Openers: Royals, Hosmer, Weaknesses

As 2023 officially kicks off, here are three things to keep an eye on in baseball throughout the day today.

1. Where can the Royals look for pitching?

Royals GM JJ Piccolo recently told reporters the team is still interested in adding to the rotation after signing Righty. jordan lyles and left handed Ryan YarbroughA deal for another starter would make sense for the club, but the best weapons available such as Pablo Lopez When Chris Sale, present in the trading market at this time of the off-season. Kansas City to the level of prospective (Lopez case) or financial (Sale case) commitment required to land any of these weapons, or any other top arm that may become available. seems unlikely to be reached. matter. Given this reality, the best option for Piccolo’s front office seems to be to take a closer look at what remains of the free agent market.

Few quality free-agent starters left, but reunion with future Hall of Famers Zach Greinke This might make the most sense if the Royals continue to add pitching. Greinke was a steady force in his 2022 Kansas City rotation, posting a 3.68 ERA in 137 innings. After failing to reunite Greinke, the Royals were able to take the flyer in 2022 with a pitcher with a solid track record of battling injuries. Wade Miley or ex-royal Danny DuffyBoth pitchers have endurance concerns, but Kansas City should have enough young layers to potentially cover the missed innings.

2. Could a deal with Hosmer be imminent?

Following the Red Sox’ release decision Eric Hosmer, other clubs have expressed interest in adding the first baseman to their roster. The Cubs and Orioles, in particular, have had ties to Hosmer since they were released from Boston, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post specifically called the prospect of a deal between Hosmer and the Cubs “promising.” I’m explaining. Tweet over the weekend.Hosmer deal gives Cubs prospects at first base Matt Marvis If he doesn’t win a big-league job outside of camp this spring, he’ll be spending more time in the minors. Hosmer can hold first base on Wrigley until Mervis is ready. Ian Happ A regular at-bat from the left side in 2022. A deal with Hosmer could push the Cubs out of the market. Dominic Smith When Trey Manciniwith whom Chicago had previously hooked up this offseason.

When it comes to the Orioles, Hosmer has provided a veteran clubhouse presence to a young roster and exceeded expectations in 2023 with the league’s lowest salary.i got to share time with him Ryan Mountcastle First base when enlisted Kyle Stowers When Terrin Vavra With DH’s mix at bat. The Orioles aren’t the only club interested in combining veteran leadership with cheap acquisition costs.

3. Which team has the biggest weakness to address?

Yesterday, MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk looked at how AL and NL clubs have dealt with their weakest positions with bWAR in 2022. Several weaknesses in the contender stand out as potential places the club could address for the next phase of the offseason. As I mentioned in previous openers, perhaps the most obvious remaining need for the teams he aims to contend for in 2022 is that of the Rangers and Braves, who are left fielders, and each club wants him. contributed negatively in terms of bWAR. Jurickson Proffer Last daily player on the free agent market, but like a part-time addition David Peralta Also Andrew McCutchen It can improve the productivity of either team in that position.

Looking elsewhere in the league, the Rays have pursued some potential upgrades at the catcher throughout the offseason, but for now they plan to enter the season with the following players: Francisco Mejia When Christian Besancourt As a tandem behind the plate. However, there are still a handful of catchers left in the free agent market, so the club could see potential upgrades for players such as: Jorge Alfaro Also Gary SanchezIn contrast, the Diamondbacks have made some additions to their weakest position in 2022. Miguel Castro When Scott McGuff (among other things) in the worst bullpen in MLB. Still, given the massive struggles (-4.4 bWAR) of the Arizona Relief Corps in 2022, it might make sense to add more, along with former Diamondbacks. Andrew Chafin It leads the pack of relief options still on the market.