MLB Power Rankings: Where All 30 Teams Stand After 1st Wave of Free-Agent Signings
Now that the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is in the rear-view, the offseason markets are finally starting to heat up, though there is still a ton of high-end free agency talent searching for new homes.
Only 12 of the top 50 players from our list of the top 100 free agents of the 2023-24 offseason have signed so far, and Japanese League star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and slugger Cody Bellinger headline the top end of the market.
For now, it's time for an updated version of our offseason power rankings, with the last version coming on Nov. 2 shortly after the 2023 World Series concluded.
While in-season rankings are based on recent performance, offseason rankings focus on how complete a team's roster is right now, how active the club is expected to be in the coming months and the overall direction the franchise is headed.
Let the debate begin!
Nos. 30-29
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30. Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are going to have an even tougher time attracting free agents this offseason given the uncertainty of where they will be playing in the coming years while they await their unanimously approved move to Las Vegas. The biggest news out of the winter meetings was that the front office does not intend to move veterans Paul Blackburn and Seth Brown via trade this winter.
29. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are focused on adding to the pitching staff and filling out the bench this offseason, and as always, convincing quality arms to play their home games at Coors FIeld will not be an easy task. They have already added Cal Quantrill (trade, CLE) and Jalen Beeks (waivers, TB) in under-the-radar moves, but there is a lot more work to be done building a competitive staff. The trade market might be their most successful approach.
Nos. 28-27
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28. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox continue to field offers for ace Dylan Cease, and he looks like one of the most likely trade chips to be moved this offseason. The early reports were that the team was willing to listen to trade offers for everyone on the roster, but it seems increasingly unlikely that Luis Robert Jr. will be moved. Adding 2023 KBO MVP Erick Fedde and a healthy Michael Soroka to the rotation gives them some intriguing upside arms.
27. Washington Nationals
The Nationals did a nice job bargain hunting last offseason, signing Jeimer Candelario and Stone Garrett to high-value deals in free agency. After going 35-37 during the second half of the 2023 season, including a 17-11 record in August, they could be a bit more aggressive in pursuing veteran pieces to fill out the roster. They have already made a pair of intriguing under-the-radar additions by signing Juan Yepez and Nick Senzel after they were non-tendered to begin the offseason.
Nos. 26-25
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26. Pittsburgh Pirates
Left-hander Marco Gonzales should slot nicely into the No. 2 spot in the Pittsburgh rotation behind 2023 All-Star Mitch Keller after he was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named. Expect Pittsburgh to once again sign a handful of veterans to one-year deals after the free-agent market has been whittled down, and they already found this year's version of the Carlos Santana signing by inking Rowdy Tellez to a one-year, $3.2 million deal.
25. Los Angeles Angels
There's no positive way to spin the fact that a team that finished 73-89 in 2023 and just lost the best player on the planet in free agency. Replacing Shohei Ohtani is impossible, but healthy seasons from Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Mickey Moniak and Logan O'Hoppe along with the continued development of Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel could help ease the pain. The additions of Luis García, Adam Cimber and Adam Kolarek to the bullpen provide some nice depth.
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Nos. 24-23
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24. Kansas City Royals
The Royals spent a combined $103 million over the past week to add Seth Lugo (3/$45M), Michael Wacha (2/$32M), Hunter Renfroe (2/$13M), Chris Stratton (2/$8M) and Will Smith (1/$5M), and the front office has indicated it would be "content" with their roster if the season started today. This is undoubtedly an improved group, but they might still be a year or two away from taking that next step forward.
23. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have already made some nice additions to the roster, acquiring Mark Canha in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, signing Kenta Maeda to a two-year, $24 million deal to fill Eduardo Rodriguez's spot in the starting rotation and rolling the dice on Jack Flaherty with a one-year, $14 million contract. Don't sleep on this team as a dark-horse contender after they went 19-11 over their final 30 games in 2023, but there is still more work to do this offseason addressing one of the league's worst offenses.
Nos. 22-21
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22. Miami Marlins
The Marlins overcame an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in OPS (.721, 19th), home runs (166, 22nd) and runs per game (4.11, 26th) to claim the third NL wild-card spot. At the very least, the team needs to find a replacement for Jorge Soler (128 OPS+, 36 HR, 75 RBI) who opted out of the final year of his contract, even with full seasons of Jake Burger and Josh Bell providing an in-house boost. The only additions they have made to the 40-man roster so far are Christian Bethancourt and Vidal Brujan who are both out of minor-league options.
21. San Francisco Giants
Last winter, the Giants settled for signing Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Ross Stripling, Sean Manaea and Taylor Rogers after making a run at some of the biggest names on the market. Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was this year's pivot after missing out on Shohei Ohtani, and the 2022 KBO MVP inked a six-year, $113 million with the potential to be a game-changing addition to the lineup and an impact defender in center field. This team was not just one high-profile piece away from being a title contender, though.
Nos. 20-19
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20. San Diego Padres
The Padres made it no secret that cutting payroll was a focal point this offseason, and with Juan Soto traded to the New York Yankees and pitchers Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Josh Hader all poised to depart in free agency, they have dumped a combined $70.5 million based on 2023 salaries. The question now is what's next for a team that still has enough talent to contend but also has multiple holes to fill even after bringing back some MLB talent in the Soto deal.
19. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have money to spend and the potential to make a major climb up the rankings with a busy offseason, but until they start wheeling and dealing, they still look like the worst team in the AL East. They addressed the Alex Verdugo trade by acquiring Tyler O'Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals, but they still need to add a starting second baseman and at least one more quality starting pitcher before they can be viewed as a serious threat to contend.
Nos. 18-17
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18. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have an exciting young core on the offensive side of things; now they need a pitching staff that can carry its share of the load. The under-the-radar additions of Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán are a nice first step, but they still need a frontline starter to join Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott atop the staff. Signing Jeimer Candelario is a bit of a head-scratcher given their glut of infield talent, but it could be a precursor to trading someone like Jonathan India or Noelvi Marte to land a starter.
17. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs' pursuit of Shohei Ohtani was a clear indication they have money to spend, and after giving Dansby Swanson a nine-figure contract last winter, they are poised to make another major signing this winter. It could be re-upping with Cody Bellinger, or it could be guys like Matt Chapman and Rhys Hoskins who the team has also been linked to this offseason. What role could up-and-comers Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jordan Wicks, Alexander Canario, Miguel Amaya and AFL standout James Triantos play on the 2024 team?
Nos. 16-15
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16. Cleveland Guardians
Will the Guardians use in-house players to address the holes at first base/designated hitter and shortstop? They could go with AFL standout Kyle Manzardo at first base and move Josh Naylor into the designated hitter role, while top prospect Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman are all options at shortstop. A Shane Bieber trade also still seems likely, and they have often prioritized MLB-ready talent in trades.
15. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers non-tendered Brandon Woodruff, Rowdy Tellez and Eric Lauer at the start of the offseason, and while the trade market has been relatively quiet, they could still move Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames ahead of their final year of club control. At the same time, they also re-signed Wade Miley to fill a spot in the rotation. This feels like a team retooling rather than rebuilding, taking a proactive approach to the future while also trying to stay competitive. The long-term extension given to Jackson Chourio should mean he breaks camp with a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Nos. 14-13
9 of 20
14. New York Mets
The Mets are inevitably going to make a splash this offseason, whether it's reeling in Japanese League star Yoshinobu Yamamoto or any of a number of other potential free agency targets, but until they do it's tough to rank them any higher. Buying low on Luis Severino was a nice start to bolstering the rotation, but they still need at least two more quality starters before they have a competitive staff.
13. St. Louis Cardinals
A 5.07 ERA from the starting rotation left the Cardinals with a losing record for the first time since 2007, as they finished 71-91 in the NL Central cellar. They have gotten right to work addressing that issue this offseason. With Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson signed for a combined $99 million, the rotation looks set. That trio will join Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz. Now it's a matter of figuring out how all the versatile position player pieces fit together, and trading Tyler O'Neill to the Red Sox helped unclog the outfield logjam.
Nos. 12-11
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12. Seattle Mariners
With Eugenio Suarez and Jarred Kelenic traded, Teoscar Hernandez gone in free agency and Mike Ford non-tendered, the Mariners need to find a way to replace 75 home runs and 272 RBI in the middle of the lineup. Both corner outfield spots, designated hitter and someone to compete with Josh Rojas and Luis Urías for playing time at second base and third base are all still areas that need to be addressed. The pitching staff is ready to go, so they can focus on adding bats.
11. Minnesota Twins
Free agents Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda and Emilio Pagán have already found new homes, and center fielder Michael A. Taylor is also poised to depart this offseason, so there are holes to fill on the Minnesota Twins roster. A healthy Chris Paddack can replace one of those starting pitchers in the rotation, while a loaded bullpen can stand to lose Pagán without making a high-profile addition, though simply standing pat would be a mistake even after cruising to an AL Central title.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
11 of 20
Even though the Toronto Blue Jays' involvement in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes did not end in them landing the two-way superstar, it's an indication the front office is willing to spend money even with a lot already on the books and extensions on the horizon for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
Some combination of Davis Schneider, Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio is currently slated to man second base and third base after veterans Whit Merrifield and Matt Chapman departed in free agency, so there is room for at least one higher-ceiling addition to that group.
The back of the rotation is also a question mark with Alek Manoah penciled in as the No. 5 starter. While Trevor Richards and Mitch White can serve as swingmen out of the bullpen, another contender for the fifth starter job would provide some welcome depth.
9. Tampa Bay Rays
12 of 20
The Tampa Bay Rays have proven time and again they can do more with less than any team in baseball, and while payroll restrictions made trading Tyler Glasnow and his $25 million salary a foregone conclusion, they were able to get back a controllable rotation replacement in Ryan Pepiot and an MLB-ready outfielder in Jonny DeLuca.
They also dumped outfielder Manuel Margot and his $10 million salary in that deal after he essentially became a high-priced fourth outfielder following the emergence of Josh Lowe and José Siri in 2023.
René Pinto is currently the only catcher on the 40-man roster, with Alex Jackson as the leading non-roster candidate to join him on the Opening Day roster. Expect an addition of some sort behind the plate.
8. Baltimore Orioles
13 of 20
On the heels of a 101-win season and an AL East division title, it's going to be much more difficult for the Baltimore Orioles to justify not spending aggressively in free agency to put the finishing touches on a contender.
The lineup is in great shape, especially considering uber-prospect Jackson Holliday is poised to follow in the footsteps of Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson as a highly touted rookie who can make an immediate impact.
Finding an established veteran starter to join Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer at the top of the rotation is No. 1 on the shopping list, especially now that Craig Kimbrel has been added to the bullpen to help ease the loss of Félix Bautista who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
14 of 20
The defending National League champions made a splash early in the offseason, acquiring slugger Eugenio Suárez from the Seattle Mariners to replace departing free agent Evan Longoria at third base. He will help take some of the middle-of-the-order pressure off Christian Walker while providing a veteran voice in the clubhouse.
They then crossed another major item off their shopping list when they signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million deal. He will join Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt in the starting rotation, leaving Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry and others to compete for the No. 5 spot.
Outside of the long-term extensions given to Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, the D-backs do not have any guaranteed money on the books after the 2024 season, so they could make another major splash if they find the right fit for a long-term deal. Don't forget they came out of nowhere to sign Zack Greinke to a record-setting contract once upon a time.
6. New York Yankees
15 of 20
The New York Yankees made the blockbuster splash many have been waiting for when they acquired superstar Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres along with fellow outfielder Trent Grisham in exchange for a package of five players headlined by right-hander Michael King and top pitching prospect Drew Thorpe.
Trading away King opens up a spot in the starting rotation that will need to be addressed with an outside addition, especially after fellow MLB-ready arms Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez were also included in the Soto deal.
Beyond that, the biggest question might be whether they are comfortable with a platoon of light-hitting Jose Trevino and rookie Austin Wells behind the plate, or if they will pursue an outside addition at catcher.
5. Houston Astros
16 of 20
The biggest news out of the winter meetings from the Houston Astros was the report that the team plans to go with Chas McCormick in left field and Jake Meyers in center field to start the year rather than adding another bat in the outfield.
That doesn't necessarily slam the door on a reunion with Michael Brantley, who could DH and fill more of a part-time role at this point in his career, but there do not appear to be any plans to add an everyday bat in the outfield. Meanwhile, Victor Caratini was signed to a two-year deal to be the team's backup catcher behind Yainer Diaz, officially ending the Martín Maldonado era.
With Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman a year removed from free agency and Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez set to hit the open market after 2025, extension talks could be the big storyline between now and spring training.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
17 of 20
The Philadelphia Phillies addressed their biggest potential free agency loss when they re-signed Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million deal a few weeks ago, and with a starting lineup that seems more or less set, they can spend the rest of the offseason focusing on the bullpen and depth.
Closer Craig Kimbrel is gone in free agency, and after the bullpen converted just 45 of 71 save opportunities last year, adding multiple arms alongside incumbents José Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman and Gregory Soto in the late innings figures to be high on the team's remaining to-do list.
The top four spots in the starting rotation are set, and left-hander Cristopher Sanchez made a strong case for the No. 5 job last year with a 3.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 99.1 innings, but adding some veteran depth would be wise.
3. Atlanta Braves
18 of 20
The Atlanta Braves addressed the most glaring hole on their roster when they acquired Jarred Kelenic from the Seattle Mariners, and the former top prospect is expected to platoon with Vaughn Grissom in left field to replace the departing Eddie Rosario.
The biggest question now is what the starting rotation will look like behind Max Fried, Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton. Expect Bryce Elder to fill one of those spots, though he looks like a prime candidate to regress after a poor second half.
That leaves Huascar Ynoa, AJ Smith-Shawver, Dylan Dodd and free-agent signing Reynaldo López if the team decides to move him back to a starting role as the leading in-house options to round out the rotation. They showed some interest in Sonny Gray before he signed with St. Louis, so an outside addition is still a very likely possibility.
2. Texas Rangers
19 of 20
The Texas Rangers have not been shy about spending the past two offseasons, and they could solidify their standing as one of the favorites to hoist the trophy in 2024 with a few offseason moves.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery and slugger Mitch Garver are the team's top two free agents, and while former top prospect Sam Huff could be an in-house replacement for Garver, the starting rotation is a bit of a question mark.
Tyler Mahle was signed to a two-year, $22 million deal, but he will start the season on the injured list while he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Veterans Jacob deGrom (Tommy John surgery) and Max Scherzer (back surgery) will also be sidelined to open the year. That leaves one spot in the rotation up in the air behind Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning to start the year.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
20 of 20
The Los Angeles Dodgers' offseason plans were largely on hold until Shohei Ohtani made his decision, and once his record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal was finalized, the front office moved quickly to acquire Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays.
That still leaves some combination Ryan Yarbrough, Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove and Gavin Stone as the leading candidates to follow Glasnow, Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller in the starting rotation, so adding at least one more veteran starter would help add some stability.
The announcement that Mookie Betts will be the team's everyday second baseman in 2024 was a bit of a surprise, but that eliminates the need for middle-infield help with a healthy Gavin Lux once again expected to be the everyday shortstop.
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