As we gear up for the 2026 season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the offseason that just wrapped up. Which teams made the biggest strides? It’s not the same as asking which teams are the best overall, though there’s definitely some overlap. But here’s where it gets controversial: how do we measure improvement? Is it just about flashy signings, or does retaining key players count too? Let’s dive in.
To figure this out, we’ll use FanGraphs depth charts and their 2026 projected WAR (Wins Above Replacement) as of Thursday morning. We’ll compare these to the charts from early November—after free agents were removed from their teams but before qualifying offer decisions were made. Think of it this way: In November, there was 163 projected WAR worth of talent available on the free agent market. Now, only 26 WAR remains. That’s a lot of talent that’s found new homes, averaging a +4.5 WAR boost per team.
Almost every team got a little better, of course, since we’re starting from a point where free agents had already been removed. For example, the Astros signed pitcher Tatsuya Imai and made trades for Nick Allen and Mike Burrows, adding over 3 wins to their projected value compared to November. But here’s the part most people miss: Improvement isn’t just about adding new players—it’s about how much better you are compared to where you started the offseason. Retaining your own free agents? That counts as work too.
Take the Yankees’ outfield, for instance. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham are expected to get most of the playing time again. To some, that’s just “running it back.” But at the start of the winter, only Judge was under contract. Bellinger and Grisham (who accepted a qualifying offer) required significant effort and money to retain. So, no matter what some might think, improvement isn’t only about signing players from other teams.
With that in mind, here are the 10 teams that improved the most from the start of free agency until now…
Dodgers (+7.9 WAR)
Biggest adds: RF Kyle Tucker, RP Edwin Díaz, IF Miguel Rojas
You might be surprised to see the back-to-back World Series champs atop this list, but remember, they only had the fifth-most wins last season. By signing Tucker, they transformed their outfield from the 18th-best to a projected top-five group. Díaz bolsters the bullpen, and Rojas adds depth. Small upgrades? Maybe. But they add up.Phillies (+6.8 WAR)
Biggest adds: DH Kyle Schwarber, C J.T. Realmuto, OF Adolis García, RP Brad Keller
Phillies fans might not love this, but their offseason was solid. They addressed their catcher void with Realmuto, kept Schwarber’s elite bat, and upgraded their outfield defense with García. Keller’s addition to the bullpen is a quiet but impactful move. Are they better than their 96-win 2025 roster? Maybe not. But they’re definitely better than where they started the offseason.Red Sox (+6.3 WAR)
Biggest adds: SP Ranger Suárez, SP Sonny Gray, 1B Willson Contreras, IF Caleb Durbin, SP Johan Oviedo, IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, IF Andruw Monasterio
Boston focused on their rotation, building baseball’s top-projected unit. Contreras adds punch, and moves for middle infielders ensure Ceddane Rafaela stays in center field, where his glove shines.Orioles (+6.1 WAR)
Biggest adds: 1B Pete Alonso, RF Taylor Ward, RP Ryan Helsley, IF Blaze Alexander, RP Andrew Kittredge, SP Shane Baz, SP Chris Bassitt
The Orioles added Alonso and Ward for significant offensive upgrades, but their rotation remains a question mark. Even with these improvements, they might still be fourth-best in the AL East. Is that enough?Blue Jays (+6 WAR)
Biggest adds: SP Dylan Cease, SP Cody Ponce, 3B/1B Kazuma Okamoto, RP Tyler Rogers
Toronto bolstered their rotation with Cease and Ponce, addressing a clear need. Okamoto adds infield depth, but Anthony Santander’s injury looms large. Can these additions make up for it?Tigers (+5.9 WAR)
Biggest adds: SP Framber Valdez, SP Justin Verlander, RP Kenley Jansen, RP Drew Anderson, 2B Gleyber Torres
Detroit’s quiet offseason turned loud with Valdez and Verlander, transforming their rotation into an elite unit. Torres’ return via qualifying offer is a bonus, but is his first-half elite performance the real deal?Cubs (+5.8 WAR)
Biggest adds: 3B Alex Bregman, SP Shota Imanaga, SP Edward Cabrera, RP Phil Maton, RP Hoby Milner, RP Hunter Harvey, 1B Tyler Austin
Losing Kyle Tucker hurt, but adding Bregman and improving their pitching staff could pay dividends. If Cabrera rebounds, this team could surprise.Giants (+5.1 WAR)
Biggest adds: 2B Luis Arraez, CF Harrison Bader, SP Tyler Mahle, SP Adrian Houser
Arraez fixes their second base woes, and Bader allows Jung-Hoo Lee to shift to right field. Small moves, but they address big needs.Rockies (+5 WAR)
Biggest adds: SP Michael Lorenzen, SP Tomoyuki Sugano, RP José Quintana, UT Willi Castro, OF Jake McCarthy, 2B Edouard Julien
After a 119-loss season, the Rockies had nowhere to go but up. Lorenzen, Sugano, and Quintana should provide competent innings, but is it enough to turn things around?Mets (+4.8 WAR)
Biggest adds: 3B Bo Bichette, 2B Marcus Semien, SP Freddy Peralta, CF Luis Robert Jr., 1B Jorge Polanco, RP Luke Weaver, RP Devin Williams, SP Tobias Myers
The Mets completely reshaped their roster, adding Peralta, Bichette, and others. But with trades like Brandon Nimmo, is this a true improvement? What do you think?
So, which team’s offseason impressed you the most? And which move do you think will backfire? Let’s debate in the comments!
