Athletics: Starting Rotation

The Athletics have yet to make a significant outside addition to a starting staff that finished 27th in the majors with a 4.85 ERA last season, and even if Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales take another step forward, they would still benefit greatly from another proven arm. Chris Bassitt, Zack Littell and Nick Martinez are among the mid-tier options they could target.

Logical Target: RHP Chris Bassitt

Assuming the Astros are content with their options in center field and right field (Jesús Sánchez, Jake Meyers, Cam Smith and Zach Cole) and for the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots in the rotation (Mike Burrows, Ryan Weiss, Lance McCullers Jr., Jason Alexander, Nate Pearson and Spencer Arrighetti), backup catcher might be all that’s left on the offseason shopping list. A reunion with Victor Caratini is still a possibility, while Jonah Heim and Reese McGuire are also available.

Logical Target: C Jonah Heim

Los Angeles Angels: Center Field

The best way to keep Mike Trout healthy is to limit him to designated hitter duties, while Jo Adell proved in 2025 he is not a center fielder with ugly defensive metrics (-13 DRS, -8 OAA), leaving the position as a glaring need for the Angels. Harrison Bader is a potential target, while Chas McCormick has some buy-low upside, but the trade market might be the preferred route.

Logical Target: OF Lars Nootbaar (trade candidate)

Seattle Mariners: Infield

Aside from Josh Naylor at first base and J.P. Crawford at shortstop, the Mariners infield is up in the air, with Cole Young, Ben Williamson, Leo Rivas and perhaps top prospect Colt Emerson the leading in-house options at second and third base. Versatile players like Willi Castro, Luis Rengifo, Ramón Urías and trade candidate Brendan Donovan are all potential fits.

Logical Target: IF/OF Willi Castro

Texas Rangers: Starting Rotation

The Rangers rotation was propped up by 37-year-old Jacob deGrom and 35-year-old Nathan Eovaldi in 2025, and expecting that tandem to combine for 52 starts and 302.2 innings once again might be wishful thinking. A veteran starter from the same list of mid-tier options mentioned above as potential targets for the Athletics—Chris Bassitt, Zack Littell and Nick Martinez—would make sense, or they could aim slightly higher for someone like Zac Gallen or Lucas Giolito.

Logical Target: RHP Lucas Giolito