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BALTIMORE -- Spring Training is less than three weeks away, and the bulk of offseason moves have already taken place. The Hot Stove is still simmering -- and trades can happen at any time -- but most of the big names are now off the board.
As expected, the landscape of the American League East looks a bit different now than it did at the start of November. The division could be even more competitive during the 2025 season.
Let’s break down what the offseason has looked like around the AL East.
Yankees
2024 finish: First place (94-68)
Key additions: RHP Devin Williams, OF Cody Bellinger, LHP Max Fried, 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Key departures: OF Juan Soto (Mets), 2B Gleyber Torres (Tigers), LHP Nestor Cortes (Reds), RHP Clay Holmes (Mets)
The Yanks might have lost Soto (who signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the other New York team), but they’ve upgraded other areas of their roster. They swung a trade with the Brewers to land two-time All-Star Williams to serve as their closer, and they signed Fried (eight years, $218 million) to serve as a co-ace with Gerrit Cole atop the rotation. They also brought in a pair of former MVPs (Bellinger and Goldschmidt) to fill out their lineup.
The Bronx Bombers should compete for the AL East title again in 2025.
Orioles
2024 finish: Second place (91-71)
Key additions: OF Tyler O’Neill, C Gary Sánchez, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Andrew Kittredge
Key departures: RHP Corbin Burnes (D-backs), OF Anthony Santander (Blue Jays), C James McCann (free agent), LHP Danny Coulombe (free agent), RHP Jacob Webb (Rangers)
Although the O’s lost their ace (Burnes) and haven’t made any huge moves to replace him, they’ve plugged a lot of roster holes this offseason. O’Neill’s right-handed power bat will help offset the loss of Santander. Sugano and Morton could pitch quality innings out of the rotation. Sánchez will be the new backup catcher. Kittredge reinforces the back end of the bullpen.
Baltimore would benefit from at least one more big move to set itself up for success this season.
Red Sox
2024 finish: Third place (81-81)
Key additions: LHP Aroldis Chapman, LHP Garrett Crochet, LHP Patrick Sandoval, RHP Walker Buehler, LHP Justin Wilson, C Carlos Narvaez, C Blake Sabol
Key departures: OF Tyler O’Neill (Orioles), C Danny Jansen (Rays), RHP Chris Martin (Rangers)
Boston overhauled its pitching staff this winter. The headlining move was the December trade that brought Crochet over from the White Sox to serve as the Red Sox’s new ace. He’ll be joined by free-agent acquisitions Buehler and Sandoval in the rotation. Meanwhile, Kenley Jansen remains on the market, but Boston signed Chapman to be its potential new closer.
On paper, the Sox appear to be more of a threat in the AL East than they were in 2024.
Rays
2024 finish: Fourth place (80-82)
Key additions: C Danny Jansen
Key departures: OF Jose Siri (Mets), LHP Jeffrey Springs (A’s)
The most notable development of the offseason for Tampa Bay has to do with its ballpark. Tropicana Field was heavily damaged by Hurricane Milton in October, so the Rays will play their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field (located at the Yankees’ Spring Training complex) in Tampa, Fla.
The club’s roster doesn’t look much different than it did at the end of last season.
Blue Jays
2024 finish: Fifth place (74-88)
Key additions: OF Anthony Santander, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Yimi García, 2B Andrés Giménez, OF Myles Straw
Key departures: RHP Jordan Romano (Phillies)
The Blue Jays might not have landed Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki (who signed with the Dodgers), but their offseason picked up in January with the signings of Santander (Jan. 20) and Hoffman (Jan. 10). The former will serve as a needed power bat in the middle of the lineup, while the latter could be Toronto’s new closer following Romano’s departure.
The Blue Jays’ offseason grade is TBD, as they could still have big moves on the way.