MLB Playoffs 2023: Offseason questions for eliminated teams - ESPN

Baseball's new playoff format means that October starts with a new tradition — the elimination of four wild-card teams in the first three days of the MLB playoffs.

This year, the Rays became the first team to exit when they were knocked out by the Rangers on Wednesday — and more will follow soon.

Whether your team's playoff departure comes in the opening days or after a long run, it's time to look ahead to what could be on the front-offfice's to-do list heading into the offseason. ESPN MLB experts Alden Gonzalez, Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield identify the free agents to watch, key priorities and question that will shape the coming months for each eliminated team.

Did your favorite team miss the postseason altogether? We answered one big question for each non-playoff team.

Eliminated by: Texas Rangers in AL wild-card round

Key free agents: RHP Robert Stephenson, LHP Jake Diekman (club option), OF Raimel Tapia

Biggest offseason priority: Addressing a starting rotation that was considered a strength before a slew of injuries this season. Shane McClanahan will miss all of 2024 after Tommy John surgery. Jeffrey Springs had Tommy John surgery in April, so could miss a large portion of the season. Drew Rasmussen had an internal brace procedure rather than full Tommy John surgery and is expected out until midseason of 2024. The Rays hope to get Shane Baz back from his 2022 Tommy John surgery to add to a rotation of Zach Eflin, Tyler Glasnow, Taj Bradley and Aaron Civale, but keep in mind that Glasnow's two-year, $30.35 million contract pays him $25 million in 2024 (his final year before free agency), which makes him a potential trade piece given the Rays' usual payroll parameters.

Under-the-radar priority to watch: Th