Top MLB Players Projected to Change Teams in 2025-26 Offseason

This article digs into Major League Baseball’s most impactful team changes from the 2025-26 offseason. It uses FanGraphs’ Steamer projected WAR for the 2026 season as its lens.

By looking at the top 18 players who switched uniforms, MLB offers a data-driven peek at which moves might shape the pennant races ahead. From big-name stars to sneaky depth pieces, these projections help frame how front offices reshaped their rosters—though, as always, nothing’s set in stone.

How WAR Projections Shape the Offseason Narrative

Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is still one of the clearest ways to stack up player value across positions. FanGraphs’ Steamer model balances performance history and aging curves, which makes it a respected tool for these debates.

Sure, projections aren’t guarantees, but they give us a decent snapshot of what to expect. In this ranking, pitchers take most of the top spots, showing just how much teams still value premium starting pitching in the offseason.

Still, a few elite position players break into the upper tier, thanks to their defensive value and offensive upside. It’s not all about the arms.

Sonny Gray Headlines the List

Sonny Gray tops the list of players changing teams, after the Red Sox landed him from the Cardinals. Gray is projected for a strong 3.9 WAR in 2026, with a 3.68 ERA and 190 strikeouts over 181 innings.

For Boston, this move feels like a commitment to finally stabilizing a rotation that’s been up and down for years. Right behind him comes Dylan Cease, now with the Blue Jays after coming over from the Padres.

Cease’s projected 3.8 WAR, along with 216 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA, gives Toronto a much-needed frontline arm. He’ll slot right in with their competitive core.

Impact Bats and Two-Way Contributors

Position players start appearing soon after the top pitchers. Many of these guys bring more than just power—think defense, on-base skills, or the ability to move around the field.

Semien, Alonso, and Nimmo Change Lineups

Marcus Semien was traded from the Rangers to the Mets and ranks third overall at 3.1 WAR. His steady glove and expected rebound at the plate make him a huge get for New York.

Pete Alonso heads from the Mets to the Orioles, projecting at 2.7 WAR. He’s expected to hit 35 home runs and drive in 101 RBIs, and his right-handed power should fit right in with Baltimore’s young core.

Brandon Nimmo lands with the Rangers after years with the Mets, checking in at 2.6 WAR. Nimmo’s elite on-base skills add another spark to an offense that already features Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford.

Rotation Depth and Smart Secondary Moves

Some teams chose to shore up pitching depth instead of chasing big names. That’s pretty clear in the middle tiers of these WAR projections.

Pitchers and Role Players on the Rise

Merrill Kelly returns to the Diamondbacks from the Rangers and is projected for 2.5 WAR. He’s Arizona’s top projected starter for 2026.

The Orioles also got busy, adding Taylor Ward from the Angels (2.1 WAR) and Shane Baz from the Rays (2.0 WAR). A group of mid-tier moves includes:

Other contributors like Steven Matz, Mike Burrows, Adolis García, and Dustin May round out the list, with projections between 1.7 and 1.5 WAR.

Why Relievers Rarely Appear

WAR calculations tend to make relievers look less valuable, even though they play a crucial role in real games. Still, some bullpen moves stood out, like Edwin Díaz heading to the Dodgers and Ryan Helsley joining the Orioles.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The top projected players to change teams this offseason (so far)