MLB Power Rankings: Where each team stands heading into the offseason
Welcome to the first edition of theScore's MLB Power Rankings for the offseason. Rankings take into consideration where each roster stands heading into the winter.
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1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The defending champs enter the offseason looking like they'll be even stronger in 2025. A lot can change before Opening Day, but Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May are expected to be healthy, while Shohei Ohtani should be ready to pitch again. The club has a number of key veterans out of contract in Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Kiké Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, and Blake Treinen, so filling out those areas will likely be the focus. But you can never count out this front office from making a big splash.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies enter the winter with a star-studded roster and almost all their core pieces returning. Yet it's fair to expect they'll be active after their shocking early postseason exit. Owner John Middleton isn't shy about spending and said last week he expects payroll to increase. While the most pressing need is in the bullpen, don't be surprised if Philadelphia makes a big move.
3. San Diego Padres
The Padres have an enviable amount of top-end talent but need depth to keep up with the Dodgers. Retaining Jurickson Profar or replacing his production won't be cheap, yet San Diego's shown a willingness to spend in recent years. The Joe Musgrove injury will likely necessitate signing another pitcher or two.
4. New York Yankees
The Yankees have plenty of holes to fill after their first trip to the World Series in 15 years. The future of Juan Soto is the biggest storyline in New York, but key bullpen pieces like Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle also need new contracts. The team also must address second base and first base with Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo departing.
5. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta will get a boost next season with Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. returning from injury, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Alex Anthopoulos be aggressive after the Braves finished second in the division and were swept in the wild-card round. The club must add a pair of frontline starters with Max Fried's potential departure and durability concerns with Strider and Chris Sale.
6. New York Mets
What we know: the Mets' payroll will again be gigantic, and owner Steve Cohen seems willing to stop at nothing in order to lure Soto across town. But there are other major areas of concern for the Mets this winter, too: Pete Alonso's a free agent and seeking his own megadeal. Whatever happens with Soto, they need to either re-sign Alonso or have a plan to replace his bat. Adding several starting pitchers and at least one more outfielder (not including Soto) should also be priorities.
7. Houston Astros
Houston enters its most important offseason in years after falling short of the ALCS for the first time since 2016. There won't be any clear-cut solutions if Alex Bregman signs elsewhere, meaning the Astros have to consider a reunion if they intend to compete. The organization's remained successful despite letting star after star walk, but potentially losing Bregman feels different.
8. Baltimore Orioles
Corbin Burnes was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle for the Orioles. Instead, the ace is a free agent after Baltimore underwhelmed in the playoffs for a second straight year. The club needs to find a way to replace the four-time All-Star if his contract demands are too lofty. Anthony Santander will be another player in high demand on the market after finishing second in the AL with 44 home runs. This offseason will go a long way in determining if Baltimore can take the next step.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona enters the winter in solid shape despite underachieving in 2024, and will likely take advantage of its starting pitching depth by moving an arm. The offense needs to be addressed as the club faces numerous departures: Christian Walker's free agency leaves a big hole at first base, while the power bats of Josh Bell, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk (66 combined home runs) all must be replaced.
10. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have never been big spenders in free agency, so it feels safe to assume shortstop Willy Adames will get his megadeal elsewhere, and replacing his 32 homers at a premier position won't be easy. Trading closer Devin Williams is likely also on the table for executive of the year Matt Arnold, who always tries to maximize each player's value to keep Milwaukee competitive on a modest payroll.
11. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners desperately need hitters to support their elite pitching staff. They're liable to keep falling short in the competitive AL postseason race until they complement Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Randy Arozarena with reliable bats that can put the ball in play. Anything less than at least one middle-of-the-order bat will be a huge whiff for Jerry Dipoto.
12. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers' surprising core will return in 2025 - does that mean now's the time to make a big move? Detroit's shocking playoff berth undoubtedly caught the attention of many free agents, and the AL Central's very much for the taking. If the Tigers can add some impact pieces to this young core - another frontline starter behind likely AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, or at least another bat to fortify a sneaky-good lineup - they could be a team to beat in 2025 and beyond.
13. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians already brought back veteran catcher Austin Hedges, who's a solid backstop behind Bo Naylor. Cleveland needs to add several arms to upgrade its rotation with Shane Bieber, Matthew Boyd, and Alex Cobb hitting free agency. Cleveland starters posted the fourth-worst fWAR in baseball in 2024.
14. Boston Red Sox
Boston's "full throttle" approach stalled out last winter, but it looks like the Red Sox are finally ready to spend with the big clubs again. Boston needs a top-tier starting pitcher, several late-inning relievers, and a middle-of-the-order power bat. The organization's loaded with talent in the minors and has a strong young core to build around - now's the time to splurge in free agency.
15. Texas Rangers
Almost everyone underperformed after winning the World Series, including mainstays Adolis García, Marcus Semien, and Jonah Heim. If the front office believes a bounce back is in the cards, it'll need to add pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the club is going to spend big this winter. Luckily for the front office, the 2023 title likely buys some time to figure things out.
16. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays don't have a free agent after exercising Brandon Lowe's option. Tampa Bay could bounce back in 2025 with a healthy Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, and Shane Baz anchoring the rotation. The club's front office should look for power bats after finishing 28th in the majors with 147 homers. The uncertainty surrounding where the team will play next season may create issues attracting free agents.
17. Kansas City Royals
The Royals had an excellent offseason last winter, but much more is needed if they want to take the next step. Re-signing Michael Wacha fortifies a very strong rotation, and the attention now must be on the lineup. Bobby Witt Jr. is a legitimate superstar but needs more help than Salvador Perez. Signing a power bat is essential.
18. Minnesota Twins
The Twins celebrated their first playoff series win since 2002 by sitting relatively idle last winter, outside of inking Carlos Santana to a one-year deal. The result was a flawed team that missed the playoffs. Minnesota can't afford to sit out the winter again if it's serious about contending. Replacing Santana and Max Kepler is a must, and the front office should also be working to add pitchers, especially relievers. However, the pending sale of the club hangs over the team right now.
19. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs need to make an impact addition after a disappointing third-place NL Central finish. Cody Bellinger not opting out of his deal - at least for 2025 - is something the front office needs to take advantage of, especially with the club's only key departure being Kyle Hendricks. A big bat or proven starting pitcher could inject some life into this team.
20. San Francisco Giants
A healthy Robbie Ray could soften the blow of Blake Snell leaving in free agency. However, the Giants should still add another quality arm to the rotation if they hope to compete in the NL West. San Francisco will also be in the market for a corner outfielder with Michael Conforto and Mark Canha seeking new contracts.
21. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are adamant they're still in their competitive window and plan to be aggressive this winter. It's going to be a difficult needle to thread as both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette enter their final year under team control. The starting pitching is solid, but the offense and bullpen need significant work. Toronto's reportedly in on Soto, and how the club pulls that off while also extending either of its stars and fixing the bullpen remains to be seen.
22. St. Louis Cardinals
John Mozeliak is embarking on his final offseason in charge and that could result in a huge change of direction for the franchise. Paul Goldschmidt is poised to move on, as are starters Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. It's not out of the question that one or more of Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Miles Mikolas are dealt, although Arenado and Gray both have no-trade clauses. After years of making offseason splashes to try and prop open this window, the Cardinals are ready to give the kids a shot.
23. Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati fell massively short of 2024 expectations after many pegged them a dark horse. The Reds need to bolster their emerging core - highlighted by dynamic Elly De La Cruz - with veteran talent on both sides of the ball to take the next step. Whether the front office is willing to pay for that talent is the real question.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates need to find some power bats this winter if they truly want to make some noise in the NL Central. Bryan Reynolds's 24 homers led an offense that recorded baseball's sixth-fewest round-trippers while posting the fourth-lowest slugging percentage. The bullpen will need another high-leverage reliever or two with Aroldis Chapman testing the market.
25. Washington Nationals
Washington's put together an excellent stable of young talent. While this group may seem ready to take the next step, it won't be easy in the NL East. Still, the Nats have surprised with their past spending habits, and they have payroll room now that Patrick Corbin's contract is finally off the books. Don't be shocked if Washington tries to augment its core by shopping in free agency's upper tiers.
26. Athletics
The Athletics officially left Oakland and enter another period of uncertainty. When the organization lands in Vegas is unknown, and the club will play in a minor-league stadium in West Sacramento until then. The A's have started to show they have a solid young core, but how much will ownership commit to spending with an uncertain amount of revenue coming in? And how does the club attract free agents in its current situation?
27. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have been surprisingly aggressive during the offseason's early stages. Los Angeles traded for 2023 All-Star Jorge Soler, signed catcher Travis d'Arnaud, and added right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Unfortunately, a lot more heavy lifting is needed to turn around a 99-loss team.
28. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies remain a noncompetitive mess. The team's priority should be developing its young players by ensuring they have clear paths to playing time. However, signing a few players to one-year deals could give Colorado a few chips to trade away during the season. Getting out of Kris Bryant's contract would be a win in and of itself.
29. Miami Marlins
Peter Bendix continues to put his stamp on the organization, hiring manager Clayton McCullough earlier in the week. Bendix spent a lot of last season moving players out and will likely continue that process this winter. Starters Sandy Alcantara and Jesús Luzardo could be dangled as major trade pieces to help build a future foundation.
30. Chicago White Sox
The big question on the South Side is when GM Chris Getz trades Garrett Crochet. Luis Robert Jr. is also a candidate to be moved. The White Sox have countless holes coming off their historic 121-loss season, and they're not going to fix this overnight, no matter how many prospects they acquire. Getting the Crochet trade right is their most important task.