As we gear up for the Winter Conferences in Orlando, Fla., there are specific groups that shall be significantly intriguing to maintain tabs on.
With the Winter Conferences typically being a catalyst for Scorching Range motion, the focus will shine brightly on every of the 30 golf equipment, however maybe even brighter on a handful of groups that for numerous causes are seen as main gamers within the free-agent and commerce markets.
From golf equipment with championship aspirations to these holding huge commerce chips, we requested seven MLB.com writers to every draft an intriguing workforce heading into the large week forward:
What they’ve accomplished thus far: Not a lot in any respect. It’s been a quiet offseason in Philadelphia so far, however that figures to vary quickly — both as a result of the Phillies begin making strikes or they begin seeing a few of their key targets signal elsewhere.
Why they’re within the highlight: This can be a pivotal offseason for the Phillies. Not solely have they arrive up quick of their World Sequence-or-bust aspirations for the previous few years, however they’re now tasked with dealing with the free company of a trio of key contributors in Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto and Ranger Suárez. The precedence is to deliver again each Schwarber and Realmuto, whereas retaining Suárez could also be a bit more durable. That stated, even when the Phillies by some means introduced again all three gamers, the idea is that they nonetheless have to do one thing completely different getting into 2026 after back-to-back NLDS exits. That doubtless features a makeover within the outfield that might embody shifting veteran Nick Castellanos. A technique or one other, the Phils want so as to add some firepower — they usually need it to be extra than simply Schwarber.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: Re-sign Schwarber. It feels as if the Phillies might be at a little bit of a standstill till this example will get labored out. If the membership is ready to lock in Schwarber, then the entrance workplace can pivot to filling out the remainder of the roster figuring out it at the least has Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper again within the fold for subsequent yr’s lineup. In fact, as we’ve seen the previous few years, the Phillies know that alone isn’t sufficient — but it surely’s actually a superb place to begin in what figures to turn out to be a really busy offseason
Why they’re within the highlight: After successful their first pennant in 32 years and pushing the World Sequence to additional innings in Recreation 7, the Blue Jays have made one factor very clear: They don’t seem to be glad. It has already been an especially energetic winter for the American League champions. All indications are that they don’t have any plans of slowing down — and their subsequent transfer might be the most important one which any workforce makes between now and Opening Day.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: Signal Kyle Tucker. Sure, Toronto nonetheless needs to reunite with Bo Bichette, however after touchdown probably the perfect pitcher on the open market, the membership is now in sizzling pursuit of this yr’s No. 1 general free agent. Tucker visited with the Blue Jays at their participant growth complicated in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, a supply informed MLB.com. After putting out on premier free brokers in earlier offseasons (Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Juan Soto), the Blue Jays are aiming on the high of the market as soon as extra, and contemplating how aggressive they had been with Stop, it could be silly to doubt their possibilities of getting a deal accomplished with Tucker. In the event that they do, it could be the centerpiece of an offseason that may doubtless put the Blue Jays on this checklist.
Why they’re within the highlight: The Mets are all the time within the highlight given the sky-high expectations in Queens underneath proprietor Steve Cohen, who has proven he’s keen to spend huge to win the franchise’s first World Sequence championship in 40 years. However the highlight is even hotter this offseason after New York fell far in need of expectations in 2025, lacking the postseason after signing celebrity Juan Soto to the most important contract in sports activities historical past.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: Signal Kyle Schwarber. It will be an amazing coup for the Mets to not solely add an enormous left-handed bat to the lineup but additionally to poach him, so to talk, from the division-rival Phillies. Schwarber shall be going into his age-33 marketing campaign in 2026, and he’s coming off a profession yr during which he smashed an NL-leading 56 residence runs (together with 4 in a single recreation) and drove in a Main League-best 132 runs. If stalwart first baseman Pete Alonso leaves in free company, Schwarber — who, like Alonso, performed in 162 video games final season — could be a worthy substitute within the Mets’ lineup.
What they’ve accomplished thus far: The Braves have been one of many few groups to make a number of notable strikes thus far this offseason, together with re-signing nearer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year deal and buying and selling for utilityman and Gold Glove winner Mauricio Dubón, who might find yourself being the beginning shortstop.
Why they’re within the highlight: Atlanta nonetheless has main holes to fill, with designated hitter and a strong beginning pitcher being probably the most distinguished (assuming shortstop has turn out to be much less of a precedence with the signing of Dubón). The departure of free agent Marcell Ozuna leaves the DH function huge open, whereas final season’s injury-depleted beginning rotation has created a have to considerably bolster that group. After a disappointing 2025 marketing campaign that induced the Braves to overlook the postseason for the primary time since 2017 — to not point out a acknowledged want to have a top-five payroll — huge strikes might be within the offing.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: The Braves might add an enormous bat to fill the DH slot and assist enhance an offense that has struggled for important parts of the previous two seasons (the workforce’s .717 OPS since Might 2024 ranks fifteenth in MLB). Maybe they swing a commerce for a productive outfielder who might be a part of a DH rotation that features fellow outfielders Ronald Acuña Jr. and Jurickson Profar to assist hold everybody wholesome and recent. A deal for Atlanta-area native Byron Buxton would do the trick, however any commerce involving Buxton is probably going a longshot.
What they’ve accomplished thus far: The Padres have not accomplished a lot but, simply a few minor bullpen strikes. With A.J. Preller on the helm, that ought to make you suppose that one thing’s coming. Particularly when you think about that the most important factor to occur to the Padres thus far is that they misplaced Dylan Stop to the Blue Jays in free company.
Why they’re within the highlight: This can be a playoff workforce that has to deal with the back-to-back World Sequence champion Dodgers in its division — and likewise has some stress to do higher after a disappointing Wild Card Sequence loss to the Cubs in 2025. However to make it again to the postseason for a 3rd straight yr in 2026, San Diego most likely has to herald some new gamers. It is not simply shedding Stop — different key gamers like Luis Arraez, Michael King and Robert Suarez are free brokers. Fortunately, Preller and the Padres love making huge strikes … and many them.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: The Padres’ huge wants getting into the Winter Conferences are beginning pitching (to assist exchange Stop and doubtlessly King) and a primary base/DH-type bat (the Arraez function). This is one transfer that may tackle the pitching facet: signing Tatsuya Imai. Imai’s market is heating up, and a few executives count on the NPB star to signal by the tip of the Winter Conferences. Preller watched Imai pitch in Japan, and earlier this offseason stated the Padres could be “absolutely ready” for when the right-hander was posted. And Imai needs to take down the Dodgers. The place higher to do this than with their division rivals?
Why they’re within the highlight: After wallowing in mediocrity from 2022-24, the Crimson Sox returned to relevance in ’25, buoyed by the additions of Crochet, third baseman Alex Bregman and nearer Aroldis Chapman, to not point out the profitable debut of high prospect Roman Anthony. Bregman opted out of his deal in November, however with the opposite three items in place, they’ve an opportunity to make one other important leap in the event that they push the proper buttons this winter. The Grey deal is a begin, however with Bregman a free agent and Rafael Devers in San Francisco, the Crimson Sox have a serious void of their lineup to handle.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: Signal Pete Alonso. The Crimson Sox haven’t dominated out a reunion with Bregman, they usually’ve additionally been linked to Kyle Schwarber, Bo Bichette and J.T. Realmuto in free company. However for a workforce that wants residence run pop, is in search of a right-handed hitter and hasn’t been ready to determine first base for some time, Alonso seems to be the proper match.
What they’ve accomplished thus far: As famous above, they despatched Grey to Boston. In return, St. Louis landed 26-year-old righty Richard Fitts, who might earn a spot at the back of the workforce’s 2026 rotation, and high-upside, 22-year-old lefty Brandon Clarke, who slotted in as their No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Why they’re within the highlight: As a result of that might be only the start. With the Grey commerce, new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom signaled that St. Louis is actually open for enterprise after a 3rd straight season with out a playoff berth. The truth that the Cardinals had been keen to ship important money to Boston bodes effectively for his or her means to determine a strategy to transfer Nolan Arenado, who remains to be owed $42 million over the subsequent two years. However the Cardinals should not quick on potential commerce chips. First baseman Willson Contreras has an inexpensive contract and a right-handed bat with appreciable thump. Brendan Donovan is an OBP machine with defensive versatility. Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson all may intrigue groups in quest of left-handed energy that may’t test that field through the free-agent market. There’s much less on the pitching facet, post-Grey, though lefty reliever JoJo Romero has reportedly been drawing curiosity as effectively.
One transfer they may make subsequent week: Whereas an Arenado deal might need to attend for high free-agent third basemen to return off the board, one might think about a Donovan deal coming to fruition extra shortly if Bloom will get a proposal he likes for one of many hottest names on the commerce market. St. Louis is underneath no obligation to maneuver a participant underneath membership management for 2 extra seasons, however there’s purpose to be opportunistic right here, particularly with a high prospect, infielder JJ Wetherholt, knocking on the door.
