The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with a roster stacked with Hall of Fame talent, international stars, and top prospects from their elite farm system. Even without changes, they remain frontrunners for the 2026 World Series. Executives Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes expressed confidence in their championship core while targeting bullpen and outfield upgrades. The team delivered by signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract and outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal. These moves secured the top talent at each position, solidifying Los Angeles as the offseason’s unrivaled powerhouse amid the final year of the current collective bargaining agreement.
Key Winners
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays leveraged their deep World Series run against the Dodgers for postseason revenue and momentum. After years of missing out on free agents, Toronto’s vibrant playoff atmosphere attracted elite talent. They signed pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract, prioritizing his durability and strikeout ability despite a 8-12 record and 4.55 ERA last season.
Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal, the two-time Cy Young winner, secured a record $32 million salary in arbitration for his final pre-free-agency year. The Tigers bolstered their rotation by adding World Series champion Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal. At 32, Valdez brings October experience and a strong rapport with manager A.J. Hinch to ease Skubal’s workload.
Pete Alonso
Slugger Pete Alonso landed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles after they missed Kyle Schwarber. His improved .871 OPS last season followed dedicated offseason training. Previously declining a Mets extension and re-signing short-term, Alonso now boasts seven years and $205.5 million in earnings across deals.
Agent Scott Boras’ Clients
Boras orchestrated major contracts, including Cody Bellinger’s five-year, $162.5 million return to the New York Yankees and Ranger Suárez’s five-year, $130 million pact with the Boston Red Sox. Other successes featured Alonso, Skubal, and Cease.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs extended Pete Crow-Armstrong, boosted their budget, and signed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal. They also acquired pitcher Edward Cabrera via trade, giving manager Craig Counsell a deep roster after a 92-win playoff season.
Relief Pitchers
A strong reliever market saw early deals set high values. The Atlanta Braves re-signed Raisel Iglesias for $16 million. Chicago inked Phil Maton to two years, $14.5 million. Baltimore added Ryan Helsley on two years, $28 million, while Cincinnati brought back Emilio Pagán for two years, $20 million. The New York Mets signed Devin Williams for $51 million, Atlanta got Robert Suárez for $45 million, Toronto added Tyler Rogers for three years, $37 million, Detroit re-signed Kyle Finnegan for two years, $19 million and signed Kenley Jansen for one year, $9 million with an option, and Miami finalized Pete Fairbanks at $13 million. All top free-agent relievers signed by year-end.
Key Losers
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals traded All-Stars Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan monthly, projecting their lowest payroll in 15 years below $100 million. Low 2025 attendance, slashed TV revenue after ditching FanDuel Sports Network, and revenue-sharing recipient status compound woes. President Chaim Bloom rebuilt the farm system with pitching depth, but projections place them last in the NL Central. Ownership insists it’s not a full rebuild, delaying contention until 2028.
Regional Sports Networks
Six teams—Cardinals, Reds, Marlins, Royals, Brewers, Rays—exited FanDuel Sports Network, with Detroit following. MLB now handles broadcasts for these clubs, shifting revenue to ads and subscriptions without guarantees. Braves and Angels remain undecided as spring training nears, amid production costs and labor talks.
Milwaukee Brewers
Despite franchise-record wins and an NLCS run, the Brewers traded ace Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers to the Mets for prospects, adding only Akil Baddoo on a minor deal. Focus stays on regular-season success over playoffs.
Minnesota Twins
Team president Derek Falvey departed mutually days before camp, thrusting GM Jeremy Zoll into leadership. Post-trade deadline teardown and a 92-loss year yielded minimal adds: Victor Caratini (two years, $14 million) and Josh Bell (one year, $7 million). Core like Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Byron Buxton returns, but AL Central rivals like Detroit loom large.
Chicago White Sox
Even they outspent the Twins, but disarray persists despite competitive pledges.
Zac Gallen
The ex-All-Star starter remains unsigned post-Super Bowl after rejecting a $22.025 million qualifying offer following a 13-15, 4.83 ERA season.
New York Mets
Mets president and owner overhauled one-third of the roster, parting with Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil for Devin Williams, Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, Luke Weaver, and Freddy Peralta. New coaching staff under Carlos Mendoza aims to refresh a stale core.
Japanese Imports
Right-hander Koki Imai signed a three-year, $54 million opt-out deal with Houston Astros. Slugger Munetaka Murakami joined Chicago White Sox on two years, $34 million, both raises from Japan but below megadeal expectations outside established Japan pipelines.
New York Yankees
Retaining their 94-win Division Series core demands a World Series title—their first since 2009—for offseason success.
