The Los Angeles Dodgers’ second consecutive World Series win closed out the 2025 season and opened the offseason for the rest of the MLB to strengthen their rosters through trades and free agent deals. The Dodgers, looking to repeat as champions for the third straight year, signed the highly sought-after outfielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker previously played for the Chicago Cubs, where, in the 2025 season, he tallied 17 home runs, 52 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He has become the most valuable free agent this winter, posting a 4.0 fWAR every year since 2021. This metric is calculated as Fangraph Wins Above Replacement, which compares a player’s value to a possible replacement. ESPN reports that Tucker has signed a 4-year contract with the Dodgers worth $240 million, making him the highest-paid position player by annual salary. The Dodgers are the second-wealthiest team in the MLB, which gives them the ability to sign relatively expensive contracts with top free agents, such as Tucker.
The Chicago Cubs may have lost Tucker, but they did sign third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year contract after Bregman spent last year playing for the Boston Red Sox. The Cubs had been pursuing Bregman for two offseasons prior, but now they have finally landed the third baseman. It has been 10 years since the Cubs won a World Series, and the team is looking to improve the skill and potential of its roster. Mark Feinsand, the executive reporter for the MLB, stated that he was “shocked the Cubs bid out the Red Sox,” as they are not usually a team interested in the free agent market. Bregman’s deal signifies the Cubs’ need for defensive stability in their infield.
Kyle Schwarber, alternatively, brings scoring potential to the free agent market. Serving primarily as a designated hitter, Schwarber set a career high in 2025 with 56 home runs, playing in all 162 games and setting a world record for the most home runs scored by a left-handed hitter against left-handed pitchers in a single season. After playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025 and placing second in Most Valuable Player voting, the team was eager to re-sign him and agreed on a five-year contract worth $150 million. At 33 years old, Schwarber is a rarity; most players retire in their mid to late thirties, yet Schwarber remains indispensable to the Phillies and their chances at winning a World Series.
Just as the Phillies re-signed their top hitter, the New York Yankees, the wealthiest team in the MLB, have re-signed Cody Bellinger, one of their own top hitters. The Yankees signed Bellinger last winter, but did not enact a strong long-term contract. Bellinger exercised his opt-out clause this winter, making him a free agent for the 2026 season. Hitting behind superstar Aaron Judge in the lineup, Bellinger blasted 29 home runs this past season. Bellinger was looking for a long-term contract, and the Yankees have given him just that with a five-year contract worth $162.5 million. In a conference with the MLB, Bellinger stated that he was excited to return to the Bronx Bombers.
“We all play for each other and, on top of that, we have some important pieces coming back,” Bellinger said.
The Yankees seemed intent on retaining many players on their roster as they also re-signed other free agent players, such as Trent Grisham, Tim Hill, Amed Rosario, Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn.
March 25, 2026, signifies the end of the offseason, and teams have made a significant effort to strengthen themselves in preparation for the start of the regular season. The combination of high-profile signings and strategic re-signings will set up a competitive season for fans and players.