The MLB offseason is always full of surprises, but a few teams have truly outdone themselves in preparing for the 2025 season. Whether through marquee free-agent signings, blockbuster trades, or key players returning to full health, these five teams have set themselves up for a big year.

Los Angeles Dodgers: More Firepower for an Already Stacked Roster

At this point, it feels like the Dodgers have infinite resources. Coming off their second World Series title of the decade, Los Angeles went into the offseason determined stay on top, and they delivered in a big way.

The Dodgers made waves by signing Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, who has been compared to some of the best arms in the game. They didn’t stop there, adding Blake Snell, fresh off a Cy Young-worthy campaign, and Tanner Scott, an elite bullpen arm, to strengthen their pitching staff. If that weren’t enough, they’ll also benefit from a healthy Tyler Glasnow and, perhaps most excitingly, the expected return to the mound of Shohei Ohtani at some point this season.

With these moves, the Dodgers remain the team to beat in the National League, and their offseason work ensures they’ll have another shot at bringing home a championship.

San Francisco Giants: Closing the Gap in the NL West

The Giants have spent years watching the Dodgers run the division, but this offseason proved they’re done playing second fiddle. San Francisco made a bold statement by landing Willy Adames, one of the top free agents (not named Juan Soto), giving their lineup a much-needed boost of power and production. The middle infield now looks significantly stronger with his presence.

On the pitching side, the Giants added Justin Verlander, hoping the veteran ace can replace the hole left by the departure of Blake Snell. Even at 42 (later this month), Verlander has proven he can still dominate when healthy. With these additions, the Giants are making it clear they won’t back down from the fight for the NL West crown.

Texas Rangers: Reloading for a Title Defense

After their thrilling 2023 World Series run, the Rangers battled injuries in 2024, making this offseason all about getting healthy and bolstering their roster. Fortunately, they’re set to return key players like Jacob deGrom, Evan Carter, Josh Jung, and Tyler Mahle, all of whom should make an immediate impact.

In addition to getting back to full strength, Texas added Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, and Kyle Higashioka—a trio of bats that add depth and power to an already potent lineup. If the Rangers can avoid another injury-plagued season, they have all the pieces necessary to make another deep postseason run.

New York Mets: Winning the Juan Soto Sweepstakes

The Mets deserve a spot on this list for one reason: Juan Soto. The generational superstar brings elite plate discipline and game-changing power to a lineup that already features Francisco Lindor. And while New York fans are ecstatic to have him, the Mets might also deserve a special shoutout for preventing the Dodgers from adding Soto to their already unfair roster.

On top of the Soto acquisition, the Mets are reportedly back at the negotiating table with Pete Alonso. If they can lock up the slugger long-term, they’ll boast one of the most formidable offensive trios in the game. This offseason signals that the Mets are serious about contending for a title.

Boston Red Sox: Finally Making Some Moves

Red Sox fans, you have every right to ask: Where was this aggressive offseason last year when Netflix was filming? While their disappointing 2024 season was immortalized in documentary form, Boston has quietly put together one of the best offseasons of 2025.

They bolstered their pitching staff with Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Aroldis Chapman, dramatically improving both their starting rotation and bullpen. With these moves, the Red Sox look much more competitive in an AL East that continues to be a gauntlet.

Looking Ahead: The Offseason’s Biggest Losers

While these teams have had stellar offseasons, others haven’t been as fortunate. Stay tuned for our next post, where we break down the five most disappointing offseasons so far and the teams that may have taken a step backward heading into 2025.