The MLB offseason has started, but it hasn't really started, since it's been unsurprisingly devoid of moves so far.
Each contender from 2018 is looking to keep that moniker for next season, but they will have to address certain needs that make that a possibility.
MORE: Top 79 free agents | Hot stove tracker
From free agency to scouring the trade market to even repairing a managerial situation, there will be a task that takes precedence atop teams' winter to-do lists.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Priority: Rectify Dave Roberts' contract situation.
Roberts' option was picked up by the club for 2019, but he is currently a lame duck manager without a deal beyond next season. Recent negotiations between the two parties concerning a multi-year deal have reportedly hit a snag.
He is owed $1.1 million in 2019 and was only paid $1 million last season, so his consistent success would make it seem like he is due for a raise. In his first three seasons in Los Angeles, Roberts has posted a 287-200 record with postseason trips each year, including two visits to the Fall Classic.
If the sides can't reach a deal, maybe the Dodgers change course and trade for Joe Maddon?
Milwaukee Brewers
Priority: Search the trade market to acquire an ace.
We know how potent the Brewers bullpen is and how explosive their offense — featuring newly-minted MVP Christian Yelich — has the potential to be. The one patch that needs to be sown up is within their rotation.
Jhoulys Chacin, Freddy Peralta and healthy versions of Jimmy Nelson and Zach Davies have all proven their worth as rotation pieces at various points of their Brewers career, but a big-game pitcher could vault Milwaukee to NL favorites. Top prospect Keston Hiura stands to be a possible center piece.
Targets: Zack Greinke, James Paxton
Atlanta Braves
Priority: Find a proven closer.
The Braves biggest weapon of the offseason could be their stellar farm system, which they have at their disposal to make trades to improve their young team on offense and in the rotation. That avenue could lead to several targets in deals, as their plethora of young players won't exactly hold them back if they choose to be aggressive in trades.
It's on the free agent market that a couple of names — including a familiar one in Craig Kimbrel — who have plenty of experience pitching in the ninth inning are waiting to be paid. Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter, both dealt with injuries and inconsistencies that will make an upgrade at closer a priority for the Bravos.
Targets: Craig Kimbrel, Cody Allen
Colorado Rockies
Priority: Find a way to maintain their offensive firepower.
Colorado's core offensive players — Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon — are still under contract, though a trio of steady contributors are free agents. D.J. LeMahieu (2-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glover), Carlos Gonzalez (23.4 oWAR in his Rockies career) and Gerardo Parra (.296 batting average over last two seasons) all played a role in Colorado's Wild Card-winning campaign in 2018. The Rockies will have to choose whether to retain those expiring contracts or trust that youngsters Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia are ready to step into larger roles.
Targets: LeMahieu, Gonzalez, Parra
Chicago Cubs
Priority: Acquire a leadoff hitter.
Fatigue and a few hitters not producing like they have in the past largely caused the Cubs demise in 2018. They get Kris Bryant back at full health and catcher Willson Contreras seems ripe for a bounce back season.
New hitting coach Anthony Iapoce was brought in to try to get the offense back to its old ways. A veteran outfielder that can hit at the top of the order could be the catalyst the North Siders need. Even with rumors persisting that suggest otherwise, its also hard to completely rule them out of a pursuit for Bryce Harper.
Targets: A.J. Pollock, Andrew McCutchen
Philadelphia Phillies
Priority: Catch a big fish.
The Phillies have plenty of money at their disposal, they are willing to spend it, "and maybe be a little stupid about it" per their owner, John Middleton. Philadelphia has a fit for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, and could use a veteran hitter with several young, some unproven, offensive players among their stash of position players.
As the only team that has been consistently mentioned to be in the running for both players, it would be a surprise if they came up empty. The results of the Phillies offseason could determine whether they come into 2019 as a contender or not.
Targets: Harper, Machado.
St. Louis Cardinals
Priority: Bolster the relief corps.
It's been three years since the Cardinals made the postseason, but they haven't had much of a problem staying in contention. A youth infusion on offense and a rotation that saw Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas emerge in 2018 should allow the Redbirds to keep breathing down the necks of the Brewers and Cubs in the NL Central.
Fireballer Jordan Hicks and rookie Dakota Hudson are options at closer, but the Cardinals need to find a way to upgrade a bullpen that was 20th in the MLB in ERA last year.
Targets: Adam Ottavino, Zach Britton
Boston Red Sox
Priority: Re-sign key free agents.
The World Series champs predictably don't have a lot of holes, but they do have a trio of free agents that were instrumental to their championship run. World Series MVP Steve Pearce was recently re-signed to a one-year deal, allowing Boston to address a task near the top of its offseason to-do list. Patching up its pitching staff remains a necessity, and the defending champs on the market would fill that hole.
Targets: Kimbrel, Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Kelly
Houston Astros
Priority: Acquire a catcher.
Starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton are on the free agent market, and signing at least one seems increasingly necessary with the news that Lance McCullers will miss the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery. However, their biggest improvement could be on the position player side. Houston has long been without an offensive heavyweight behind the plate. Enticing options exist both on the trade market and in free agency that will give the Astros ample opportunities for an upgrade.
Targets: Yasmani Grandal, J.T. Realmuto
New York Yankees
Priority: Add a No. 1 or No. 2 starter.
Luis Severino's late struggles (5.57 ERA in the second half of the season) caused some concern that he may not be befitting of the "ace" status, at least not yet. Patrick Corbin — who posted a career best 3.15 ERA in 2018 — makes a ton of sense for New York.
He grew up a Yankees fan and would provide them with a left-hander to complement the right-handed Severino at the top of the rotation. Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young winner and another lefty, also seems like an ideal fit. The Bronx Bombers are never short on money, so it's hard to imagine a pursuit of Corbin and/or Keuchel won't happen.
Targets: Corbin, Keuchel
Cleveland Indians
Priority: Make a decision on their top starters.
Earlier in the offseason, the Indians indicated a willingness to listen to offers on some of their veteran pitching in a trade. A deal involving Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco could net a huge return of young talent, but the Indians — who were unchallenged in the AL Central in 2018 — will have to debate whether a trade of that caliber could still allow them to make the playoffs. The rebuilding White Sox are rapidly becoming a threat, but the Indians sit in pole position.
Potential pieces on the move: Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco
Oakland Athletics
Priority: Re-sign Jed Lowrie.
The small-market A's are rarely players in free agency, but the expiring contract of Jed Lowrie could be re-upped. Lowrie was one of the unsung heroes of the mighty Oakland offense last year and drove in 99 runs.
He has been worth 8.8 WAR over the last two seasons, the same value as his first nine years. Beyond Lowrie, the A's could be players for some pitching help, but with their current situation, Lowrie is likely to take precedence.
Seattle Mariners
Priority: Evaluate dealing James Paxton.
It's been rumored that the Mariners are mulling trades for several of their top pieces and may choose the route of a rebuild, as their current roster has yet to translate into a postseason appearance. Paxton has posted a 6.8 WAR over his last two seasons and his track record may give him the greatest value of anyone on Seattle. Plenty of teams could use starting pitching, so the line of suitors for "The Big Maple" could be long.
Los Angeles Angels
Priority: Get reliable starting pitching to complement their offense
The Angels continue to waste Mike Trout's prime by fielding a team that has failed to stack up to its competition. A pitching staff that has underperformed and struggled to stay healthy has been the biggest cause of a four-year playoff drought.
Several consistent, workhorse starting pitchers on the market will tempt GM Billy Eppler. Perhaps they swindle a division rival and sign one of the Astros' free agents?
Targets: Keuchel, Morton