The MLB offseason has come and gone, leaving a trail of winners and losers. The Dodgers kept loading up, the Blue Jays stayed aggressive, and the Orioles swung for the fences. But who emerged victorious, and who fell short? Let's dive into the analysis, with a focus on the teams that pushed themselves forward and those that set themselves back.
Offseason Winners
Blue Jays: After a heart-wrenching World Series loss to the Dodgers, the Blue Jays kept the momentum going with a series of strategic moves. They signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million contract, adding Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto and veteran reliever Tyler Rogers. Despite losing Bo Bichette and coming up short on Kyle Tucker, the Jays are determined to finish the job in 2026.
Dodgers: The Dodgers dominated the offseason, solving their late-inning issues by signing Edwin Díaz and handing out the richest AAV contract ever with Kyle Tucker. They're fully exploiting their championship window with Shohei Ohtani and company, despite the looming CBA battle next year.
Orioles: The Orioles swung for the fences, signing Pete Alonso to a massive five-year, $155 million contract. They also traded for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward, and picked up Ryan Helsley as their closer. With a new manager, Craig Albernaz, the O's are looking to make a splash.
Mets: After a disappointing season, the Mets underwent a major makeover. They signed Bo Bichette and Freddy Peralta, adding depth to their roster. With a mix of new and familiar faces, including Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., the Mets are aiming to contend.
Cubs: The Cubs made a bold statement by signing Alex Bregman and trading for Edward Cabrera. They overhauled their bullpen, positioning themselves as favorites in the NL Central.
Tigers: The Tigers emerged as late winners, taking advantage of their one-year window with Tarik Skubal. They signed Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, bolstering their rotation. With a strong lineup and a promising prospect in Kevin McGonigle, the Tigers are the clear favorites in the AL Central.
Honorable Mention: Pirates
The Pirates are trying to improve, adding Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna. While they might not be contenders, they're taking steps forward with Paul Skenes on their roster.
Offseason Losers
Phillies: Despite keeping Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies lost Ranger Suárez and missed out on Bo Bichette. With only a few notable additions, they'll need to rely on their young players to make an impact.
Twins: The Twins did very little spending, coming off a demoralizing trade deadline. With the departure of Derek Falvey, the team's future is uncertain.
Brewers: The Brewers traded another star, Freddy Peralta, and made several trades to address other areas. With a thin margin for error, they'll need to rely on Brandon Woodruff's return.
Stuck in Neutral
Red Sox: The Red Sox strengthened their rotation but missed out on key targets. With a mix of familiar and new faces, they'll need to see a healthy Roman Anthony to make a difference.
Yankees: Keeping Cody Bellinger was a win, but the Yankees are mostly running it back. With a few new additions, they'll need to see if it's enough to contend.
Too Soon to Say
Cardinals: The Cardinals continued trading away veterans, including Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. With a changing television landscape, they're turning the page on an aging roster. It's too early to tell if the changes will pay off.
