Predicting Every MLB Team’s 2024 Opening Day Lineup, Version 3.0

Predicting Every MLB Team’s 2024 Opening Day Lineup, Version 3.00 of 30

Liv Lyons/MLB Photos via Getty Images

The start of spring training is right around the corner, yet there are still a number of notable free agents looking for a new home, including Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, J.D Martinez and Jorge Soler.

For now, it’s time for another update to our Opening Day lineup predictions, with version 1.0 published on Nov. 29 and version 2.0 released on Jan. 4.

Ahead, we’ve assigned all of the top remaining free agents to logical landing spots on the way to predicting each MLB team’s Opening Day lineup for the 2024 season.

Last season’s lineup data from Baseball Reference, the projected rosters from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation on where remaining free agents will sign went into compiling each team’s batting order.

This will be updated throughout the offseason, so stay tuned for further updates.

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected acquisition.

Arizona Diamondbacks1 of 30

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.Norm Hall/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Corbin Carroll
2B Ketel Marte
3B Eugenio Suárez
1B Christian Walker
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
DH Joc Pederson
C Gabriel Moreno
CF Alek Thomas
SS Geraldo Perdomo
SP Zac Gallen

Notes

-The D-backs have essentially replaced Evan Longoria and Tommy Pham with Eugenio Suárez and Joc Pederson this offseason, and that should end up being a net positive gain in terms of overall value.

-It will be interesting to see if top prospect Jordan Lawlar can push Geraldo Perdomo for playing time this spring. After earning an All-Star selection in 2023, Perdomo hit just .214/.322/.297 in 221 plate appearances during the second half, so his hold on the starting shortstop job may be tenuous at best.

Atlanta Braves2 of 30

Michael Harris IIMitchell Layton/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
C Sean Murphy
CF Michael Harris II
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia
SP Max Fried

Notes

-The Braves could still use a right-handed-hitting platoon partner for Jarred Kelenic in left field, but the options are dwindling in free agency, and there has been little talk of a potential reunion with Adam Duvall. Keep an eye on Randal Grichuk as a potential low-cost option.

-What’s the backup plan at shortstop now that Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake have both been traded this offseason? Offseason additions David Fletcher and Luis Guillorme both look like strong candidates for a bench spot, and Fletcher could be a nice bounce-back candidate following a change of scenery.

Baltimore Orioles3 of 30

Ryan O’HearnNorm Hall/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Gunnar Henderson
C Adley Rutschman
RF Anthony Santander
DH Ryan Mountcastle
1B Ryan O’Hearn
LF Austin Hays
CF Cedric Mullins
SS Jackson Holliday (R)
2B Jordan Westburg
SP Kyle Bradish

Notes

-Ryan O’Hearn had a career year in 2023, posting a 122 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 368 plate appearances. The 30-year-old should get first crack at playing time at first base, but if he regresses, it could open the door for Heston Kjerstad to find his way into the lineup.

-The Orioles seem poised to give top prospect Jackson Holliday every opportunity to break camp with a roster spot. If he does return to Triple-A to open the year, Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías are still on the roster as stopgap options on the infield.

Boston Red Sox4 of 30

Masataka YoshidaSam Hodde/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jarren Duran
3B Rafael Devers
1B Triston Casas
SS Trevor Story
DH Masataka Yoshida
LF Tyler O’Neill
RF Garrett Cooper
2B Vaughn Grissom
C Connor Wong
SP Lucas Giolito

Notes

-The Red Sox have been linked to Garrett Cooper as a potential fallback plan if they are unable to re-sign veteran slugger Adam Duvall. The 2022 All-Star had a .904 OPS and 10 extra-base hits in 112 plate appearances against left-handed pitching last season and is one of the more intriguing bargain bats left on the market.

-The Depth Charts projections at FanGraphs are extremely optimistic on Vaughn Grissom, predicting a .284/.353/.422 line with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, 62 RBI and 2.2 WAR in 123 games as the team’s starting second baseman.

Chicago Cubs5 of 30

Cody BellingerJoe Sargent/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
CF Cody Bellinger
RF Seiya Suzuki
LF Ian Happ
DH Christopher Morel
1B Michael Busch (R)
C Yan Gomes
3B Nick Madrigal
SP Justin Steele

Notes

-If the Cubs find a way to bring back Cody Bellinger, he could slot in as the team’s starting center fielder to open the year, giving Pete Crow-Armstrong more time to develop offensively after he went 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in his first MLB action.

-That would leave Michael Busch, Patrick Wisdom and Matt Mervis to compete for playing time at first base to open the year, with Busch and Wisdom also in the mix for playing time at the hot corner.

Chicago White Sox6 of 30

Yoán MoncadaJustin Casterline/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Andrew Benintendi
3B Yoán Moncada
CF Luis Robert Jr.
DH Eloy Jiménez
1B Andrew Vaughn
2B Amed Rosario
RF Oscar Colás
SS Paul DeJong
C Martín Maldonado
SP Dylan Cease

Notes

-Light-hitting Nicky Lopez could be the White Sox starting second baseman, but he is better suited for a utility role. There are a number of established second basemen still looking for a new home on the open market, and Amed Rosario could look to rebuild his value on a one-year deal.

-Can Yoán Moncada rebound in the final guaranteed season of his contract? The 28-year-old has posted an 86 OPS+ with 1.5 WAR in 196 games over the past two seasons, and his five-year, $70 million deal pays him $24.8 million in 2024 with a $25 million club option and $5 million buyout in 2025.

Cincinnati Reds7 of 30

Jonathan indiaJason Miller/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF TJ Friedl
2B Matt McLain
LF Spencer Steer
1B Jeimer Candelario
SS Elly De La Cruz
DH Jonathan India
RF Jake Fraley
3B Noelvi Marte (R)
C Tyler Stephenson
SP Hunter Greene

Notes

-It’s looking less and less likely that Jonathan India is going to be traded this offseason, despite plenty of rumors, which creates a logjam on the infield. The odd man out in this projected lineup is slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand, though the team could also opt to start top prospect Noelvi Marte at Triple-A.

-Flame-thrower Hunter Greene was Cincinnati’s Opening Day starter in 2023, and he looks like the leading candidate to take the ball for the opener once again even after veterans Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez were added in free agency.

Cleveland Guardians8 of 30

Gabriel AriasRon Schwane/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Steven Kwan
2B Andrés Giménez
3B José Ramírez
DH Josh Naylor
RF Ramón Laureano
C Bo Naylor
1B Kyle Manzardo (R)
SS Gabriel Arias
CF Myles Straw
SP Tanner Bibee

Notes

-It looks like Cleveland will have an open battle for the starting shortstop job between Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio and Tyler Freeman this spring, with Rocchio looking like the long-term answer at the position even if he doesn’t break camp with the job.

-Prospect Kyle Manzardo is not currently on the 40-man roster, but after Josh Bell was traded at the deadline and he put up strong numbers in the Arizona Fall League, he looks like a strong candidate for a roster spot.

Colorado Rockies9 of 30

Hunter GoodmanDustin Bradford/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Charlie Blackmon
SS Ezequiel Tovar
LF Nolan Jones
1B Kris Bryant
3B Ryan McMahon
RF Hunter Goodman (R)
C Elias Diaz
2B Brendan Rodgers
CF Brenton Doyle
SP Kyle Freeland

Notes

-Unless an outside addition is made, slugger Hunter Goodman will have a chance to win a starting job after a pair of 30-homer seasons in the minors. The 24-year-old posted a .919 OPS with 30 doubles, 34 home runs and 111 RBI in 106 games in the upper levels of the minors in 2023.

-Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber and newcomer Cal Quantrill are all candidates to be the Opening Day starter for the Rockies, while Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela will start the year on the injured list while they continue to recover from Tommy John surgery.

Detroit Tigers10 of 30

Spencer TorkelsonKatelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Zach McKinstry
CF Riley Greene
1B Spencer Torkelson
DH Kerry Carpenter
RF Mark Canha
LF Eddie Rosario
SS Javier Báez
2B Colt Keith (R)
C Jake Rogers
SP Tarik Skubal

Notes

-The Tigers announced a six-year, $28.6 million extension with top prospect Colt Keith earlier this week, and that should pave the way for him to break camp with the starting second base job. The 22-year-old hit .306/.380/.552 with 38 doubles, 27 home runs and 101 RBI in 126 games in the upper minors.

-After finishing 24th in the majors with 165 home runs last year, the Tigers could still stand to add more power to the lineup, and outfielder Eddie Rosario is coming off a 100 OPS+ with 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 142 games with the Atlanta Braves last year.

Houston Astros11 of 30

Jake MeyersMichael Owens/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Jose Altuve
3B Alex Bregman
DH Yordan Alvarez
1B José Abreu
RF Kyle Tucker
C Yainer Diaz
LF Chas McCormick
SS Jeremy Peña
CF Jake Meyers
SP Justin Verlander

Notes

-With Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers both expected to fill starting roles in the Houston outfield, the Astros starting lineup appears to be set, though they could still use another productive bench piece to pencil in alongside Victor Caratini, Jon Singleton and Mauricio Dubón.

-Will it be Justin Verlander or Framber Valdez who gets the Opening Day start for the Astros? Valdez stepped into the role of staff ace after Verlander departed in free agency last year, only for the future Hall of Famer to return in a deadline deal with the New York Mets.

Kansas City Royals12 of 30

Michael MasseyMatt Dirksen/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF MJ Melendez
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
C Salvador Perez
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
RF Hunter Renfroe
DH Nelson Velázquez
2B Adam Frazier
CF Kyle Isbel
3B Maikel Garcia
SP Cole Ragans

Notes

-The Royals signed veteran Adam Frazier to a one-year, $4.5 million deal last week, and he will compete with Michael Massey for playing time at second base while also potentially seeing action at the corner outfield spots.

-Nick Loftin hit .323/.368/.435 for a 121 OPS+ in 68 plate appearances as a September call-up last year, and he has seen action at all four infield spots during his time in the minors. The 25-year-old could push Maikel Garcia for playing time at the hot corner to start the year.

Los Angeles Angels13 of 30

Zach NetoBrace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Nolan Schanuel
2B Luis Rengifo
CF Mike Trout
DH Brandon Drury
LF Taylor Ward
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Mickey Moniak
C Logan O’Hoppe
SS Zach Neto
SP Blake Snell

Notes

-The Angels are one of the few obvious potential fits for 2023 NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, with money to spend and a glaring need atop the starting rotation. Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval are currently the leading in-house candidates for the Opening Day start.

-Shortstop Zach Neto made his MLB debut on April 15 last year, but he only played in 84 games while spending two separate stints on the injured list with oblique and back injuries. The 23-year-old could take a significant step forward with a clean bill of health in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers14 of 30

Gavin LuxIcon Sportswire

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Mookie Betts
DH Shohei Ohtani
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
LF Teoscar Hernández
CF James Outman
RF Jason Heyward
SS Gavin Lux
SP Walker Buehler

Notes

-There is no obvious hole in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup after Teoscar Hernández was signed to a one-year, $23.5 million deal, but the way they have been spending money this offseason, another outside pickup would also be far from surprising.

-Gavin Lux has one productive big league season under his belt, when he hit .276/.346/.399 for a 109 OPS+ in 2022 while primarily playing second base. There is no guarantee he is going to be a standout everyday shortstop, but the team does still have Miguel Rojas around as a backup option.

Miami Marlins15 of 30

Luis ArraezRich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Luis Arraez
SS Tim Anderson
1B Josh Bell
3B Jake Burger
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
DH C.J. Cron
LF Bryan De La Cruz
RF Jesús Sánchez
C Gary Sánchez
SP Jesús Luzardo

Notes

-The Marlins will undoubtedly benefit from full seasons of Jake Burger and Josh Bell, but it’s still shocking they have not done more to try to upgrade the offense this winter. The three proposed moves above could all come in the form of one-year deals, especially if those players are still searching for new homes once spring training starts.

-Luis Arraez has seen his name come up in trade rumblings once again this offseason, due in part to his rising price tag. The Marlins were unable to come to terms with the NL batting champ on a 2024 arbitration salary, with Arraez seeking $12 million and the Marlins offering $10.6 million.

Milwaukee Brewers16 of 30

Sal FrelickKayla Wolf/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Christian Yelich
C William Contreras
SS Willy Adames
1B Rhys Hoskins
RF Sal Frelick
LF Garrett Mitchell
CF Jackson Chourio (R)
3B Tyler Black (R)
2B Brice Turang
SP Corbin Burnes

Notes

-The Brewers signed Rhys Hoskins to a two-year, $34 million deal that includes an opt-out after the 2024 season, making a rare splash to acquire an impact bat in the middle of what will likely be a young lineup.

-Prospect Tyler Black hit .284/.417/.513 with 55 extra-base hits and 55 steals in 123 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, and his numbers actually improved after he was promoted to Triple-A in the second half. He should push Andruw Monasterio for the starting third base job this spring.

Minnesota Twins17 of 30

Byron BuxtonNick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Edouard Julien
SS Carlos Correa
3B Royce Lewis
CF Byron Buxton
RF Max Kepler
DH Jorge Soler
LF Matt Wallner
1B Alex Kirilloff
C Ryan Jeffers
SP Pablo López

Notes

-With Jorge Polanco traded to the Seattle Mariners and Byron Buxton recently announcing that he is fully healthy and plans to return to center field in 2024, the Minnesota Twins lineup is starting to take better shape.

-The Twins now have some money to spend after the Polanco trade was a net positive from a payroll standpoint, and one of the big designated hitter bats left on the market could be a potential fit for an already potent lineup.

New York Mets18 of 30

Brett BatyRich Schultz/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Brandon Nimmo
RF Starling Marte
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
DH J.D. Martinez
2B Jeff McNeil
C Francisco Álvarez
3B Brett Baty
CF Harrison Bader
SP Kodai Senga

Notes

-The Mets still look like an obvious landing spot for J.D. Martinez or Jorge Soler with a glaring hole at designated hitter after Dan Vogelbach was non-tendered. They could go with internal options, but that likely means leaning on Brett Baty and Mark Vientos for everyday at-bats after both had less-than-stellar debuts in 2023.

-The one-year, $10.5 million deal that Harrison Bader signed could wind up being one of the best bargains of the offseason if he can return to the form that saw him post a 3.8-WAR season and win a Gold Glove in 2021.

New York Yankees19 of 30

DJ LeMahieuJim McIsaac/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B DJ LeMahieu
CF Aaron Judge
RF Juan Soto
1B Anthony Rizzo
DH Giancarlo Stanton
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Alex Verdugo
SS Anthony Volpe
C Jose Trevino
SP Gerrit Cole

Notes

-The only glaring weakness for the Yankees from a position player standpoint is depth at the middle infield spots, with Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera both coming off poor 2023 seasons and no other viable options behind Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe if injury strikes.

-Expect rookie Austin Wells to split time evenly behind the plate with incumbent veteran Jose Trevino to open the year, but he will have every opportunity to play his way into a larger role as he proves himself defensively.

Oakland Athletics20 of 30

Shea LangeliersRonald Martinez/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Ryan Noda
2B Zack Gelof
DH Brent Rooker
RF Seth Brown
C Shea Langeliers
3B Abraham Toro
LF Robbie Grossman
CF Esteury Ruiz
SS Darell Hernaiz (R)
SP JP Sears

Notes

-The Athletics will likely pick through the free agency scraps once spring training begins, and outfielder Robbie Grossman could be a nice low-cost pickup to fill a corner outfield spot while providing a veteran presence in the locker room.

-With every passing week, it looks more and more likely that prospect Darell Hernaiz is going to be Oakland’s starting shortstop in 2024. They could also go with light-hitting Nick Allen at that spot to open the year if Hernaiz looks like he needs a bit more time in the minors.

Philadelphia Phillies21 of 30

Kyle SchwarberHarry How/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
RF Nick Castellanos
C J.T. Realmuto
3B Alec Bohm
2B Bryson Stott
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Johan Rojas
SP Zack Wheeler

Notes

-The Phillies entered the offseason with one of the most complete rosters in baseball and almost immediately plugged their biggest potential hole when they re-signed Aaron Nola to a long-term deal.

-Even the Philadelphia bench looks set with Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, Cristian Pache and Jake Cave the heavy favorites to fill the four reserve roles, especially considering Sosa, Pache and Cave are all out of minor league options.

Pittsburgh Pirates22 of 30

Jack SuwinskiJustin Berl/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Oneil Cruz
LF Bryan Reynolds
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
DH Andrew McCutchen
RF Jack Suwinski
1B Rowdy Tellez
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Henry Davis
2B Ji Hwan Bae
SP Mitch Keller

Notes

-The Pirates have quietly had a productive offseason, re-signing Andrew McCutchen while also adding Rowdy Tellez, Edward Olivares, Martín Pérez, Marco Gonzales and Aroldis Chapman to a young roster on the rise.

-Another outfielder looks like the most obvious final piece to add in free agency, and the Pirates were one of a handful of teams linked to center fielder Michael A. Taylor in early January. The 32-year-old is a perennial Gold Glove contender, and he slugged a career-high 21 home runs in 2023.

San Diego Padres23 of 30

Jake CronenworthRich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Ha-Seong Kim
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
DH Manny Machado
SS Xander Bogaerts
2B Jake Cronenworth
1B Carlos Santana
C Luis Campusano
RF Randal Grichuk
CF Jakob Marsee (R)
SP Yu Darvish

Notes

-The Padres have accomplished their goal of cutting payroll by trading away Juan Soto and Trent Grisham while also letting Blake Snell, Josh Hader, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo walk in free agency, but there is still work to be done patching up the roster in the aftermath.

-Fernando Tatis Jr. and light-hitting José Azocar are still the only outfielders on the 40-man roster, and while AFL MVP Jakob Marsee and fellow non-roster invitees Cal Mitchell, Oscar Mercado and Bryce Johnson could all make a case for a roster spot, it’s hard to imagine them not adding at least one more proven outfielder.

San Francisco Giants24 of 30

Marco LucianoThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jung Hoo Lee (R)
2B Thairo Estrada
1B LaMonte Wade Jr.
3B Matt Chapman
DH Wilmer Flores
LF Michael Conforto
RF Mike Yastrzemski
SS Marco Luciano (R)
C Patrick Bailey
SP Logan Webb

Notes

-Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have signed Justin Turner, a reunion with Matt Chapman seems far less likely, leaving the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants as perhaps the only two logical landing spots for the star third baseman.

-The battle for spots on the Giants bench this spring is going to be interesting, with Tom Murphy, Joey Bart, Blake Sabol, Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, David Villar, Tyler Fitzgerald, Luis Matos, Heliot Ramos and Austin Slater all fighting for what will likely be four roster slots.

Seattle Mariners25 of 30

Mitch HanigerDaniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

SS J.P. Crawford
CF Julio Rodríguez
2B Jorge Polanco
DH Mitch Garver
C Cal Raleigh
1B Ty France
RF Mitch Haniger
LF Luke Raley
3B Luis Urías
SP Luis Castillo

Notes

-The Mariners may not have made the major splash some fans were hoping for, but with Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver, Mitch Haniger, Luke Raley and Luis Urías all added to the lineup, they have been as busy as any team in baseball.

-The recent deal to acquire Polanco from the Minnesota Twins means Urías and Josh Rojas will battle for the starting third base job, with the loser filling a super-utility role across the infield.

St. Louis Cardinals26 of 30

Lars NootbaarPatrick Smith/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Brendan Donovan
1B Paul Goldschmidt
CF Lars Nootbaar
3B Nolan Arenado
C Willson Contreras
DH Nolan Gorman
RF Jordan Walker
2B Tommy Edman
SS Masyn Winn (R)
SP Sonny Gray

Notes

-Is Masyn Winn ready for the starting shortstop job? The slick-fielding prospect hit .172/.230/.238 over 137 plate appearances in 37 games after making his MLB debut in August, so he will need to show something at the plate this spring to avoid starting the year back at Triple-A.

-If Winn does return to the minors, it would be Tommy Edman at shortstop and Nolan Gorman at second base, opening up playing time for someone like Dylan Carlson or Alec Burleson at designated hitter or in the outfield with Jordan Walker serving as DH.

Tampa Bay Rays27 of 30

René PintoDavid Berding/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Yandy Díaz
2B Brandon Lowe
LF Randy Arozarena
3B Isaac Paredes
RF Josh Lowe
CF José Siri
DH Richie Palacios
C René Pinto
SS Junior Caminero (R)
SP Zach Eflin

Notes

-The Rays still only have one catcher on the 40-man roster, and it’s defensive-minded René Pinto who only has 188 career plate appearances in the big leagues. Unless they want to sign Gary Sánchez, the free-agent market is light on potential options, but there are always experienced backup catchers who are cut loose during spring training.

-Top prospects Junior Caminero and Curtis Mead will have every opportunity to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, though the addition of José Caballero in a trade with the Seattle Mariners gives them another versatile infield piece.

Texas Rangers28 of 30

Evan CarterGreg Fiume/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
LF Evan Carter
RF Adolis García
DH Brandon Belt
3B Josh Jung
1B Nathaniel Lowe
C Jonah Heim
CF Leody Taveras
SP Nathan Eovaldi

Notes

-The Rangers still have a hole to fill at designated hitter after Mitch Garver walked in free agency, and they were recently linked to veteran Brandon Belt. Manager Bruce Bochy is plenty familiar with Belt from their time together with the San Francisco Giants.

-Will Evan Carter continue to hit in the middle of the lineup like he did while swinging a red-hot bat in the postseason, or will he be moved down in the order to take some pressure off as he settles in at the MLB level?

Toronto Blue Jays29 of 30

Davis SchneiderMark Blinch/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

RF George Springer
SS Bo Bichette
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
DH Justin Turner
LF Daulton Varsho
C Alejandro Kirk
3B Gio Urshela
CF Kevin Kiermaier
2B Davis Schneider
SP Kevin Gausman

Notes

-The Blue Jays may be finished adding pieces after signing veteran Justin Turner to a one-year, $13 million contract to serve as the primary designated hitter, but a versatile piece like Gio Urshela could still be a fit on a one-year deal to join Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Santiago Espinal in the mix for playing time at second base and third base.

-Prospects Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger both finished the season playing in the upper levels of the minors, and they could be a factor at the hot corner as well before the 2024 season is over.

Washington Nationals30 of 30

Joey MenesesBrandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Projected Starting Lineup

SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
C Keibert Ruiz
1B Joey Meneses
LF Joey Gallo
2B Luis Garcia
DH Stone Garrett
3B Nick Senzel
CF Victor Robles
SP Josiah Gray

Notes

-Expect the Nationals to add a handful of veterans on minor league deals in the days before the start of spring training as they look for value on the fringe of the roster, and they have already made two nice bargain signings in Joey Gallo and Nick Senzel.

-Joey Meneses posted a 99 OPS+ with 36 doubles, 13 home runs and 89 RBI in his first full season in the majors after breaking through as a 30-year-old rookie in 2022. He will be counted on to be one of the team’s primary run producers.