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Every AL team's biggest remaining needs

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The start of spring training may be just over a month away, but baseball's offseason is far from finished. Every team still has holes to fill, and there are plenty of options available in the free-agent market.

Here's a look at the biggest remaining needs for every American League team, and which players each club could target. A look at the National League teams will follow Tuesday.

Baltimore Orioles

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Remaining needs: Starting pitcher, utility player

Potential targets: Edwin Jackson, Francisco Liriano, Wilmer Flores, Logan Forsythe

With plenty of needs and little depth in their farm system, the Orioles may need to grab some bargain-basement players for 2019 to avoid another historically woeful season. A utility player would be their best bet, giving new manager Brandon Hyde some flexibility. More starting pitching, especially inning-eating veterans who could be flipped at the deadline, would also be nice.

Boston Red Sox

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Remaining needs: Closer

Potential targets: Cody Allen, Brad Boxberger, Brad Brach, Craig Kimbrel, Adam Ottavino

There are plenty of available free agents that could address the reigning World Series champions' only pressing issue. A reunion with Kimbrel is starting to look like the most likely scenario for both sides, given how the relief market's shaken out this winter, but Boston may be wise to go after Ottavino, regardless of Kimbrel's decision. Ottavino could slide into the role vacated by Joe Kelly alongside Kimbrel, or get a shot at the ninth inning should Kimbrel go elsewhere.

Chicago White Sox

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Remaining needs: Third baseman, outfielder

Potential targets: Marwin Gonzalez, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Nick Markakis, Mike Moustakas, A.J. Pollock

The White Sox are aiming high this winter, so of course Machado and Harper remain atop their list. However, there are effective alternatives available if they can't lure one of the true superstars to the South Side. Moustakas and Pollock both represent solid fallback options that would fit perfectly into Rick Renteria's lineup and help Chicago compete in the weak AL Central.

Cleveland Indians

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Remaining needs: Outfielders

Potential targets: M. Gonzalez, Markakis, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Jon Jay, Adam Jones

Now that it's all but assured the likes of Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer won't be dealt, the Indians should look to improve their outfield. Any of the veterans still on the market would boost Cleveland's chances in 2019 - if the team's ready to spend money.

Detroit Tigers

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Remaining needs: Catcher

Potential targets: Nick Hundley, Martin Maldonado, Jose Lobaton

The Tigers, like the Orioles, are destined to lose many games in 2019, and therefore likely to fill their remaining holes by bargain shopping. The most important position for Detroit to address is behind the plate, as career minor-league Grayson Greiner is poised to be the team's starting catcher. Having already signed the likes of Matt Moore, Tyson Ross, and Jordy Mercer to one-year deals, the Tigers should go the same route at catcher and try for one of the veterans on the market, such as defensive stalwart Maldonado, to guide the pitching staff.

Houston Astros

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Remaining needs: Starting pitcher

Potential targets: Dallas Keuchel, Marco Estrada, Wade Miley, Ervin Santana

The Astros' starting rotation - one of the AL's best in 2018 - is now thin behind aces Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, as Charlie Morton defected to the Rays and Keuchel is highly unlikely to return to Houston. Adding a mid-rotation arm would allow youngsters Josh James and Framber Valdez - not to mention top prospect Forrest Whitley, who's on the verge of the majors - a little more time to develop.

Kansas City Royals

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Remaining needs: Infielders

Potential targets: Freddy Galvis, Adeiny Hechavarria, Yangervis Solarte

The Royals - who, barring a miracle, will not be very good in 2019 - don't really have a backup infielder on their bench. There are plenty of available options who can play multiple positions, provide veteran leadership for a young team, and perhaps even serve as a quality trade chip for next season.

Los Angeles Angels

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Remaining needs: Relief pitching

Potential targets: Allen, Boxberger, Kimbrel, Ottavino, Tony Sipp

As always, the Angels need arms. They've already added short-term rotation upgrades in Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill, so now it's the bullpen that needs a boost. A lights-out southpaw like Sipp would be ideal, as the Angels currently have but one left-hander (Williams Jerez) in their bullpen. However, any solid reliever will do, and they should be calling all of the top names available right now.

Minnesota Twins

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Remaining needs: Starting pitching

Potential targets: Estrada, Keuchel, Miley, Gio Gonzalez, James Shields

The Twins did a good job strengthening their lineup by adding Nelson Cruz and C.J. Cron, and even made a small upgrade in the bullpen by landing Blake Parker. Grabbing an extra arm for the rotation at an affordable price would be helpful before the season begins, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Michael Pineda, who's coming off an extended rehab from Tommy John surgery.

New York Yankees

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Remaining needs: Left handed-hitting outfielder

Potential targets: Harper, Machado, Markakis, M. Gonzalez, Robbie Grossman, Curtis Granderson

Although Harper and/or Machado would fit perfectly with the Yankees, the team seems content with adding Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu to an already crowded infield and re-signing J.A. Happ and CC Sabathia. So ... now it's time for the Yankees to grab a left-handed fourth outfielder, as Jacoby Ellsbury's health is no guarantee. Gonzalez would be an excellent pickup as a utility player.

Oakland Athletics

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Remaining needs: Catcher, starting pitcher

Potential targets: Maldonado, Jackson, Deven Mesoraco, Matt Wieters, Brett Anderson, Clay Buchholz, Drew Pomeranz

The tandem of Josh Phegley and Chris Herrmann behind the plate isn't going to cut it for 162 games, so the A's would be wise to pick up another catcher on a short-term deal, as they did with Jonathan Lucroy last year. Lucroy and Yasmani Grandal have signed elsewhere this offseason, but names such as Wieters or Maldonado remain available if a trade doesn't manifest itself. Adding another arm to the rotation should be on Oakland's list as well, particularly if the A's can strike gold again after Jackson's success in 2018.

Seattle Mariners

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Remaining needs: Closer

Potential targets: Boxberger, Jim Johnson, Bud Norris

Seattle has no true ninth-inning option after trading away Edwin Diaz and Alex Colome - and no, Anthony Swarzak, who was part of the return for Diaz, isn't going to cut it. It's highly unlikely the Mariners - who are embarking on a rebuild - will pursue the free-agent market's biggest names, but signing someone like Boxberger or Norris could work. Seattle could also use some more right-handed bats, as two-thirds of the team's order currently hits from the left side.

Tampa Bay Rays

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Remaining needs: Right-handed hitting first baseman, relievers

Potential targets: Boxberger, Matt Davidson, Mark Reynolds

Things are setting up nicely for the Rays, but they need a right-handed platoon partner for Ji-Man Choi at first, as Choi has been awful versus lefties during his career. They acquired Yandy Diaz - who can play both corner infield positions - from Cleveland earlier this winter, though he's currently slated to be the Rays' designated hitter. Nelson Cruz would have been perfect, but he's in Minnesota, so the likes of Davidson and Reynolds might have to do. Of course, Kevin Cash would also welcome a million more effective relievers into his bullpen if the Rays could find the money.

Texas Rangers

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Remaining needs: Third base

Potential targets: Davidson, M. Gonzalez, Moustakas, Solarte

The Rangers have a massive void at third after Adrian Beltre retired and Jurickson Profar was traded to Oakland, leaving offseason pickup Patrick Wisdom - he of just 58 big-league plate appearances - as the team's front-runner at the hot corner. However, there are several capable veterans still available to let the youngsters like Wisdom get a bit more seasoning. The right-handed hitting Davidson probably makes the most sense given the Rangers' current lefty-heavy lineup, but any of the remaining free-agent options should appeal to them.

Toronto Blue Jays

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Remaining needs: Relievers

Potential targets: Johnson, Tyler Clippard, Dan Jennings, Blake Wood

Third base would be an area of concern for Toronto if heir apparent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wasn't primed for an early-season call-up. Thus, adding some more relief help behind closer Ken Giles is the Blue Jays' most pressing need, and they shouldn't have much trouble landing veteran depth in the bullpen. The signing of David Phelps, who is coming off Tommy John surgery and should be ready to return early in the season, has the potential to be a solid pickup.​​​

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