They have a similar problem - filling a spot on their respective pitching staffs.
The Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals are attempting to solve them in different ways.
The Royals, after the tragic death of Yordano Ventura in an automobile accident earlier this year in the Dominican Republic, had a hole in their starting rotation. And after the shock wore off, general manager Dayton Moore went about finding someone to take Ventura's spot.
The Royals signed Jason Hammel to a two-year contract. Moore and his staff believed Hammel, the former Cub, was the best free-agent starter still available and went out and got him.
Hammel, 34, had a 3.83 ERA in just under 167 innings last season and if he can come anywhere close to matching those number this season, the Royals will be happy. And the Royals should be happy with the person Hammel appears to be, as unprompted, he addressed the reason he was with Kansas City during his introductory press conference.
"I feel a need to express my condolences to Royals nation and the Ventura family," Hammel said. "I truly feel that if that unfortunate passing doesn't happen, you guys aren't talking to me. I'm going to do my best to not necessarily replace him, because he had such a bright future ahead of him, but I know what I bring to the table. And I want to win."
But the Royals weren't done. Just last week, they dipped back into the free agent pool and signed lefty Travis Wood, also a former Cub and also to a two-year contract.
Wood can be a dual threat for Kansas City this season. He will likely start the season as the primary lefty in the bullpen, but don't be surprised if he's in the starting rotation at some point.
The Royals look to have a decent starting rotation with Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Hammel, Jason Vargas (returning from an injury) and Nathan Karns (acquired in a trade with the Mariners for outfielder Jarrod Dyson).
With much of the core of their position players set to become free agents after this season - first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar - the Royals appear to be trying to make one last run at the postseason.
If you're a Royals fan, that's all you can ask.
The Cardinals have taken a different approach to their pitching problem.
Top prospect Alex Reyes, penciled in to fill a spot in the starting rotation if not hold down a position in the bullpen, was found to be in need of Tommy John surgery with a partial tear in an elbow ligament.
But instead of scouring the list of available free agents, the Cardinals are staying in-house to find Reyes' replacement - Michael Wacha.
Wacha threw his first bullpen session of the spring and by all reports, it was quite the success. Wacha has been battling a shoulder injury that sent the tall righty to disabled list last August. He spent the offseason working to strengthen that shoulder and it appears, to this point, have worked.
With Reyes healthy, Wacha would have been likely the odd man out when the Cardinals settled on their starting rotation. Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez, Mike Leake and Lance Lynn figured to hold down four of the five spots. That's a solid group.
If Wacha, the 2013 MVP of the National League Championship Series, can regain his form and resemble the pitcher of his first few years with the Cardinals, St. Louis appears to be on track to regain a postseason berth. Maybe not beat the Cubs in the regular season, but have a realistic shot at winning a postseason series.
And if Wacha doesnt't pan out? Well, there's Trevor Rosenthal, thecloser turned underdetermined role for 2017. If the Cardinals can get five innings out of Rosenthal once a week, I'm sure they'd take it with a smile on their faces and songs in their hearts.
Two teams had a similar problem. They went about solving that problem in different ways, but ways that appear to be best for them.