The Major League Baseball postseason is down to four teams, with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers squaring off in the American League Championship Series and the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks battling in the National League Championship Series.
The four teams eliminated in the Divisional Series – the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins – were stunning. Each of the Braves, Dodgers and Orioles won over 100 games and appeared to be strong favorites to represent their respective leagues in the World Series.
But this baseball season has proven chaotic, and that has definitely applied to the postseason. Let's dive into offseason priorities for each of the teams that were eliminated.
Atlanta Braves: Add starting pitching
Some people could point to the Atlanta Braves offense that produced only seven runs in four games against the Phillies. But that feels like more of an anomaly than anything considering they were one of the best regular-season offenses in baseball history.
So let's go with pitching. Max Fried's long-term future in Atlanta is uncertain as the two sides have not come together on an extension. Kyle Wright has struggled since returning from injury and Bryce Elder struggled in the second half after an All-Star first half of the season. Charlie Morton is under contract for 2024 but is a free agent in 2025 when he'd be entering his age-41 season.
There's a lot of uncertainty in the rotation for the Braves. I'd fully expect team president of baseball operations Alex Anthopolous to heavily prioritize bolstering that position either via trade or free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Add starting pitching
The Dodgers' rotation is also in flux. Lance Lynn has a $19 million club option that is certainly going to be declined. Clayton Kershaw is considering retirement. The only sure things are youngsters Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot and Emmet Sheehan.
For a Dodgers team that has World Series aspirations, they need more definitive and veteran answers.
The Dodgers understood that at the trade deadline, agreeing to a deal to acquire left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers. But Rodriguez invoked his no-trade clause and left the Dodgers scrambling for answers. Could they pursue a free agent like Jordan Montgomery or Lucas Giolito? Or could they turn to the trade market, where right-handers Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease figure to be the topic of trade rumors?
Baltimore Orioles: Add starting pitching
Sensing a theme here?
Starting pitching, especially long-term answers, is something that the Baltimore Orioles absolutely need. And it's something that I believe the Orioles will target heavily in the offseason.
Another need that could be valuable for them: A veteran or two on offense. I had a rival executive recently point out to me the impact that Tommy Pham and Evan Longoria have had in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse.
Imagine the type of impact those two would have had on the Orioles' roster. Something to certainly ponder and something that I believe the Orioles will monitor in free agency.
Besides, it's not like Pham would be expensive as a free agent as he signed a one-year, $6 million deal this past offseason and could sign for something similar this winter.
Minnesota Twins: Bolster the offense
One of the Minnesota Twins' biggest weaknesses was on offense, particularly with strikeouts. They set an all-time, single-season record for strikeouts during the regular season. In Games 3 and 4 against the Houston Astros, they struck out 28 times.
That's not good enough.
Still, the Twins challenged the Astros in this series. With better pitching, they would have been in position to beat them. Which is why bolstering the offense should be, and will be, their top priority this winter. Then they'll be better equipped to compete with the American League elite.
Another area to monitor with the Twins: The pitching staff, where Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and Emilio Pagan will be free agents this winter.
