MLB Team Needs 2026-27: Every Club's Weakest Spot by NUT
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MLB Team Needs 2026-27
Every club's weakest spot by NUT
The biggest of all MLB team needs this 2026 offseason is the Cincinnati Reds rotation, whose starters combined for -6.0 SEASON NUT in 2026, and the five biggest needs in MLB are all starting rotations. Below: those five, the five weakest lineup spots, then all 30 clubs by division with team NUT, the hitting and pitching split, and the weakest spot named with its number. As of November 13, 2026.
NUT is one number for production against league average, built on the advanced hitting and pitching stats analysts trust, not batting average or ERA. Defense is left out. Team NUT adds up every qualified player (150+ plate appearances or 50+ innings), so a club's rotation, bullpen and each position add up the same way. Players who left in free agency still count toward these 2026 numbers.
ATH · 5 starters · Jeffrey Springs -3.0, now a free agent · Jacob Lopez -1.4
Values are 2026 SEASON NUT for each club's starters combined. The next-biggest need of any kind is the Nationals at second base, at -3.5. In all five rotations, the starter with the lowest NUT is now a free agent, so each club has innings to replace as well as production to add. For who is available, see the top MLB free agents ranked by NUT.
Each value is the 2026 SEASON NUT of the club's qualified hitters at that primary position, added up. Two of the five are catcher spots. Houston's center field and Chicago's catching each lose a player to free agency.
Toronto is the only club in the bottom three for both hitting (-3.9) and rotation (-5.3). The Rockies hit for +4.4, the 5th-best lineup in MLB, and finished #24 on their pitching.
Every MLB Team's Biggest Need, by Division
Team NUT with its grade, then the hitting and pitching split, the weakest spot and its lowest player. All values are 2026 SEASON NUT. Club rank is out of 30, from the 2027 power rankings by NUT.
COL · #24 of 30 · Hitting +4.4 · Pitching -6.1 · Weakest: rotation -5.4 · lowest Tomoyuki Sugano -2.1, now a free agent
Six clubs' weakest spot is the rotation, one is the bullpen (Kansas City, -2.1) and 23 are a lineup position. Shortstop is the weakest spot for six clubs and catcher for five. Which players each club lost is on MLB free agents by team, and who could move by trade is on MLB trade candidates rated by NUT.
MVP, Cy Young and every 2026 award winner, graded by NUT. Free.
Plus the winter’s signings and trades. Next: Mon, Nov 16.
What is the biggest need for any MLB team this offseason?
By 2026 SEASON NUT, the Cincinnati Reds rotation: its starters combined for -6.0, the lowest of any club. The Rockies (-5.4) and Blue Jays (-5.3) rotations are next.
Which MLB teams need starting pitching the most?
The Reds (-6.0), Rockies (-5.4), Blue Jays (-5.3), Diamondbacks (-4.9) and Athletics (-4.8), by 2026 rotation NUT. They are the five biggest needs of any kind in MLB.
Which MLB team had the worst lineup in 2026?
The Cardinals and Angels, both at -4.0 hitting NUT for the 2026 season, then the Blue Jays at -3.9.
What is the Dodgers biggest need?
Second base, at -0.7 SEASON NUT. Only the Marlins have a smaller weakest spot (catcher, -0.6). The Dodgers led MLB at +18.7 team NUT in 2026.
Do players who left in free agency count?
Yes. Every value is 2026 production, so players who have since become free agents still count. In all five of the worst rotations, the starter with the lowest NUT is now a free agent.
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Written by Ivan Barajas
Lifelong baseball fan, born in LA the day the Dodgers won the 1981 World Series. Played through high school, collects cards for the stats. Created Baseball NUT and the NUT Score.