Save 10% on all products by becoming a premium member

MLB OFFSEASON TAKEAWAYS

  • Posted on
  • By Carl Lemelin
  • 0
MLB OFFSEASON TAKEAWAYS

What's you favorite MLB team been up to this offseason, and what's left in the free agent carrousel that could help them reserve their spot in the 2025 October dance?

 

The Yankees and Dodgers both reaching the World Series last year proved that spending outrageous amounts of money on superstar talent can still pay dividends in the long run.

Sure, the 2023 D-Backs/Rangers World Series showed that it is still possible to win without a top 5 payroll, but the game’s current trend toward power – both at the plate and on the mound – makes it even more likely in the future that the best rosters on paper will prevail come October.

Power is a rare, sought after natural asset that now costs a lot of money, thus the teams willing to spend the most are more likely than ever to succeed.

Another factor that favors today’s big spenders is that, like the smaller market teams, they also now apply analytics to the evaluation of their roster makeup. It used to be that the Yankees would just outspend everyone to show their fans that they were doing all they could to win. The problem was that they weren’t necessarily signing the right players to fill their subtle, but key lineup deficiencies.

We saw this with the Dodgers for many years too, before they adopted a more targeted approach to free agency, combining it with an exceptional player development system to become today’s ultimate model franchise: rich and shrewd.

So, now that we know talent matters more than ever in determining who the contenders are, what does this off-season’s player carousel tell us about the upcoming season’s playoff hopefuls?

For each team, we will look at their offseason story, their most pressing needs, their ultimate target among remaining free agents, and a suitable plan B in case that target eludes them.

Since we are focusing on playoff contenders, I have eliminated the following teams – deemed non-contenders – from this overview: Chicago White Sox, Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, St-Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Colorado Rockies.

 

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Offseason Story: The Corbin Burnes signing slots Zack Gallen and Merrill Kelly where they should be on a championship calibre team’s rotation. The trade for 1B Josh Naylor compensates for the loss of Christian Walker to free agency. Joc Pederson’s exit leaves a hole at DH.

Needs: A true closer and a DH caliber bat. Bullpen inefficiency is why the D-Backs missed the playoffs by tiebreaker in 2024. Paul Sewald’s injury-plagued season and related struggles means it’s time to move on, and Kevin Ginkel and/or A.J. Puk are unproven in that crucial role.

Ultimate Target: Carlos Estevez (RHP). As the best free agent closer, you’ll see his name come up often in this exercise.

Plan B: Trade for a DH bat or RHB platoon option at 1B. Save Pete Alonso (obviously not a plan B), no quality free agent DH option is available. Naylor (LHB) is the worst defensive player in the lineup, so making him at least a part-time 1B would be ideal.

 

ATLANTA BRAVES

Offseason Story: 40% of the best 1-through-5 rotation in baseball has left (Max Fried and Charlie Morton). Say goodbye also to clutch-hitting backup catcher Travis D’Arnaud.

Needs: Backup catcher. The Bravos’ starting pitching was so deep that even losing Fried and Morton may not hurt them as much as many may think. A platoon partner for starting catcher Sean Murphy, however, is a must.

Ultimate Target: Yasmani Grandal (C). A veteran presence behind the plate would help a young pitching staff, his switch-hitting bat complements starter Murphy, and much like D’Arnaud did very well last season, he can step in as the regular in case of injury.

Plan B: Jason Heyward (OF). With Ronald Acuna Jr missing at least the first month of action, outfield depth could be an issue, so why not bring Heyward back in the fold for one year on the cheap? It’s the Braves thing to do.

 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Offseason Story: The inevitable happened when Corbin Burnes signed with Arizona. The recent signing of veteran Charlie Morton helps the rotation, but by no means acts as a replacement for a lost ace. With Anthony Santander lost to free agency, the O’s signed Tyler O’Neill to a 3-year deal to take his place in right field.

Needs: Felix Bautista will be back to solidify the back end of the bullpen, which struggled to protect leads in 2024, so the only issues that need to be addressed are infield defense and a new anchor for the rotation. Zach Eflin is very good, but he’s a no. 2 on a contender’s rotation.

Ultimate Target: Ha-Seong Kim (2B-SS). The only potential ace on the free agent market is Japanese import Roki Sasaki and the Orioles are out of that bidding war, so they must improve on defense.

Plan B: Jack Flaherty (RHP). If Grayson Rodriguez can take that next step, the Orioles have their new ace, and Flaherty would slot in perfectly as a solid 3 behind Eflin.

 

BOSTON RED SOX

Offseason Story: The Sox knew they had to upgrade their pitching this winter, so they have. Enter Garrett Crochet, acquired in a trade with the lowly White Sox. He immediately takes on the role of staff ace. The signings of Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval add depth, and Aroldis Chapman will assist Liam Hendricks in the late innings.

Needs: A backup catcher to help Colton Wong shoulder the load, and one more high-leverage option in the pen.

Ultimate Target: Yasmani Grandal (C). The veteran is a switch-hitting bat that could relieve Wong (RHB) vs righties as a spot-starter and/or pinch-hitter.

Plan B: Carlos Estevez (RHP). With current closer Hendricks missing almost all last season, the Sox would be well advised to secure that role with a proven entity.

 

CHICAGO CUBS

Offseason Story: Kyle Tucker. That just about does it. No doubt Tucker’s middle of the order bat will help everyone in a lineup that got very stale during the stretch run last season, but despite a few depth acquisitions the Cubs biggest achilles heel – the back-end of the bullpen – has yet to be addressed.

Needs: Power arms in relief. Ask the Blue Jays if the Nate Pearson/Julian Merryweather combo is good enough to close out big ball games. Aside from that, the Cubs have what it takes to win the Central pennant.

Ultimate Target: Carlos Estevez (RHP). Like all teams desperate for a closer, Estevez is the most proven asset available.

Plan B: Kenley Jansen (RHP). He may be a little old in the tooth (37), but the Cubs are in win-now mode and Jansen’s 78 saves over two seasons in Boston are proof he still has what it takes.

 

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

Offseason Story: The Tribe lost a few key pieces from their overachieving 2024 squad. 1B Josh Naylor was their best power source, Andres Gimenez is the best defensive 2B in the game, and Nick Sandlin is an overlooked, solid reliever just entering his prime.

Needs: A power bat to help Jose Ramirez carry the offensive load, and a new second baseman.

Ultimate Target: Alex Bregman (3B). That would move Jose Ramirez to 2B and kill two birds with one stone. Bregman proved in last season’s second half that he was far from washed up.

Plan B: John Means (LHP). The Guardians really need an ace, but they don’t have the means (pun intended) to afford one. Means, when healthy, is a very productive starter who could be had on the cheap.

 

DETROIT TIGERS

Offseason Story: After the unexpected run they had last season, why deviate from the plan? Everyone is back and add 2B Gleyber Torres. He won’t help the defense, but if he can tap into the early-career power potential he showed in pinstripes, he will add another solid bat to an up-and-coming lineup.

Needs: An experienced starting 3B and a power arm in the pen. Young Jace Jung is an unproven commodity at third, and while the bullpen performed miracles in the second half of 2024 and the playoffs, it lacks a true anchor.

Ultimate target: Alex Bregman (3B). No one fits the bill better than Bregman. He may be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Tigers to take over the AL Central.

Plan B: Carlos Estevez (RHP). That would make for a lights-out bullpen.

 

HOUSTON ASTROS

Offseason Story: The Jose Abreu at 1B experiment is over. Enter dual threat free agent signing Christian Walker. Lifetime Astro Alex Bregman will sign elsewhere, so the Spacemen acquired Isaac Paredes from the Cubs as his replacement at 3B. Superstar OF Kyle Tucker went the other way in that trade, and useful starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has moved on to the Angels.

Needs: Offense from the outfield. Mauricio Dubon, Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick are a very underwhelming group of hitters.

Ultimate Target: Anthony Santander (OF). The best offensive outfielder available.

Plan B: Jurickson Profar (LF). The second-best outfielder bat available.

 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Offseason Story: The Royals’ pitching depth allowed them to trade starter Brady Singer – coming off a solid campaign – to the Reds for 2B Jonathan India and OF Joey Wiemer. India brings more pop to an already potent lineup.

Needs: A closer and outfield offense. The lack of quality relief arms is what caused them to falter in the latter part of 2024 after a promising first half.

Ultimate Target: Carlos Estevez (RHP). He is a proven closer and would add a dominant pitching option to a mishmash staff of middling hurlers.

Plan B: Dylan Carlson (LF). Why not a reclamation project for the cash-strapped Royals? The former 1st round pick of the Cards showed promise in his rookie season and is still young enough at 26 to find his groove and tap into his considerable potential.

 

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Offseason Story: Two years removed from a Cy Young, Blake Snell is in as staff ace. Injury-plagued long-time Dodger Walker Buehler is out. KBL star 2B Hyeseong Kim fills a huge hole in an otherwise loaded roster.

Needs: A true closer. It’s hard to find any deficiencies on this complete, championship roster, but a quite ineffective Evan Phillips was their closer until he was excluded from the World Series roster.

Ultimate Target: Carlos Estevez (RHP). Yes, him again.

Plan B : Tanner Scott (LHP). Another option for manager Dave Roberts to a “closer by committee” group including righties Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen. Since money is obviously no issue for Mark Walter and his ownership group, why not both Estevez AND Scott?

 

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Offseason Story: Ouch! SS Willy Adames has been so good since he arrived in Wisconsin that he priced himself right out of the state. Nestor Cortes – acquired in the Devin Williams trade to the Yankees – replaces Colin Rea in the rotation, which also lost Frankie Montas.

Needs: A new shortstop, NOW!!! Williams’ departure leaves a hole in the bullpen, but like the Rays, the Brewers are very good at patching the staff from within.

Ultimate Target: Alex Bregman (3B). He would push Joey Ortiz to SS. Since the Brew Crew is also looking to replace the offense Adames brought to the table, that would be a better plan than any free agent option at SS.

Plan B: Kirby Yates (RHP). The Brewers are constantly looking for value, and Yates may just be the undervalued bargain of this offseason. He had a great comeback season in Texas last year, proving he still had closer stuff at 37.

 

MINNESOTA TWINS

Offseason Story: OF Max Kepler and 1B/DH Carlos Santana are gone. That’s it. Have the Twins given up on 2025?

Needs: A legitimate bat in LF and a power threat at 1B.

Ultimate Target: Pete Alonso (1B). The only power threat available at 1B.

Plan B: Randall Grichuk (OF). The RHB had a great 2024 platoon season in Arizona. Could he do the same splitting games with Trevor Larnach (LHB) in LF? Can play any OF position.

 

NEW YORK METS

Offseason Story: One name: Juan Soto. That’s all you need to know about the Mets’ winter. OK, maybe the fact that Pete Alonso is still a free agent also deserves a mention. On the mound, Frankie Montas replaces departed Jose Quintana in the rotation.

Needs: A starting 1B and a set-up man for closer Edwin Diaz. Alonso has yet to be replaced and the lack of a reliable bridge to Edwin Diaz is what sunk the Mets in the 2024 playoffs.

Ultimate Target: Pete Alonso (1B). If you want to compete with the Dodgers, one big offseason splash isn’t quite enough. After his heroic showing in the playoffs, Mets fans want him back.

Plan B: Tanner Scott (LHP). Of course, this guy is the ideal solution for any team needing bullpen help, but the Mets specifically need a lefty, high-leverage stud.

 

NEW YORK YANKEES

Offseason Story: The Bombers lost the most irreplaceable asset of this offseason, namely Juan Soto, who moves from the Bronx to Queen’s. So, the Yanks decided to focus on upgrading the pitching staff. Out went Nestor Cortes, in come lefty starter Max Fried and new closer Devin Williams.

Needs: An on-base specialist for the top of the order and a south paw specialist in the bullpen. Veterans Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt have been added but have obviously lost much of their past offensive lustre.

Ultimate Target: Jurickson Profar (LF). His late breakout .380 OBP in 2024 is exactly what the doctor ordered to ease Soto’s exit.

Plan B: Tanner Scott (LHP). Plan B could be part of Plan A for the Yankees, for whom money is no object. Scott is a lights-out left-handed set-up man to bridge the gap between Luke Weaver and Williams in the late innings.

 

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Offseason Story: Aside from Jordan Romano replacing Carlos Estevez as closer, the only other significant move the Phillies made was acquiring starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo, who is coming off a rough, injury-laden 2024.

Needs: Bullpen insurance. The Phillies possess the most complete NL roster next to the Dodgers, but Romano is coming off the worst season of his career, so the closer role may be a revolving door in Philly next season.

Ultimate Target: Kenley Jansen (RHP). The veteran closer could be brought in on a manageable, low-risk, 1-year deal.

Plan B: David Robertson (RHP). The next best arm available had a resurgent 2024 season at 39.

 

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Offseason Story: It has been a strangely tranquil winter for the Friars. For a team whose obvious weakness was defense, letting their best defensive asset, SS Ha-Seong Kim, test free agency doesn’t make a lot of sense. With no notable acquisitions, late blooming LF Jurickson Profar and shutdown lefty reliever Tanner Scott (also both free agents) leave two more huge holes on a roster that showed it wasn’t good enough last fall.

Needs: A new LF, a DH-worthy bat, and better defense. The first two could be taken care of with just one signing. The third will have to be addressed via trades.

Ultimate Target: Anthony Santander (LF). Ok, he played RF in Baltimore, but he’s far from a good defensive outfielder, so he could be a better as a LF in Petco. The best OF bat available in free agency could also share DH duties.

Plan B: Ha-Seong Kim (SS-2B). It just makes so much sense for the Padres to bring him back.

 

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Offseason Story: Finally, the SS problem is fixed for the foreseeable future in Frisco with the signing of one of the best at the position in Willy Adames. The ageless one, Justin Verlander, just signed on but showed signs of a steep decline in Houston last year. Blake Snell is a huge subtraction to the rotation.

Needs: One more SP and a DH. Snell’s departure leaves a must-fill hole if the Giants are serious about contending. When all starting position players are in their respective spots, the DH possibilities are less than ideal.

Ultimate Target: Roki Sasaki (RHP). The usual suspects, Dodgers and Padres, are rumoured to be the favorites in the superstar import’s sweepstake, but the Giants NEED him much more.

Plan B: Randall Grichuk (OF-DH). His right-handed bat is perfect for Oracle Park, and his lefty/righty splits were very good last season. He could step in as a fourth OF, plus he is very familiar with NL West pitching.

 

SEATTLE MARINERS

Offseason Story: Set-up man Yimi Garcia returns to Toronto and 3B Josh Rojas moves to the South Side of Chicago. That is the only notable personnel movement to date this winter.

Needs: More potent bats around star Julio Rodriguez, a new infield around SS J.P. Crawford, and one more power arm in the bullpen. Replacing Garcia as a power arm to complement closer Andres Munoz would be nice, but as this blog is posted, the Mariners’ depth chart shows Dylan Moore as the starting 2B AND 3B…

Ultimate Target: Pete Alonso (1B). A huge upgrade on Luke Raley (current starter), and this lineup desperately needs a jolt.

Plan B: Alex Bregman (3B). Another corner infield option that could help J-Rod see more hittable pitches.

 

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Offseason Story: As usual, don’t expect the Rays to shell out the big bucks this winter, but like they always do well, they shored up the most obvious hole on their roster by signing their new starting catcher, Danny Jansen.

Needs: Offense in the outfield. New season, same speech. This is truly the only obstacle to Tampa making noise in October once again.

Ultimate Target: Anthony Santander (OF). The best outfield bat available. Come on Rays, spend a little!

Plan B: Jurickson Profar (LF). The next best outfield bat available.

 

TEXAS RANGERS

Offseason Story: Andrew Heaney and Max Scherzer leave the rotation, and closer Kirby Yates leaves as a free agent. Jake Burger replaces professional hitter Nate Lowe at 1B, and DH Joc Pederson adds punch to a lineup that struggled mightily to find the same magic that made them so frightening to face during their 2023 championship run.

Needs: Bullpen reinforcements and a solid no. 3 option behind Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob DeGrom in the rotation.

Ultimate target: Tanner Scott (LHP). With no legitimate southpaw option for the late innings, this signing would do wonders for their chances to get back into contention.

Plan B: Jack Flaherty (RHP). A great no. 3 starter if DeGrom can stay healthy, and a capable no. 2 just in case…

 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Offseason Story: Just like last year (Shohei Ohtani), it was a swing-and-a-miss for the Jays on the biggest prize of the offseason (Soto). The brass proceeded to do what they do best: find run-prevention assets. Defensive wiz 2B Andres Gimenez and underrated reliever Nick Sandlin will make it even harder than it already was to score on the Jays in 2025. RHP Jeff Hoffman, just signed, also bolters the pen, if the shoulder issue that voided his deal with the Orioles gets resolved.

Needs: A legitimate starting 3B and LF, protection for Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and a dominant lefty reliever. If Bo Bichette finds his form, Guerrero’s protector is back, and they then need more men on base ahead of them.

Ultimate Target: Anthony Santander (OF). Ultimate target, maybe, but we all know the Canadian-based franchise will always have trouble attracting top free agents because of the taxation context, so don’t hold your collective breath, Blue Jays Nation.

Plan B: Tanner Scott (LHP). Again, this is the most prized reliever on the market, so the only Canadian franchise will have to overpay for his services.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Leave a comment
* Your email address will not be published
Free Shipping on order over $ 149 *
1-844-373-9998 (toll free)
Easy returns
Fast delivery & Quality