Top need for each NL West team this offseason
The Winter Meetings begin in less than a week, and the National League West certainly features its share of Hot Stove storylines. All five teams in the division will be busy in San Diego next week. With that in mind, here's a look at the biggest need for every NL
The Winter Meetings begin in less than a week, and the National League West certainly features its share of Hot Stove storylines.
All five teams in the division will be busy in San Diego next week. With that in mind, here's a look at the biggest need for every NL West club:
D-backs: Outfield
The D-backs were already short on outfielders -- and that was before they non-tendered right fielder
As for right field, that's anyone's guess.
Dodgers: Relief pitching
The bullpen, on the other hand, remains entirely too unpredictable.
The Dodgers' bullpen deficiencies led to their unraveling in each of the past few postseasons. Right now, the relief market is thin -- and tricky to gauge. But it's hard to envision Los Angeles standing pat in the 'pen.
Giants: Starting pitching
But the Giants’ pitching problems run deeper than that.
In some respects, it’s a promising group. But the Giants would be well-served to supplement that group -- perhaps with one front-line acquisition and another depth option at the back end.
Padres: Starting pitching
Over the past week, the Padres have pulled off trades to address deficiencies at second base (
The future seems bright in the rotation, with top prospects
If the Padres were to land a front-line starting pitcher, suddenly the rotation would seem fairly complete. Paddack and Richards would drop to the 2-3 slots, where they probably belong. Meanwhile, Lamet, Davies, Lucchesi,
Rockies: Catcher
The Rockies could probably stand to upgrade their rotation and bullpen. But the organization remains optimistic that a handful of its pitchers will either bounce back in 2020 or at least get healthy. That mindset has already begun to shape their offseason plan. It seems unlikely the Rockies make a major splash on the mound.
But at catcher, it's a near certainty that Colorado will add.
Two years ago, the Rockies signed
AJ Cassavell covers the Padres for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell.