After Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki was arguably the most talked-about name this offseason. Sasaki has now chosen his destination for the 2025 MLB season, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here's how all 30 teams measure up following his decision.

The saying "the rich get richer" doesn't quite capture the Dodgers' offseason—they hit the jackpot. Los Angeles kicked things off by signing the first big-name free agent of the class, Blake Snell, to a five-year, $182 million deal. This acquisition marked the end of Walker Buehler's tenure with the Dodgers. While Buehler isn't returning, the team re-signed key contributors Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernandez, both instrumental in securing a World Series title for Chavez Ravine. But the biggest move for the Dodgers came true Friday night, signing RHP Roki Sasaki. If the Dodgers weren't already favorites, they certainly should be now.

The Yankees entered the offseason with the sights set on signing Juan Soto. However, the Mets outbid them, and Soto chose to join the Yankees' cross-city rivals. With Plan A derailed, the Yankees swiftly pivoted to Plan B, securing a roster of high-level reinforcements. The Yankees first move was trading second base prospect Caleb Durbin and left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes to the Brewers for "The Airbender" Devin Williams, adding a unique and reliable arm to their bullpen. To fill the void left by Cortes, the Yankees made a significant upgrade by signing World Series champion Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, fresh off his first All-Star appearance since 2022. New York further bolstered its roster by signing 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12 million deal, and trading for another former MVP, Cody Bellinger. While missing out on Soto, the revamped Yankees roster is still poised as a formidable World Series contender.

The Phillies are the first of three NL East teams to appear in the top 5 of the power rankings. While Philadelphia's 2024 season ended at the hands of the division rival Mets in the NLDS, there were many positive takeaways. The Phillies finished with the second-best record in the majors, trailing just the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Zack Wheeler finished second in the NL Cy Young voting, and the Phillies had eight All-Star selections — the most in the majors. The offense ranked top five in nearly every NL batting category. The only bat that required addressing was centerfield, and the Phillies found a one-year, $10 million solution in former Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler. Kepler is coming off a lackluster 2024, which saw him appear in 105 games and post a .253/.302/.380 slash line — numbers that might not pop but are a step up from Johan Rojas's .243/.279/.322 in 120 games. The Phillies also bolstered the back end of their starting rotation — a need following struggling performances in 2024 — by trading for Miami Marlins southpaw Jesús Luzardo. Luzardo has been hovering around mediocrity in South Beach since being traded by the Athletics in 2021. His best season came in 2023 when he tossed 178.2 innings, logged a 3.58 ERA and struck out 208 batters. The change of scenery might be just what Luzardo needs. Addressing key areas and avoiding departures, the Phillies are set up for another strong season.

In late May last season, the Braves sat at 29-20, already without star pitcher Spencer Strider for the season, and confirming that reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. would also be ruled out for the season. In late August, third baseman Austin Riley fractured his right hand, ending his season. Despite losing three All-Stars, Atlanta managed to secure the No. 5 seed in the National League. Stepping up for Atlanta, Marcell Ozuna finished fourth in NL MVP voting, leading the Braves in nearly every offensive statistic. On the pitching side, Chris Sale led the majors with 18 wins and a 2.38 ERA, earning him both the NL Cy Young and Triple Crown. The Braves have been quiet this offseason, losing a sizable amount of bench depth, as well as Max Fried. But with Strider, Acuña and Riley back, Atlanta is in position to contend for the NL East title. 

The Mets made the biggest splash of the offseason by signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, securing the next face of their franchise. Determined not to let their NLCS appearance be a fluke, Steve Cohen bolstered the pitching staff with the additions of Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas, while also re-signing Sean Manaea, who achieved a 3.47 ERA with the Mets — the best full-season mark in his career. The only major losses of the offseason for the Mets were Luis Severino and as of now, Pete Alonso, who hasn't signed with anyone yet, but it's unlikely he returns to New York.

The Padres have been inactive since the offseason began. Following a 93-win season and a series loss to the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS — where San Diego was one game away from advancing to the NLCS — the Padres had multiple opportunities to re-sign key players: outfielder Jurickson Profar and infielder Ha-Seong Kim being the front two. However, after moving on from catcher Kyle Higashioka, San Diego's offseason strategy appears more apparent. Additionally, southpaws Martín Pérez and Tanner Scott have both found new homes, with Scott going to the Dodgers. With no moves made this offseason, the Padres sit at No. 6.

The Orioles had an impressive 2024 season, with 91 wins and a second-place finish in the AL East. Although they made the playoffs, they were quickly eliminated by the Kansas City Royals in the AL Wild Card. Still, the Orioles were in a strong position for the future. Key tasks included re-signing Corbin Burnes and addressing some major needs. Unfortunately, Burnes signed with Arizona, and outfielder Anthony Santander, who led the team with 44 home runs and 102 RBI, signed in division with Toronto. Despite the losses of Burnes and Santander, the Orioles filled the outfield gap by signing Tyler O'Neill. The primary issue now is a lack of pitching depth. To counter Burnes' departure, Baltimore acquired 41-year-old Charlie Morton, who posted a 4.19 ERA last season. While the Orioles boast a wealth of young talent, they must prepare for the learning curve that prospects like Grayson Rodriguez will face in the major leagues.

The Diamondbacks were quiet throughout the beginning offseason but have made some recent moves that catapults them into the contender conversation. Coming off an 89-win season in which they finished third in a very competitive NL West, the Diamondbacks missed out on the postseason due to not holding the tiebreaker over the Atlanta Braves. In December, Arizona lost first baseman Christian Walker, signing a three-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros. The Diamondbacks found his replacement in Cleveland’s Josh Naylor, but it came at a price of trading minor-league RHP Slade Cecconi. Naylor is an immediate plug-and-play at first base where he hopes to build off his successful 2024 campaign that saw him earn his first All-Star selection and hit 31 home runs and 108 RBI. The big move of the Diamondbacks offseason was landing former NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes on a six-year, $210 million deal. Burnes has been an All-Star for each of the last four seasons and finishing no lower than eighth in Cy Young voting in that span. He’ll be an excellent pairing with Zac Gallen, who tossed a team high 14 wins along with the second most strikeouts with 156. Weighing the impact of the big losses and big additions will be on full display in 2025.

The Astros were shocked in the American League Wild Card series by the Detroit Tigers. They had just gotten swept and franchise third baseman Alex Bregman was set to hit free agency. The Astros saw left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi leave for division opponent Los Angeles Angels to kick off the off-season. They were one of the first teams to make a blockbuster trade, sending star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for third basemen Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Since being acquired by Houston, Smith has already been named the Astros No.1 prospect. He has endless potential and with Houston trading for both Paredes and Smith, it confirms that Alex Bregman’s time in H-Town is over. Wesneski is expected to improve the Astros rotation, finally getting an opportunity to become a starter. He is expected to be the No.5 starter behind Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco. The Astros made another splash with the signing of first baseman and Gold Glover Christian Walker on a three-year $60 million deal. Walker brings exactly what Houston needs – power and defense. He’ll fit right into the lineup and provide immediate production. If the Astros can shore up their pitching, they should be a favorite to win the American League West. 

The Cleveland Guardians started their offseason re-signing right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber to a two-year, $26 million deal, including a player option after the first year. Bieber missed almost all of 2024 with a torn UCL in his right arm, leaving a noticeable gap in the starting rotation. After re-signing Bieber, the Guardians traded 2023 Platinum Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays. In exchange, they acquired first baseman Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell. Giménez, who signed a seven-year, $106 million contract in 2023, earned over $7.1 million in 2023 and 2024. Now, the Blue Jays will take on the remainder of his contract. The Guardians are known for making moves that fans don’t always understand at first, but in hindsight, they often make perfect sense.

Following a disappointing exit in the postseason—a first-round loss to the New York Mets in the National League Wild Card series — the Brewers faced the departure of several key players. The biggest blow was shortstop Willy Adames signing a seven-year, $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Shortly after Adames’ departure, the Brewers traded two-time NL Reliever of the Year winner Devin Williams to the Yankees in exchange for second base prospect Caleb Durbin and left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes. This move, though tough, is necessary for a small market team looking to build for the future. Cortes, known for his durability, has been reliable for the Yankees in past seasons. He is an upgrade to the Brewers' rotation and will likely be the No. 3 starter when Brandon Woodruff returns. Durbin is an exciting addition with five-tool potential. He demonstrated his ability to hit for both average and power with a .287 batting average and 10 home runs in 82 Triple-A games last season. His speed is unquestionable, having stolen 29 bases in both Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League. This is clearly a trait the Brewers value, as they stole 217 bases, the second most in the National League. While the numerous departures have left gaps in the roster, reigning NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy will have the Brewers in contention again.

The Red Sox are in win-now mode, as evident by their efforts to address the pitching staff's consistency—a glaring weakness in the 2024 season. Boston kicked things off by signing left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval to a two-year, $18.25 million contract. Although Sandoval is coming off a lackluster season in Anaheim, at 27 years old, he has room to meet expectations and provide depth to the Red Sox rotation. The Red Sox further bolstered their pitching staff by signing right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million deal. Buehler missed the entirety of 2023 due to injury and only pitched in 16 games this past season. However, when healthy, he is one of the best young pitchers in the league. Not done yet, the Red Sox made a significant move to bolster their rotation, trading for left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the White Sox during the Winter Meetings. This marks the second time in franchise history that they have traded with the White Sox for a left-hander, the first being Chris Sale. The Red Sox paid a hefty price for Crochet, trading away their 2023 and 2024 first-round draft picks, outfielder Braden Montgomery and catcher Kyle Teel. With outfielder Tyler O’Neill departing for division rival Baltimore, Boston fans might see outfielder and No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony debut in March.

Appearing out of playoff contention at the All-Star break, the Tigers rallied in the second half of the season to earn their first postseason appearance since 2014. Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal captured both the American League Cy Young Award and the pitching Triple Crown. Capitalizing on their momentum, the Tigers retained all key players in free agency, while also signing multiple free agents including second baseman Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million deal. The Tigers have already confirmed that Torres will be the everyday second baseman in 2025, with Colt Keith transitioning to first base. Being able to add on to a postseason level roster, the Tigers are primed to compete for the American League Central division title in 2025.

The Cubs made two key moves this offseason, firstly acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. Although Tucker played just 78 games due to a fracture in his right shin, he still posted a .289/.408/.585 slash line — numbers that would have led any Cubs batter last season. The Cubs also bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Eli Morgan, Caleb Thielbar and Colin Rea, as well as adding Cody Poteet in the return for Cody Bellinger. For the starting rotation, the Cubs signed left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million deal, hoping he will build on his brief but strong season, in which he recorded a 2.72 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched. With the Brewers reeling from their offseason losses, the Cardinals rebuilding, and the Pirates not yet in a position to compete, the Cubs are set to contend for the division crown in 2025.

The Kansas City Royals made a remarkable 30-game improvement over one season, going from 56-106 in 2023 to 86-76 in 2024, making them one of the hottest teams in the American League. They moved quickly this offseason, securing a double play partner for star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.: Jonathan India. The 2021 National League Rookie of the Year had been a mainstay in the Reds lineup but was often overshadowed by the numerous prospects coming through their system. Re-signing right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year, $8 million deal was key for Kansas City. Lorenzen, acquired from the Texas Rangers at the 2024 deadline, was excellent for the Royals down the stretch, allowing just five earned runs over 28.2 innings pitched. Keeping him in the rotation alongside Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo strengthens Kansas City significantly.

The Seattle Mariners' 2024 season started promisingly. By mid-June, they held a commanding 10-game lead in the AL West. They had arguably the best starting rotation in baseball with stars such as Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby, a rotation that led the league in strikeouts with 1,625. However, the issue with the team was their bats. Seattle was the second-worst team in the majors in batting average (.224), only three points higher than the lowly Chicago White Sox (.221) and had just eight more hits. This was a team that desperately needed to improve their offense and acquire some hitters during free agency. However, through mid-January, the Mariners have remained rather quiet. What’s promising for Mariners fans on the offensive side is that the team has a very deep farm system with five position players in the Top 100, led by shortstop Colt Emerson. As it stands, the Mariners will rely on their star-studded rotation to keep them afloat again in 2025.

After capturing their first-ever World Series title in 2023, the Texas Rangers faced a sharp decline in 2024, managing to win only 78 games. To compete in the American League in 2025, Texas quickly hit the open market for reinforcements, signing designated hitter Joc Pederson and catcher Kyle Higashioka to two-year deals worth $37 million and $13.5 million, respectively. Additionally, the Rangers acquired first baseman Jake Burger from the Marlins, signaling the end of Nathaniel Lowe's tenure in Texas, as he was traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Robert Garcia. Garcia, who has flown under the radar of many teams, posted an impressive 2.38 FIP and 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2024. To bolster their bullpen, the Rangers signed several pitchers, including Shawn Armstrong, Chris Martin, Jacob Webb and Hoby Milner. These acquisitions serve as a contingency plan should relievers Kirby Yates and David Robertson sign elsewhere. In a re-signing, the Rangers secured the services of right-handed starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, re-signing him to a three-year deal worth $75 million.  Another significant player still in the starting rotation is two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. With a busy offseason and the return of deGrom in 2025, the Rangers are poised to reclaim their competitive standing in the upcoming season.

After declining his $38.5 million player option, Blake Snell quickly signed with the Dodgers on November 26th, securing a five-year deal worth $182.5 million and putting the Giants' offseason in an early divot. With Snell out of the picture, the Giants redirected their resources to sign shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million deal — the largest contract in San Francisco Giants history. Adames brings a reliable glove and had his best season to date offensively, hitting 32 home runs, recording 112 RBI and stealing 20 bases. To fill the gap in the starting rotation, San Francisco also signed veteran right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year, $15 million deal. Verlander, who will be 42 by the start of the season, is likely entering his final year. Additionally, 2021 American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray will return to the starting rotation by the start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury in August. In the farm system, there is a possibility that the Giants will bring up their No. 1 prospect, Bryce Eldridge. However, the Giants' biggest challenge lies within their division, with both the Dodgers and Padres achieving over 90 wins last season, and Arizona falling just short with 89. The Giants have some serious work ahead.

The Minnesota Twins have parted ways with first baseman Carlos Santana, outfielder Max Kepler, infielder Kyle Farmer and relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar, without showing urgency to replace them. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and outfielder Manuel Margot remain unsigned. Despite these changes, the Twins have the potential to be one of the top teams in the American League, thanks to a solid core of stars including shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder Byron Buxton, and, when healthy, third baseman Royce Lewis. Buxton, frequently plagued by injuries, played over 100 games for just the second time in his career last season, demonstrating that he is one of the best outfielders in the league when he stays on the field. The Twins' farm system boasts three prospects in the top 100, including Walker Jenkins, the outfielder who was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft. In 2025, Minnesota plans to debut several prospects, such as outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez and right-handed pitchers Marco Raya, Andrew Morris, Eiberson Castellano and Cory Lewis. One intriguing storyline to watch is the potential debut of second baseman Payton Eeles. Standing at five-foot-five, Eeles was signed from the independent baseball team Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for just $500. He quickly made his way to Triple-A St. Paul after posting a .316 batting average across Single-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids. The Twins were so confident in his abilities that he bypassed Double-A Wichita. If the Twins can get sufficient production from their prospects, they have a good chance to bounce back from their lackluster 2024 season.

The Cincinnati Reds were one of the first teams to make a move this offseason, trading 2021 National League Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Royals for right-handed pitcher Brady Singer. With players like Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain and Cooper Bowman waiting in the wings, Cincinnati felt confident trading away India. Singer upgrades an already solid pitching rotation that includes right-handed fireballer Hunter Greene, left-handers Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo, and recently re-signed Nick Martinez. Martinez accepted his qualifying offer worth $21.05 million for a year and was crucial to the Reds' pitching success in 2024, posting a 4.0 WAR. The Reds also have several promising young pitching prospects. Their 2023 first-round draft pick, right-hander Rhett Lowder, showed a high ceiling in his six starts, posting a 1.17 ERA. Cincinnati made two trades to improve their lineup depth. The first trade saw catcher Jose Trevino come from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson. The second trade brought infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lux was a consensus top three prospect throughout baseball before graduating from prospect status. He showed promise in 2022 with a .276 batting average and 20 doubles but didn’t get a chance to build on that after tearing his ACL in his right knee during a 2023 Spring Training game. Outfielder and third-round draft choice Mike Sirota was sent to Los Angeles along with a 2025 draft pick. With their deep pitching staff and a slew of young stars, the Reds look to make noise in a rather weak NL Central.

The Blue Jays have some choices to make. With star shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set to become free agents in 2026, they need to decide whether to go all-in and position themselves to convince one or both to stay long-term or let them both walk and start fresh. After finishing an underwhelming 74-88 for last place in the AL East, the Blue Jays had several weaknesses to address heading into the 2025 offseason. Their bullpen posted a hefty 4.82 ERA, allowed the highest hard-hit rate (41.2%), and struck out just 20.7% of batters. To address this, the Blue Jays reunited with right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman on a three-year, $33 million contract. Hoffman provides stability to the bullpen, having posted a 2.17 ERA and a 33.5% strikeout rate out of the bullpen in Philadelphia. Also rejoining the Blue Jays is right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia on a two-year, $15 million deal. Garcia pitched in just 10 games before being placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation. While losing reliever Jordan Romano to the Phillies will sting, Hoffman's addition is an upgrade. The Blue Jays also bolstered their infield defense by acquiring second baseman Andrés Giménez and right-handed pitcher Nick Sandlin from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz. Giménez , 26, will be under contract until at least 2029. He has won the American League Gold Glove Award at second base in each of the past three seasons, including a Plainum Glove in 2023. He has also stolen 20 or more bases in those past three seasons. Coming out of the 2025 offseason, the Blue Jays made necessary moves, but compared to the rest of the AL East, it could be a tough year.

The Rays missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after an underwhelming 80-82 season. Tampa Bay’s only significant offseason loss has been outfielder Jose Siri. While Siri provided solid defense and top-level speed, his free-swinging at the plate yielded unpredictable results. Two-time All-Star left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan is expected to return to the rotation after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023. This was his second Tommy John surgery, and historical data shows that pitchers are often less effective after a second procedure, which will be something to watch closely. More on the pitching front, Tampa Bay re-signed right-hander Drew Rasmussen to a two-year, $8.5 million deal, securing one of their top bullpen arms. Additionally, the Rays traded left-handed pitchers Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez to the Athletics in exchange for right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, first baseman Will Simpson and a Competitive Balance Round A Draft Pick. With the AL East being very competitive, the Rays have the pieces but face a challenging season ahead.

The Athletics signed its largest contract in franchise history, securing right-handed pitcher Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million deal. Severino is coming off a 2024 campaign where he re-established himself as a pitcher capable of anchoring a rotation. He is expected to be the ace and workhorse of a rotation that includes left-handed pitchers JP Sears and the recently acquired Jeffery Springs. The most important retention of the offseason for the Athletics was designated hitter Brent Rooker. Signing a five-year, $60 million contract, Rooker will likely retire with the Athletics. The 30-year-old is coming off a season where he led the team in nearly every single offensive statistic, including tied for the fourth most RBI in the majors with 112.

The Pirates have made significant strides since the end of the 2024 season. The organization was put on notice when 2023’s No. 1 overall draft pick, right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes, won the National League Rookie of the Year and finished third in Cy Young voting, bringing hope for the future of Pittsburgh’s pitching staff. While having a quiet offseason, Pittsburgh made one significant trade to bolster their infield. In a trade with Cleveland, the Pirates acquired infielder Spencer Horwitz in exchange for Luis L. Ortiz, No. 17 ranked prospect left-handed pitcher Josh Hartle and left-handed pitcher Michael Kennedy. Horwitz showcased promise in his first major league season, hitting 12 home runs with 42 RBIs in 97 games while slashing .265/.357/.433. The Pirates' deep farm system is something to look forward to, boasting five players in the top 100, four of whom are projected to debut in 2025: Bubba Chandler (No. 15), Termarr Johnson (No. 75), Braxton Ashcraft (No. 85) and Thomas Harrington (No. 91). While division title talks are unlikely, the Pirates are well-positioned to surpass last season’s win total of 76.

The Nationals have had a surprising amount of activity this offseason. While young and in arguably the best division in baseball, the NL East, they are in a clear compete-now phase with the acquisitions of first basemen Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell. Lowe, an excellent defender at first base, won the American League Gold Glove at the position in 2023. He doesn’t have the stereotypical first baseman power, but he makes up for it by getting on base at a high clip and hitting for a high average. Since 2021, Lowe has played 140 games or more each season for Texas, accruing 618 hits, a .274 batting average and a .359 on-base percentage. For a team like Washington, which made the third-most errors and tied for the second-worst fielding percentage, a player like Lowe is a breath of fresh air. Josh Bell, on the other hand, is likely to fill the designated hitter spot. Staying in the infield, second baseman Luis Garcia is one of the best in the game, though he receives little recognition. Garcia slashed .282/.318/.444 with 18 home runs, 25 doubles and 70 RBI, with a strikeout rate of just 17.2% last season. In the outfield, top prospects Dylan Crews and James Wood are looking to get their first full major league season under their belts. While still projected to win around 70 games per FanDuel, the Nationals have put together a competitive ballclub.

St. Louis is in a messy spot, with a roster full of veterans and young names but not much in between. Is it ideal to let pending free agents like 2022 National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt and relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge walk out the door? No, it’s not. Is it ideal that cornerstone player Nolan Arenado wants out? Also no. But if St. Louis is content with these departures, they need to have a clear plan for the future. Young pieces with promise, such as outfielder Jordan Walker, who has struggled with a .201/.253/.366 slash line in 51 games, need to have a productive season to avoid falling to the bottom of the barrel. The starting rotation is also uncertain, with it likely that right-handers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson will not be wearing Cardinal uniforms come March. Right-handers Miles Mikolas and Sonny Gray are the only hope for the starting five. After a fire sale offseason, the Cardinals could find themselves at the bottom of the NL Central.

When the Angels have been active in past offseason's, they’ve primarily acquired players to add depth. This offseason, however, the Angels seem to be straying from that strategy by acquiring a few big names: Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler and Travis d’Arnaud. Kikuchi was the big signing, agreeing to a three-year, $63.675 million deal. He struggled in the first half of the season and was subsequently traded by Toronto to Houston, where the change of scenery made him one of the best players acquired at the deadline. In 10 games with Houston, Kikuchi posted a 5-1 record with a 2.70 ERA in 60 innings. The Angels still made their annual depth signings, including right-hander Kyle Hendricks on a one-year, $1.25 million deal. They also picked up veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud on a two-year, $12 million deal. D’Arnaud provides some pop behind the dish and adds depth to one of the Angels' best position groups. Infielder Christian Moore, the Angels' first-round draft choice of 2024, is projected to make his debut this year and should be a mainstay in the Angels' lineup for the foreseeable future. If third baseman Anthony Rendon still doesn’t view baseball as his top priority in 2025, as he stated earlier in the year, Moore could definitely slot in at the hot corner. With outfielder Mike Trout returning this March and the Angels building around young shortstop Zach Neto, they are attempting to have a solid season, but they still have a long way to go.

The Rockies are expected to be one of 2025’s worst teams, and with their lack of acquisitions this offseason, it seems likely that this prediction will come true. They signed infielders Kyle Farmer and Thairo Estrada to one-year, $3.25 million contracts and retained catcher Jacob Stallings on a one-year, $2.25 million deal, but that’s about it. Ace Cal Quantrill is a free agent, as is starting second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Additionally, franchise star outfielder Charlie Blackmon hung up his cleats last season, creating another gap in the lineup. However, the Rockies do have some promise with two Gold Glovers in center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. If the bats can get some help from the pitching staff, which ranked worst in the majors last season with a 5.47 ERA, the Rockies might exceed expectations, but it won’t be enough to contend for the division.

The Marlins are the lowest spenders of the offseason, having spent $0 as of January 14th. Despite this, they have been active in the trade market, aiming to acquire pieces for the future. In a trade with the Rangers for Jake Berger, the Marlins received shortstops Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza, all of whom are now ranked in the top 30 of Marlins prospects. Acosta, the most major-league ready of the trio, spent 2024 in Double-A, slashing .288/.353/.425 with 58 RBI and 26 stolen bases. From the Phillies, the Marlins received shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd. While Boyd did not make the Marlins’ top 30 prospect list, Caba debuted at No. 3. While the future is looking up, the present is not as promising, and 2025 will likely be another struggling year for Miami.

The Chicago White Sox, the new record holders for the most losses in Major League Baseball history, have made a series of moves this offseason. While not franchise-altering, the White Sox handed out five, one-year contracts during free agency to outfielders Austin Slater and Mike Tauchman, pitchers Martín Pérez and Bryse Wilson and third baseman Josh Rojas. The biggest move for Chicago was the departure of All-Star starting pitcher Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Boston red Sox. In return, Chicago acquired a haul of Boston’s prospects: 2023 first-round catcher Kyle Teel (No. 25), 2024 first-round outfielder Braden Montgomery (No. 54), infielder Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wilkelman Gonzalez. Teel is a rare breed of catcher who can perform both at the plate and behind it, but it’s evident he’s a better hitter than defender. Given the depth in their farm system, it’s clear why the White Sox were willing to part with Crochet. With left-handed pitchers like Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith waiting in the wings, it won’t be long before the White Sox can start erasing the memory of their embarrassing 2024 season.