The calendar has flipped to 2021 and the only thing you can say about Major League Baseball's competitive landscape is that it looks an awful lot like it did in 2020. The gave the hot stove a much-needed jolt with their 24-hour spending spree last week ( , Ha-Seong Kim, ). Otherwise things have been very quiet. , including only one of the top 14.Spring training is scheduled to begin in six weeks, though there's a chance it will be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. . History tells us the two sides continue their bickering publicly over the next few weeks. Hopefully hot stove action provides a nice distraction from the labor war. Now that we're in a new year, let's take a look at the American League's competitive landscape. It's important to note Tomas Hertl Men Jersey this is only a snapshot in time, because rosters will change between now and spring training, whenever that is. We're going to tackle the American League now and the National League next week (teams are listed alphabetically within each tier).Cream of the crop Are the the best team in the American League? Po sibly! It's a little hard to say right now because there are still so many moves to come (also, there's no sense in pretending we know what the league will look like come September and October), but I think Chicago has the strongest roster on paper at this very moment. Their lineup is fierce and the rotation top three ( , , ) is about as good as any in the league. The ChiSox could use a left fielder (or a DH, if they're willing to live with defense in left) and bullpen help (like every other team). Otherwise I think this is the best roster in the league right now. They're the one Junior Circuit club without an obvious, significant weakne s. Contenders with glaring needs Pretty good chance 2021 is the final year for these as we know them. and are free agents this offseason and , , , Jr., and (who will mi s 2021 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery) will become free agents next offseason. This core's days are numbered. In the short-term, the Astros must do something about their outfield. Maybe they can bring Brantley back, but the Springer ship seems to have sailed, and internal options like and won't move the needle. Houston's rotation is sneaky good even without Verlander (Greinke, McCullers, , , ), though veteran bullpen help should be on the shopping list. The outfield alongside is in need of an upgrade before the season. The are loaded with young talent and yet they have so many Evander Kane Women Jersey obvious roster needs. They need an outfielder or a DH (ideally a true center fielder who pushes to right and to DH), an infielder (ideally a third baseman but a shortstop would work too), a reliever or three, and another starting pitcher. They're one of the few teams capable (or willing) to spend this offseason and it's easy to see them as a potential landing spot for so many top players. George Springer in center, in the rotation, J.T. Realmuto behind the plate, on the infield, or (and?) in the bullpen, so on and so forth. The bones of a contending roster are in place. Now Toronto must improve the roster around the core to have the best shot at winning in 2021. So far this offseason the have made one notable MLB addition ( ) while sending their best righty hitter ( ), best lefty hitter ( ), third best starter ( ), and top two setup men ( and ) into free agency. Good thing spring training is at least six weeks away, huh? Top prospect is a dynamic hitter and ready to step into the lineup, ideally to replace Rosario rather than Cruz. Minnesota has and currently penciled in as the team's No. 4 and No. 5 starters and I suppose the Twins could live what that, but a team that fancies itself a World Series contender should do better. A starter and a bat to replace Cruz/Rosario remain obvious needs early in 2021. The rest of the lineup and the top of the rotation ( and ) is good enough to Artemi Kniazev Men Jersey make noise in October,. GM Brian Cashman has made it no secret the are waiting for the situation to resolve before moving on to other busine s. That puts them at risk of mi sing out on other opportunities in the interim, though this offseason has moved so slowly that the patience may serve them well. The Yankees need to re-sign or replace LeMahieu, then figure out how to bolster the rotation behind . isn't due back from Tommy John surgery at midseason, leaving as the team's most reliable starter behind Cole. The Yankees shouldn't leave three rotation spots to some combination of , , , and come Opening Day. New York badly needs rotation help in addition to retaining LeMahieu (or replacing him). Small-market contenders cutting back the are trimming payroll and that "free agents, at the moment, appear out of the question." Yikes! Oakland could lose 10 players to free agency this offseason, including Chris Tierney Women Jersey their starting shortstop ( ), two starting pitchers ( and ), and three late-inning relievers (Liam Hendriks, , ). The A's made two Rule 5 Draft selections ( and ) and have otherwise been quiet this winter. At minimum, they need to add one middle infielder and one reliever between now and Opening Day. Manager Bob Melvin would surely welcome another starting pitcher, bench help, and more relievers though. If the A's are really strapped for cash, it may force them to move someone like or so they can reallocate their salaries and addre s multiple needs. Oakland has put up a .600-ish winning percentage each of the last three years and the A's always seem to find a way to cobble together a contending roster. That said, the reality of their financial situation tells us their ability to add is limited. All you need to know about Cleveland's financial situation is they put Brad Hand on waivers in an effort to avoid his $1 million buyout before declining his $10 million club option. Their only 40-man roster additions so far this offseason are a waiver claim ( ) and a Rule 5 Draft pick ( ), and it is all but guaranteed they will trade Francisco Lindor prior to the start of the season. They could move as well seeing how this offseason is their last chance to trade him before he picks up 10-and-5 full no-trade protection soon after Opening Day. Cleveland has plenty of pitching. You can always have more, but they're good on the mound. Offensively though, they need to replace the departed , put together a viable major-league outfield, and then replace Lindor once he's traded. I have no idea how they're going to do all that adequately Jannik Hansen Men Jersey without upping payroll considerably, and there's basically zero chance that happens. I know we're conditioned to give the the benefit of the doubt at all times, but reader, I a sure you replacing and Blake Snell with is actually bad. Despite parting with Morton and Snell, the Rays remain a contender because they are so deep organizationally and because they have demonstrated the ability to do more with le s. They turn otherwise forgettable pickups into key contributors on the regular. Also, I don'