The MLB regular season ended just a few days ago, but these teams have been out of contention for months now.
We are now a little over a week removed from the end of the MLB regular season. That led to heartbreak for a strong Arizona Diamondbacks team, but some much weaker squads were ready for the merciful conclusion. These four teams each finished last in their respective divisions and have been out of the playoff race for months.
Los Angeles Angels (63-99)
Just like last offseason, the Angels seem directionless. They have some promising players on the roster but need a lot of help to become competitive. Overbearing owner Arte Moreno has refused to rebuild despite a poor outlook for years, and he said recently the team plans to compete in 2025. Moreno also promised to increased payroll, but borrowing a historic spending spree, the Angels need more than just a few free agents to compete in MLB.
This team seriously lacks quality pitching, which is mostly due to poor development. But they have also had a misguided strategy for acquiring pitchers in recent years. Moreno has been unwilling to sign pitchers to long-term deals, and that might have to change to improve the rotation. Californian SP Max Fried would be a good fit in free agency. But last offseason, GM Perry Minasian signed a bunch of relievers, and basically none of those deals worked out. The Angels need a much better bullpen, but that is a lower priority than improving the rotation and outfield.
Unfortunately, the Angels have no one reliable in the outfield. OF Mike Trout is still a great player, but his numerous injuries continue to sideline him for much of the season. Even if he is fully healthy, two other spots are up for grabs. OF Jo Adell looked listless in the first half, but he showed signs of life down the stretch, unlike OF Mickey Moniak. Spending on the grass would make sense, and OF Teoscar Hernandez could make the short trip from Hollywood.
Miami Marlins (62-100)
The Marlins’ season was over before it began. They started 0-9 and promptly traded 1B Luis Arraez in a rare May deal. But the Marlins made the most of the lost season by becoming big winners at the MLB trade deadline. They sent a host of veterans packing in order to greatly improve the farm system, including some guys who stepped onto the big league roster right away.
Unlike the other teams here, the Marlins actually have a strong pitching staff. The problem this year was that most of them were hurt. If/when they are healthy in 2025, Miami could be more competitive than many people expect. Where they need more talent is on the position player side. 2B Connor Norby hit seven homers after coming over at the deadline, but he can’t carry the offense by himself. The Marlins won’t be spending much–if any–money in free agency, so any additions will come from the bargain bin.
But the front office does not seem focused on the roster at present. Peter Bendix is coming up on his first anniversary as PBO, and he is continuing to restructure the organization. But recently, he went further than most heads by firing the entire coaching staff. After the Marlins and manager Skip Schumaker agreed to part ways, the team told just a couple coaches they would be welcome back. Organizations always change personnel with a new regime, but an entire overhaul all at once risks losing too much inside knowledge. Bendix seems to have a clear vision, but it also seems like he only wants people who will go along with it.
Colorado Rockies (61-101)
The Rockies are in the same position they always find themselves in: well under .500 and unsure how they got there. They never really had a chance this season, and instead of making bold changes, they decided to bring back Bud Black as manager. He has been a steady presence for a lacklsuter team, but it is time for a new voice to lead them forward. Owner Dick Monfort is notoriously insular, and his tendencies have prevented the organization from listening to different ideas.
On the field, Colorado showed a little bit of progress down the stretch. There is some evidence that embracing analytics is improving their pitching staff. For many years, the Rockies have targeted command-first sinker ballers to prevent home runs, and the strategy has not worked at the MLB level. But they lowered their bullpen ERA by more than a run from the first half to the second half due to some promising debuts. RPs Seth Halvorsen, Luis Peralta, Angel Chivilli, and Jaden Hill all have high-octane stuff. They are not the soft-tossing journeymen of the last few years. The Rockies are still very thin in the rotation, but there is help in the high minors.
Like the Angels, the Rockies have roughly half of a solid lineup. They are seriously lacking in stars but have a solid foundation, especially on defense. Also, like LA, they could use a power-hitting outfielder. Hopefully OF Nolan Jones bounces back from a rough year, and OF Anthony Santander would be a worthy addition in right field.
Chicago White Sox (41-121)
What else is there to say about the worst MLB team since the dawn of the World Series? This team is dreadful on the mound, in the field, and at the plate. GM Chris Getz has the unenviable job of turning this team around, and it will be a very slow process. I would say painful, but it was painful last season when they were supposed to compete. Fans have already broken the pain scale. If this team plays way better next year and wins 20 additional games, they will still have over 100 losses.
The White Sox made a dramatic decision sooner than these other teams by firing manager Pedro Grifol in early August. Grady Sizemore didn’t help matters as interim manager, but at least we got to remember a very fun player. The team seems to be casting a wide net to find someone from outside the organization, which is exactly what they should be doing. Like the Rockies, they need fresh voices to offer different perspectives.
Chicago is justifiably focused on the future, which means ace SP Garrett Crochet will leave town this winter. OF Luis Robert might join a new team as well, but he had a rough second half, so Getz might be better off waiting for him to bounce back. I doubt he will spend much on the market, but the South Side is the prime destination for rebound candidates. No one on the roster has locked down a starting spot, so there is plenty of space to take a chance on veterans and hope they play well enough to become trade chips.
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