With the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season quickly approaching, it is time to reflect on this past offseason and highlight the biggest winners and losers. There have been many blockbuster trades and free-agent signings that will impact this upcoming MLB season, and seasons for years to come. While some teams made significant improvements to their rosters, others missed their opportunity to do the same. First, let’s break down the winners of this offseason.
Winners:
- Boston Red Sox
Key Additions: Alex Bregman. Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler
The Boston Red Sox made many noteworthy moves this offseason to bolster their lineup and pitching rotation. The addition of Alex Bregman gives them a star veteran with lots of postseason scar tissue, along with versatility in the infield. Garrett Crochet emerges as the ace the Red Sox desperately needed, and Walker Buehler offers a high upside with minimal risk. After missing the postseason by just five games last year, these additions give Boston the potential to contend not only for the American League (AL) East division title but also for the AL Pennant.
- New York Mets
Key Additions: Juan Soto, Clay Holmes, A.J. Minter
Re-signed: Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Jesse Winker
The New York Mets took a big swing this offseason, signing all-star right fielder Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract. Being the player on the market this offseason, Soto will have a huge impact on the Mets lineup. Along with Soto, the additions of Clay Holmes and A.J. Minter strengthened their rotation and bullpen. The Mets also re-signed Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea and Jesse Winker, all who had a huge impact on their 2024 postseason run. The Mets are in line for a big season, entering with the fourth-best odds to win the World Series.
- Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Additions: Blake Snell, Rōki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates
Re-signed: Teoscar Hernández, Blake Treinen
The reigning World Series Champions did not slow down during this offseason, signing several of the top players on the market. The Dodgers solidified their pitching rotation as one of the best in the league with the additions of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Japanese superstar Rōki Sasaki. They also now boast one of the best bullpens in baseball, adding top closer Tanner Scott and veteran Kirby Yates, while re-signing setup man Blake Treinen. The Dodgers will have nearly the same lineup as last season after re-signing All-Star Teoscar Hernández. Remarkably, this superteam managed to get even better this offseason, and a shot at back-to-back World Series titles is within reach.
Now moving on to the losers of this offseason.
Losers:
- Seattle Mariners
Key Additions: Donovan Solano
Key Subtractions: Justin Turner
After narrowly missing the postseason by one game last season, the Mariners had a great opportunity going into this offseason to strengthen their offense to pair with one of the best pitching staffs in the league. However, Seattle failed to capitalize, with their most notable move being the signing of 37-year-old Donovan Solano. They spent just $11.25 million on free agents this offseason, while the rest of their division made significant improvements. Every other team in the division spent at least $60 million. Their offseason was so underwhelming that even former Mariner Justin Turner publicly questioned the team’s direction, asking, “What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?”
- Atlanta Braves
Key Additions: Jurickson Profar
Key Subtractions: Max Fried, A.J. Minter, Charlie Morton
The Braves seemed to sleepwalk through the offseason, missing out on nearly every major free agent. While the addition of Jurickson Profar is a positive, last season was the only time in his career he posted an On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) above .800. Their pitching rotation remains solid, however, they took big hits losing Max Fried and Charlie Morton, who they did not seem to replace. Similarly, with their bullpen, the bullpen took a hit with the departure of A.J. Minter, especially to a division rival. The Braves have a great roster and many key players returning from injury this season, but they should have done more to improve in the highly competitive National League (NL) East division.
- San Diego Padres
Key Additions: Jason Heyward, Connor Joe, Nick Pivetta
Key Subtractions: Jurickson Profar, Kyle Higashioka, Ha-Seong Kim, Tanner Scott
The San Diego Padres had a nightmare offseason, losing four key players from last year’s postseason run without seeming to have a chance to re-sign any of them. Their biggest losses were Jurickson Profar, who was a great bat for them in the 2024 season, and Tanner Scott, one of the league’s top closers, who was signed by division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres pushed the Dodgers to five games in the National League Division Series (NLDS) last postseason, coming very close to defeating them, only to fall apart in the end, which seemed to carry into the offseason. While their division rivals, the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, both got much better this offseason. The Padres will be lucky to place third in the NL West division this season.
MLB Opening Day is Thursday, March 27, these moves in the offseason should make for another exciting baseball season.
