11 MLB offseason predictions

Major League Baseball's offseason is well underway, but it's been another slow burn as every big free agent and trade candidate has yet to move. Here, we offer 11 predictions that we believe could happen this winter.

Soto spurns Yankees for crosstown Mets

Juan Soto's fit with the Yankees was perfect, as he ended the 2024 season as an MVP finalist and formed a fearsome duo with Aaron Judge to lead the franchise to its first AL pennant since 2009. Despite the success, Soto made it clear that he wants to cash in via free agency. The Yankees can outspend anyone if Hal Steinbrenner is determined to keep the player. However, the owner doesn't quite have the same attitude when it comes to spending money as his late father, George. Mets owner Steve Cohen has no such qualms, routinely dipping well into the luxury tax. Soto represents a massive opportunity for the Mets to strike a blow against their city rivals while adding a generational offensive talent. The Mets find a way to land Soto on a 13-year, $600-million megadeal. - Josh Goldberg

Sasaki joins Dodgers to form Japanese super trio

This feels almost inevitable. Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki playing on the same team? It'll be a dream turned reality when the Dodgers sign the 23-year-old after he's posted to MLB in the new year. With money not the deciding factor, Los Angeles can add the pitching phenom, who'll shore up the club's starting rotation and give it the best chance of becoming baseball's next dynasty. - Bryan Mcwilliam

Crochet swaps Sox, ends up in Boston

The Red Sox need an ace, but owner John Henry has typically shied away from handing out massive deals to pitchers age 30 or older. The rebuilding White Sox, meanwhile, need all the prospects they can get. Boston dips into its deeply talented farm system and swings a deal for Garrett Crochet before signing the 25-year-old to a long-term extension. - Ben Wrixon

Cardinals trade Arenado, Helsley to Yankees

The Yankees swing a deal to acquire third baseman Nolan Arenado and closer Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals, addressing a pair of needs. Arenado isn't the All-Star-caliber player he once was. His power numbers declined in each of the last three seasons, but he's still an elite defender who hardly strikes out. With three years and roughly $64 million remaining on his contract, it's an easier price tag for New York to swallow. Bringing in Arenado allows the Yankees to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to either second base or center field, further aiding a defense that struggled in the postseason. Helsley is coming off a season in which he was NL Reliever of the Year. He'll slide into New York's closer's role, allowing Weaver to be a setup man. - Brandon Wile

Burnes stuns by signing with Angels

Coming off another strong campaign with the Orioles, Corbin Burnes is one of baseball's most dependable starting pitchers. Angels general manager Perry Minasian said the club plans to be aggressive heading into 2025, and the team adding Burnes to a rotation that finished 28th in ERA last season would be a massive coup. Considering Burnes grew up in California, Minasian and the Angels find a way to get it done, landing the right-hander on a seven-year, $210-million contract. - Goldberg

Orioles sign Fried to replace Burnes

The Orioles badly need to add a No. 1 starter with Burnes departing via free agency. With Kyle Bradish, who finished fourth in 2023 AL Cy Young voting, likely not returning until the end of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June, enter Max Fried. The two-time All-Star has posted a 2.87 ERA since 2021. Fried slots ahead of Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez to give Baltimore a solid top of the rotation to compete in the tough AL East. - Tom Ruminski

Mariners sign Bregman to shift AL West power balance

The Mariners finally land the impact infield bat they desperately need by poaching third baseman Alex Bregman away from their AL West rival. His all-around skill set and championship pedigree won't come cheap, but Seattle has shown a past willingness to spend on the right player. Bregman joins Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, and Cal Raleigh in a revamped Mariners' lineup that finally has enough punch to support MLB's best starting rotation. - Wrixon

Alonso strikes it big in Houston

After letting Bregman walk, the Astros take that money and buy an expensive upgrade at the other corner infield spot when they sign Pete Alonso to a nine-figure contract. Minute Maid Park - soon to be Daikin Park - is a perfect landing spot for the power-hitting Alonso, who's ultimately lured to Houston by the prospect of launching balls into the very short Crawford Boxes 81 times a year. Alonso will stabilize what's been a revolving door at first base for the Astros and is an obvious upgrade over Jon Singleton. Alonso's signing signals that Houston isn't ready to shut the door on this remarkable era for the franchise just yet and serves as a precursor to other big moves this winter. - Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb

Blue Jays land Bohm from Phillies

It feels like the relationship between Alec Bohm and the Phillies has reached a point where both parties would benefit from a change. The Blue Jays represent that fresh start when they acquire him from Philadelphia after failing to get involved in the bidding war for Bregman. Bohm, who has two years of team control left, fits Toronto's competitive window and gives them another right-handed power bat. His .779 OPS last season would have ranked second on the club, while his 44 doubles would've tied him for the team lead. - Wile

Phillies open wallet for Snell, Santander

The Phillies haven't been afraid to spend in recent years, and they'll do it again this winter by luring two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to Philadelphia. Adding Snell allows the reigning NL East champions to run out a top-tier starter every night. However, Dave Dombrowski isn't done there. He also inks Anthony Santander, whose 44 home runs last season matched the output of outfielders Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, and Austin Hays. Santander has some warts, and the defensive fit isn't perfect with Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber also on the roster, but Philadelphia needs to add to the team to get the most out of a title window. - Sharkey-Gotlieb, Ruminski

Tigers add Teoscar, Bieber, Manaea in FA spree

The Tigers were one of the better stories in 2024, and ownership builds on that momentum by committing to surrounding an emerging young core with veteran talent. The offense gets the middle-of-the-order bat it desperately needs by signing Teoscar Hernández. Reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal also gets help on the rotation, with Detroit signing Sean Manaea and Shane Bieber. Neither player requires the nine-figure salaries of some top arms, allowing Detroit to ink both. Bieber is coming off Tommy John surgery and won't jump into the rotation until later in the season. - Wile