MLB is again the focus, with the conclusion of the Super Bowl and the NFL season officially coming to a close. Baseball season can now take center stage in the minds of sports fans around the world.

Pitchers and catchers are less than a week away from reporting to their respective spring training facilities. This year’s MLB offseason featured a flurry of moves by nearly every organization, some of which could change the landscape of the sport not only this year but also in the seasons to follow. 

With moves ranging from top teams spending exuberant amounts of money on marquee free-agents to bottom of the league teams looking for veteran leadership around the clubhouse, the 2025-2026 MLB offseason has had fans across the sport constantly checking in to see which stars are heading where. Some of the best teams from this past year have made some great improvements to their respective rosters, ensuring long-term success.

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers make the biggest acquisition of the offseasonJan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes with newly signed right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) during a press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The back-to-back defending World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers, are seemingly never comfortable with staying put from season to season. After two stellar postseason performances from superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the champs signed the top free agent on the market. Right fielder Kyle Tucker signed with the club to a 4-year, $240 million contract back in January. This contract sparked controversy and talks about MLB potentially implementing a salary cap to ensure the top teams could not continuously spend on every offseason’s top players.

Even after concern about the team’s bullpen became apparent against the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, Los Angeles went out and acquired the best back-end reliever on the market in Edwin Diaz. Strengthening the only two weaknesses that the roster had in a matter of one offseason solidifies the champion’s desire to always contend for a world title. If there ever was a team that could pull off the illustrious three-peat, the Dodgers are certainly making a case to be that team. This is a true case of the rich getting richer.

New York Mets Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) hits a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

At the start of the offseason, Mets fans had very little reason to celebrate. The team had just missed the playoffs entirely, and franchise stars like Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo were a part of different organizations. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns then decided to enter the fray for some of the best available players. Acquiring infielder Bo Bichette after what seemed like a certainty he was headed to the rival club Philadelphia Phillies, was just a start to one of the best offseasons of the winter.

The Mets traded for centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. and acquired an ace from the Milwaukee Brewers in Freddy Peralta. The latter trade saw two of New York’s top prospects dealt to the Brewers in a win-win move. Top infield prospect Jett Williams and right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat were the price for both Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, who could play a very underrated piece of the trade in New York’s bullpen. Robert Jr. is coming off a comparatively down year, posting just a .661 OPS. While many know the superstar potential is there for the Cuban slugger, the Mets will hope he can pair well with perennial MVP candidate Juan Soto.

Jorge Polanco and Devin Williams were two other free agents who were picked up by New York and plan to play a key role in getting New York back in the race for a National League pennant. Williams is coming off a polarizing year with cross-town rivals, the New York Yankees. Polanco, the long-time American League infielder, will play first base, according to the team, a position Polanco has not played a single inning. If there ever existed a team that could take down baseball’s juggernaut, that is the Los Angeles Dodgers; the Mets certainly are that team. With a deep lineup and starting pitching that has only gotten better, Queens could be the place to be come late October.

Chicago Cubs Jan 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Alex Bergman is introduced as a new Chicago Cubs player at a press conference at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

A very strong offseason from the Chicago Cubs saw them acquire an elite arm and a known playoff superstar. Finishing just five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Central Division race, the Cubs bolstered an already strong club. After losing Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers, the Cubs won the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, signing him to a five-year, $175 million contract. The gold-glove third baseman will join the left side of Chicago’s infield alongside two-time gold-glove winner Dansby Swanson. The thirty-one year old is coming off a strong 2025 campaign with the Boston Red Sox where he swatted .273/.462/.821.

Chicago also traded for dynamic starter Edward Cabrera. The right-hander posted a decent 2025 in Miami, winning eight games with a 3.53 ERA. Allowing a career high 17 home runs, the team will hope the confines of Wrigley Park benefit the newly acquired pitcher. With a series of bullpen changes, including the acquisition of Phil Maton, Chicago is poised to make a run for a division title for the first time since the shortened season in 2020.

Toronto Blue Jays Jan 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto stands up to show the back of his jersey to the media during the press conference at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

After falling two outs short of conquering baseball’s mountaintop back in November, the Toronto Blue Jays began a surge of talent acquisitions that many did not see as possible. Starting pitcher Dylan Cease was one of the first dominoes to fall this offseason. Several believed the seven-year, $210 million contract mutually agreed upon for the right-hander was a massive overpay, but after coming so close to winning it all, Toronto General Manager Ross Atkins did not stop there.

Acquiring bullpen arm Tyler Rogers as well as pitcher Cody Ponce gives the defending American League champions some great depth that could play a huge role, should the team look to make another deep postseason run. Even after losing long-time infielder and home-grown talent Bo Bichette to free agency, the club signed Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year deal. The aforementioned Okamoto will look to primarily play third base with superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. across the diamond at first. The world caught just a glimpse of what the six-time Japanese All-Star was capable of against major league pitching in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Though Toronto ultimately fell just short of the end goal of dethroning the defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling seven-game series, it looks to make the ascent right back to where it was last year. The organization and fan base will certainly miss seeing familiar faces Bo Bichette and possibly Chris Bassitt, in the coming season, but with the acquisition of various talent, there will undoubtedly be strong expectations for the Blue Jays.

Seattle Mariners Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) talks to pitcher George Kirby (68) in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Seattle, for the past few years, has always had one of the strongest starting rotations in all of professional baseball. With names like George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo, and Bryce Miller, the Pacific Northwest is a place where players fear to score runs. This rotation carried the organization through the regular season, as well as gave them a legitimate shot at a championship. Backed by the best catcher in Major League Baseball Cal Raleigh, the battery for Seattle played the largest part in the success of the 2025 Mariners.

Resigning first baseman Josh Naylor, whom they acquired during the season via trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, was the biggest need the club had to ensure. With the subtraction of second baseman Jorge Polanco, Seattle traded for Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for bullpen prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje. Seattle, after losing Eugenio Suarez, will turn to top infield prospects Cole Young and Colt Emerson to round out the lineup.

End of My MLB Offseason Rant

The Los Angeles Dodgers are MLB’s team to beat. There is no way around it. Seeing the embarrassment of riches the organization has acquired over the course of just three offseasons has led teams to grossly overpay for talent and become completely sound in every aspect of the game. The New York Mets were a disaster last year after falling out of contention for the National League East, and the recent additions they have made to the roster make them a legitimate contender, not only to the Phillies for the division, but to any opposition that stands in their path. Chicago has a wonderful blend of young talent and experienced veterans that could allow them to make a deep run in October. Toronto has the most premier roster in the American League and will be hard to overthrow for the top spot in the AL. Lastly, the team that took Toronto to the brink, the Seattle Mariners, are more than comfortable in riding their starting pitching rotation to another playoff appearance. The MLB playoffs are often decided by whichever team can ride a hot streak heading into it, and the best way to do so is by constructing a sound roster months before the season even begins.