The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again world champions. Now with the 2025 season behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the MLB’s Hot Stove. This offseason, all 30 teams will engage in trade talks, negotiate free-agent contracts, scour the waiver wire and prepare for the Rule 5 draft.

As we begin the countdown to 2026 Opening Day, every team starts its offseason with a list of the improvements it has to make — from the most glaring ones to upgrades that would be the cherry on top of the sundae. I checked in with all 30 teams’ front offices to hear directly from them how they view their respective needs and goals.

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Next week, the GM meetings will take place in Las Vegas, where front offices will begin trade discussions and talk about contract parameters with free agents and their representatives. (I recently ranked the top 50 free agents.)

It’s a fun time of year, and we’ll have it all covered here at The Athletic. Below are the responses I received from all 30 teams about their needs and goals. I have also included my thoughts on other parts of their teams that could be upgraded.

National League East

Atlanta Braves

Biggest needs: Starting pitcher; shortstop

The Braves are expected to be players for one of the top free-agent pitchers and have been linked to Dylan Cease, among others. Ha-Seong Kim’s decision to opt out of his contract — much to the dismay of the Braves’ front office — has them in the market for a shortstop as well. From an offensive perspective, Bo Bichette would be an excellent fit, although I’m not sure they’ll be willing to commit to the years and dollars that he is likely to command.

If they did sign Bichette, they could move Ozzie Albies back to his original position, shortstop, and play Bichette at second base. That would solve the middle of their infield in a similar fashion to how the Blue Jays did this year with Andrés Giménez and Bichette and the Rangers did a few years ago with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. If they can’t sign Bichette or Kim, one under-the-radar name they could target in a trade is the Rangers’ Josh Smith.

Miami Marlins

Biggest needs: Continue to build on their base of talent

Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix promoted Gabe Kapler to GM earlier this week, but Bendix will still have the final say on all major-league transactions. He has done a tremendous job since taking the reins and is building a strong foundation for the organization. He will continue to listen to trade proposals from all teams and field offers for starter Sandy Alcantara, who is expected to be dealt sometime between now and the 2026 trade deadline. The Marlins will cast a wide net; they are more focused on adding talent, wherever they can get it, than improving specific positions.

Will the Mets bring back Pete Alonso? (Dustin Satloff / Getty Images)

New York Mets

Biggest needs: Starting pitching; power bat

The Mets are prioritizing starting pitching and will look for a shorter-term commitment via trade if they can make it work. Their dream scenario would be to acquire the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, a deal that would cost them a big chunk of the top talent in their farm system, or to reunite president of baseball operations David Stearns with Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Brewers. They will explore the free-agent market as well. They are committed to improving the top of their rotation whether it’s through trade or free agency.

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The Mets also want another big bat, and if they can’t re-sign Pete Alonso, they could pivot to either Cody Bellinger or Josh Naylor.

Philadelphia Phillies

Biggest needs: Re-signing their own free agents; corner outfield

The Phillies have prioritized trying to retain DH and team leader Kyle Schwarber, who is coming off a 56-home run season.