Three tanking MLB teams that can crash the playoffs with one free agent signing

The 2024 season ended with disappointment for 18 teams that missed the postseason. However, some teams knew their season was over long before the final day. Harsh though that may sound, it does mean they got a head start on offseason preparations.

We've already looked at bona fide postseason contenders and teams that just missed out on the playoffs. Now, we'll look at teams that have some real work to do to become respectable again.

These three teams have fallen below a .500 record for multiple years. They have quite a few holes on their roster, but their main priority should be the highlighted free agent targets.

3. Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas Athletics

The Athletics have finished the last three seasons with a .426 winning percentage after losing to the Houston Astros in the ALDS during the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020. They will switch from Oakland to Sacramento in 2025 as they await the construction of their Las Vegas stadium.

Their offense ranked 23rd in batting average (.233) and 26th in runs per game (3.97) this past season. The starting rotation ranked 26th in ERA (4.76), and their bullpen ranked 13th (3.83). It was another underwhelming year, to say the least.

The Athletics do have the No. 1 amount in the Competitive Balance Tax space. However, the penny-pinching A's are owned by the frugal John Fisher, and they typically do not get premiere free agents due to their status as also-rans.

Even though the offense ranked low in key stats, the Athletics have young talent at all the offensive positions except third base. Their main focus should be improving the starting rotation. The Athletics had eight starters throw more than 45 innings in 2024, but only one pitcher had a sub-4.00 ERA.

Andrew Heaney is a name that the Athletics could pursue. Heaney had a 4.15 and 4.28 ERA over the last two seasons pitching for the Texas Rangers and started at least 28 games in both seasons.

He's not the flashy name Athletics fans want to hear, but he can give the rotation a reliable starter and much-needed innings eater. He had a 3.8 strikeout-walk ratio last year, which would have ranked first on the A's last year. Plus, as an 11-year veteran, he has a wealth of experience to share with the team's young pitchers.

2. Miami Marlins

The Marlins front office has a lot of work ahead of them after the team finished last in the NL East and lost 100 games after making the Wild Card round in 2023. Their offense ranked 14th in batting average (.244) but could not score runs, ranking 27th with 3.93 runs per game.

Pitching was a significant problem in the 2024 season. The starters ranked 29th with a 5.24 ERA, and the bullpen ranked 22nd (4.15). The Marlins have the second-most Competitive Balance Tax space, just behind the Athletics, but they'll also struggle to get premier free agents as a low-budget team with yet another new manager.

The starting rotation expects to have their top two pitchers, Sandy Alcantara and Jesus Luzardo, back after an injury-plagued 2024 season. That will give the starting rotation a boost. Like the Athletics, the Marlins could benefit from signing a third baseman, but they have in-house options, such as Connor Norby or utility player Otto Lopez.

Jose Leclerc is a relief pitcher who could help tremendously in the late innings. He has pitched for the Texas Rangers for the last eight seasons, and was a key cog in their march to the 2023 World Series. He had a down year in 2024 with a 4.32 ERA and a 2.40 strikeout-walk ratio, but he achieved a 2.83 and 2.68 ERA in his 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.

In 2024, Leclerc ranked in the 96th percentile in whiff percentage. His stuff remains elite, and a down year won't scare off keen-eyed teams. He also has experience as a closer, so he could benefit the Marlins in that role after the team shipped off Tanner Scott and company at the 2024 trade deadline.

1. Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have not finished with a .500 record or better since 2018, when they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Their offense ranked 18th in batting average (.242) and 19th in runs per game (4.21) this past season, which are disturbingly low marks for a team that plays half its games in the boombox that is Coors Field.

Their pitching staff ranked 30th in starting pitching ERA (5.54) and bullpen ERA (5.41). This is to be expected, though, because of the high altitude at Coors Field. Because of said altitude, top-tier pitching arms frequently avoid coming to the Rockies.

The Rockies rank 15th Competitive Balance Tax space, so targeting a top-tier first baseman can solidify a big hole in their offense, assuming Michael Toglia is willing to take on a larger share of work in the outfield.

Pete Alonso is a big name who would be fun to watch in Denver's altitude. However, he will be a popular target by teams vying for a postseason run. Instead, the Rockies could go after a former division rival in Paul Goldschmidt.

The 14-year veteran has consistently played at least 151 games in nine of the last 10 seasons. In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he played in 58 games before undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.

Even though he is 37 years old, he still has some power. In 2024, he had 22 HRs and 65 RBIs and ranked in the 92nd percentile for hard-hit percentage. Likewise, he's just a few seasons removed from his MVP season in 2022 and most recent of four Gold Gloves in 2021.

Goldschmidt playing first base would allow the Rockies to rotate Toglia, Kris Bryant, and Nolan Jones between left field, right field and designated hitter, which could help preserve the latter two players after they dealt with persistent injuries in 2024.

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