Just like that, the 2024-25 MLB hot stove has kicked off! We had a trade just one day after the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisted the World Series championship trophy.

All eyes this winter were on the top free agent, young slugger Juan Soto, who left the New York Yankees for a record contract with the New York Mets. But he’s not the only one who will make a splash in the market.

Which teams will go all-in to contend for a 2025 World Series title? Where will other top free agents such as Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman land? And who will make the trades and deals that have everyone buzzing?

Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.

Free agency, trade grades | Top 50 free agents | Fantasy spin

Notable MLB offseason transactions

Jan. 30

Blue Jays land Scherzer on one-year deal

Right-hander Max Scherzer and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, $15.5 million contract, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 29

Reds trade for late-inning arm

The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a trade to acquire left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN. Story »

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Rays land infielder Kim

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year, $29 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Tigers further fortify bullpen with Kahnle

Right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $7.75 million contract, pending physical, sources told ESPN. Story »

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Mets add hard-throwing Stanek to pen

Right-hander Ryne Stanek and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year deal, a source told ESPN. Story »

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Jan. 28

Dodgers sign All-Star reliever Yates

Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Can get up to $14M with 55 games pitched. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 26

Cubs trade for veteran reliever Pressly

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 23

Braves land All-Star outfielder in Profar

Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves are finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract, sources tell ESPN.

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Jan. 20

Blue Jays add Santander to outfield

The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, giving the team one of the best hitters available this offseason after failed attempts to land a marquee free agent in recent years. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 19

Dodgers nab Scott for bullpen

The Los Angeles Dodgers have added left-hander Tanner Scott, arguably the best relief pitcher on the free agent market, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $72 million contract, sources told ESPN on Sunday. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 17

Japanese ace Sasaki picks Dodgers

Roki Sasaki, the prized Japanese pitching prospect who has had scouts drooling over his potential since high school, has chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his major league team, he announced on Instagram on Friday. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 16

Winker returns to Mets on one-year deal

Outfielder Jesse Winker and the New York Mets have agreed on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports Thursday. Story »

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Jan. 10

Blue Jays sign top reliever Hoffman

The Toronto Blue Jays announced they have signed right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 7

Giants add Verlander on one-year deal

Right-hander Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a one-year, $15 million contract, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, continuing the future Hall of Famer’s career at age 42 in one of the pitcher-friendliest stadiums in baseball. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 6

Reds acquire Lux in trade with Dodgers

The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a draft pick and an outfield prospect, the teams announced Monday, adding another prime-age hitter to a team that hopes to ascend in the National League Central this season. Story » | Grades »

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Royals bring back pitcher Lorenzen

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Jan. 3

Dodgers land star KBO infielder

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on a 3-year, $12.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 30

Nats sign Bell to one-year deal

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Bell on a one-year contract worth $6 million, according to multiple reports. Story »

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Dec. 29

Cubs and Marlins swap infielders

The Chicago Cubs acquired utility man Vidal Bruján on Sunday, sending first baseman Matt Mervis to the Miami Marlins in a swap of former top-100 prospects. Story »

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Dec. 28

Burnes joins D-backs on $210 million deal

Right-hander Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a six-year, $210 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 27

Dodgers bring back All-Star outfielder Hernandez

Outfielder Teoscar Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a three-year, $66 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Tigers add Torres to infield on one-year deal

Infielder Gleyber Torres and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $15 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 23

McCutchen returns to the Pirates

Veteran slugger Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced on social media. Story »

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Buehler, Red Sox agree to 1-year deal

Right-hander Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $21.05 million contract, sources told ESPN, sending the pitcher who secured the final out of the World Series this year to a team loading up on starting pitching as it pivots toward contention. Story » | Grade »

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Rangers add veteran bat Pederson

Outfielder Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a contract pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Manaea returns to Mets on three-year deal

Left-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 22

Phillies bolster rotation with trade for Luzardo

The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for two prospects, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN. Story » | Grades »

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Nationals land 1B Lowe in trade with Rangers

The Washington Nationals on Sunday acquired first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers in exchange for lefty reliever Robert Garcia. Story » | Grades »

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Dec. 21

Guardians trade Naylor to D-backs, sign Santana

The Cleveland Guardians traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday and quickly replaced him, with sources telling ESPN that they agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with free agent Carlos Santana, bringing him back for his third stint with the team. Story » | Grades »

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Goldschmidt, Yankees agree on 1-year deal

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year, $12.5 million contract, sources told ESPN, pairing the former National League MVP and seven-time All-Star with the American League champion in the midst of a significant overhaul. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 20

Astros bring Walker to Houston

The Houston Astros and free-agent first baseman Christian Walker have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports. Story » | Grade »

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Yanks ship Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson

The New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, the teams announced Friday. Story »

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Red Sox add rotation arm

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $18.25 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »

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A’s land veteran infielder

Gio Urshela is in agreement with the Athletics on a major league contract, sources confirm to ESPN. Story »

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Dec. 19

Phillies bolster outfield with Kepler

Outfielder Max Kepler and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a one-year, $10 million contract, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. Story »

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Dec. 17

Yankees land Bellinger in trade with Cubs

OF/1B Cody Bellinger has been traded from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for right-handed reliever Cody Poteet, sources tell ESPN. (New York will also receive cash considerations.) Story » | Grades »

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Dec. 16

O’s, Sugano agree on 1-year, $13M deal

Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a contract, the team announced Monday night, uniting one of the most successful Japanese pitchers of his generation with a team in need of rotation help. The deal is for one year and $13 million, sources told ESPN. Story »

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Dec. 14

A’s acquire lefty Springs from Rays

The Athletics are acquiring left-hander Jeffrey Springs in a six-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Saturday, continuing their push toward contention with a significant increase in their payroll as they head into their first season in Sacramento. Story » | Grades »

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Dec. 13

Cubs land three-time All-Star Tucker in deal with Astros

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grades »

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Yankees get All-Star closer Williams from Milwaukee

The New York Yankees are acquiring closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grades »

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Dec. 11

Loáisiga returns to Yankees

Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for 2026, a source tells ESPN. Story »

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Red Sox trading for Crochet

The Boston Red Sox are acquiring left-hander Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox for four highly-regarded prospects, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story »

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Dec. 10

Marlins, Rangers agree to trade for Jake Burger

The Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade for power-hitting corner infielder Jake Burger, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. In exchange, the Miami Marlins will receive two shortstop prospects, Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and a young left-handed starting pitcher in Brayan Mendoza. Story » | Grades »

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Eovaldi returning to the Rangers

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Guardians and Blue Jays complete trade

The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andres Gimenez from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grades »

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Yankees land Fried on $218 million contract

Left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher. Story » | Grade »

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Blue Jays sign pitcher Garcia

The Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Yimi Garcia are in agreement on a two-year, $15 million contract, a source told ESPN on Tuesday. Story »

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Dec. 9

Phillies add Romano to bullpen

Closer Jordan Romano and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a free agent contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Romano was nontendered by Toronto earlier this offseason. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 8

Mets sign Soto for MLB record $765 million

Superstar outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets are in agreement on a 15-year, $765 million contract, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest deal in professional sports history. Story » | Grade »

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Conforto joins Dodgers on $17 million deal

Outfielder Michael Conforto joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 7

Giants, Adames agree on 7 years, $182M

Shortstop Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a seven-year, $182 million contract, the largest outlay in franchise history, sources told ESPN on Saturday. Story » | Grade »

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O’s land O’Neill

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a three-year, $49.5 million contract, a source told ESPN, filling a void created by the free agency of slugging outfielder Anthony Santander. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 6

Mets sign Holmes … as a starter

Right-hander Clay Holmes and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $38 million contract with an opt-out after the second year, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Friday night. Story » | Grade »

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Rays add catcher Jansen

Catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for a second season, sources tell ESPN.

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Dec. 5

A’s sign Severino to franchise-record contract

Right-hander Luis Severino and the Athletics are in agreement on a three-year, $67 million free agent contract that is the largest guarantee in the franchise’s history, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 3

Red Sox add Chapman to bullpen

Left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10.75 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Dec. 2

Cubs sign pitcher Boyd to two-year deal

The Chicago Cubs have added Matthew Boyd to their rotation in their first big offseason move, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with the veteran left-hander, sources confirmed to ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Mets add to rotation with Montas signing

Right-hander Frankie Montas and the New York Mets are in agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Nov. 26

Dodgers make splash with Snell signing

Left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a five-year, $182 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Nov. 25

Angels add to rotation in yet another move

Left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi is in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a three-year, $63 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. Story » | Grade »

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Nov. 22

Royals trade for position players

The Kansas City Royals traded right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds for infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer, the teams announced on Friday. Story » | Grades »

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Nov. 20

Cubs add reliever in deal with Guardians

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-handed reliever Eli Morgan in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN.

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Nov. 19

Mets get outfield help in deal with Rays

The New York Mets have acquired outfielder Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Eric Orze. Story »

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Nov. 18

Martinez accepts qualifying offer to stay with Reds

Right-hander Nick Martinez accepted the Cincinnati Reds‘ $21.05 million qualifying offer, multiple outlets reported Monday. Story »

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Nov. 14

Angels sign infielder Newman to one-year deal

The Los Angeles Angels and infielder Kevin Newman agreed to a one-year $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2026, the team announced . Story »

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Red Sox add reliever Wilson

Left-hander Justin Wilson and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract, according to multiple reports. Story »

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Nov. 12

Angels sign d’Arnaud to two-year deal

Catcher Travis d’Arnaud and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract. Story » | Grade »

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Nov. 6

Hedges returns to Guardians on one-year deal

Catcher Austin Hedges and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »

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Angels add veteran arm to rotation

Kyle Hendricks is in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

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Nov. 3

Royals re-sign Wacha to 3-year deal

Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a three-year, $51 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a club option and can max out at four years, $72 million. Story » | Grade »

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Oct. 31

Braves make first splash of offseason

The Atlanta Braves are trading outfielder Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels and will receive right-hander Griffin Canning, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »

Key MLB offseason dates

Dec. 9-12: Winter meetings in Dallas, Texas

Dec. 11: Rule 5 draft

Jan. 9: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures

End of January: Arbitration hearings begin

Feb. 22: Spring training games begin

When Xander Bogaerts arrived at spring training one year ago this month, he was informed his new position was second base.

This time around, Bogaerts will be back at his familiar shortstop spot when the team opens spring training later this month in Peoria, Ariz.

Jake Cronenworth also will be moving back to second base after being the team’s primary first baseman most of last year.

The moves come after stellar defensive shortstop Ha-Seong Kim departed as a free agent and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. Kim won a Gold Glove Award in 2023 for his play at three infield positions.

“Once it looked like Kimmy was not going to be able to come back … the way the team was getting built, it looked like it was an opportunity for Bogey to play short,” Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters on Saturday. “So I had a great conversation with Bogey probably a month ago. He had already had his head around wanting it and training to go back and play shortstop. He was very enthusiastic about it.”

Bogaerts spent his first nine-plus seasons with the Boston Red Sox and was a fixture at shortstop. He never won a Gold Glove Award, but he committed 10 or fewer errors six times.

He joined the Padres as a free agent prior to the 2023 season and committed just eight errors in 146 games during his first year.

But with it clear that Kim was the best defensive infielder on the roster, the two traded positions last spring and Bogaerts tried his hand at second base. The four-time All-Star made six errors in 85 games at the position but never seemed to be a true fit.

Cronenworth, meanwhile, excelled at second base in 2022, when he made four errors in 147 games (142 starts) at the position. He started 80 games at first base last season and 66 at second. A large number of the starts at second came when Bogaerts was sidelined with a fractured left shoulder.

Cronenworth, a two-time All-Star, said he likes having the roles defined.

“Not just for me, but for everybody, it gives us clarity for where we’re going to be and how we can prepare,” Cronenworth said. “It’s the same guys coming back. Maybe in a couple different spots, but we have a great infield.”

Bogaerts played shortstop late in the regular season and in the postseason after Kim sustained a season-ending shoulder injury. Cronenworth moved to second base during the same time period.

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said he was “on schedule” in his attempt to return as a two-way player this season, despite what he described as a “complicated surgery” to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Ohtani, who spoke at the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ annual preseason fan event on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, initially injured his non-throwing shoulder while sliding in Game 2 of the World Series, then played the next three games and underwent surgery on Nov. 5, six days after helping to deliver a championship.

The torn labrum added another layer of complication to a pitching rehab that already consisted of a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament, but the Dodgers expect Ohtani to hit by the start of the season — they’ll open in Japan on March 18 — and pitch in their rotation by May.

“And it might be earlier,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani, who underwent his most recent elbow surgery in September 2023, threw multiple bullpen sessions before the Dodgers’ postseason run last fall and started playing catch again in December. But he has yet to get on a mound this offseason, which makes it difficult to pinpoint a return to pitching.

“I think the biggest determinant is going to be when I first pitch my bullpen,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Then I think we’re going to really get a feel for when I’ll be able to be on a big league mound.”

When he does, Ohtani will join arguably the deepest, most talented rotation in the sport. And before then, he’ll lead arguably the deepest, most talented lineup in the sport.

His presence now symbolizes the Dodgers’ elevation into another financial stratosphere.

Since signing Ohtani to a highly deferred 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023, the Dodgers have added practically every player they’ve wanted. Two front-of-the-rotation starters, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and a slugging corner outfielder, Teoscar Hernandez, joined within four weeks of Ohtani’s deal.

This offseason, after securing their first full-season title since 1988, the Dodgers signed starter Blake Snell, extended utility man Tommy Edman, brought back Hernandez, added outfielder Michael Conforto, struck a deal with infielder Hyeseong Kim, convinced pitching prodigy Roki Sasaki to join them and inked Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates to round out what was already a deep bullpen.

“The crazy part is you’re thinking like, once we sign someone, ‘OK, that’s it.’ Then we sign another guy and it’s like, ‘OK that’s it.’ And it just keeps going,” Snell said. “To see how invested they are in us winning, investing in the best team they can possibly assemble, it’s pretty special.”

A winter that saw the Dodgers splurge for more than $1.2 billion was followed by them committing nearly $450 million on seven players, with longtime ace Clayton Kershaw and popular utility man Enrique Hernandez still expected to be added at some point. Their 2025 competitive-balance-tax payroll projects to $380 million, according to Spotrac, well above the highest luxury tax threshold and roughly $80 million more than the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

Glasnow likened the 2025 Dodgers to “The Avengers,” but baseball fans in other cities — and some executives of other teams — have come to view them more by the popular designation given to star-studded New York Yankees teams of the 2000s: “The Evil Empire.”

Roberts says he believes the proverbial villain role is one his players will have to “embrace,” but at this point, with only 10 days left before the start of spring training, it’s mostly just being dismissed.

“If any other teams or fan bases want to get upset, you know what to do — follow what the Dodgers are doing,” Snell said.

“It is what it is,” added Mookie Betts, who expects to transition full time to shortstop this season. “What are we supposed to do? We want to win. And as a player, of course we want all the best players.”

Any anger the Dodgers’ spending has triggered outside of L.A. has been met with fervent excitement from their own fans.

Saturday’s event offered another prominent example.

The Dodgers couldn’t host this year’s Fan Fest inside their ballpark due to a massive, ongoing renovation project that will enhance both clubhouse spaces. Instead, they hosted fans in various Dodger Stadium parking-lot areas and nonetheless drew a capacity crowd of about 25,000. At one point, Freddie Freeman signed an image of his iconic, walk-off World Series moment that was tattooed onto a man’s leg. It was at least the second time he’d come across that this offseason.

“It takes you back and makes you realize that sports means so much to people,” Freeman said. “You know when you’re out there playing and the fans are going nuts, you feel that. But then when you come into personal contact with these fans and they tell you how much it means to them, and then they show you how much it means to them, it’s actually really cool. And I think it’s so amazing that people would go through the pain of putting me on their body.”