Baltimore Orioles

When Tomoyuki Sugano took the mound in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, pitching for Japan against the United States, it was a pretty good preview of what the major leagues might feel like. “Having the opportunity to pitch at Dodger Stadium in the 2017 WBC against the American team was a dream come true,” he said through a translator. “That really solidified (my) feelings of wanting to pitch in the big leagues one day.” Now Sugano is on his way to the majors, although he's joining a team on a different side of the country from Dodger Stadium.

The Baltimore Orioles left about $2.1 million unspent from their 2024 international signing bonus pool allotment and the Los Angeles Dodgers around $1.9 million in a year there was speculation Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki would be available. Major League Baseball's international amateur signing period runs from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, and Sasaki was not posted until Dec. 8. The 2025 bonus pools range from $7,555,500 for eight teams to $5,146,200 for the Dodgers and San Francisco.

The Angels are completely remodeling their 40-man roster this offseason, at the expense of their former first round picks. Matt Thaiss was the first former first rounder to get expunged from the 40-man, and then came Jordyn Adams. Thaiss has found his way to the Chicago White Sox, and Adams just recently signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles took a step back in 2024 from where they finished in 2023. After winning 101 games and the American League East in 2023, they won 10 fewer games in 2024 and had to settle for a Wild Card berth. Both years resulted in first-round playoff exits, and this offseason has been much like the others, albeit there has been no trade for a bonafide ace. In fact, that ace that they traded for last offseason, Corbin Burnes, is still a free agent, and there has been no indication that the Orioles are even in contention to bring him back.

The Baltimore Orioles have one of the best rosters in baseball. Baltimore is loaded with exciting, young talent and at this point, no player is better on the roster than 23-year-old All-Star Gunnar Henderson. Henderson is a Most Valuable Player-caliber player. Henderson shined for the Orioles in 2024 with 37 home runs, 92 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .281/.364/.529 slash line in 159 games played.

The Kansas City Royals have a pressing need for more offense. To make a deeper run into October in 2025, Kansas City needs more power, and they would be best served chasing a slugger. Fortunately, the free agent market is full of sluggers, and there is still time for the Royals to open up their pocketbooks and land a big fish to strengthen their ballclub. Anthony Santander, who was an All-Star for the first time this year, is still available.

The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous groups in baseball. While making predictions for the best-remaining pitchers in free agency and on the trade block, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer predicted that Jack Flaherty would leave the Dodgers and sign with the Baltimore Orioles. Rymer predicted that Flaherty would sign a four-year, $88 million deal with the Orioles. The Orioles are in danger of losing Corbin Burnes and will have to build a rotation capable of replacing his production.

Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo has seen his name surface in trade rumors recently. Seattle has starting pitching depth with George Kirby and Lucas Gilbert ready to take on even more prominent roles. Given the exorbitant contracts starting pitchers have received this offseason, teams are frothing at the mouth at the idea of trading for Castillo. Castillo is owed just over $24 million in each of the next three seasons.

How will the Los Angeles Dodgers handle the remainder of free agency with regards to starting pitching? One might think there's no more need for the Dodgers to add starters, after signing Blake Snell to join a star-laden rotation with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow. For one, the Dodgers reportedly plan to use a six-man rotation, which could necessitate one more signing even if everyone is at full strength.

The Toronto Blue Jays have yet to take care of their holiday shopping, but that could change any day now. After a last-place finish in the American League East, the Blue Jays have a lot of work to do this winter to get the franchise back on track. Homegrown All-Stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette will both be free agents after this season, so Toronto is approaching a crossroads. How about adding a switch-hitting All-Star to ease some of the burden on the Blue Jays' superstar?

Gary Sánchez may be unfamiliar with the Baltimore Orioles, and fans may be somewhat unfamiliar with him. Back in the day, Sánchez and Mateo were both minor leaguers in the New York Yankees system. New York signed Sánchez as part of its 2009 international class, while the Yankees signed Ortiz in their 2012 international class.

Buster Posey wasted little time in his new position as president of baseball operations with the San Francisco Giants. A big knock against Farhan Zaidi during his tenure in the position was his inability to land the bigger names in free agency. Posey proved it is possible to bring in highly productive hitters when shortstop Willy Adames agreed to a massive contract with the team. Not only did San Francisco need an upgrade at shortstop, so that they could move Tyler Fitzgerald over to second base, but they also needed another productive hitter for their lineup.

The New York Mets are reportedly signing left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell to a minor-league deal.

The Texas Rangers added a pitcher coming off a career-best year to help improve the team’s bullpen ahead of the 2025 MLB season.

What’s next for the domed stadium in St. Petersburg is uncertain, as is the plan for a new stadium there.

O'Neill can opt out of the deal after 2025.

See our predictions for where Major League Baseball's top free agents will land ahead of the 2025 season.

Robinson Chirinos was a big league catcher in 11 seasons through 2022, finishing with the Orioles.

Colorado announced the agreement after failing to offer a 2025 contract to Brendan Rodgers, making the former first-round pick a free agent.

Austin Slater tried to go into free agency with no expectations, which the outfielder admitted “is a little hard.” Would the veteran of parts of eight big-league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles find a home relatively quickly? Or would he come to an agreement closer to spring training? “I’m glad this is the way that it went and excited about the spot ...

A Boston auctioneer is taking bidders out to the ballpark with an auction of a team executive’s Red Sox memorabilia — including four World Series trophies.