off of him in the lineup.
St. Louis Cardinals
🎁 A sophomore breakout for Jordan Walker: Walker had a solid rookie campaign, hitting 16 home runs with a .787 OPS in 117 games. The 21-year-old hits the ball on the ground a bit too much but has incredible raw power and offensive skills. With Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt another year older, the Cardinals will need Walker to take a big step forward in 2024.
Tampa Bay Rays
🎁 The return of Shane Baz: The Rays enter 2024 with a litany of injuries within the pitching staff. Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, and Drew Rasmussen are all expected to miss parts of next season. Baz is expected to return after missing all of 2023 and the majority of 2022 due to an elbow injury. The 24-year-old was previously one of baseball's top pitching prospects and could boost a group in need of high-end impact this season.
Texas Rangers
🎁 Meaningful contributions from deGrom and Scherzer: The Rangers won the World Series in 2023 despite losing Jacob deGrom to Tommy John surgery after only six starts. The two-time Cy Young winner has four years left on an $185-million contract and will be 36 in June. It's difficult to know how much he'll be able to contribute to the Rangers moving forward. Texas will also be without Max Scherzer for the first few months of the season after he underwent back surgery. Getting anything positive from either in the second half of the season could go a long way as Texas looks to repeat as World Series champions.
Toronto Blue Jays
🎁 A playoff win: It's no secret that the Blue Jays have developed a reputation as a team that can't get over the hump in October. Toronto hasn't won a postseason game since 2016 and has yet to taste victory in the playoffs with a roster featuring homegrown stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. The clock is ticking for the Blue Jays to figure out a way to knock down the door in October.
Washington Nationals
🎁 The continued payoff of the Soto trade: The Nationals acquired CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell, and James Wood in the August 2022 blockbuster that sent Soto to San Diego. Abrams and Gore were prominent major-league contributors last season, while Wood and Hassell are both top 10 prospects in the Nationals system. With Soto now wearing Yankee pinstripes, the Nationals can continue to smile at how well they made out in that crucial transaction.