
Teams winning the MLB offseason so far -- and those that need to make a big move soon
With less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Major League Baseball's free agent pool remains flush with talent. It's not just the best position player available this winter, Kyle Tucker , or arguably the best pitcher, Framber Valdez , still trawling for a representative contract. There are big bats ( Bo Bichette , Cody Bellinger ), front-of-the-rotation arms ( Ranger Suarez , Zac Gallen ), power ( Eugenio Suarez ), veteran pitchers ( Chris Bassitt , Lucas Giolito ) and even an every-day catcher ( J.T. Realmuto ). Even the most inactive teams have time to salvage their winter. Regardless of the reason behind the languid pace of free agency this winter -- the collapse of regional sports networks, labor uncertainty, an active strategy to squeeze players as camp approaches or some combination of the lot -- the reality, particularly for teams playing at the top of the market, is that this might be their last opportunity to land a front-line bat in free agency for years. Neither of the next two free agent classes features a hitter as attractive as Tucker, Bichette or Bellinger. The best of next winter: Nico Hoerner , Jazz Chisholm Jr ., Brandon Lowe , Daulton Varsho , Randy Arozarena , Seiya Suzuki , Trent Grisham , Ha-Seong Kim , J.P. Crawford and Gleyber Torres . The top following the 2027 season: Jeremy Pena , William Contreras , Steven Kwan , Adley Rutschman , Isaac Paredes , Munetaka Murakami, Luis Robert Jr . and Freddie Freeman , who will be 38. It is grim. And with the acquisition cost for trades enormous, it reinforces the leverage the remaining bats hold. Miss out on Tucker, Bichette or Bellinger, all of whom cost only cash, and the ability to recover could be severely mitigated absent breakout seasons from any of the above. There is time, and it's what teams are banking on to resolve their winters, but it's ticking fast. Tucker is going to move soon. Bichette might not be far behind. And they're the sort of signings that can take a team that needs to make a move and level it up to a winter winner. Teams winning the offseason Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles Being the most active team doesn't always connote the best. In the case of the Orioles, however, the magnitude of their changes significantly upgraded a roster in sore need of an overhaul. And considering they might not be done, they're aiming to be the second consecutive American League East team to go from worst to first. The acquisitions have come in almost every form. Big free agent signing? Check: Pete Alonso , five years for $155 million. Big trade? Check: Right-hander Shane Baz for a cadre of prospects. Bullpen help? Check: Signing Ryan Helsley (two years, $28 million) and reacquiring Andrew Kittredge . More starting depth? Check: Zach Eflin for a year at $10 million. More right-handed power? Check: Taylor Ward in a trade for Grayson Rodriguez...
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