Bettings
article-picture
article-picture
MLB
Fantasy

Original Rosters: What Every MLB Team Would Look Like if Trades and Free Agency Didn’t Exist

Share
Contents
Close

There are so many things that go into building a Major League Baseball team. Even if you started with a full system of players you had drafted and signed, there would still be coaching them up, trades, free agency. There are so many ways of acquiring players who are already pros.

But what if there weren’t?

 

Obviously this is just a thought exercise, but today, we’re undoing every transaction. How would every team in Major League Baseball look if it comprised only players the organization brought in from outside? The White Sox get back Fernando Tatis, the Nationals get back Juan Soto and Bryce Harper. Everyone goes back to where they started.

If you want an analytic bent to this, it’s not a terrible way to look at teams’ amateur scouting abilities. But really, this is just for fun: What would the teams look like if the general manager was handcuffed outside his office after drafts and international signings?

Overall Takeaways

Below I’ll offer up 26-man rosters for all 30 teams around the league. First, some notes and thoughts:

  • I didn’t make up a single name in this space … but man, for some teams, you might think I did (looking at you, Giants infielders and A’s pitchers).
  • Guys get placed with the team they first signed with, not necessarily the team that first drafted them. So if a guy was drafted out of high school but didn’t sign and went to college, only the team that drafted him out of college counted here.
  • We like to say that the richest teams just break out the checkbook and that’s how they accumulate good players. And sure, that’s true (particularly for the 2023 World Series champion Rangers, who … didn’t fare well in this exercise). But also, the teams that had the best starting rosters were (I think) very clearly the Dodgers and Braves). A healthy bank account is valuable, but if you’re rich and nothing else, you end up as the Mets or Angels. You want to be rich and, you know, savvy.
  • In the same vein, most of the teams that do particularly poorly in this exercise are also just really bad teams generally. That is probably informative!
  • I tried to build full 26-man rosters for all these teams. I chose to do 14 hitters and 12 pitchers on each team, which is not actually how any teams do it anymore (pitcher overload for the win), but … well, no one really cares who the eighth- and ninth-best relievers a team drafted were. Also, sometimes I just couldn’t make a logical roster. Some of these teams lack a backup catcher. Some will be hoping a guy who has never played first base or shortstop can adapt to the position. We did our best!
  • We’ve granted some guys health here that they don’t really have, and in a couple of cases, guys who played last year but look done now had their careers resurrected for one more theoretical ride. Just go with it. It’s fun.

Now, on to the rosters.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Hitters   Pitchers
C Daulton Varsho Starters
1B Paul Goldschmidt SP Max Scherzer
2B Jazz Chisholm SP Brandon Pfaadt
3B Geraldo Perdomo SP Wade Miley
SS Dansby Swanson SP Slade Cecconi
LF Jake McCarthy SP Touki Toussaint
CF Alek Thomas Bullpen
RF Corbin Carroll CP Jhoan Duran
DH Druw Jones RP Kevin Ginkel
Bench Jose Herrera RP Colin Poche
Bench Pavin Smith RP Drey Jameson
Bench José Caballero RP Andrew Chafin
Bench Jordan Lawlar RP Andrew Saalfrank
Bench Dominic Fletcher RP Ryne Nelson

Hey, Daulton Varsho, you remember how you kind of became a full-time outfielder and left catching behind? Yeah, that’s over now, sorry. Our only other available catcher was a 27-year-old with a career .503 OPS, so get your mitt back, young man.

Atlanta Braves

Hitters   Pitchers
C William Contreras Starters
1B Freddie Freeman SP Spencer Strider
2B Ozzie Albies SP Charlie Morton
3B Austin Riley SP Bryce Elder
SS Vaughn Grissom SP AJ Smith-Shawver
LF Ronald Acuña SP Kyle Wright
CF Michael Harris Bullpen
RF Jason Heyward CP Evan Phillips
DH Ji Hwan Bae RP Craig Kimbrel
Bench Shea Langeliers RP A.J. Minter
Bench Joey Meneses RP Kolby Allard
Bench Brandon Drury RP Alex Wood
Bench Cristian Pache RP Lucas Sims
Bench Drew Waters RP Ian Anderson

The Braves have built an unstoppable Megazord offense in recent years … except they forgot to build a shortstop. It’s like if you built a self-driving car but forgot to make it sense for children. (Forget I said that.) So we’re stuck with Vaughn Grissom back at short, and being backed up by … Brandon Drury?

Baltimore Orioles

Hitters   Pitchers
C Adley Rutschman Starters
1B Christian Walker SP Kevin Gausman
2B Jackson Holliday SP Grayson Rodriguez
3B Manny Machado SP Eduardo Rodriguez
SS Gunnar Henderson SP John Means
LF Austin Hays SP DL Hall
CF Cedric Mullins Bullpen
RF Mike Yastrzemski CP Josh Hader
DH Ryan Mountcastle RP Tanner Scott
Bench Jonah Heim RP Hunter Harvey
Bench Jordan Westburg RP Mike Baumann
Bench Colton Cowser RP Garrett Cleavinger
Bench DJ Stewart RP Nick Vespi
Bench Joey Ortiz RP Keegan Akin

It’s basically just the Orioles we have now, plus Christian Walker and Manny Machado. Nice work if you can get it.

Boston Red Sox

Hitters   Pitchers
C Christian Vázquez Starters
1B Triston Casas SP Brayan Bello
2B Santiago Espinal SP Kutter Crawford
3B Rafael Devers SP Frankie Montas
SS Xander Bogaerts SP Tanner Houck
LF Masataka Yoshida SP Michael Kopech
CF Jarren Duran Bullpen
RF Mookie Betts CP Ryan Pressly
DH Anthony Rizzo RP Chris Martin
Bench Kyle Teel RP Daniel Bard
Bench Andrew Benintendi RP Gregory Santos
Bench Yoán Moncada RP Gabe Speier
Bench Mauricio Dubón RP Jalen Beeks
Bench Manuel Margot RP Jordan Weems

The Red Sox have utterly failed in drafting (or signing internationally) a big-time in-house starting pitcher since … Jon Lester? This offense is all well and good, but your ace is Brayan Bello, guys. (All these criticisms apply to the real 2024 Red Sox as well, to be fair.)

Chicago Cubs

Hitters   Pitchers
C Willson Contreras Starters
1B Kyle Schwarber SP Justin Steele
2B Nico Hoerner SP Dylan Cease
3B Isaac Paredes SP Shota Imanaga
SS Javier Báez SP Javier Assad
LF Kris Bryant SP Jordan Wicks
CF Ian Happ Bullpen
RF Seiya Suzuki CP Adbert Alzolay
DH Jorge Soler RP Alex Lange
Bench Miguel Amaya RP Jay Jackson
Bench Jeimer Candelario RP Brooks Raley
Bench Gleyber Torres RP Pierce Johnson
Bench Eloy Jiménez RP Scott Effross
Bench Christopher Morel RP Keegan Thompson

In nine seasons in the big leagues, Kyle Schwarber has played 11 games and 75 total innings at first base. I’m sure it’s not that hard to learn the position, though. Tell him, Wash.

(There’s an argument for putting Schwarber at DH and letting didn’t-even-make-the-roster DJ LeMahieu or Daniel Vogelbach play first, but that would push Jorge Soler to the bench and knock Eloy Jiménez or Jeimer Candelario off the roster altogether. The Cubs have good hitters!) 

Chicago White Sox

Hitters   Pitchers
C Seby Zavala Starters
1B José Abreu SP Chris Sale
2B Marcus Semien SP Carlos Rodón
3B Jake Burger SP Chris Bassitt
SS Tim Anderson SP Davis Martin
LF Oscar Colás SP Garrett Crochet
CF Luis Robert Bullpen
RF Fernando Tatis CP Ian Hamilton
DH Andrew Vaughn RP Chris Devenski
Bench Carlos Pérez RP Tanner Banks
Bench Nick Madrigal RP Sammy Peralta
Bench Gavin Sheets RP Bennett Sousa
Bench Colson Montgomery RP Matt Foster
Bench Alex Call RP Lane Ramsey

So when Chris Sale was drafted, a lot of the smart guys said he’d end up as a reliever. Yet here he is, still starting in 2024. I think the lesson the White Sox took from that was “never draft relievers”? Because in this exercise, their closer is a 33-year-old with 8 career saves who has pitched 78.0 innings of 6.35 ERA ball the last four years.

Putting Fernando Tatis next to Luis Robert in the outfield is cool, though.

Cincinnati Reds

Hitters   Pitchers
C Tyler Stephenson Starters
1B Joey Votto SP Hunter Greene
2B Matt McLain SP Josiah Gray
3B Justin Turner SP Nick Lodolo
SS Elly De La Cruz SP Andrew Abbott
LF Jesse Winker SP Graham Ashcraft
CF TJ Friedl Bullpen
RF Nick Senzel CP Raisel Iglesias
DH Jonathan India RP Alexis Díaz
Bench Yasmani Grandal RP Robert Stephenson
Bench Sal Stewart RP Aroldis Chapman
Bench Jose Siri RP Wandy Peralta
Bench Stuart Fairchild RP Michael Lorenzen
Bench Jose Barrero RP Tyler Mahle

This version of the Reds has the same issues as the real one — too many infielders for too few spots, a bit of an underwhelming outfield, a starting rotation that is an arm away from being an arm away. That said, woo boy that bullpen would paper over a lot of issues.

Cleveland Guardians

Hitters   Pitchers
C Yainer Diaz Starters
1B Yandy Díaz SP Tanner Bibee
2B Willi Castro SP Shane Bieber
3B José Ramírez SP Gavin Williams
SS Francisco Lindor SP Triston McKenzie
LF Steven Kwan SP Aaron Civale
CF Will Benson Bullpen
RF Nolan Jones CP Julian Merryweather
DH Anthony Santander RP Shawn Armstrong
Bench Bo Naylor RP Xzavion Curry
Bench Gio Urshela RP James Karinchak
Bench Junior Caminero RP Nick Sandlin
Bench Oscar Gonzalez RP J.P. Feyereisen
Bench Samad Taylor RP Hunter Gaddis

Near as I can tell, players named “Y. Diaz” have amassed 2,871 plate appearances in Major League Baseball. 2,869 of them (Yainer and Yandy) started out as Guardians. Dammit for screwing things up, Yennsy and Yusniel.

(Also, do you think this Cleveland offense would like to have guys like Francisco Lindor, Nolan Jones and Anthony Santander added to things? I think that.)

Colorado Rockies

Hitters   Pitchers
C Tom Murphy Starters
1B Hunter Goodman SP Jon Gray
2B Brendan Rodgers SP Peter Lambert
3B Nolan Arenado SP Antonio Senzatela
SS Ezequiel Tovar SP Tyler Anderson
LF Mike Tauchman SP Kyle Freeland
CF Brenton Doyle Bullpen
RF Charlie Blackmon CP Carlos Estévez
DH Trevor Story RP Joel Payamps
Bench Brian Serven RP Justin Lawrence
Bench Garrett Hampson RP Sam Moll
Bench Ryan McMahon RP Bryan Baker
Bench Sam Hilliard RP Tyler Matzek
Bench Michael Toglia RP Riley Pint

I started this exercise by going down the 2024 fantasy baseball ADP list and putting players on their original rosters in order. The Rockies were the second-to-last team to get its first starter pitcher, with Jon Gray at 305. Things … didn’t exactly improve from there, and this offense is not one that’s going to paper over pitching staff deficiencies. 

Detroit Tigers

Hitters   Pitchers
C James McCann Starters
1B Spencer Torkelson SP Tarik Skubal
2B Colt Keith SP Justin Verlander
3B Eugenio Suárez SP Casey Mize
SS Willy Adames SP Jackson Jobe
LF Avisaíl García SP Matt Manning
CF Parker Meadows Bullpen
RF Riley Greene CP Gregory Soto
DH Nick Castellanos RP Jason Foley
Bench Dillon Dingler RP Joe Mantiply
Bench Kody Clemens RP Drew Smyly
Bench Jace Jung RP Joe Jiménez
Bench Kerry Carpenter RP Buck Farmer
Bench José Azocar RP John Schreiber

Did you remember Willy Adames started out as a Tiger? Traded in a deal that included Austin Jackson and David Price almost 10 years ago now! He was 19! Man, baseball ages are weird.

Houston Astros

Hitters   Pitchers
C Jake Rogers Starters
1B Abraham Toro SP Framber Valdez
2B Jose Altuve SP Cristian Javier
3B Alex Bregman SP Hunter Brown
SS Carlos Correa SP José Urquidy
LF Teoscar Hernández SP Patrick Sandoval
CF George Springer Bullpen
RF Kyle Tucker CP Bryan Abreu
DH J.D. Martinez RP Corbin Martin
Bench Garrett Stubbs RP Adrian Houser
Bench Kiké Hernández RP Brandon Bielak
Bench Jeremy Peña RP Jordan Lyles
Bench Myles Straw RP Luis García
Bench Chas McCormick RP Ronel Blanco

This roster is a bunch of guys who have been on one or both of the Astros’ World Series teams, but man, how is a team this dynastic stuck with Jake Rogers and Abraham Toro at catcher and first base? Weird. But man, that outfield/DH group is gonna hiiiiiit.

Kansas City Royals

Hitters   Pitchers
C Salvador Perez Starters
1B Vinnie Pasquantino SP Sean Manaea
2B Michael Massey SP Matt Strahm
3B Mike Moustakas SP Brady Singer
SS Bobby Witt SP Scott Alexander
LF MJ Melendez SP Zack Greinke
CF Esteury Ruiz Bullpen
RF Whit Merrifield CP Jason Adam
DH Ryan O’Hearn RP Alec Marsh
Bench Freddy Fermin RP Robert Garcia
Bench Maikel Garcia RP Carlos Hernández
Bench Nicky Lopez RP Kris Bubic
Bench Kyle Isbel RP Daniel Lynch IV
Bench Nick Pratto RP Jakob Junis

I mentioned above how the Rockies were the second-to-last team to get its first starter. Here’s your last, with the Royals landing Sean Manaea and then having to dive even deeper for guys who are barely starters or barely even big-leaguers (here’s hoping you get one more year, Zack Greinke). 

Los Angeles Angels

Hitters   Pitchers
C Martín Maldonado Starters
1B Nolan Schanuel SP Shohei Ohtani
2B David Fletcher SP Kyle Bradish
3B Michael Stefanic SP Reid Detmers
SS Zach Neto SP Griffin Canning
LF Taylor Ward SP Chase Silseth
CF Brandon Marsh Bullpen
RF Mike Trout CP Will Smith
DH Shohei Ohtani RP Ben Joyce
Bench Matt Thaiss RP Ryan Brasier
Bench Randal Grichuk RP Keynan Middleton
Bench Jo Adell RP Andrew Wantz
Bench Jahmai Jones RP José Suarez
Bench C.J. Cron  RP Patrick Corbin
  RP John McMillon

I unretired C.J. Cron for this exercise, because the Angels kind of forced my hand with their organizational ineptitude. And it’s a good thing we can un-injure guys as well, because that underwhelming rotation minus Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Bradish would be even underwhelming-er.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hitters   Pitchers
C Will Smith Starters
1B Yordan Alvarez SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
2B Gavin Lux SP Walker Buehler
3B Zach McKinstry SP Nathan Eovaldi
SS Corey Seager SP Clayton Kershaw
LF Alex Verdugo SP Kenta Maeda
CF Cody Bellinger Bullpen
RF Joc Pederson CP Kenley Jansen
DH Carlos Santana RP Dean Kremer
Bench Keibert Ruiz RP Scott Barlow
Bench Oneil Cruz RP Yimi García
Bench James Outman RP Josh Sborz
Bench Kyle Farmer RP Caleb Ferguson
Bench Michael Busch RP Ryan Pepiot

I love putting Yordan Alvarez on the Dodgers in Immaculate Grid, just because it’s hilarious to imagine adding that bat to the teams they’ve had the last few years. It doesn’t work quite as well here with no Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman or Shohei Ohtani, but still, they traded that guy for Josh Fields. Come on.

Also funny? The Dodgers’ pitching was so stacked that guys like Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Dustin May and Ross Stripling (and Julio Urías, but I tried to avoid guys like him because this is for fun and he isn’t fun) didn’t even make the roster. The Royals are out here Sean Manaea-ing, while the Dodgers’ Triple-A rotation would be an MLB playoff team.

Miami Marlins

Hitters   Pitchers
C J.T. Realmuto  Starters
1B Josh Naylor SP Eury Pérez
2B Jose Salas SP Braxton Garrett
3B Jacob Berry SP Edward Cabrera
SS Yiddi Cappe SP Andrew Heaney
LF Marcell Ozuna SP Max Meyer
CF Mark Canha Bullpen
RF Christian Yelich CP Félix Bautista
DH Giancarlo Stanton RP Alex Vesia
Bench Nick Fortes RP Andrew Nardi
Bench Austin Nola RP Chris Paddack
Bench JJ Bleday RP Michael King
Bench Stone Garrett RP Trevor Rogers
Bench Brock Vradenburg RP José Quijada

Phenomenal outfield. Excellent catcher. Good pitching staff, if we’re just granting health. Good bullpen, especially if some of these now-converted starters really let it loose in short outings. And who’s playing infield for this juggernaut? Maybe you!

Milwaukee Brewers

Hitters   Pitchers
C Jeferson Quero Starters
1B Mitch Haniger SP Corbin Burnes
2B Brice Turang SP Brandon Woodruff
3B Tyler Black SP Reese Olson
SS Orlando Arcia SP Drew Rasmussen
LF Sal Frelick SP Aaron Ashby
CF Trent Grisham Bullpen
RF Jackson Chourio CP Devin Williams
DH Joey Wiemer RP Jorge López
Bench David Fry RP Peter Strzelecki
Bench Robert Moore RP Ethan Small
Bench Brock Wilken RP Abner Uribe
Bench Garrett Mitchell RP Jacob Misiorowski
Bench Cooper Hummel RP Brent Suter

Another team that just hasn’t really done much at first base the last few years. But maybe Mitch Haniger can stay healthier there instead of roaming the outfield.

Minnesota Twins

Hitters   Pitchers
C Mitch Garver Starters
1B Spencer Steer SP Bailey Ober
2B Luis Arraez SP José Berríos
3B Jorge Polanco SP Louie Varland
SS Royce Lewis SP Tyler Wells
LF Aaron Hicks SP Kyle Gibson
CF Byron Buxton Bullpen
RF Max Kepler CP Yennier Cano
DH LaMonte Wade RP Brusdar Graterol
Bench Ryan Jeffers RP Taylor Rogers
Bench Christian Encarnacion-Strand RP Liam Hendriks
Bench Brent Rooker RP Griffin Jax
Bench Edouard Julien RP Huascar Ynoa
Bench Jose Miranda RP Caleb Thielbar

The Reds aren’t really sure how to deploy Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in real life. The Twins have a similar problem here. They also have an elite bench, one strong enough that Alex Kirilloff, Akil Baddoo and Brooks Lee can’t crack the roster. And that’s good, because the rotation is somewhat less impressive.

New York Mets

Hitters   Pitchers
C Francisco Alvarez Starters
1B Pete Alonso SP Kodai Senga
2B Jeff McNeil SP Jacob deGrom
3B Brett Baty SP Seth Lugo
SS Andrés Giménez SP José Quintana
LF Jarred Kelenic SP Steven Matz
CF Brandon Nimmo Bullpen
RF Michael Conforto CP Paul Sewald
DH Mark Vientos RP Allan Winans
Bench Endy Rodríguez RP David Peterson
Bench Wilmer Flores RP Adam Kolarek
Bench Luis Guillorme RP Rafael Montero
Bench Amed Rosario RP Chris Flexen
Bench Pete Crow-Armstrong RP Tylor Megill

I maintain that it’s going to be very mean forcing the Mets to watch Jarred Kelenic join the Braves and spend the next 10 years being who we always thought he’d be right in their own division, but also we all know that’s what is going to happen.

Anyway, this roster is solidly “fine” everywhere and “oh wow, that’s great” almost nowhere.

New York Yankees

Hitters   Pitchers
C Austin Wells Starters
1B Jake Cave SP Jordan Montgomery
2B Thairo Estrada SP Nestor Cortes
3B Ezequiel Duran SP Luis Severino
SS Anthony Volpe SP Clarke Schmidt
LF Jasson Domínguez SP Garrett Whitlock
CF Estevan Florial Bullpen
RF Aaron Judge CP David Robertson
DH Miguel Andujar RP John Brebbia
Bench Gary Sánchez RP Chase Hampton
Bench Jorge Mateo RP Tommy Kahnle
Bench Diego Castillo RP Ken Waldichuk
Bench Oswaldo Cabrera RP Giovanny Gallegos
Bench Rob Refsnyder RP Jhony Brito

Lest you think I ever have an original idea, the immortal Grant Brisbee did this idea eight years ago, in which he opined that the Yankees’ history of success works against them in this exercise, because having a late draft pick every year makes it hard to draft elite players. That appears to still be very true!

Oakland Athletics

Hitters   Pitchers
C Sean Murphy Starters
1B Matt Olson SP Sonny Gray
2B Zack Gelof SP Mason Miller
3B Matt Chapman SP Shintaro Fujinami
SS Jonah Bride SP Hogan Harris
LF Seth Brown SP A.J. Puk 
CF Lawrence Butler Bullpen
RF Dairon Blanco CP Kyle Finnegan
DH Max Muncy RP Daniel Palencia
Bench Tyler Soderstrom RP Blake Treinen
Bench Ryan Noda RP Zack Kelly
Bench Max Stassi RP Seth Martinez
Bench Jordan Diaz RP Dylan Covey
Bench Alfonso Rivas RP Jack Cushing

Their only shortstop has never played the position in the big leagues and was traded in February for “cash considerations.” Their bullpen doesn’t include any names I made up, but I bet I could convince you otherwise. Their starting rotation includes A.J. Puk, who has never started a game in the big leagues. But hey, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Max Muncy are back!

Philadelphia Phillies

Hitters   Pitchers
C Travis d’Arnaud Starters
1B Rhys Hoskins SP Aaron Nola
2B Curtis Mead SP Ranger Suárez
3B Alec Bohm SP Andrew Painter
SS J.P. Crawford SP Cole Irvin
LF Johan Rojas SP Carlos Carrasco
CF Mickey Moniak Bullpen
RF Matt Vierling CP Orion Kerkering
DH Darick Hall RP Hector Neris
Bench Rafael Marchán RP Seranthony Domínguez
Bench Bryson Stott RP James McArthur
Bench Nick Maton RP Mick Abel
Bench Jon Singleton RP Mark Leiter
Bench Hao-Yu Lee RP JoJo Romero

Just a weirdly underwhelming outfield for a team that is more or less fine at all the other positions. Right? It’s weird, right?

Pittsburgh Pirates

Hitters   Pitchers
C Henry Davis Starters
1B Josh Bell SP Gerrit Cole
2B Adam Frazier SP Tyler Glasnow
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes SP Mitch Keller
SS Pablo Reyes SP Shane Baz
LF Andrew McCutchen SP Jameson Taillon
CF Starling Marte Bullpen
RF Harold Ramírez CP Clay Holmes
DH Connor Joe RP Max Kranick
Bench Elias Díaz RP Paul Skenes
Bench Rodolfo Castro RP JT Brubaker
Bench Jared Triolo RP Justin Topa
Bench Blake Sabol RP Osvaldo Bido
Bench Nick Gonzales RP Carmen Mlodzinski

A rotation of Cole-Glasnow-Keller-Baz-Taillon, with Holmes closing and Skenes making his debut, would be a playoff contender. And it’s all in support of an aging outfield and something called a “Pablo Reyes” at shortstop.

St. Louis Cardinals

Hitters   Pitchers
C Iván Herrera Starters
1B Patrick Wisdom SP Zac Gallen
2B Tommy Edman SP Lance Lynn
3B Nolan Gorman SP Michael Wacha
SS Masyn Winn SP Jack Flaherty
LF Randy Arozarena SP Sandy Alcantara
CF Adolis García Bullpen
RF Jordan Walker CP Ryan Helsley
DH Lars Nootbaar RP Jordan Hicks
Bench Carson Kelly RP Adam Ottavino
Bench Brendan Donovan RP Joe Kelly
Bench Aledmys Díaz RP Zack Thompson
Bench Dylan Carlson RP Austin Gomber
Bench Alec Burleson RP Johan Oviedo

Just a hilarious roster. We’re reuniting Randy Arozarena and Adolis García and absolutely forcing a Hard Knocks­-style reality show featuring those two. And while I’m not saying this team would be running away with titles or anything, somehow guys like Harrison Bader, Tommy Pham, Luke Voit and Matt Carpenter don’t even crack the roster.

San Diego Padres

Hitters   Pitchers
C Luis Campusano Starters
1B Ty France SP Max Fried
2B Ha-Seong Kim SP Zach Eflin
3B CJ Abrams SP MacKenzie Gore
SS Trea Turner SP Miles Mikolas
LF Jack Suwinski SP Colin Rea
CF Travis Jankowski Bullpen
RF Hunter Renfroe CP Emmanuel Clase
DH Jake Bauers RP David Bednar
Bench Ethan Salas RP Andrés Muñoz
Bench Luis Urías RP Robert Suarez
Bench James Wood RP Yuki Matsui
Bench Jackson Merrill RP Woo-Suk Go
Bench Gabriel Arias RP Matt Brash

I didn’t tally this, but the Padres have to be the leader in “guys in our imaginary rosters who did not actually play for the team in 2023.” Between all the trades they’ve made over the years and the still-to-come prospects like Jackson Merrill and Ethan Salas (and so many relievers signed this offseason), there’s almost no overlap between the real Padres and these.

San Francisco Giants

Hitters   Pitchers
C Patrick Bailey Starters
1B Adam Duvall SP Zack Wheeler
2B Marco Luciano SP Luis Castillo
3B David Villar SP Logan Webb
SS Brandon Crawford SP Kyle Harrison
LF Bryan Reynolds SP Keaton Winn
CF Jung Hoo Lee Bullpen
RF Luis Matos CP Camilo Doval
DH Austin Slater RP Tyler Rogers
Bench Joey Bart RP Jonathan Loáisiga
Bench Casey Schmitt RP Chris Stratton
Bench Alexander Canario RP Ryan Walker
Bench Wade Meckler RP Mason Black
Bench Pablo Sandoval RP Steven Okert

Maybe Ron Washington can have a “so your team never develops a first baseman and that means you, an outfielder, will learn the position now” seminar, because Adam Duvall is our latest entrant. And while the Giants sport a perfectly fine pitching staff, yes, we had to dive far enough that Pablo Sandoval makes our roster (still only 37!).

Seattle Mariners

Hitters   Pitchers
C Cal Raleigh Starters
1B Ji Man Choi SP Pablo López
2B Luis Rengifo SP George Kirby
3B Noelvi Marte SP Freddy Peralta
SS Ketel Marte SP Logan Gilbert
LF Tyler O’Neill SP Bryce Miller
CF Julio Rodríguez Bullpen
RF Chris Taylor CP Edwin Díaz
DH Cade Marlowe RP Emilio Pagán
Bench Harry Ford RP Andrew Kittredge
Bench Austin Shenton RP Zack Littell
Bench Jonatan Clase RP Ryan Yarbrough
Bench Kaden Polcovich RP Bryan Woo
Bench Tyler Locklear RP JP Sears

I could have given this Mariners team something like 20 pitchers, had I been so inclined. Meanwhile, I was diving to something like my 1,200th players in this exercise to find their backup hitters. The starting lineup is fine enough, but the bench is “Please please please don’t get hurt, starting lineup.”

Tampa Bay Rays

Hitters   Pitchers
C René Pinto Starters
1B Nathaniel Lowe SP Blake Snell
2B Brandon Lowe SP Joe Ryan
3B Jake Cronenworth SP Merrill Kelly
SS Taylor Walls SP Shane McClanahan
LF Jake Fraley SP Taj Bradley
CF Kevin Kiermaier Bullpen
RF Josh Lowe CP José Alvarado
DH Kyle Manzardo RP Dylan Floro
Bench Luke Maile RP Kirby Yates
Bench Miles Mastrobuoni RP Cristopher Sánchez
Bench Jesús Sánchez RP Josh Fleming
Bench Carson Williams RP Matt Moore
Bench Jonathan Aranda RP Matthew Liberatore

A total monopoly on “guys named Lowe.” A host of good pitchers. A team that wouldn’t have anything like an MVP candidate but would still win 94 games and then lose in the ALDS. Checks out.

Texas Rangers

Hitters   Pitchers
C Jose Trevino Starters
1B Ramón Urías SP Cole Ragans
2B Dylan Moore SP Yu Darvish
3B Josh Jung SP Jeffrey Springs
SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa SP Nick Martinez
LF Evan Carter SP Kyle Hendricks
CF Leody Taveras Bullpen
RF Wyatt Langford CP Pete Fairbanks
DH Joey Gallo RP José Leclerc
Bench Sam Huff RP Erik Swanson
Bench Justin Foscue RP Luke Jackson
Bench Thomas Saggese RP Martín Pérez
Bench Jurickson Profar RP Dillon Tate
Bench Bubba Thompson RP Owen White

I joked last year that the Rangers don’t really draft that many infielders who pan out. I didn’t realize how right I was about that. The bullpen here is pretty fine, the outfield even moreso (and we might get to see that outfield in real life in much of 2024!), but we’re doing some real finagling on the right side of the infield, and the pitching staff drops off in a hurry.

Toronto Blue Jays

Hitters   Pitchers
C Gabriel Moreno Starters
1B Vladimir Guerrero SP Joe Musgrove
2B Jon Berti SP Marcus Stroman
3B Cavan Biggio SP Alek Manoah
SS Bo Bichette SP Ricky Tiedemann
LF Lourdes Gurriel SP Anthony DeSclafani
CF Lane Thomas Bullpen
RF Austin Martin CP Jordan Romano
DH Rowdy Tellez RP Jeff Hoffman
Bench Alejandro Kirk RP Tim Mayza
Bench Davis Schneider RP Kendall Graveman
Bench Spencer Horwitz RP Miguel Castro
Bench Joshua Palacios RP Ryan Borucki
Bench Danny Jansen RP Nate Pearson

Catcher University, for one thing. Yan Gomes didn’t make our roster, and while he’s not exactly a superstar, there are a lot of teams here who would love to have him. Also, did you remember Joe Musgrove started as a Blue Jay? Traded 12 years ago! The trade included guys like Francisco Cordero, Asher Wojciechowski, J.A. Happ and Brandon Lyon, so it’s a Remember Some Guys All-Star Team.

Washington Nationals

Hitters   Pitchers
C Israel Pineda Starters
1B Bryce Harper SP Jesús Luzardo
2B Luis García SP Nick Pivetta
3B Anthony Rendon SP Lucas Giolito
SS Darren Baker SP Robbie Ray
LF Jake Alu SP Dane Dunning
CF Victor Robles Bullpen
RF Juan Soto CP Reynaldo López
DH Carter Kieboom RP Pedro Avila
Bench Dylan Crews RP Jake Irvin
Bench Yohandy Morales RP Joan Adon
Bench Blake Perkins RP Jose Ferrer
Bench Brady House RP Erick Fedde
Bench Jackson Cluff RP Cade Cavalli

I was this close to moving Bryce Harper back to catcher for this exercise before I finally found Israel Pineda, who played four games last year. Only catcher in Washington. Also, Darren Baker, a 25-year-old minor leaguer who has never played shortstop professionally and is most famous for J.T. Snow saving his life in the 2002 World Series, is our shortstop … unless it’s 27-year-old Jackson Cluff, who has a .647 career OPS in 304 minor-league games.

Previous 5 Teams Set to Improve in Fantasy in 2024 Next 5 Teams Set to Decline in Fantasy in 2024