2024 Active Rosters: Libra
The 2024 Libra starting lineup found itself in a state of flux, and I mean that in two ways. The first is that several players bounced around from position to position during the season – such as Mookie Betts, who began the year jumping between shortstop and second base, but then moved back to his customary right field spot after returning from an injury late in the year. The second way the lineup was in flux involved players making (presumably) permanent moves down the defensive spectrum – such as Bryce Harper settling in at first base, after roaming the outfield grass for his entire career.
Another example of a midseason position change is very tall Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz, who moved from shortstop to center field at the end of August. That move didn’t hurt Libra’s depth, due to the presence of both Betts and Washington shortstop CJ Abrams (despite the latter getting sent down to the minor leagues towards the end of the year for personal reasons). Xander Bogaerts actually represented both sides of the spectrum, as he was shifted from short to second base before the season, but had to slide back to his old position, due to an injury to Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim.
As for the players who stuck at their customary positions, Ketel Marte dominated at second base for the D-Backs (although recall that Marte had his own flirtation with center field earlier in his career). Corner outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander both won Silver Slugger trophies in 2024, and are also both currently free agents, as of this writing. Even without Oneil Cruz’s bat in center field, incumbents Riley Greene and Cedric Mullins are solid up the middle, despite the fact that the former has largely shifted to left field for the Tigers, in deference to rookie Scorpio Parker Meadows.
The top end of the Libra rotation is strong, as Corbin Burnes started the All-Star Game for the American League. Jack Flaherty performed better for the Tigers before his trade to the Dodgers, but came up clutch in the postseason. Speaking of the Dodgers, rookie Gavin Stone was their most consistent pitcher in the regular season, despite being injured for the playoffs. The righty-heavy rotation mix also includes solid mid-rotation performers like Brandon Pfaadt, Zack Littell, and Kyle Gibson.
The bullpen mix has dropped off from recent years, with Kenley Jansen showing his age, and Alexis Diaz (brother of Edwin, the Aries closer) struggling. In addition, two-time All-Star David Bednar and Alex Lange lost their grips on the closer’s role for the Pirates and Tigers, respectively. On the plus side, Tim Herrin served as a solid lefty for Cleveland in their AL Central winning campaign, and Victor Vodnik could be emerging as a solid late inning piece for Colorado.