1. Washington Nationals
Key Signings: C Carson Kelly, OF Trent Grisham, 3B Rafael Devers, SP Chris Paddack
Underrated Signing: RP Michel Baez
The Nationals had alot of quality additions in free agency. SP Chris Paddack is a bonafide ace and 3B Rafael Devers is coming off a World Series MVP performance for the Dodgers. C Carson Kelly is power threat behind the dish and OF Trent Grisham is a still relatively young outfielder with alot of pop and a good defender as well.
2. Chicago White Sox
Key Signings: SP Zac Gallen, SP Blake Salazar, RP Salvador Ramirez, 3B Tommy Edman
Underrated Signing: RP Keone Kela
The White Sox did not sign as many players on this list but they definitely got quality over quantity. Gallen and Salazar are stud aces. Salvador Ramirez is a young stud lefty out of the pen. Edman is a little older but should still be good throughout the majority of his contract. Kela is not even really underrated but for this group he is.
3. San Diego Padres
Key Signings: Fernando Tatis Jr, OF Yordan Alvarez, SP Asher Davis
Underrated Signing:
RP Colin Ray
The Padres signed alot of free agents that should improve their team as a whole. Josh Bell and Corey Seager did not even make the list of key additions for example. But of the impact players resigning Tatis Jr after a year in KC was huge and adding a huge power threat like Alvarez is equally as big. Asher Davis is another solid top of the rotation starter and RP Colin Ray is young with superstar potential.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Key Signings: SP Skylar Dennison, OF Cody Bellinger, RP Antonio Osuna
Underrated Signing: RP Buddy Doran
The Phillies opened up the checkbook for Bellinger but he is definitely worth the price tag. A great hitter and a plus defender. Skylar Dennison is solid still young #2 or #3 starter for the Phils. Osuna has a little age on him but he can still bring it with the best of relievers. Doran is not so much underrated but he was the only other Philly signing. He has youth on his side and won't hurt you out of the back of the pen.
5. New York Mets
Key Signings: SP Jacob deGrom, OF Oscar Mercado, SP Sean Manaea
Underrated Signing: C Mitch Garver
Due to age and home ballpark Garver is not going to hit 64 Hrs again this season but bang for your buck he was a nice addition. Apparently age was not a factor in the Mets trying to improve their club as OF Oscar Mercado was their youngest impact signing at 31 years old but these guys can all still get the job done.
6. Atlanta Braves
Key Signings: C Montez Rodalis, SS Nico Hoerner, OF Justis Crenshaw
Underrated Signing: 3B Hal Jennings
The Braves had to replace almost their entire offensive lineup and improved in most areas compared to last years team. Rodalis, Hoerner, and Crenshaw combined for 101 Hrs last season other than Hoerner they won't hit for much average but they can drive the ball with the best of them. Jennings was brought back to Atlanta after a fairly productive season last year with just shy of 40 doubles and adding 13 bombs
7. Pittsburgh Pirates
Key Signings: 1B Michael Chavis, RP Jordan Hicks, DH Shohei Ohtani
Underrated Signing: 3B Randy LaFontaine
Getting Chavis back on his comp tender was a big move for the Pirates. One of the best bats in the league. Adding Jordan Hicks to pair with Josh Hader gives the Pirates a devastating 1-2 punch at the end of games. Ohtani still has some juice left in his bat as well. LaFontaine had a solid season in Baltimore last year in his 1st full season of starts so interested to see if he can improve on those numbers
8. Cincinnati Reds
Key Signings: SS Carlos Correa, 1B Bruno Serratore, RP Yadi Guerrero
Underrated Signing: SP Steve Alvarez
Cincy made a splash signing Carlos Correa and followed it up going international with slugging 1Bman Bruno Serratore. This should add alot to the middle of the lineup. RP Guerrero the hard throwing lefy was a much needed addition to the Reds bullpen. Alvarez is a young starter who has superstar potential even if he does take a few lumps this season.
9. Chicago Cubs
Key Signings: SP Jose Urquidy, RP Trey Wingenter, RP Darwinzon Hernandez
Underrated Signing: OF Anthony Santander
The Cubs added a top of the rotation type starter in Urquidy and bolstered the bullpen with Wingenter and Hernandez. Santander still has a little left in the tank and should provide a quality bat still.
10. St. Louis Cardinals
Key Signings: RP Alex Bartholomew, RP Edgar Garcia
Underrated Signing: None
Bartholomew and Garcia were big additions to pair with the aging Gallegos to form a formidable pen. Almost included 1Bman Callix McNair as an underrated signing as he has some power potential but not sure if he will get ample playing time.
The Nats made several moves that will undoubtedly have their win total trend upwards in 2027. Among those signings, Carson Kelly stands out among the best. Kelly, who has spent his entire 7 year career in Pittsburgh, is a great veteran who helped lead Pittsburgh to 3 consecutive titles, playing both catcher and 3B. Among the premier power hitters in the league, Kelly ranks 20th in home runs since 2022, with an .523 SLG in that span.
That's right, we kick things off with a former and a current Pirates slugger. Both of whom signed contracts for $15 million over the next 3 years. Even better yet, Michael Chavis was nearly signed by Washington, but Pittsburgh elected to match the offer via comp tender. Chavis, who broke out and earned his first all star nod last season, fell just under the radar of teams looking for a new 1B this offseason. This is no unfortunate event for the Pirates, however, as they look to bounce back from a "down" year in 2026.
Here is yet another player that Washington signed and/or nearly signed this offseason. However this one is more of victory by default. Although the 2B market was less than plentiful this year (Juan Manuel Valdes was the top earner at $28M), the Nats got a good deal for a guy who has hit 73 home runs over the past 2 seasons.
Everyone loves a good underdog story. After being an undrafted free agent and bouncing around the league on 1 year deals (and nearly quitting baseball to help run his dad's bait shop), Randy LaFontaine finally appears to have a home. And what better home than that of the 3 time league champs? While he's yet to put together a good full season, there have been heavy flashes of potential for the 26 year old from Shreveport. With a modern day Murderers' Row of a lineup in front of him, 'LaFonz' will get plenty of opportunities to prove himself in 2027.
Carlos Correa stands alone as the top steal in all of free agency. At 31, Correa has already done it all. A World Series winner in 2021, an MVP in 2024, and 5 all star nods in the league's 7 years of existence; it is more than safe to say that Carlos has punched his ticket to Cooperstown already. This stint may be short lived, however, as the Reds have listed Correa on their trade block already. No matter where he winds up, he's still one of the best bargains in all of LoCo.
While the Marlins don't appear to be a threat in the NL in 2027, they still secured one of the best values in all of free agency. Appearing to be on the way out and giving his former team a potential comp pick, Reynolds was disappointed to find that he received just one offer, from the Padres. After being forced to accept said offer, then being matched by his former team, Reynolds really had no say in this entire process. Like Correa, don't expect Reynolds to stay put for too long, as the Marlins have not shied away from including him in trade talks in the past.
Back for his 3rd contract with the Mets is 2021 Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. Luckily for the 38 year old, money was never an issue. "I've made enough in my career. This was about coming back and rewarding this great franchise and fan base with a ring." said deGrom. In an offseason where 5 different starting pitchers signed for over 10x as much, that is a breath of fresh air for Mets fans. deGrom, an ace or at least high end #2 on most teams, is slotted as the 3rd SP in the 2027 rotation.
They say one man's trash is another's treasure. After Tampa Bay made the decision to cut the star reliever, the offseason champion Nats wasted no time in acquiring the 35 year old Pagan. "It was a real shitshow least year", says Pagan, "guys playing out of position, front office nowhere to be found, it was a complete mess." Well Emilio, consider yourself saved. With a formidable defense backing him up, expect Pagan to return to his former self in Washington.
Wednesday was a busy one in Arlington for new Rangers' GM Matt Frederick. After an announcement of a stadium rebranding, as well as some alterations to the right field wall (much suited for a lineup that projects just 1 lefty this year), Texas made a major splash at manager. After 7 consecutive losing seasons, it appears that Chris Woodward has overstayed his welcome. With that comes a familiar, yet highly unexpected face. For 22 years, former manager Johnny Oates has been cryogenically frozen and stored inside of Globe Life Parks' equipment locker.
"22 years is long enough, it's time to get this guy out of here", says Rangers head equipment manager, Troy Barnes. "He's in a glass case man, can you imagine walking in there everyday and being face to face with a dead guy?"
Oates is expected to meet with the press on Friday afternoon, shortly after he's done thawing.