What each American League team has done this offseason
Are the Royals keeping up?
It’s a new year, and we should see MLB offseason begin to pick up as spring training nears. The Royals have made a few moves, but still have work to do. They’re not alone as many teams still have unfinished rosters. Let’s take a look around the American League at what each team has done so far this off-season - who they’ve added, who is no longer on the roster (but could be re-signed), and what is left to do.
Athletics
2024 Opening Day payroll: $60,503,298
2025 Projected payroll: $68,009,000
Added: Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Gio Urshela
Lost: Austin Adams, Scott Alexander, Nick Allen, Joe Boyle, T.J. McFarland, Tyler Nevin, Ross Stripling, Alex Wood
Needs: The Oakland Sacramento Athletics played well in the second half with some promising young players. This off-season they have actually been adding players, signing free agent Luis Severino, and they’ve been rumored to be interested in signing bigger fish, although recruiting free agents to play in a minor league park in Sacramento will be a hard sell. They could use bats in left field and first base, and some more proven starting pitchers.
Baltimore Orioles
2024 Opening Day payroll: $94,520,400
2025 Projected payroll: $136,055,000
Added: Charlie Morton, Tyler O’Neill, Gary Sanchez, Tomoyuki Sugano
Lost: Corbin Burnes, Eloy Jiménez, James McCann, Anthony Santander, Jacob Webb
Needs: Baltimore is ready to take things to the next level and need a frontline pitcher to replace Burnes, who signed with Arizona. They have a surplus of outfielders with the O’Neill signing, and prospect Coby Mayo could be expendable with a solid young infield in Baltimore already. The team also had bullpen issues down the stretch, and may look for more of a hedge in case closer Félix Bautista isn’t what he was before his injury that cost him all of last season.
Boston Red Sox
2024 Opening Day payroll: $176,458,748
2025 Projected payroll: $166,943,248
Added: Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, Garret Crochet, Michael Fulmer, Patrick Sandoval, Justin Wilson
Lost: Luis Garcia, Danny Jansen, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Tyler O’Neill, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Lucas Sims
Needs: The team got the ace they needed in Crochet, but they could still use a right-handed bat to replace O’Neill. Masataka Yoshida and Triston Casas could be available in a trade. The team has Liam Henrdiks and Aroldis Chapman to close out games, but both are over the age of 35, so they could use another late-inning option. They could round out the roster with a backup catcher.
Chicago White Sox
2024 Opening Day payroll: $142,995,900
2025 Projected payroll: $59,165,000
Added: Josh Rojas, Austin Slater, Mike Tauchman, Bryse Wilson
Lost: Mike Clevinger, Garrett Crochet, Nicky Lopez, Yoán Moncada, Gavin Sheets, Michael Soroka
Needs: Everything. They lost a modern-day MLB record 121 games and have since traded their best pitcher. There is not much else to lose that anyone would want other than outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who seems likely to be traded before the season starts.
Cleveland Guardians
2024 Opening Day payroll: $93,333,629
2025 Projected payroll: $96,046,000
Added: Slade Cecconi, Luis L. Ortiz, Carlos Santana
Lost: Matthew Boyd, Alex Cobb, Andrés Giménez, Austin Hedges, Eli Morgan, Josh Naylor, Nick Sandlin
Needs: The Guardians re-signed Shane Bieber, but he’ll miss the beginning of next season after Tommy John surgery. The starting rotation was a weak spot last year, so they added Cecconi and Ortiz. They could use more offense, but they may actually trade outfielder Lane Thomas. The team always seems content to bring guys up and see how they perform. That could be why they have had regular season success despite low payrolls but it could also be why they haven’t won a title in over seven decades.
Detroit Tigers
2024 Opening Day payroll: $103,834,833
2025 Projected payroll: $103,463,333
Added: Alex Cobb, Gleyber Torres
Lost: None.
Needs: The Tigers made a surprise run to the playoffs and entered this off-season flush with money to spend and a deep farm system to use for trades. They have been fairly quiet so far, but could pursue a big bat and have been linked to free agents Anthony Santander and Alex Bregman. Expect them to make a big splash to put this young team into firm contention for the division title.
Houston Astros
2024 Opening Day payroll: $236,524,482
2025 Projected payroll: $217,808,333
Added: Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker
Lost: Alex Bregman, Caleb Ferguson, Jason Heyward, Yusei Kikuchi, Hector Neris, Kyle Tucker, Justin Verlander
Needs: The Astros traded away star Kyle Tucker with one year left before free agency, and with Bregman a free agent, that leaves two major holes in their lineup. Paredes is a former All-Star who could fill one hole, but the outfield still needs a big bat. The Astros have a lot of injuries to their starting rotation and could use some depth.
Kansas City Royals:
2024 Opening Day payroll: $115,257,261
2025 Projected payroll: $104,506,111
Added: Jonathan India, Joey Wiemer
Lost: Paul DeJong, Adam Frazier, Yuli Gurriel, Robbie Grossman, Garret Hampson, Michael Lorenzen, Tommy Pham, Brady Singer, Will Smith
Needs: The Royals brought back Michael Wacha, but would like to add another potential starting pitcher to give them depth. They also addressed the need for a leadoff hitter with India, but could use another middle-of-the-order bat, preferably at third base or outfield. The Royals are said to prefer a trade rather than free agency, with Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey potentially available, and there have been some rumors surrounding Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic.
Los Angeles Angels
2024 Opening Day payroll: $172,993,096
2025 Projected payroll: $182,433,096
Added: Travis d’Arnaud, Dakota Hudson, Kyle Hendricks, Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler
Lost: Griffin Canning, Brandon Drury, Matt Moore, Kevin Pillar, Hunter Strickland
Needs: The Angels have been active but...why? They lost 99 games, have a thin farm system, and a lot of bad contracts. It’s not entirely clear which direction they are going, but if they’re not rebuilding they could hang onto valuable trade assets like Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo. The team could use a lot of relievers, more offensive support for Mike Trout, and frankly, a new owner.
Minnesota Twins
2024 Opening Day payroll: $124,077,590
2025 Projected payroll: $133,696,190
Added: None
Lost: Kyle Farmer, Max Kepler, Manuel Margot, Carlos Santana, Caleb Thielbar
Needs: The Twins collapsed down the stretch, but have yet to lift a finger to improve a team that barely finished above .500. They have talent, but it hasn’t translated into post-season success. They could use another bat that could slot in at first base or DH, but a trade may be their best bet.
New York Yankees
2024 Opening Day payroll: $303,322,047
2025 Projected payroll: $274,514,047
Added: Cody Bellinger, Fernando Cruz, Paul Goldschmidt, Alex Jackson, Devin Williams
Lost: Jon Berti, Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Anthony Rizzo, Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Jose Trevino, Alex Verdugo
Needs: The Yankees could still use an infielder - either at second or third - to supplement their lineup. They’ve been linked to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado in trades, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely to move to second in that scenario. The Yankees have added two high-strikeout relievers in Cruz and Williams, but could still be in the market for bullpen depth.
Seattle Mariners
2024 Opening Day payroll: $135,738,647
2025 Projected payroll: $141,231,547
Added: None
Lost: JT Chargois, Yimi Garcia, Sam Haggerty, Jorge Polanco, Josh Rojas, Justin Turner, Luis Urias
Needs: Someone has put a muzzle on the usually hyperactive GM Jerry Dipoto. The Mariners need offense, and a lot of it. They could use upgrades at first base, second base, and third base. Financial constraints will likely keep them from being active in free agency, so expect a trade with rumors they’re interested in Triston Casas of the Red Sox, Brett Baty of the Mets, and Alec Bohm of the Phillies. They could deal from their pitching depth with Luis Castillo rumored to be potentially available.
Tampa Bay Rays
2024 Opening Day payroll: $101,023,112
2025 Projected payroll: $59,917,000
Added: Danny Jansen, Eloy Jiménez
Lost: Tyler Alexander, Dylan Carlson, Colin Poche, Jose Siri, Jeffrey Springs
Needs: The Rays really struggled on offense last year, but don’t expect major upgrades from them next year. They’ll likely hope that Christopher Morel in left and Taylor Walls in shortstop can bounce back after dreadful seasons. Second baseman Brandon Lowe and first baseman Yandy Diaz could actually be on the move as the Rays prefer roster churn to maintain a pipeline of talent.
Texas Rangers
2024 Opening Day payroll: $223,355,753
2025 Projected payroll: $208,185,000
Added: Tucker Barnhart, Jake Burger, Nathan Eovaldi, Robert Garcia, Kyle Higashioka, Joc Pederson, Jacob Webb
Lost: Grant Anderson, Andrew Chafin, Andrew Heaney, Travis Jankowski, José Leclerc, Nathaniel Lowe, Max Scherzer, José Ureña, Kirby Yates
Needs: The Rangers could use pitching, particularly relievers. They had the fifth-worst bullpen ERA last year, and five of the eight pitchers with the most relief appearances are no longer on the roster. They could also use some more starting pitching depth and may shake up the outfield with Adolis Garcia possibly on the trading block. They also have some infield depth in Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith that could interest teams.
Toronto Blue Jays
2024 Opening Day payroll: $221,862,600
2025 Projected payroll: $199,336,929
Added: Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin
Lost: Génesis Cabrera, Spencer Horwitz, Jordan Romano
Needs: Bats, bats, bats. The team would like to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension but they need to convince him they can put a lineup around him. They need a corner infielder - Vladdy is willing to move to third if needed. They lost out on Juan Soto so they could still use a centerfielder. The DH spot is also open if there’s a veteran they can add. Toronto needs to rebuild their bullpen - they already brought back Yimi Garcia - but lost former All-Star Romano who had a rough 2024 season.