Biggest needs for playoff teams that didn’t win World Series in 2024

Though 12 teams make the postseason every year, only one can win it all. In 2024, that team was the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Dodgers bask in the glory of their triumph, the other 11 teams must turn the page quickly as the offseason gets underway.

As we find out every year, a return trip to the playoffs is not guaranteed for any club, no matter how good they might have looked the previous season. Six of the 12 postseason teams from 2023 — including the World Series-champion Rangers — missed the playoffs in 2024.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the major areas the 11 postseason teams who fell short of a title in 2024 should prioritize this offseason, along with some potential free-agent targets — considering each team’s anticipated budget and historical spending patterns in free agency — as these clubs look to increase their chances of success in 2025.

Potential FA targets: 1B Pete Alonso, 3B Alex Bregman, RHP Carlos Estévez, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP David Robertson, 1B Carlos Santana, 1B Christian Walker, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Kirby Yates

Re-signing Bregman figures to be the top item on the Astros’ to-do list this offseason. The 30-year-old third baseman is a free agent after eight seasons with Houston, during which the club won seven division titles, four pennants and two World Series championships.

If the Astros are unable to bring back Bregman, they could turn their focus toward upgrading at first base, one of the strongest positions in this year’s free-agent class. The Astros tied for 26th in MLB with a .651 OPS at first base in 2024, relying on a platoon between Jon Singleton and Victor Caratini after releasing José Abreu in mid-June.

Although Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander are free agents, the Astros’ rotation is in decent shape at the moment, with Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti holding down the top four spots and a number of arms due back from injuries in 2025. As a result, adding a reliever appears to be a bigger priority than a starter, as MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart noted recently.

Potential FA targets: SS Willy Adames, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Jack Flaherty, LHP Max Fried, LHP Sean Manaea, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

The Braves were one of the most injury-plagued teams in baseball this past season, with Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy all missing significant time. Simply having better health in 2025 should give the club a good chance to return to the ranks of MLB’s top World Series contenders.

That said, Atlanta could look to free agency to improve its shortstop situation after getting a .625 OPS from Orlando Arcia in 2024. The Braves are considered one of the favorites to sign Adames this offseason.

They also have some holes to fill on their starting staff as Fried tests the open market and Charlie Morton (also a free agent) ponders retirement. It will be interesting to see how Atlanta approaches the starting pitching market — during president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos’ tenure, the Braves haven’t spent more than $30 million (Reynaldo López) on any free-agent hurler, and their largest expenditure on any pitcher has been $75 million (Strider).

Potential FA targets: LHP Matthew Boyd, INF Paul DeJong, LHP Andrew Heaney, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Nick Martinez, OF Tyler O’Neill, DH Joc Pederson, OF Jurickson Profar, RHP Nick Pivetta, LHP José Quintana, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Luis Severino, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Trevor Williams, 1B Christian Walker

Many expected the Brewers to take a step back after trading ace Corbin Burnes in February, but they ended up winning the National League Central by 10 games, the largest margin for any division winner.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, one of its best players — shortstop Willy Adames — is a free agent and will likely be out of the team’s price range. While Joey Ortiz (acquired in the Burnes trade) could move from third base to shortstop, the Brewers still need to find a way to replace Adames’ potent bat, which produced a team-high 32 homers and 112 RBIs in 2024.

With Frankie Montas also an expected free agent (he has a $20 million mutual option for 2025), the Brewers could look to bring in a starting pitcher as an insurance policy in case Brandon Woodruff’s comeback from right shoulder surgery doesn’t go smoothly. Woodruff, Freddy Peralta, Aaron Civale and Tobias Myers are currently penciled into the team’s rotation for 2025.

Potential FA targets: LHP Matthew Boyd, OF Michael Conforto, LHP Andrew Heaney, OF Max Kepler, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Nick Martinez, DH Joc Pederson, RHP Nick Pivetta, LHP José Quintana, RHP Luis Severino, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Trevor Williams, OF Jesse Winker

While Cleveland typically operates with restraint in free agency, the team was especially quiet after the 2023 campaign, spending less than $5 million on the free-agent market. The Guardians nevertheless reached the American League Championship Series in 2024, but they undoubtedly need to do more this offseason to build on that success next year.

With Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie coming off rocky 2024 seasons and Shane Bieber, Alex Cobb and Boyd entering free agency, the Guardians must address their rotation first and foremost.

Cleveland could also benefit from adding a hitter after averaging just 3.85 runs per game following the All-Star break. The club fared well against left-handed pitching, but it had one of MLB’s worst offenses against right-handers, recording a .383 SLG and a .684 OPS. For that reason, it would make sense for the Guardians to target a left-handed bat with some pop.

Potential FA targets: 1B Pete Alonso, 3B Alex Bregman, RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Jack Flaherty, LHP Max Fried, LHP Sean Manaea, OF Juan Soto, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

This was expected to be a transition year for the Mets after they lost 87 games in 2023 and followed that up with a quiet offseason, during which their largest free-agent expenditure was $28 million (on Manaea, who is expected to opt out of the second year of that deal). Instead, they went on a magical run to the NLCS before losing in six games to the Dodgers. However, with a number of key players reaching free agency — including Alonso, Manaea, Luis Severino and José Quintana — the Mets need a big offseason to avoid a dropoff in 2025.

Given their needs and owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, the Mets could vie for many of the marquee names in this year’s free-agent class. The biggest question is whether they’ll pursue a reunion with Alonso, a fan favorite who ranks third on the franchise’s all-time home run list, or allocate their considerable resources elsewhere (like, say, on Soto).

Potential FA targets: 1B Pete Alonso, RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Jack Flaherty, OF Teoscar Hernández, LHP Max Fried, LHP Sean Manaea, OF Tyler O’Neill, DH Joc Pederson, OF Anthony Santander, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, 1B Christian Walker

Though the Orioles have most of their key components under control for multiple years, they could lose their ace (Burnes) and leading home run hitter (Santander) in free agency this offseason.

Burnes lived up to expectations after being acquired from the Brewers in a trade last February, carrying an injury-riddled O’s rotation with a 2.92 ERA over 32 starts. Re-signing the righty or adding a comparable arm is likely to be the Orioles’ top priority in the first offseason under the team’s new ownership group.

If Burnes proves to be out of the team’s price range, it’s possible Baltimore could opt for a lower-cost starter instead and direct more resources toward its lineup to account for the potential loss of Santander’s robust production (44 HR, 102 RBIs).

Potential FA targets: 1B Pete Alonso, RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Yusei Kikuchi, OF Teoscar Hernández, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Nick Martinez, OF Jurickson Profar, LHP José Quintana, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Luis Severino, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP Michael Wacha, 1B Christian Walker

After trading Juan Soto to the Yankees last December, the Padres found an unlikely replacement in Profar, who signed a one-year, $1 million deal with San Diego in February and went on to produce a .280/.380/.459 slash with 24 homers in a career year at the age of 31. However, Profar is a free agent once again, leaving the Friars with a hole in left field — and the upper third of their lineup.

If the Padres aren’t able to come to terms on a new deal with Profar, we could see them go bargain hunting in left field again and make a play for a big bat at another position instead, with first base a possibility. San Diego currently has Jake Cronenworth at first, but if shortstop Ha-Seong Kim departs as a free agent (he has a mutual option for 2025), the Padres could shift Xander Bogaerts back to short and Cronenworth to second, which would open up a spot at first base for a top free agent such as Alonso.

The Padres’ rotation also has some uncertainties behind Dylan Cease and Michael King, with Yu Darvish coming off another injury-plagued season and Joe Musgrove expected to miss 2025 following Tommy John surgery, so it’s likely they’ll be involved with that market as well.

Potential FA targets: RHP Carlos Estévez, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Kenley Jansen, OF Tyler O’Neill, RHP David Robertson, OF Anthony Santander, LHP Tanner Scott, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Kirby Yates

After winning the NL East rather handily in 2024, the Phillies’ rotation and starting lineup are largely intact heading into the offseason, positioning them to be one of the top teams in the NL again next season. That said, we can’t rule out a big swing from president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, especially on the heels of the Phils’ early exit from the playoffs.

Estévez and Hoffman are both free agents, so the Phillies are likely to be active in the reliever market. Philadelphia’s bullpen melted down in the team’s NLDS loss to the Mets, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) in 12 2/3 innings. Philadelphia could also be on the lookout for more outfield production — with Bryce Harper moving to first base full time in 2024, Phillies outfielders had just 50 homers and a .708 OPS.

Potential FA targets: OF Michael Conforto, RHP Carlos Estévez, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Kenley Jansen, OF Tyler O’Neill, OF Jurickson Profar, RHP David Robertson, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Kirby Yates

After losing 106 games in 2023, the Royals were among the most aggressive teams in baseball last offseason. While not all of their moves worked out, the additions of Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to their rotation were instrumental in their remarkable turnaround this past season.

As the Royals look to take another step forward in 2025, improving their outfield production is a must. Kansas City outfielders produced just 47 homers with a collective .648 OPS in 2024, the fourth-worst mark in MLB.

With Wacha likely to decline his player option and Michael Lorenzen also a free agent, Kansas City will likely look to add a starter as well. However, upgrading in the bullpen is arguably a bigger concern for the club. Though the Royals did have success with the addition of Lucas Erceg at the Trade Deadline, their relief corps ranked 20th in ERA (4.13) and 28th in strikeout rate (20.8%) on the year.

Potential FA targets: SS Willy Adames, 1B Pete Alonso, 3B Alex Bregman, RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Jack Flaherty, LHP Max Fried, OF Teoscar Hernández, LHP Sean Manaea, DH J.D. Martinez, OF Tyler O’Neill, LHP Blake Snell, 1B Christian Walker

The Tigers made a shocking run to the playoffs late in the 2024 campaign and upset the Astros in the AL Wild Card Series, but Detroit still has a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball to become a sustainable winner.

The team’s late-season surge was largely propelled by a pitching strategy — dubbed “pitching chaos” — that isn’t going to be viable over the course of a full season. The Tigers need to add starting pitching to support ace Tarik Skubal, who is under club control for only two more years.

Acquiring an impact bat, preferably one who bats from the right side of the plate, should also be on the club’s offseason agenda. Thanks in part to the struggles of Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez, the Tigers were notably lacking in right-handed power this past season, getting just 79 homers (third fewest in MLB) and a .643 OPS (second worst in MLB) from their right-handed bats. Overall, Detroit’s offense tied for 19th in the Majors in runs scored (682) and ranked 24th in both homers (162) and OPS (.685).

Potential FA targets: 1B Pete Alonso, 3B Alex Bregman, RHP Carlos Estévez, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP David Robertson, OF Anthony Santander, LHP Tanner Scott, OF Juan Soto, 2B Gleyber Torres, RHP Blake Treinen, 1B Christian Walker, RHP Kirby Yates

The Yankees’ offense relied heavily on the superstar duo of Soto and Aaron Judge throughout 2024 en route to the team’s first World Series appearance since 2009. However, Soto is now a free agent, leaving a huge void in New York’s lineup. Although the Yankees’ offseason will revolve around re-signing the 26-year-old, the club has other lineup holes to plug as well as it searches for more balance in 2025.

Also on the Yankees’ list of offseason priorities? Addressing their bullpen, with Holmes, Kahnle, Tim Hill and Jonathan Loáisiga all reaching free agency. Holmes, Kahnle, Hill and Luke Weaver combined for 44 1/3 of the 60 2/3 innings thrown by Yankees relievers in the 2024 playoffs.