Honorable Mention – New York Yankees
Key Additions: SP Max Fried, RP Devin Wiliams, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, OF Cody Bellinger
The Yankees’ offseason pivot has been intriguing. After watching the crosstown Mets ink Juan Soto to the largest contract in the sport’s history, the Yankees looked elsewhere to bolster their lineup. Adding Fried to the rotation gives them another strong, established arm. Bellinger and Goldschmidt are former MVPs hoping to recapture their previous form. Williams is one of the best bullpen arms in the game. It’s not a roster that has significantly improved — the Yankees also lost leadoff hitter Gleyber Torres and reliever Clay Holmes — but impressive work from the defending American League champs nonetheless.
Dishonorable Mention – San Diego Padres
Key Additions: None
The San Diego Padres had two chances to close out the Dodgers in the NLDS back in October. They failed to score a single run in the final two games. The Dodgers won the series in five games and eventually won the World Series. Since then, the Padres have lost OF Jurickson Profar, C, Kyle Higashioka, IF Donovan Solano, and SP Martín Pérez. Oh, and All-Star reliever Tanner Scott signed with the Dodgers. An absolutely brutal offseason for the Pads.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
Key Additions: SP Jesus Luzardo, OF Max Kepler
The Phillies filled in two areas of need without losing anything substantial. In 27-year-old lefty Jesús Luzardo, the Phils are adding an electric arm who will be their No. 5 starter. Outfielder Max Kepler was signed on a one-year deal and has always been effective against right-handed pitching.
4. Boston Red Sox
Key Additions: SP Garrett Crochet, SP Walker Buehler, RP Aroldis Chapman
Losing Tyler O’Neill to the division rival Baltimore Orioles was a tough blow. O’Neill slugged 31 HR in 113 games for the Red Sox last year, but his checkered injury history likely kept him from securing a long-term deal in Boston. Instead of loading up offensively, the Red Sox retooled a pitching staff with key additions. They completed a deal with the White Sox for breakout star Garrett Crochet. They also added Walker Buehler who was excellent down the stretch for the Dodgers in the playoffs. Aroldis Chapman remains a flamethrower who can beef up the bullpen.
3. Chicago Cubs
Key Additions: SP Matthew Boyd, SP Colin Rea, RP Ryan Pressly, RP Eli Morgan, RP Cody Poteet, OF Kyle Tucker
Chicago looks ready to compete for an NL Central crown after adding a star outfielder and a handful of intriguing pitchers. They were highly active in the trade market. Former Astro Kyle Tucker was the big acquisition. In just 78 games last year, Tucker registered 23 HR and 11 SB with a .993 OPS. They also reportedly agreed to a deal with Houston for closer Ryan Pressly. He’ll be joined in the bullpen by Eli Morgan (acquired from Guardians) and Cody Poteet (acquired from Yankees). Starters Matthew Boyd (2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) and Colin Rea (4.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) will instantly bolster Chicago’s rotation.
2. New York Mets
Key Additions: SP Frankie Montas, SP Griffin Canning, RP Clay Holmes, RP A.J. Minter, OF Juan Soto, OF Jose Siri
The Mets spent big on Juan Soto, inking the 26-year-old superstar to a record-breaking deal. There’s not much that needs to be said about Soto who has earned five Silver Sluggers in seven Major League seasons. Former Tampa Bay Ray Jose Siri adds some speed to the outfield, and Clay Holmes and A.J. Minter are solid bullpen pieces. Aside from the additions, the Mets also brought back Sean Manaea and Jesse Winker on new deals. It doesn’t seem likely, but they also could potentially bring back Pete Alonso, as well. With or without Alonso back, they are massively improved.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Additions: SP Roki Sasaki, SP Blake Snell, RP Tanner Scott, IF Hyeseong Kim, OF Michael Conforto
The rich get richer. The Dodgers seem to have broken baseball. Just months after winning the World Series with a stacked roster, the Dodgers decided to not sit idly by. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell was signed early on. They also added slugging OF Michael Conforto and versatile IF Hyeseong Kim. OF Teoscar Hernandez and RP Blake Treinen — valuable pieces during the postseason run — were re-signed. They shook the baseball world by agreeing to a deal with the highly-touted Japanese pitcher, Roki Sasaki. Shortly after, they signed one of the best relievers in baseball, Tanner Scott. It’s just getting silly how good this roster is.