Projecting all 30 Opening Day rosters

Performance and personnel additions have created clearer scope in Spring Training

March 15th, 2018

Spring Training saw the slow-moving free-agent market accelerate and many of MLB Pipeline's finest get their first crack at competing in Major League camps. As such, personnel decisions have taken a much clearer scope in the four weeks since MLB.com reporters made their 25-man Opening Day roster projections.
With that in mind, and with more knowledge on performance and personnel, we revisit and adjust those predictions, just two weeks until the games count. Here is a breakdown for each club:
Angels: Fans, scouts, players and everyone in between will be following Japanese two-way player in what will be one of the most intriguing storylines of 2018. The Angels are hoping that he can be a key cog to a revamped lineup and a healthier rotation, each of which have seen other roster upgrades this offseason. More >
Astros: The defending champs rode arguably the Majors' best roster to their first World Series title in franchise history. They upgraded their pitching staff this offseason by adding to an already loaded rotation. One immediate question mark, however, is how the club will replace first baseman Yuli Gurriel while he recovers from left hand surgery. More >
Athletics: The A's have 20-plus homer power potential throughout their retooled lineup, with the additions of catcher and outfielder . But their rotation still lacks clarity on who will round out the final three slots behind and , the only locks at this point. More >

Blue Jays: The Blue Jays' additions of veteran starter could position them to have a sneaky elite rotation. The glaring void they currently have is at shortstop -- 's bone spur in his right heel will keep him out for most of April -- but the club prepared for such attrition this offseason by bolstering its infield depth. More >
Braves: Multiple off-days within the first two weeks may allow the Braves to be creative in how they break camp with their rotation, which has taken a hit with an injury to promising left-hander . They might even go with a four-man unit for the first few weeks to allow southpaw to get a few starts at Triple-A Gwinnett. More >
Brewers: With No. 1 starter Jimmy Nelson out until perhaps as late as midsummer, the Brewers may still make a free-agent signing to fortify their rotation. But the club's most glaring uncertainty, as it stands, relates to , who is out of options and losing reps at first base this spring to . More >
Video: Counsell discusses the plans he has for the rotation
Cardinals: The Cardinals have built a formidable roster as they look to snap a two-year postseason drought. Manager Mike Matheny has alluded for much of this spring that the club plans to carry an eight-man bullpen. Who will take those final few relief roles is really the only remaining question mark for St. Louis. More >
Cubs: The Cubs appear set with their current contingent, other than who will be backing up at catcher. , the club's No. 8 prospect, has perhaps made it a difficult decision for management with an impressive spring. More >
D-backs: The D-backs have depth across the board, with quality backups at every position. Though projected Opening Day starter Zack Greinke left his most recent outing with groin tightness, there aren't a lot of holes for Arizona. More >
Dodgers: When the Dodgers traded for Matt Kemp in December, it was believed that they would eventually flip the veteran before Opening Day. But Kemp remains in camp, and after a strong spring, he has likely earned a share of the left-field job. More >
Giants: The Giants have given their lineup a much-needed jolt by adding and , but there still remains a hole in center field -- at least for now. Is the club's No. 3 prospect prepared to be an everyday Major Leaguer or even platoon with veteran ? And who will fill the utility role among a crowded throng of candidates? More >

Indians: For the second straight spring, is trying to work his way back from an injury and accumulate enough reps to make the Tribe's Opening Day roster. Whether the club believes he needs to extend his rehab into April could have reverberating effects on how the roster is assembled. More >
Mariners: Perhaps no team has accrued more injuries among key contributors this spring than Seattle, particularly in its outfield. The Mariners have retooled their immediate personnel to account for their attrition, bringing back one of the franchise's icons in the process. More >
Marlins: At the early onset of a rebuild, a handful of Miami's top prospects will likely join the remaining veterans and see Major League action. The club must determine which are ready. More >
Mets: The Mets have insisted that their rotation will be assembled via open competition, which has created a difficult decision for new manager and pitching guru Mickey Callaway. was the favorite to land the fifth spot, but Zack Wheeler, and have all thrived. More >

Nationals: Washington hasn't offered much insight on who will win the remaining battles up for grabs, which are centered around a few spots in the bullpen and the backup catcher role. More >
Orioles:Zach Britton's right Achilles injury will likely keep him out the first two months of the season, and though manager Buck Showalter has expressed confidence in , and to fill the ninth inning, the Orioles will still need another left-hander in their bullpen. More >
Padres: There might not be a tighter position race in camp than the Padres' second-base job, which is coming down to the wire between and . More >

Phillies: The addition of free agent so late into Spring Training could mean the Phillies begin the year with a different fifth starter until the former National League Cy Young Award winner is ready to roll. More >
Pirates: The Pirates got some clarity in their outfield after acquiring All-Star Corey Dickerson, but there are plenty of open spots in the bullpen that may be decided by a Rule 5 Draft pick and a few non-roster invitees. More >
Rangers: Most indications suggest the Rangers will break camp with a 13-man pitching staff, through various scenarios on how that unit will be assembled -- potentially with either a six-man rotation or a full-time swing man in the bullpen -- remain undetermined. More >
Rays: The Rays, for now, are bucking the trend and committing to a four-man rotation, which will be supplemented by a bullpen day when a fifth starter is needed. That could create a nine-man bullpen and added flexibility. More >

Red Sox: At full strength, the Red Sox could have one of the stronger rotations in the American League. But offseason knee surgeries to and , and a mild flexor strain in the left elbow of , has the club uncertain if any of those three will be ready the first time through. That leaves opportunities for a pair of promising unprovens to break camp among their five-man unit. More >
Reds: Injuries to rotation locks (strained left oblique) and (left forearm spasms) could prompt the Reds to break camp with just four starters. A few early off-days may allow them to manipulate their roster and carry an extra bench player. A few waiver claims before camp ends might not be a surprise. More >
Rockies: The re-signing of right fielder could not only leave promising outfield prospects and off the Opening Day roster, but it could also create a domino effect at first base, where the versatile will likely land instead of left field. More >
Royals: The return of Mike Moustakas gave the Royals a little more roster clarity, but there's no doubt the club has a new look following the departures of cornerstone contributors and . As it stands, the Royals have plenty of personnel options to consider -- such as whether they'll carry four or five infielders, five or six outfielders or seven or eight bullpen arms. More >

Tigers: Not much has changed in the initial projections for the Tigers. New manager Ron Gardenhire has a few bench roles to decide among a handful of versatile candidates. More >
Twins: Perhaps no club made more big league additions during Spring Training than the Twins, which now have a much clearer idea on who will be contributing where as they look to repeat their surprise postseason appearance. More >
White Sox: The White Sox got a long look at -- and a reason to be excited -- their third-ranked farm system, but many of their top prospects -- , and , among others -- won't be a part of the club's immediate plans. One question mark lies in the rotation, and a poor spring from , the expected No. 5 starter, could open the door for . More >
Yankees: Looking to fortify an established lineup that has historic power potential, the Yankees added more veteran depth by acquiring third baseman and second baseman . That left a few top prospects vying for a roster spot on the outside looking in. More >