Ranking the Most Impactful MLB Offseason Acquisitions

When the dust settles from the World Series and the offseason begins, it's a race to to acquire the biggest talent on the market.

Whether superstar free agents, offseason trades, international pools or the latest Japanese stars to join the Dodgers, hungry teams and front offices get to work to improve their rosters in hopes of winning a title.

Sometimes these big moves pan out immediately while others take time to come to fruition and sometimes, they backfire.

With the ultimate goal for every team to win a World Series, we're looking at which of this past offseason's acquisitions are making the biggest impact after the first month of the season with division races and title runs taking shape.

By comparing preseason odds and win totals to the current market prices, standings and Dimers' latest MLB Futures Predictions, we can identify the players making waves with their new squads early on.

For all of our latest World Series predictions, as well as AL/NL Pennant races and Division titles, use our MLB Futures page, with full access exclusive to our Dimers Pro subscribers, along with our daily Home Run picks, MLB Best Bets and more.

Top 5 Most Impactful Offseason Moves in MLB

1. Kyle Tucker - Chicago Cubs

1st in NL Central

• Preseason Odds: +3000 World Series | +1500 NL | +260 NL Central
• Current Odds: +2000 | +1000 | -230
• Preseason Win Total: 85.5
• Current Win Total: 91.5

When looking at the odds, win total and overall eye test, there's arguably no more impactful move form the offseason than Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs.

Though they unloaded then 73-ranked prospect Cam Smith, they got back a potential MVP candidate and instant results.

Tucker has the 8th-highest OPS in the league at .965 and 26 RBI, good for 5th in MLB. He's hitting the ball harder and striking out less than he has in his career. He's third in the MVP odds at +440.

Chicago's odds to win the World Series and the NL Pennant have dropped by 33%, while they've gone from +260 to heavy -230 favorites to win the NL Central. Only the Dodgers have shorter odds to win their division while their season-long win total has risen by 6 wins.

The Dimers model gives the Cubs a 3.5% chance to win the World Series and 7.3% to win the NL.

They'll need to lock down Tucker to an extension to make it truly worth it, barring an instant run to the World Series, but after these early-season results, that could happen sooner than later.

2. Jack Flaherty - Detroit Tigers

1st in AL Central

• Preseason Odds: +3500 WS | +1300 AL | +290 AL Central
• Current Odds: +2000 | +700 | -150
• Preseason Win Total: 83.5
• Current Win Total: 89.5

The benefit of the Jack Flaherty signing goes back to last season before the trade deadline, when he was already a member of the Tigers rotation.

Detroit moved Flaherty to the Dodgers in exchange for a pair of prospects, SS Trey Sweeney and C Thayron Liranzo. Then, the Tigers res-signed Flaherty in the offseason, effectively netting two prospects for a temporary loan to the Dodgers. Sweeney was instrumental in helping the Tigers reach the postseason and Liranzo is a Top 100 prospect in MLB.

Now, the Tigers are favorites to win the AL Central, down to -150 from +290 at opening. Their win total has risen by 6 games and before the season, Dimers gave them a ceiling of 105 wins, which they're projecting much closer to now.

The Tigers are a legitimate threat, and in better position now than they were entering last season's playoffs, with former top prospect Spencer Torkelson seeing a resurgence of power and hitting ability alongside their improved rotation featuring Flaherty.

Now, the Dimers model says the Royals are the play in the AL Central - we have them and the Tigers nearly dead even at 34.0% to win the division, while Kansas City sits at +500 - but regardless of what happens, the masterful handling of Jack Flaherty's as an asset are clear.

3. Garrett Crochet, Alex Bregman - Boston Red Sox

2nd in AL East

• Preseason Odds: +2500 WS | +1200 AL | +450 AL East
• Current Odds: +1900 | +750 | +260 
• Preseason Win Total: 86.5
• Current Win Total: 86.5

The first team on this list with a pair of moves, the Boston Red Sox are on the rise.

On the final day of MLB's winter meetings, Boston reached a deal with the Other Sox to acquire young ace Garrett Crochet for a package of prospects. The Red Sox gave up a bit but got two full years of control on Crochet and didn't have to give up any of their starters.

So far this season, Crochet is 3-2 with a 2.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He's the second favorite in the Cy Young race.

But that's not all, the Red Sox also got Alex Bregman, a right-handed bat the Sox were chasing all offseason. Bregman is hitting .328 with a .985 OPS, good for 7th and 5th in all of MLB. He's showing off his power with 7 HR and filled a much-needed hole in their infield.

The Dimers model immediately jumped on this improved roster, identifying the Red Sox early on as the best value to win the AL East and contend in the World Series. Now they are behind only the Yankees in the AL East race with the other three teams all +1000 or longer, and remain a World Series dark horse.

And the last time Boston acquired an ace from Chicago, things worked out pretty well.

4. Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt - New York Yankees

1st in AL East

• Preseason Odds: +850 WS | +300 AL | +115 AL East
• Current Odds: +750 | +310 | -150
• Preseason Win Total: 89.5
• Current Win Total: 92.5

The impact of the Yankees' offseason moves is more about where they would be without them, rather than the results in the odd thus far.

Acquiring ace Max Friend and veteran hitter Paul Goldschmidt has solidified the Yankees' position atop the AL East. They lost Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery before the season began, making the addition of Fried less of a luxury and more of a necessity. He's a Top 4 candidate for the AL Cy Young, has a 5-0 record and a 1.19 ERA.

While the power has been there for the Yanks, they lead MLB in home runs with 51, their hitting is bit lackluster with multiple starters hitting below .230.

Fortunately, Goldschmidt is raking, hitting .363 for second-best on the team behind Aaron Judge's otherworldly .412.

Though the movement hasn't been massive, they've shortened to a minus odds favorite in the AL East and seen their win total rise by 3 games.

However, in light of that, the DimersBOT still thinks they're vulnerable over the long run, putting them at 7.7% to win the World Series (5th best) and just 47.0% to win the AL East, while their odds suggest 60.0%.

5. Juan Soto, Ryne Stanek - New York Mets

1st in NL East

• Preseason Odds: +1000 WS | +600 NL | +150 NL East
• Current Odds: +850 | +500 | -145
• Preseason Win Total: 90.5
• Current Win Total: 96.5

The Mets stunned the baseball world when they signed Juan Soto to a mega 15-year, $765 million contract back in December.

His numbers aren't shocking the world, though he's got plenty of time to get into his groove in a new lineup and new stadium. The Mets also acquired Ryne Stanek in a trade last season before signing up to a one-year deal in the offseason.

Stanek has hit a rough three-game stretch, but was nearly untouchable in his first 9 appearances this year, giving the Mets a reliable late-inning reliever and his efficiency allowed them to hold several late leads and put together their best 10-game stretch of the season en route to their current lead atop the NL East.

The contributions from their veterans can't be ignored though - Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are flashing MVP worthy numbers in a a league with a lot of early contenders. But the presence of Soto and Stanek are felt in their lineup and results.

Their win total has shot up to one of the highest on the board, and the Dimers model has moved from favoring the Braves preseason, to the Mets atop the NL East at a 42.8% probability. While our model doesn't find any value given they're at -145, they now have a 15% advantage over Atlanta and Philadelphia in the division race.

Honorable Mention

Nick Pivetta - San Diego Padres

3rd in NL west

• Preseason Odds: +1800 WS | +1100 NL | +550 NL West
• Current Odds: +2000 | +1200 | +700
• Preseason Win Total: 85.5
• Current Win Total: 90.5

Third in the division, longer odds to win the World Series than opening and drifting further away in the division race might make you wonder how the Padres are seeing the benefit of offseason moves.

However, if not for Nick Pivetta, this team could very well be under .500 and looking out of it early on.

The Padres' 90 runs allowed is the lowest in all of MLB. Pivetta is 5-1, boasts a 1.78 ERA and nearly top of the class with a 0.82 WHIP, and is off to the best start of a season in his career. Aside from Michael king, the Padres don't have another starting pitcher with a winning record.

They're currently +700 to win the NL West with our model's 14.3% probability identifying an ice little value - fair odds would be just +600.

Dimers' 2025 MLB Betting Resources

• MLB Predictions: Our data-backed previews for every game, every day
• MLB Best Bets: Our Top Picks for every individual matchup
• Best MLB Props: Player edges and projections from our predictive analytics model
• MLB Futures Odds: Who will win the 2025 World Series?
• MLB Betting News: The latest promos, storylines and more around the league

Responsible Gambling

Remember to please gamble responsibly. If you sense that you're taking your luck too far, know when to call it quits and don't be afraid to seek assistance. Keep in mind that gambling is all about having a fantastic experience! If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling issues, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for crisis counseling and support.