The 13 biggest stars on new teams this season

The 13 biggest stars on new teams this season

March 31st, 2024

Anyone who tuned in to the first few days of the 2024 MLB season likely noticed the plethora of top stars donning new uniforms.

It’s the product of an active offseason (and spring) that saw many marquee names change teams, either via free agency or the trade market.

For a refresher on who is now playing where, here’s a breakdown of the 13 biggest stars on new teams this season (not including rookies).

All stats below are through Friday.

1. , DH/SP, Dodgers
Ohtani was perhaps the most anticipated free agent in baseball history, coming off an incredible three-year run in which he won multiple unanimous American League MVP Awards and demonstrated the ability to be both an elite slugger and frontline starter at the same time. The Dodgers were considered the frontrunners in the Ohtani sweepstakes from the start, and they ultimately signed the two-way superstar to a 10-year, $700 million contract, believed to be the richest deal in global sports history.

Ohtani won’t be pitching in 2024 after undergoing right elbow surgery last September, but he still tops our list as the biggest star on a new team this season. His work on offense alone last year was sensational -- he led the AL in homers (44) and the Majors in OPS (1.066) while also contributing 20 stolen bases.

2. , OF, Yankees
After posting their worst record (82-80) since 1992, the Yankees entered the offseason needing to bolster their outfield and add more production from the left side. They accomplished both goals in one fell swoop, acquiring Soto from the Padres in a December blockbuster.

The disciplined slugger has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport for his incredible production at such a young age -- his lifetime 157 OPS+ through the end of 2023 was the ninth-highest mark all time for a player through his age-24 season (minimum 2,500 plate appearances). Soto will look to have a big year in pinstripes before getting the opportunity to test free agency at the end of 2024. He has already made his presence felt with the Bronx Bombers, making a game-saving outfield assist in the ninth inning on Opening Day, hitting a go-ahead home run Saturday and reaching base in nine of his first 15 plate appearances overall.

3. , SP, Orioles
Finding a proven ace to lead their talented young roster was at the top of the O’s wish list entering the offseason. They finally found one in February when they sent prospects and to the Brewers for Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner.

While Burnes is only controllable for one year before he can become a free agent, the right-hander could prove to be the missing puzzle piece for a Baltimore team that looks like a legitimate World Series contender. He was brilliant in his O’s debut, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit over six innings in the club’s 11-3 win over the Angels on Opening Day.

4. , SP, Giants
Snell reached free agency on a high note after a dominant season in which he posted an MLB-leading 2.25 ERA with 234 strikeouts over 180 innings. The left-hander’s excellence was recognized when he won the NL Cy Young Award, making him the seventh pitcher to earn Cy honors in both leagues. Snell, however, didn’t find the megadeal he was looking for and ended up joining the Giants on a two-year, $62 million contract (with an opt-out after 2024) less than two weeks before Opening Day.

Snell has a lot to prove before he makes another run at free agency, considering he led MLB in walks (99) last year and has thrown more than 129 1/3 innings in a season only twice (in his two Cy Young campaigns) in his career. But there’s no denying the left-hander’s ceiling is among the highest of any pitcher when he’s on.

5. , SP, Dodgers
The Dodgers landed their primary target when they signed Ohtani, but with the two-way superstar not expected to pitch in 2024 following right elbow surgery, they still needed to address their rotation. Less than a week after finalizing their deal with Ohtani, the Dodgers swung a trade with the Rays for Glasnow (and outfielder , who was eventually traded to the Twins) and signed him to a five-year, $136.5 million contract extension through 2028.

The flamethrowing righty battled persistent injuries during his time with Tampa Bay, but he consistently flashed overpowering stuff while posting a 3.20 ERA and a 12.2 K/9 over 71 starts in a Rays uniform. Glasnow would soon be joined in the Dodgers’ rotation by Japanese ace , who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with Los Angeles in January.

6. , RP, Astros
The Astros already had an All-Star closer in , but that didn’t stop them from signing the top reliever on the free-agent market to a five-year, $95 million contract in January. Hader bounced back from a shaky 2022 season (5.22 ERA) to post a microscopic 1.28 ERA with 33 saves and 85 strikeouts over 56 1/3 innings for the Padres a year ago.

The left-hander ranks second in ERA (2.49) and FIP (2.71), first in K/9 (15.04) and WHIP (0.94) and third in saves (165) among pitchers who have thrown at least 350 innings since 2017, his debut season.

7. , SP, Padres
With Snell, Hader and several other arms reaching free agency, the Padres spent the offseason addressing their pitching staff. San Diego’s work appeared to be complete after acquiring four hurlers -- including -- from the Yankees in the Soto trade and signing relievers , and , but general manager A.J. Preller had one more trick up his sleeve.

Shortly before the team’s plane was scheduled to depart for Korea for the season-opening Seoul Series against the Dodgers, the Padres completed a blockbuster with the White Sox for Cease, who was slated to be Chicago’s Opening Day starter. Cease struggled some in 2023 (4.58 ERA), but he finished second in the AL Cy Young Award race one year prior with a 2.20 ERA and 227 strikeouts over 184 innings.

8. , SP, Cardinals
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak said at the beginning of the offseason that St. Louis was looking to add at least two starters, which was no surprise after the team’s rotation imploded and it finished in last place in the NL Central in 2023. The Cards fulfilled that goal when they signed and , but they were still lacking an ace until they made their biggest move of the offseason, inking Gray to a three-year, $75 million contract.

Gray finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting as a member of the Twins in 2023, posting a 2.79 ERA with 183 strikeouts over 184 innings. The righty was placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a mild right hamstring strain during Spring Training, but it shouldn’t be long before he makes his Cardinals debut.

9. , SP, D-backs
The D-backs clearly weren’t content to rest on their laurels after making a surprising run to the World Series in 2023. Arizona was one of baseball’s most active teams in the offseason, adding to their rotation and and to its lineup in addition to re-signing The D-backs went back to the well one more time after losing Rodriguez to a lat strain late in Spring Training, reaching a one-year, $25 million deal (with a 2025 vesting option) with Montgomery.

The left-hander recorded a 3.20 ERA over 32 starts between the Cardinals and Rangers last season before helping Texas win a World Series title with a 2.90 ERA over six postseason appearances, one of which came against Arizona in the Fall Classic. Montgomery was one of the top pitchers to reach free agency last November, but he didn’t find a long-term deal to his liking and ultimately took a contract that allows him to test the open market again after 2024.

10. , 3B, Giants
Chapman has long been known as a glove-first player at the hot corner, and that didn't change in his final year before free agency. The third baseman struggled after a hot start and finished 2023 with 17 homers and a .755 OPS over 140 games for the Blue Jays. Like fellow Scott Boras clients Snell, Montgomery, and , Chapman lingered on the free agent market until March before finally reaching a short-term deal -- $18 million for one year with a pair of player options.

Chapman’s elite quality of contact metrics from 2023 -- he ranked in the 98th percentile or better in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrel rate -- suggest he's capable of more at the plate. If he can improve his offensive production in 2024, it would not only be a boon for the Giants’ postseason chances but also raise Chapman's free-agent stock heading into next offseason.

11. , SP, Braves
The Braves’ trade for Sale -- finalized a day before New Year’s Eve -- flew under the radar at the time, but that’s no longer the case after he struck out 23 of the 62 batters (37.1%) he faced during Spring Training, evoking memories of his past dominance. Sale’s strong spring came on the heels of an excellent September (2.88 ERA, 30.2% strikeout rate) with the Red Sox last year.

The veteran southpaw’s health remains a major concern, considering he has made just 31 starts since the beginning of 2020 and just turned 35. However, he has the potential to be a huge addition for a Braves team that was already overloaded with talent.

12. , DH, Mets
After Martinez’s five-year run with the Red Sox ended with a whimper, the veteran slugger joined the Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million deal and enjoyed a resurgent campaign, producing 33 homers with a .572 slugging percentage and an .893 OPS over 113 games in 2023. However, the Dodgers’ pact with Ohtani ensured that Martinez would not be back for another year with Los Angeles.

Martinez remained a free agent until March 23, when he signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets. The 36-year-old didn't begin 2024 with the big league club because he needs time to complete his hitting progression, but he should bring his powerful bat to Citi Field before long.

13. , DH/OF, Giants
The Giants upgraded their offense with the signing of to a six-year, $113 million contract in December, but Lee did not solve San Francisco’s need for a power bat, having hit 65 homers over seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. Accordingly, the Giants made Soler their next big offensive addition, signing the slugger to a three-year, $42 million deal in February.

Soler crushed 36 home runs for the Marlins in 2023, eclipsing the 30-homer plateau for the second time in his career. Considering no Giants hitter has reached 30 homers since Barry Bonds in 2004, Soler could be a perfect fit for San Francisco’s lineup.

Other notable players on new teams: Adam Duvall (ATL), Jarred Kelenic (ATL), Reynaldo López (ATL), Eduardo Rodriguez (AZ), Eugenio Suárez (AZ), Joc Pederson (AZ), Craig Kimbrel (BAL), Lucas Giolito (BOS), Tyler O'Neill (BOS), Héctor Neris (CHC), Jeimer Candelario (CIN), Frankie Montas (CIN), Nick Martinez (CIN), Kenta Maeda (DET), Jack Flaherty (DET), Gio Urshela (DET), Seth Lugo (KC), Michael Wacha (KC), Will Smith (KC), Hunter Renfroe (KC), Aaron Hicks (LAA), Teoscar Hernández (LAD), James Paxton (LAD), Tim Anderson (MIA), Rhys Hoskins (MIL), Gary Sánchez (MIL), Carlos Santana (MIN), Manuel Margot (MIN), Harrison Bader (NYM), Sean Manaea (NYM), Luis Severino (NYM), Marcus Stroman (NYY), Alex Verdugo (NYY), J.D. Davis (OAK), Alex Wood (OAK), Whit Merrifield (PHI), Aroldis Chapman (PIT), Martín Pérez (PIT), Michael A. Taylor (PIT), Jorge Polanco (SEA), Mitch Garver (SEA), Mitch Haniger (SEA), Jordan Hicks (SF), Robbie Ray (SF), Lance Lynn (STL), Kyle Gibson (STL), Jake Odorizzi (TB), Michael Lorenzen (TEX), David Robertson (TEX), Justin Turner (TOR), Joey Votto (TOR), Joey Gallo (WSH)