Every MLB team’s biggest offseason need for 2018

Fernando Rodney survived as Arizona's closer all season despite posting a 4.23 ERA with 4.2 walks per nine innings. Now a free agent, the Diamondbacks could opt to replace him with setup man Archie Bradley or add from outside the organization.

Atlanta's rotation sports plenty of young talent, most notably Luiz Gohara, but it was certainly a weakness last season. The Braves finished the year with a 4.80 ERA among its starters, ninth worst in MLB. The Braves will need to add at least one reliable starter to complement their youth movement, especially with the possibility of losing R.A. Dickey.

Baltimore's rotation was historically bad. The Orioles finished the year with a league-worst 5.70 ERA among their starters, and the lowest ERA among the regular starting five was 4.24 (Dylan Bundy). Bundy and Kevin Gausman should be back, but the team desperately needs to address the last three spots of the rotation this offseason.

Boston had a solid rotation 2017 despite David Price's elbow issues and Rick Porcello's struggles, but the Red Sox have some major depth concerns heading into the offseason. Eduardo Rodriguez is questionable for the start of next season following knee surgery, and the team learned a hard lesson with Price's elbow setbacks. While Steven Wright will return from knee surgery, the team probably shouldn't count on the knuckleballer.

The Chicago lineup remains loaded despite some disappointing seasons in 2017, but the pitching is much thinner. Closer Wade Davis is headed for free agency, as is former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta. The team has helped the rotation issues with Jose Quintana returning next season, but it'll certainly need to address closer. Whether that means bringing back Davis, promoting Carl Edwards or finding someone else remains to be seen.

It wasn't a successful season in the standings for the White Sox, but they have to be happy with the development of their youngsters. In particular, their future rotation looks stacked. Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez arrived late in the year, while Michael Kopech, Alec Hansen and Dane Dunning aren't far away. The team could use some help in the outfield while top prospect Eloy Jimenez continues to develop, with voids to fill in left and center alongside Avisail Garcia.

Cincinnati's rotation was a mess again last year with the worst starters ERA in the NL at 5.55. That ERA was despite the emergence of rookie Luis Castillo. The Reds also promoted top prospect Tyler Mahle and saw flashes from Sal Romano, Robert Stephenson and Amir Garrett, so it's not as if their cupboard is bare. Still, it's clear that they need to add reliable innings, especially given Homer Bailey's recent struggles.

Cleveland's incredible run ended in disappointment against the Yankees in the ALDS. The Indians have plenty of promising depth going into next season but are set to lose Carlos Santana in free agency. While Edwin Encarnacion could slide over from DH, the team would probably prefer to leave him in the batter's at age 35 when the season begins. The team does has options, like bringing back Santana or Jay Bruce.

Colorado got its money's worth with Greg Holland, who signed a one-year deal coming off Tommy John surgery. He's set to get a big contract in free agency this offseason, and left-handed setup man Jake McGee is also a free agent. Those are two big voids to fill.

The Tigers are in clear rebuilding mode, as they showed by trading J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Justin Wilson and Justin Verlander during the season. As they look to get younger this offseason, the outfield will be one of their biggest priorities. Detroit got something out of Mikie Mahtook and could shift Nicholas Castellanos to left field, but even in that case the outfield still needs to be addressed.

What do you get the team that has everything? The World Series champs are loaded for another run in 2018 and stacked in just about every area. One concern that did pop up during the playoffs was closer, as Ken Giles struggled, allowing 10 earned runs in 7.2 innings during the playoffs. The team can hope it was a fluke, but it probably can't afford to go on without a backup plan. Chris Devenski and Will Harris have closed at times during their careers, but adding another option would be a smart move.

The Royals could be headed for rebuilding mode with Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jason Vargas headed for free agency. The only player among that group for whom the organization clearly doesn't have a viable replacement option is Cain in center field. If the team can't bring him back, adding from outside the organization is almost a certainty.

With the best player in the world in Mike Trout, the Angels always have a chance. Potentially departing in free agency may be Brandon Phillips, who filled in well late last season. The team should be able to bring Phillips back or find someone else at a reasonable price, but it's clearly a spot it will need to address.

Kenley Jansen is arguably the best closer in the world, but getting to him during the playoffs was sometimes a project. Brandon Morrow is set to get a huge payday in free agency, while Pedro Baez and Josh Fields have been inconsistent at times. Finding a setup man will likely be a priority for L.A.

Rumors are that the Marlins will be blowing up the team after their recent sale. Until that happens, the most glaring need is the starting rotation. The rotation had an embarrassing 5.12 ERA, fifth worst in MLB, despite pitchin home games in a pitcher's park. Dan Straily looks like a keeper, especially since the team traded Luis Castillo to get him, but the rest of the rotation needs work.

One of the biggest surprises of the 2017 season, Milwaukee fell short of the playoffs but greatly exceeded expectations. Much of the Brewers' success was due to great years from Chase Anderson, Jimmy Nelson and Zach Davies in the rotation. Nelson could miss the start of next season following shoulder surgery, and the rotation already had some depth issues. Brandon Woodruff and Brent Suter could help, but the rotation likely needs at least one more viable arm.

Minnesota went on an unlikely second-half run to win an AL Wild Card spot, but the team wasn't without its issues. The rotation finished with a 4.73 ERA, in the bottom half of MLB, with major issues behind Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios. Adalberto Mejia showed flashes and top prospect Stephen Gonsalves should also be ready soon, but adding a starting pitcher this offseason will be a priority.

The Mets need far better health than their nightmare 2017 season. Provided they can assume better luck, finding a center fielder will be a priority this offseason after trading Curtis Granderson. Michael Conforto or Yoenis Cespedes could fill in, but the Mets would probably prefer to find a full-time option.

The Yankees' first basemen collectively produced a .761 OPS, seventh worst in baseball last season. Much of the issue was the absence of Greg Bird due to a foot injury, but the youngster hasn't proved he can be reliable. The Yankees could look to bring back Todd Frazier to help with the issue or address it in some other way.

Oakland is back in rebuilding mode, though the A's have some promising young players in their lineup like Matt Olson, Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman and Khris Davis. The rotation also has some interesting arms, but finding reliable innings was a problem for much of last year, as Sean Manaea led the way with only 158.2 innings. The team has an even greater need after trading Sonny Gray in late July.

New manager Gabe Kapler has several exciting hitters to work with at his new job, particularly first baseman/outfielder Rhys Hoskins, but the rotation remains thin. Aaron Nola is developing into an ace, while Jerad Eickhoff, Ben Lively and Mark Leiter Jr. are interesting pieces behind him, but the team needs more reliable innings.

Pittsburgh had its fair share of bad luck but still has a solid roster heading into the offseason. The bullpen is a clear need behind Felipe Rivero, especially after losing Juan Nicasio and Tony Watson. If the team can't afford to add a starting pitcher, it'll hope Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow can make strides in 2018.

The Padres were almost as bad as anticipated, but they did see some progress from their young hitters. Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot and Austin Hedges look like keepers. The Padres also saw nice flashes from Dinelson Lamet and Luis Perdomo in the rotation but certainly need to add talent behind them.

The Giants made a huge mistake last offseason, trusting they could manage left field with their internal candidates. That plan failed miserably, as the team produced a .666 OPS in the spot, third worst in MLB. Austin Slater was the most promising but struggled to stay healthy. The Giants will need to address that spot and likely third base, as well.

Seattle's rotation struggled to stay healthy for most of the season, but GM Jerry Dipoto was proactive by acquiring Mike Leake, Erasmo Ramirez and Marco Gonzales. Left field and first base are concerns heading into the offseason. The Mariners have a minor league option in Dan Vogelbach at first base, but Ben Gamel's second-half struggles leave left field in limbo.

Hitters caught up to Seung-hwan Oh in his second season, and the Cardinals lost fireballer Trevor Rosenthal to Tommy John surgery in August. With Juan Nicasio also headed toward free agency, the Cardinals have made closer their biggest offseason priority — especially after releasing Rosenthal.

The good news was that Logan Morrison had a career year for the Rays in 2017, launching 38 home runs with an .868 OPS. The bad news is that the pending free agent has probably priced himself out of Tampa Bay, so the team will need to find a replacement. Prospect Jake Bauers is an option, but he had a sub-.800 OPS at Triple-A Durham last season.

The Rangers traded Yu Darvish in July and are set to lose Andrew Cashner in free agency. Those are two big losses for a rotation that already ranked in the bottom half of the league in ERA. Cole Hamels's declining strikeout rate (6.4 K/9) is also a huge concern.

Is the Jose Bautista era finally over in Toronto? He had six All-Star campaigns with the Jays but was one of baseball's worst starting right fielders last season, posting a .674 OPS at age 36. The team could bring him back at a discount but might decide to turn the page.

The Nats are stuck with Matt Wieters for 2018, who was one of MLB's worst starting catchers in 2017. Washington ranked dead last at catcher in OPS thanks in large part to Wieters's .632 OPS. The team could use another catcher to challenge Wieters, who has slipped significantly over the last two seasons.