Top 10 Offseason Positional Upgrades That Reshaped MLB Rosters

The 2025 MLB season exposed weaknesses all over the league. Front offices didn’t wait long to start fixing things once the offseason hit.

Some teams went big on free agents. Others got creative with trades. Contenders and rebuilders both tried to patch up glaring roster flaws.

Let’s look at how a few teams tried to reshape their futures by zeroing in on what they needed most.

Fixing Broken Infields and Offensive Black Holes

Offensive consistency rules the modern game. A handful of clubs hit the offseason knowing their infield bats just weren’t cutting it.

Their responses? Bold, sometimes pricey, and definitely not subtle.

A’s and Cubs Take Very Different Paths

The Athletics suffered through one of the ugliest second-base seasons in recent memory, slogging to a .502 OPS in 2025. They went out and traded for former NL batting champ Jeff McNeil from the Mets.

McNeil’s not the same hitter he once was, but he’s still an obvious upgrade for an A’s lineup starved for something reliable.

The Cubs took a different approach. After Matt Shaw’s struggles at third, Chicago finally landed Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million deal.

Bregman brings elite defense and middle-of-the-order steadiness—two things the Cubs have sorely missed during their recent transition.

Dodgers Go All-In on Late Innings and Left Field

The Dodgers, always in the mix, kept getting burned by bullpen meltdowns and weak corner outfield bats. This winter, they decided enough was enough.

Edwin Díaz Anchors a Rebuilt Bullpen

After too many failed relief experiments, Los Angeles locked down closer Edwin Díaz with a three-year, $69 million contract.

They want to shorten games and finally trust their bullpen in crunch time. That’s been a huge missing piece lately.

Kyle Tucker Changes the Outfield Dynamic

Michael Conforto just didn’t get it done in left field. So the Dodgers made a splash, signing Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal.

Tucker’s arrival shifts Teoscar Hernández to left and injects legit MVP-level pop into the lineup. That’s a game-changer for LA.

Mets, Orioles, and Pirates Target Specific Weaknesses

Not every team chased the biggest names. Some zeroed in on very specific roster holes.

Center Field and Power Get Priority

The Mets needed a fix in center field and wanted to shake up an injury-prone core. They traded for Luis Robert Jr. and took on the rest of his contract, including a $2 million buyout option for 2027.

It’s a gamble, but they’re betting Robert’s upside is worth the risk.

Baltimore’s issue was clear: first base had no power. Orioles first basemen managed just 14 home runs in 2025, so they signed Pete Alonso for five years, $155 million.

Alonso’s bat should instantly change the middle of their order.

The Pirates, still hunting for an offensive identity, pulled off a crafty three-team trade to get Brandon Lowe. His power at second base fills a long-standing void and gives Pittsburgh a real run-producing threat.

Complementary Moves and Under-the-Radar Upgrades

Not every team splurged on a superstar. Some focused on depth and smart fits instead.

Red Sox and White Sox Add Targeted Punch

Boston boosted its offense by adding Willson Contreras. He’s a versatile bat who can handle first base and spark some much-needed run production.

The White Sox went down a different path. They signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal.

People still worry about his contact rate, but you can’t ignore Murakami’s raw power. That upside is hard to find.

Honorable mentions go to the Pirates, who keep searching for a designated hitter upgrade. The Blue Jays want more depth in their rotation, and the Royals are still looking for answers in left field.

Any of those moves could end up mattering more than folks realize.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The 10 biggest positional upgrades teams made this offseason