Toronto Blue Jays active offseason moves them up MLB Power Rankings

Even after the Blue Jays landed Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, this offseason still feels alive.

There's a sense of momentum that's carried over from their run to the World Series in 2025, and that can be addicting.

We're a month out from when the first MLB teams report to spring training, and plenty of free agents remain unsigned.

So while we wait, let's look ahead to the start of the 2026 season.

MLB insiders Buster Olney, David Schoenfield, Jeff Passan, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo weigh in with an observation for the top ten teams in the league.

The Dodgers began the offseason with a clear need in the ninth inning and, as they tend to do, shored it up with the best player available.

Edwin Diaz said goodbye to the Mets to join the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract, and now Timmy Trumpet will supply the soundtrack to L.A. summers, making the two-time defending champions all the more dangerous.

The Dodgers still have one big move left -- securing another bat, most likely an outfielder.

They're still in on Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, but if a short-term, high-AAV deal is not attainable, they can pivot to a trade. - Alden Gonzalez

After years of falling short in its pursuit of top free agents, Toronto has emerged as the most aggressive team this offseason, using its big money and World Series run to finally become a coveted destination.

In addition to Shane Bieber exercising his $16 million player option to return to the team, the Blue Jays have so far committed $337 million in free agency to Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers and Japan's Kazuma Okamoto, over $130 million more than any other club has spent this winter, and they're probably not done.

Toronto is still in the mix to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker, the consensus top player in this free agent class, or re-sign infielder Bo Bichette.

Last season, the Blue Jays surpassed expectations to win the American League. They will enter this season as a favorite. - Jorge Castillo

The Mariners re-signed Josh Naylor, acquired an excellent platoon bat in Rob Refsnyder and traded for hard-throwing left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer.

Let's see if they trade for one more bat -- the Brendan Donovan rumors won't go away.

One thing that appears certain: They won't be trading any of their starting pitchers, and if that crew bounces back to its 2024 form, the Mariners could win back-to-back division titles for the first time in franchise history. - David Schoenfield

New York's offseason has so far been defined by what it hasn't done. The Yankees have made moves, but they've all been minor and nearly all have been retaining players.

Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer. Ryan Yarbrough, Amed Rosario and Paul Blackburn re-signed on one-year deals each worth under $3 million.

The Yankees made right-hander Cade Winquest, who has never pitched above Double-A, their first Rule 5 selection in 15 years.

Veteran infielder Paul DeJong signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

It's hard to imagine the Yankees not making more substantial additions before spring training.

That could include re-signing Cody Bellinger and/or acquiring a starting pitcher to bolster a rotation that will be without Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt to start the season.

Adding to the bullpen is another possibility after Devin Williams and Luke Weaver left to sign with the Mets. - Jorge Castillo

Philadelphia has yet to resolve its catching position for the coming season, with J.T. Realmuto still unsigned.

But the Phillies' rotation should be formidable again -- and, there is a belief in the organization that Zack Wheeler could be back on the mound for the start of the 2026 season.

That timetable might be adjusted to give Wheeler more time to recover, given the nature of his injury, but so far, so good in the right-hander's rehabilitation. - Buster Olney

It has been an active offseason for the Red Sox, one that is expected to include another significant move or two.

They acquired right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras in separate trades with the Cardinals, and right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pirates.

Moving forward, Boston is interested in re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman. Trading an outfielder to break the logjam and adding another starting pitcher, the Red Sox are one of the teams interested in acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, are also possibilities. - Jorge Castillo

Though Milwaukee lost some players such as Rhys Hoskins and Jose Quintana to free agency, the core of a roster that produced the best regular-season record in 2025 is intact save outfielder Isaac Collins, who was traded to Kansas City for left-hander Angel Zerpa.

Retaining Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta instantly makes the Brewers contenders in the National League Central again -- assuming both pitchers break camp with the team. - Tyler Rogers

Atlanta will continue to look for pitching, but the bulk of its winter work is complete, with the retention of Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop and the addition of closer Robert Suarez and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski.

The big questions going into next season will revolve around the health of key players such as Chris Sale, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley. But the Braves looked poised for a bounce-back season. - Buster Olney

Chicago rebuilt its bullpen this winter, saying hello to no less than four new relievers, but those were only replacements, as Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and others moved on.

The Cubs had yet to make that big winter splash until acquiring Edward Cabrera from Miami this week. It deepens their starting staff in a significant way. Now they need to replace a bat after trading away Owen Caissie for Cabrera. They're a bit thin at the plate. - Tyler Rogers

Baltimore's busy winter after a tremendously disappointing 2025 season began with hiring Craig Albernaz as manager.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias then began working on a checklist to improve the roster: a frontline starter, a closer and a right-handed slugger, preferably in the outfield.

He then signed closer Ryan Helsley, acquired outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Shane Baz in trades, and signed first baseman Pete Alonso to double down on right-handed hitting power.

Though Baz doesn't have the track record of a top starter, he has the talent, and the Orioles could still sign Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez to accompany Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin and Baz in the rotation.

Regardless, the Orioles are much improved with one of the deepest lineups in baseball and a talented young core. - Jorge Castillo

Source: ESPN
MLB midwinter Power Rankings: Blue Jays rise up to No. 2 amid active off-season

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