Predicting Every MLB Team's 2024 Opening Day Lineup, Version 4.0

Spring training is here and Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, J.D. Martinez and Mike Clevinger are among the top players still looking for a new contract in what has been a strange winter of free agency.

For now, it's time for another update to our Opening Day lineup predictions, with version 1.0 published on Nov. 29, version 2.0 released on Jan. 4 and version 3.0 unveiled on Jan. 31.

Ahead, we've assigned all of the top remaining free agents to logical landing spots on the way to predicting each MLB team's Opening Day lineup for the 2024 season.

Last season's lineup data from Baseball Reference, the projected rosters from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation on where remaining free agents will sign went into compiling each team's batting order.

We will have one more update to this series with each team's projected 26-man roster just before Opening Day.

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected acquisition.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Corbin Carroll
2B Ketel Marte
1B Christian Walker
DH Joc Pederson
3B Eugenio Suárez
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C Gabriel Moreno
CF Alek Thomas
SS Geraldo Perdomo
SP Zac Gallen

Notes

-The D-backs plugged the biggest remaining hole on their roster by signing Joc Pederson (one year, $9.5 million) and Randal Grichuk (one year, $2 million) to platoon at designated hitter, and that tandem could prove to be extremely productive.

-One of the biggest question marks this season is whether 2023 All-Star Geraldo Perdomo can bounce back after hitting .214/.322/.297 during the second half. If not, top prospect Jordan Lawlar is waiting in the wings.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
CF Michael Harris II
C Sean Murphy
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia
SP Max Fried

Notes

-Where is Michael Harris II going to hit in the lineup? The 2022 NL Rookie of the Year has recorded 677 of his 980 career plate appearances in the No. 8 or No. 9 spots in the batting order. They could leave him where he is comfortable, but they could also move him into more of a run-production role.

-Max Fried vs. Spencer Strider for the Opening Day start is a compelling debate, and a great problem to have if you're a Braves fan. For what it's worth, Fried has taken the ball on Opening Day each of the past three seasons.

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Gunnar Henderson
C Adley Rutschman
RF Anthony Santander
1B Ryan O'Hearn
DH Ryan Mountcastle
CF Cedric Mullins
LF Austin Hays
SS Jackson Holliday (R)
2B Jordan Westburg
SP Corbin Burnes

Notes

-There's a chance the Orioles could go with Jackson Holliday at second base, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop and Jordan Westburg at third base, but they could also simply be adding some versatility to Holliday's game by using him at second base this spring. Either way, those three appear to be the front-runners for starting spots on the infield.

-With Kyle Bradish (elbow sprain) and John Means (elbow soreness) both expected to start the season on the injured list, the move to acquire ace Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers becomes even more impactful.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jarren Duran
3B Rafael Devers
1B Triston Casas
SS Trevor Story
DH Masataka Yoshida
RF Adam Duvall
LF Tyler O'Neill
2B Vaughn Grissom
C Connor Wong
SP Lucas Giolito

Notes

-Wilyer Abreu hit .316/.388/.474 with six doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI in 28 games last season after making his MLB debut on Aug. 22, and he is viewed as the front-runner for the right field job if no outside additions are made. Bringing back Adam Duvall still makes a ton of sense, though.

-It will be interesting to see where they slot Trevor Story in the batting order, since they are extremely left-handed at the top with Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida all swinging it from that side. All the more reason to pursue a reunion with the right-handed-hitting Duvall.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
CF Cody Bellinger
RF Seiya Suzuki
DH Christopher Morel
1B Michael Busch (R)
C Yan Gomes
3B Nick Madrigal
SP Justin Steele

Notes

-The Cubs still have to sort out playing time at first base, third base and designated hitter, with Michael Busch, Nick Madrigal, Christopher Morel, Patrick Wisdom, Matt Mervis, Miles Mastrobuoni and non-roster invitee Garrett Cooper all in the mix at one or more of those spots.

-If top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong earns a spot on the Opening Day roster as the team's starting center fielder, that would mean Bellinger shifts to first base and the battle for time at third base and designated hitter becomes even more fierce. It would also likely push Mike Tauchman off the roster entirely.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Andrew Benintendi
3B Yoán Moncada
CF Luis Robert Jr.
DH Eloy Jiménez
1B Andrew Vaughn
RF Dominic Fletcher (R)
SS Paul DeJong
2B Nicky Lopez
C Martín Maldonado
SP Dylan Cease

Notes

-White Sox general manager Chris Getz told reporters last week that Dominic Fletcher has a "leg up" for the starting right field job after he was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in early February. The 26-year-old hit .301/.350/.441 with five doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI in 102 plate appearances as a rookie last season.

-Slugger Mike Moustakas is in camp as a non-roster invitee and could push his way into a semi-regular role with a strong spring. The 35-year-old will initially need to win a roster spot over Gavin Sheets as a left-handed power bat off the bench, and Sheets does have a minor league option remaining.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF TJ Friedl
2B Matt McLain
LF Spencer Steer
1B Jeimer Candelario
SS Elly De La Cruz
DH Jonathan India
RF Will Benson
3B Noelvi Marte (R)
C Tyler Stephenson
SP Hunter Greene

Notes

-An alternative approach to addressing the infield logjam in Cincinnati would be Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base, Jeimer Candelario at third base and Noelvi Marte sent back to Triple-A to open the 2024 season, though he showed enough down the stretch last year to be given every opportunity to win a starting job.

-Right field could end up being a platoon of the hot hand between Will Benson, Jake Fraley and Stuart Fairchild, and don't be surprised if Jonathan India tries his hand as an outfielder at some point to increase his versatility.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Steven Kwan
2B Andrés Giménez
3B José Ramírez
1B Josh Naylor
RF Ramón Laureano
C Bo Naylor
DH Will Brennan
SS Gabriel Arias
CF Myles Straw
SP Shane Bieber

Notes

-With Mandy Bell of MLB.com writing that Will Brennan is "swinging the bat as well as anyone" this spring, he is now slotted in the starting designated hitter spot, with Josh Naylor back at first base and Kyle Manzardo projected to start the year in the minors.

-Gabriel Arias is viewed as the favorite to win the starting shortstop job, but he will need to prove he is a better option than top prospect Brayan Rocchio. The 23-year-old Rocchio hit .377/.457/.541 over 71 plate appearances in the Venezuelan Winter League to help lead Tiburones de La Guaira to the title.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Charlie Blackmon
1B Kris Bryant
LF Nolan Jones
3B Ryan McMahon
2B Brendan Rodgers
SS Ezequiel Tovar
C Elias Diaz
RF Sean Bouchard
CF Brenton Doyle
SP Kyle Freeland

Notes

-The Rockies recently claimed old friend Sam Hilliard off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, so he is now a candidate to compete for the right field job with Sean Bouchard, Hunter Goodman and non-roster invitee Bradley Zimmer.

-With Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela both recovering from Tommy John surgery, left-hander Kyle Freeland looks like a lock for the Opening Day nod on the mound. The 30-year-old will join Márquez as the only pitchers in franchise history to make three Opening Day starts.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Riley Greene
LF Mark Canha
1B Spencer Torkelson
DH Kerry Carpenter
3B Gio Urshela
SS Javier Báez
2B Colt Keith (R)
C Jake Rogers
CF Parker Meadows (R)
SP Tarik Skubal

Notes

-The addition of Gio Urshela on a one-year, $1.5 million contract gives the Tigers a more stable bridge to top prospect Jace Jung at third base. Prior to that addition, utility players Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling were the leading candidates to man the hot corner.

-Strong defensive metrics (315.2 INN, 3 DRS, 8.0 UZR/150) as a rookie make Parker Meadows the favorite to win the center field job. The 24-year-old still needs to prove himself offensively, but he did post an .812 OPS with 27 doubles, 19 home runs, 65 RBI and 19 steals in 113 games at Triple-A last year.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Jose Altuve
3B Alex Bregman
DH Yordan Alvarez
1B José Abreu
RF Kyle Tucker
C Yainer Diaz
LF Chas McCormick
SS Jeremy Peña
CF Jake Meyers
SP Framber Valdez

Notes

-Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander is nursing a shoulder issue this spring and is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, which puts left-hander Framber Valdez in position to make the first start of the season for the third year in a row.

-Trey Cabbage hit .306/.379/.596 with 30 home runs, 89 RBI and 32 steals at Triple-A in the Los Angeles Angels organization last season, and he could play his way into the part-time designated hitter role when Yordan Alvarez plays left field, a role Michael Brantley has filled in recent years.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF MJ Melendez
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
C Salvador Perez
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
RF Hunter Renfroe
DH Nelson Velázquez
2B Michael Massey
CF Kyle Isbel
3B Maikel García
SP Cole Ragans

Notes

-Michael Massey and Maikel García are the front-runners to start at second base and third base to open the season, but versatile options like Adam Frazier, Garrett Hampson and prospect Nick Loftin could push their way into the lineup.

-Nelson Velázquez quietly posted a 134 OPS+ with 14 home runs in 40 games with the Royals after he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a trade deadline deal that sent reliever José Cuas the other way. He could be one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season if he picks up where he left off.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Mickey Moniak
1B Nolan Schanuel
CF Mike Trout
3B Anthony Rendon
DH Brandon Drury
LF Taylor Ward
2B Luis Rengifo
C Logan O'Hoppe
SS Zach Neto
SP Blake Snell

Notes

-The Angels still look like one of the few viable landing spots for Blake Snell if he is going to secure the lucrative, long-term deal he is seeking. The 2023 NL Cy Young winner would immediately slot in ahead of Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval as the ace of the staff.

-Former first-round picks Matt Thaiss (No. 16 overall in 2016) and Jo Adell (No. 10 overall in 2017) are both out of minor league options, so they will either be part of the Opening Day roster mix or exposed to waivers.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Mookie Betts
DH Shohei Ohtani
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
LF Teoscar Hernández
CF James Outman
RF Jason Heyward
SS Gavin Lux
SP Tyler Glasnow

Notes

-Newcomers Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are expected to start the two games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20 and March 21 to kick off the 2024 regular season. It remains to be seen who will get the Game 1 nod.

-With Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández filling spots on the bench, manager Dave Roberts will have a ton of lineup flexibility, and at the very least one of them will likely start in right field against left-handed pitching over Jason Heyward.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Luis Arraez
SS Tim Anderson
1B Josh Bell
3B Jake Burger
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
LF Bryan De La Cruz
RF Jesús Sánchez
DH Avisaíl García
C Christian Bethancourt
SP Jesús Luzardo

Notes

-The Marlins finally plugged the glaring hole at shortstop when they signed Tim Anderson to a one-year, $5 million deal last week, which allows speedy Jon Berti to return to the utility role where he has thrived.

-Unless a late signing is made, Avisaíl García will get a chance to earn his $12 million salary as the team's primary designated hitter. The 32-year-old is entering the third season of a four-year, $53 million deal, and he was a negative-WAR player in 2022 and 2023.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Christian Yelich
C William Contreras
SS Willy Adames
1B Rhys Hoskins
RF Sal Frelick
LF Garrett Mitchell
CF Jackson Chourio (R)
3B Joey Ortiz (R)
2B Brice Turang
SP Freddy Peralta

Notes

-What role will Gary Sánchez fill on the Brewers roster? If Eric Haase makes the team as the backup catcher, it's unlikely Sánchez will see much time behind the plate, leaving designated hitter as his only path to playing time. That would in turn create a logjam in the outfield with Christian Yelich back in left field.

-Brice Turang and Andruw Monasterio are the incumbents at second base and third base, but prospects Joey Ortiz and Tyler Black will get a long look this spring. Ortiz could also be the shortstop of the future if Willy Adames departs in free agency next winter.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Edouard Julien
3B Royce Lewis
CF Byron Buxton
RF Max Kepler
SS Carlos Correa
1B Carlos Santana
LF Matt Wallner
DH Alex Kirilloff
C Ryan Jeffers
SP Pablo López

Notes

-Newly acquired Manuel Margot and Trevor Larnach could also factor into the Twins' plans in left field, but Matt Wallner is the front-runner for the starting job after posting a 139 OPS+ with 11 doubles, 14 home runs and 41 RBI in 76 games as a rookie.

-Infielder José Miranda is something of a forgotten man following an injury-plagued 2023 season during which he was slowed by a shoulder issue. The 25-year-old is just a year removed from posting a 114 OPS+ with 25 doubles, 15 home runs and 66 RBI as a rookie in 2022.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Brandon Nimmo
2B Jeff McNeil
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
RF Starling Marte
C Francisco Álvarez
3B Brett Baty
DH Mark Vientos
CF Harrison Bader
SP José Quintana

Notes

-The Mets are still candidates to add a power bat to fill the designated hitter role, but given their current luxury tax standing, they would have to pay a 110 percent tax on every dollar they spend. That could limit them to a small-scale signing or minor league contract if they do make a move.

-With Kodai Senga nursing a shoulder strain and expected to start the season on the injured list, veteran José Quintana is now the front-runner to be the team's Opening Day starter. The 35-year-old posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 75.2 innings over 13 starts last season.

Projected Starting Lineup

3B DJ LeMahieu
RF Juan Soto
CF Aaron Judge
1B Anthony Rizzo
DH Giancarlo Stanton
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Alex Verdugo
SS Anthony Volpe
C Jose Trevino
SP Gerrit Cole

Notes

-Rookie Austin Wells will have every opportunity to claim the lion's share of the playing time at catcher, but expect to see 2022 All-Star Jose Trevino start on Opening Day with Gerrit Cole on the mound. He was behind the dish for 18 of Cole's starts last season, and the AL Cy Young winner had a 2.25 ERA in 112 innings with him as his battery mate.

-It will be interesting to see how Jasson Dominguez fits into the team's plans once he returns from Tommy John surgery around midseason. The hyped top prospect went 8-for-31 with four home runs in eight games as a September call-up last year, but the offseason additions of Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham have created a crowded outfield.

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Ryan Noda
2B Zack Gelof
DH Brent Rooker
RF Seth Brown
C Shea Langeliers
LF Eddie Rosario
3B Abraham Toro
SS Darell Hernaiz (R)
CF Esteury Ruiz
SP JP Sears

Notes

-JJ Bleday is the leading in-house candidate for the starting left field job, but the Athletics could also go bargain hunting in what remains of the free-agent market. Veteran Eddie Rosario might be available on a minor league deal at this point, despite a 21-homer, 74-RBI season in 2023.

-Left-hander JP Sears was Oakland's best starter in 2023, posting a 4.54 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 161 strikeouts in 172.1 innings. He is the leading candidate for the Opening Day start, though Paul Blackburn, Alex Wood and Ross Stripling are also in the mix.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
RF Nick Castellanos
C J.T. Realmuto
3B Alec Bohm
2B Bryson Stott
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Johan Rojas
SP Zack Wheeler

Notes

-The Phillies' starting lineup appears to be set in stone barring injury, and the bench also seems set with Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, Cristian Pache and free-agent signing Whit Merrifield rounding out the roster.

-Aaron Nola has made six straight Opening Day starts for the Phillies and he signed a seven-year, $172 million deal to stay with the team during the offseason, but Zack Wheeler was the team's best starter in 2023.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Oneil Cruz
LF Bryan Reynolds
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
DH Andrew McCutchen
CF Jack Suwinski
1B Rowdy Tellez
RF Edward Olivares
C Yasmani Grandal
2B Liover Peguero
SP Mitch Keller

Notes

-Ji-Hwan Bae (56 starts), Nick Gonzales (25 starts) and Liover Peguero (23 starts) all saw action at second base last season, and they are competing for the starting job this spring alongside a healthy Oneil Cruz up the middle.

-What role will former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis fill following the addition of Yasmani Grandal on a one-year, $2.5 million deal earlier this month? He could serve as the team's backup catcher, see regular time at a corner outfield spot or return to Triple-A to work on his defensive game behind the dish.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Ha-Seong Kim
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B Manny Machado
2B Xander Bogaerts
1B Jake Cronenworth
DH Tommy Pham
C Luis Campusano
CF Michael A. Taylor
LF Jurickson Profar
SP Joe Musgrove

Notes

-According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres are still interested in adding another outfielder to the mix, and they look like the perfect landing spot for Michael A. Taylor with light-hitting José Azocar currently penciled in as the starting center fielder.

-The Padres will give guys like Matthew Batten, Eguy Rosario and top prospect Jackson Merrill a long look this spring, but if there is no clear answer at designated hitter, they could roll the dice on a small-scale deal with Tommy Pham or C.J. Cron.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jung Hoo Lee (R)
2B Thairo Estrada
1B LaMonte Wade Jr.
DH Jorge Soler
3B Matt Chapman
LF Michael Conforto
RF Mike Yastrzemski
SS Marco Luciano (R)
C Patrick Bailey
SP Logan Webb

Notes

-After whiffing on some of their top targets in recent years, the Giants have had a productive offseason, adding Jung Hoo Lee (six years, $113 million) and Jorge Soler (three years, $42 million) in free agency, and they still look like the most likely landing spot for third baseman Matt Chapman.

-Versatile infielder Casey Schmitt and non-roster invitee Nick Ahmed are the leading candidates to push top prospect Marco Luciano for the starting shortstop job, though he remains the front-runner to break camp as the heir to Brandon Crawford.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS J.P. Crawford
CF Julio Rodríguez
2B Jorge Polanco
DH Mitch Garver
C Cal Raleigh
1B Ty France
RF Mitch Haniger
LF Luke Raley
3B Josh Rojas
SP Luis Castillo

Notes

-The position battle at third base between Josh Rojas and Luis Urías appears to have been decided in the short term by an injury, with Urías likely headed for the injured list with shoulder inflammation to start the season.

-One of the more compelling position battles on the Seattle roster this spring is for the fourth outfielder job. Former top prospect Taylor Trammell is out of minor league options, but he will need to beat out Dominic Canzone and Cade Marlowe for an Opening Day spot.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Brendan Donovan
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Lars Nootbaar
3B Nolan Arenado
C Willson Contreras
2B Nolan Gorman
RF Jordan Walker
CF Tommy Edman
SS Masyn Winn (R)
SP Sonny Gray

Notes

-The Cardinals signed veteran Brandon Crawford to a one-year, $2 million deal as an insurance policy for top prospect Masyn Winn at shortstop, which should ensure that Tommy Edman can serve as the team's everyday center fielder.

-Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker are all capable of taking another step forward offensively, giving the Cardinals lineup a ton of upside, though they also need to contend with the potential decline of Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt as they exit their respective primes.

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Yandy Díaz
2B Brandon Lowe
LF Randy Arozarena
DH J.D. Martinez
3B Isaac Paredes
RF Josh Lowe
CF José Siri
SS José Caballero
C René Pinto
SP Zach Eflin

Notes

-How about Tampa Bay as a dark-horse landing spot for slugger J.D. Martinez? The Rays have an $88.5 million projected payroll, which represents a modest increase over last year's $79.3 million figure, but Martinez could help them keep pace with a Baltimore Orioles team that added Corbin Burnes.

-Offseason additions José Caballero and Amed Rosario are the leading candidates to man shortstop, though Junior Caminero could be the X-factor on the Tampa Bay infield if he makes a case to break camp with an Opening Day roster spot.

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
LF Evan Carter
RF Adolis García
3B Josh Jung
1B Nathaniel Lowe
C Jonah Heim
DH Wyatt Langford (R)
CF Leody Taveras
SP Nathan Eovaldi

Notes

-Wyatt Langford hit .360/.480/.677 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 30 RBI in 44 games after going No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft, closing out the season at Triple-A. The 22-year-old could play his way into the designated hitter spot that was vacated when Mitch Garver departed in free agency.

-With Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle all set to open the year on the injured list, Nathan Eovaldi is an easy choice for the Opening Day start. The 34-year-old went 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 144 innings last season before logging a 2.95 ERA with five quality starts in six outings during the postseason.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF George Springer
SS Bo Bichette
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
DH Justin Turner
LF Daulton Varsho
C Alejandro Kirk
2B Davis Schneider
3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa
CF Kevin Kiermaier
SP Kevin Gausman

Notes

-Isiah Kiner-Falefa won AL Gold Glove honors at third base with the Texas Rangers during the shortened 2020 season, and he looks like the leading candidate to replace Matt Chapman, while Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio are also in the mix for playing time at second base and third base.

-Slugger Daniel Vogelbach looks like an obvious platoon candidate alongside right-handed-hitting Justin Turner in the designated hitter role, but first he will need to play his way onto the Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Joey Gallo
1B Joey Meneses
DH Jesse Winker
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis Garcia
3B Nick Senzel
CF Victor Robles
SP Josiah Gray

Notes

-The Nationals have spent the offseason bargain hunting once again, adding Joey Gallo and Nick Senzel on one-year deals, while Jesse Winker also looks like a prime candidate to win a roster spot on a minor league deal.

-Will it be Josiah Gray (30 GS, 3.91 ERA, 143 K, 159.0 IP) or MacKenzie Gore (27 GS, 4.42 ERA, 151 K, 136.1 IP) to make the Opening Day start in 2024? Both young pitchers established themselves as players to build around in the starting rotation with strong 2023 seasons.