The Kansas City Chiefs appear poised to place a $23.4M franchise tag on pending free agent guard Trey Smith. This figure usurps Landon Dickerson's current $21M APY as tops among guards, setting Smith up to sign a record-setting multi-year extension this offseason. The deadline to extend tagged players is July 15th (even if the player is traded in the meantime).

The Chiefs enter March with around $8M of Top 51 cap space, so they'll have work to do to fit in this tag figure alone.

The NFL has announced that the 2025 Salary Cap will be set at $279.2M, a 9.32% increase ($23.8M) over last year's number. 

Related Links:
2025 Team Salary Cap Tracker
NFL Cap History

Spotrac's MLB Offseason recap series continues with a look at the AL West, that features a largely rebuilt Rangers roster, the pitching-heavy Mariners, a potentially backsliding Astros, the suddenly prodigal A's, & an Angels team that won't say uncle.

RELATED
MLB Offseason Tracker
2025 Tax Payrolls
Available Free Agents

Athletics

The Athletics finished 4th in the AL West, posting 69 wins against a 30th ranked $84M tax payroll. With a little more pressure on them to spend this time around, the Athletics have now raised their projected 2025 payroll near $100M, 27th in the league right now.

2025 Projections

76 wins, 4th in the AL West

Notable Subtractions

The A's saw a few notable pieces to their pitching rotation/bullpen walk in free agency, but aggressively replaced a few of these roles with their own (unusual) offseason spending.

(SS) Nick Allen
(SP) Joe Boyle, Alex Wood
(RP) Ross Stripling, Scott Alexander, Trevor Gott

Notable Additions

Luis Severino's 3 year, $67M deal is the highest total value/APY contract in the history of the franchise. Tie that into a 5 year, $60M extension for Brent Rooker & a $10M deal for Jose Leclerc and it's not hard to understand just how different this offseason has been for this organization. The Athletics spent $82M in free agency this season, 11th in the league.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Luis Severino, $23.3M
(RP) Jose Leclerc, $10M
(3B) Gio Urshela, $2.15M
(RP) TJ McFarland, $1.8M

Via Trade
(SP) Jeffrey Springs

Prospects/Farm System

The Athletics' farm system currently ranks 11th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Nick Kurtz (1B), and 2023 1st Rounder Jacob Wilson (SS). Hitting on their last two top draft picks is a big step forward for a franchise trying to find a strong foothold for the first time in a decade.

Top 100 Prospects
(1B) Nick Kurtz, (SS) Jacob Wilson

2025 Storylines

• The MLB Union essentially forced the A's to increase their spending this offseason (or risk losing their revenue share). It's more of a consequence of a COVID/Relocation agreement than it was a disciplinary action, but it got the job done (sort of). Will this be a one-off, or will the spending lead to more wins, which in turn forces the team to continue spending, etc...
• The A's 40-man roster consists of 6 veteran contracts, 3 arbitration-level salaries, and 31 pre-arbitration salaries. This is an incredibly young team that could develop into a legitimate core unit over the next calendar year.
• Speedster Esteury Ruiz battled injuries in 2024 that derailed his production/impact. He enters 2025 healthy and could be a legitimate x-factor for the A's with a new (old) onus on speed within the game.

Houston Astros

Despite a slow start, the Astros won the AL West in 2024 against a 6th-ranked $264M tax payroll, putting them about $30M over the threshold. They've trimmed back significantly this offseason, now projecting toward a $229M payroll to begin the 2025 season (about $12M under the $241M threshold).

2025 Projections

84 wins, 3rd in the AL West

Notable Subtractions

Bregman and Tucker are gigantic losses (obviously) while both the starting rotation and bullpen are in early stages of turning over new leaves as well. The roster is still very much strung up by long-term deals for Jose Altuve and Josh Hader, but for the most part, the Astros are in a bit of transition and could be very fluid throughout the 2025 season.

(3B) Alex Bregman
(OF) Kyle Tucker, Jason Heyward
(SP) Justin Verlander, Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Urquidy
(RP) Ryan Pressly, Kendall Graveman, Hector Neris, Caleb Ferguson

Notable Additions

Houston made an early splash to bring in 1B Christian Walker on a 3/60 free agent deal, and filled two needs in 1 move in sending Tucker to the Cubs for 3B Paredes & SP Wesneski. But this was clearly an offseason of subtraction, not addition. The Astros spent $61.2M total in free agency, 14th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(1B) Christian Walker, $20M
(OF) Ben Gamel, $1.2M

Via Trade
(3B) Isaac Paredes, (SP) Hayden Wesneski, (OF) Taylor Trammell

Prospects/Farm System

The Astros' farm system currently ranks 29th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Cam Smith (3B). Houston has operating with a near bottom of the league ranked farm for the better part of a decade, but have also successfully gotten more out of "middle-tier" talent than most organizations. It's not a trend that can continue for too long, but there's chance they have another 4-6 players ready to impact the MLB roster in the next calendar year.

Top 100 Prospects
(3B) Cam Smith

2025 Storylines

• It's a step-back/subtraction year for the Astros with a financial goal to remain under the tax-threshold and escape repeater status. But they'll enter 2025 in the Wildcard conversation until further notice.
• How will the positional-puzzle sort out? There appear to be a lot of changing/interchangable parts to open the season. Could it prompt even further subtraction?
• If the team starts to slide in the win column, having the highest paid closer in baseball may prove inefficient.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels finished in the AL West in 2024 despite a 15th-ranked $190M tax payroll. A somewhat aggressive winter has their 2025 number projected toward $212M, 11th in MLB.

2025 Projections

75 wins, 5th in the AL West

Notable Subtractions

The Angels started the offseason off with a bang, non-tendering two of their starting pitchers (Sandoval/Canning) and staking their claim to the league that change was coming.

(OF) Kevin Pillar
(C) Matt Thaiss
(SP) Patrick Sandoval, Griffin Canning
(RP) Matt Moore, Hunter Strickland

Notable Additions

The Angels made an early splash, signing SP Kikuchi away from Toronto on a 3 year, $64M deal. They've backed that up with smaller additions all around their roster, looking for stopgap upgrades in every positional group this season. The Angels spent $96M in free agency, 9th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Yusei Kikuchi, $21.225M
(SP) Kenley Jansen, $10M
(C) Travis d’Arnaud, $6M
(3B) Yoan Moncada, $5M
(SS) Kevin Newman, $2.75M
(SP) Kyle Hendricks, $2.5M

Via Trade
(DH) Jorge Soler

Prospects/Farm System

The Angels' farm system currently ranks 30th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Caden Dana (RHP). LAA is regularly one of the lower rated systems in the league, mostly because they aggressively call-up players to the MLB roster before they ever have time to rate highly in the minor league systems, but also because they've had a poor track record of drafting and developing for quite some time. That coincides with an aggressive free agency, despite another projected last-place finish.

Top 100 Prospects
(2B) Christian Moore, (P) Caden Dana

2025 Storylines

• Anthony Rendon's latest injury is likely a killshot to his career, despite the fact that he's owed $70M across this and next season. Will the Angels just buy him out and end this misery?
• The Angels have had early season success each of the past few years before injuries took them off of the tracks. Will conscious moves to protect Trout and depth additions this offseason help alleviate that?

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners won 85 games in 2024, good enough for 2nd in the AL West against a $167M tax payroll, 17th in MLB. They're on track to match these figures again in 2025, projecting toward a $160M payroll next season.

2025 Projections

84 wins, 2nd in the AL West

Notable Subtractions

Garcia is the most notable loss here as he moves on to help boslter the back-end of the Blue Jays bullpen. But the Mariners are about as deep internally with arms (especially starters) as any team in the league right now.

(3B) Josh Rojas
(DH) Justin Turner
(RP) Yimi Garcia, Austin Voth

Notable Additions

Polanco figures to start the year as the Mariners Opening Day 3B, while Solano will slot into a depth/utility role for Seattle in 2025. Obviously, this has been a quite winter for adding in Seattle. The Mariners spent $11.25M in free agency, 24th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(2B) Jorge Polanco, $7.75M
(INF) Donovan Solano, $3.5M

Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Mariners' farm system currently ranks 5th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Colt Emerson (SS). After hitting a few home runs with pitching prospects, Seattle turned its attention to bolstering their bats, and they have a group of 3-4 players that are approaching the next level (2026/2027 most likely).

Top 100 Prospects
(SS) Colt Emerson, (OF) Lazaro Montes, (SS) Cole Young, (C) Harry Ford, (S S) Felnin Celesten, (OF) Jonny Farmelo, (2B) Michael Arroyo

2025 Storylines

• From the outside looking in, this is a team that can pitch as well as any in the game - but lacks the ability t score runs on any consistent basis. Are they sitting on their hands waiting for their young prospects to develop into MLB-ready players? A quiet offseason lends itself to that thought.
• After 2-straight Top 10 MVP vote finishes, Julio Rodriguez fell off a bit in 2024 (battling an ankle injury as well). With limited impact players in the lineup from the onset, Rodriguez being an alpha player day in and out is as important to this roster as anything.
• SP Luis Castillo has been rumored in trade talks since Halloween. With 3 years, $45.5M remaining on his contract, Seattle could acquire MLB-ready bats and then some. Is this still on the table?

Texas Rangers

The Rangers disappointing 2024 saw them win 78 games (3rd in the AL West) against a 5th-ranked $268M tax payroll. Things have dialed back a bit this offseason, as Texas now projects toward a $230M payroll for 2025, about $11M under the first threshold. Remaining out of tax-repeater status is a likely goal this season.

2025 Projections

85 wins, 1st in the AL West

Notable Subtractions

A disappointing 2024 led to a pretty aggressive purge either via free agency, or in Lowe's case, a good sized trade out of town. However, as noted below here, the Rangers were just as aggressive in adding as they were in subtracting. This is a classic stir-the-pot scenario that could quickly put them back near the top of the AL in 2025.

(1B) Nate Lowe
(C) Carson Kelly
(DH) Travis Jankowski
(SP) Max Scherzer, Andrew Heaney, Jose Urena
(RP) Kirby Yates, Jose Leclerc, David Robertson, Andrew Chafin, Chase Anderson

Notable Additions

Texas put together an offseason that included retaining a few players, and bringing in a few notable faces at basically every position group across the roster. Eovaldi returning on a 3 year $75M deal is the big swing here, but adding Pederson and Burger's bat to the mix could really make for an explosive offense at times. The Rangers spent $137.5M in free agency, 8th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Nathan Eovaldi, $25M
(DH) Joc Pederson, $18.5M
(C) Kyle Higashioka, $6.75M
(RP) Chris Martin, $5.5M
(RP) Hoby Milner, $2.5M
(RP) Shawn Armstrong, $1.25M
(RP) Jacob Webb, $1.25M

Via Trade
(DH) Jake Burger
(RP) Robert Garcia

Prospects/Farm System

The Rangers' farm system currently ranks 19th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Kumar Rocker (SP). Texas could see as many as 5 of their top prospects hit the big league roster in 2025, with infielder Sebastian Walcott not far behind.

Top 100 Prospects
(SS) Sebastian Walcott, (P) Kumar Rocker, (P) Alejandro Rosario

2025 Storylines

• Will the roster shakeups/upgrades lead to an immediate bounceback season? The division is especially winnable this year, and Texas could be in the clear driver's seat by the trade deadline.
• The group to watch here will be the bullpen, where the majority of the projected starters are new to the organization in 2025.
• The Rangers would probably like to delay Kumar Rocker's addition to the rotation, but health (especially with deGrom) could force their hand.
• Year 2 of Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter as everyday players could prove extremely fruitful (and financially valuable) to the immediate success of this team.

While nothing can become officially-official until the 2025 league year begins on March 12th, trade rumors across the NFL have already begun to heat up. Spotrac has identified a potential trade target from each NFL team in the coming weeks and months.

RELATED:
2025 NFL SALARY CAPS

Arizona Cardinals

RT Jonah Williams

Williams battled multiple knee injuries in 2024 and likely still isn’t 100% heading toward the 2025 league year. With that said, he’s an experienced book-end tackle that could be seen as a strong “fill-in” per his 1 year, $12.8M remaining contract. Arizona has a continued need to bolster their offensive line with this upcoming draft.

Atlanta Falcons

TE Kyle Pitts

Probably not enough meat on the bone to really attract a suitor, but Pitts has started to right the ship at least a little bit the past two seasons. He’s fully guaranteed on a $10.8M 5th-year-option through 2025 before free agency awaits in 2026. If the Falcons are willing to retain a portion of that salary, there may be a chance to snag a conditional draft pick this spring.

Baltimore Ravens

CB Marlon Humphrey

One of the NFL’s best slot corners has 2 years, $37.2M remaining on his contract, but has already voiced a desire to solidify a new deal that includes guarantees. With big deals forthcoming for S Kyle Hamilton & (likely) OT Ronnie Stanley this offseason, to name a few, Humphrey’s request might be too rich for Baltimore to grant. The Ravens can free up $8.7M of cap space by trading Humphrey this spring.

Buffalo Bills

DE Greg Rousseau

The Bills have 6 legitimate extension candidates this offseason, most of which will enter 2025 on expiring contracts. Rousseau, a 2021 1st Rounder, has compiled 25 sacks in his first 60+ NFL games, so there’s certainly a case to be made to keep him around long-term. However, the going rate for even a slightly above average edge rusher now starts at around $25M per year (especially with Micah Parsons and co. largely expected to push towards $40M per year in the coming months). The Bills may simply be priced out here, and if they feel as though they can replace him via trade/draft this spring, moving off of Rousseau’s $13.3M fully guaranteed salary makes some sense here.

Carolina Panthers

CB Jaycee Horn

Horn’s young career has been decimated by injuries, but he put together his most complete season to date in 2024. It appears as though the Panthers are motivated to extend the former #8 overall pick from 2021, but if he’s seeking top of the market money ($25M per year), those discussions could quickly fall apart, making Horn one of the more interesting trade candidates this spring. The 25-year-old holds a fully guaranteed $12.4M 5th-year-option salary in 2025. Carolina may need to approach $20M per year to keep him around.

Chicago Bears

RB D'Andre Swift

There’s a world where new HC Ben Johnson comes in excited to reconnect with Swift from his time in Detroit. There’s also a world where new HC Ben Johnson knows that Swift’s limitations might not make for the best-case scenario for this 2025 Bears’ offense under his tutelage. It’s a phenomenal year to draft a running back, so teams may be reluctant to give up draft capital for an $8M Swift ($6.1M of which is already fully guaranteed), but it only takes one team.

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Tee Higgins

The Bengals haven’t officially offered a 2nd franchise tag to Higgins just yet, but when they do (valued at $26,179,200), he’ll immediately become their top trade candidate. The last time a WR was tagged & trade prior to signing his 2nd contract was Jarvis Landry back in 2018. The Browns gave Miami a 4th and 7th round pick, then extended Landry out 5 years, $75.5M. It’ll take quite a bit more to pull Higgins out of Cincinnati in 2025, and quite a bit more to get him under contract long-term as well (currently projecting toward a 4 year, $120M contract).

Cleveland Browns

DE Myles Garrett

They say they won’t, but the player and a plethora of offers probably pressure Cleveland into making this move when it’s all said and done. Not to mention, the draft compensation that can ultimately be secured here will go a long way in helping repair the damage that the Deshaun Watson trade/signing has and will continue to do to the franchise. Garrett has 2 year, $44.8M remaining on his current contract, but is working his way toward a renegotiation that should start at around $35M per year. A 4 year, $150M contract with 3 fully guaranteed seasons shouldn’t be out of the question for the 29-year-old (even if he stays).

Dallas Cowboys

CB Trevon Diggs

Diggs is entering Year 3 of a 6 year, $99M total value contract in Dallas and is still trying to recover fully from a 2023 ACL injury. He’s a largely productive/impactful player when available, and the Cowboys don’t currently have a viable replacement on the books - but this is a Dallas team that desperately needs to rebuild through the offensive and defensive trenches this offseason. A Diggs trade can provide both cap/cash relief (only $1.5M of cap saved), and additional draft compensation. An acquiring team would essentially be bringing in Diggs on a 1 year, $10M contract as none of his 2026-2028 compensation is guaranteed.

Denver Broncos

DE John Franklin-Myers

The 28-year-old posted 40 tackles and 7 sacks in arguably his most productive NFL season to date. But the Broncos have identified a few studs on their D-Line/Edge, and both Zach Allen & Nik Bonitto are going to need new compensation in the coming months. Denver is likely to move on from Franklin-Myers this March one way or another, but it seems reasonable that they may be able to secure a draft pick for a 1 year, $8M contract ($1M of which is guaranteed).

Detroit Lions

WR Jameson Williams

The Lions may be hesitant to move on from any key offensive pieces as they usher in life without Ben Johnson, but it also might be the perfect time to sell high on Williams (58 catches, 1,001 yards, 7 TDs in 15 games). Is there a higher ceiling for the almost 24-year-old? Sure. But it’s also a down year both via free agency and the draft at the WR positions. Williams’ rookie deal still contains a fully guaranteed $3M in 2025, with a decision on his 5th-year option due May 1st. An acquiring team will need to give up a small ransom to drive Williams out of Detroit at this stage, but it’s exactly what the Lions might be looking for as their roster gets more and more expensive elsewhere.

Green Bay Packers

CB Jaire Alexander

Teams will probably just force Green Bay to release their former 1st round pick, but there’s an outside chance that someone swoops in with a trade offer to keep him off of the open market. Alexander’s contract holds $37M remaining over the next 2 years, and with none of it guaranteed, an acquiring team can treat this as a 1 year, $17.5M deal until further notice. Injuries have been the big story here, but when healthy - Alexander is still a legitimate starting CB.

Houston Texans

OT Laremy Tunsil

It’s not ideal to give away a 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle when you’re entering Year 3 of a rookie QB contract, but there are enough smart people alluding to this possibility to outright ignore it. Tunsil is entering Year 3 of a 4 year, $93.5M contract in Houston, with 2 years, $42.7M remaining ($10M guaranteed). The 30-year-old will be seeking a new deal sooner rather than later, and the Texans may be looking to reset the clock (and the finances) at this position. Gaining trade value now before decline starts to set in makes some sense (as long as they have a backup plan for 2025 of course). The Texans can free up $13.85M of cap space with an early trade.

Indianapolis Colts

DL DeForest Buckner

The incredibly durable former 1st round pick missed a few weeks in 2024 due to an ankle injury, but also showed he is still producing at a very high level. It’s a VERY strong draft for defensive linemen, and the Colts are in a bit of a give-and-take window with much of their roster right now. Moving Buckner for additional draft assets (and $12.2M of cap space) might make some sense this spring. An acquiring team would be taking on 2 years, $46M, including $23M fully guaranteed in 2025, and another $10M of 2026 salary that locks in next month.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Evan Engram

Engram is entering the final season of a 3 year, $41.25M contract in Jacksonville, set to earn a non-guaranteed $15.75M for the upcoming season. It’s likely too rich for an acquiring team (and might be too much for Jacksonville to keep as well), but there have been flashes of major impact over the past 3 seasons. Dropping Engram into a more stable offense (with more consistent QB play) could prove extremely beneficial, even on a 1-year overpay.

Kansas City Chiefs

G Trey Smith

The Chiefs are poised to tag Smith at $23.4M in order to keep him off of the open market this March. The number represents the highest per year allocation ever given to a guard (Landon Dickerson, $21M APY), setting up Smith for a record-setting extension somewhere this offseason. KC could very well now dangle Smith on the trade market this March, hoping to secure more compensation than they would have received via a compensatory pick next spring. The deadline to extend a tagged player to a multi-year contract is July 15th. Smith is now likely staring down a 5 year, $110M contract foundation.

CB Jaylen Watson

Watson started 6 games at RCB for Kansas City before breaking his leg and ending his season. The Chiefs have a lot of mouths to feed each of this and next offseason, including Watson’s counterpart CB Trent McDuffie, who is largely expected to help reset the market at the position in the coming months. Watson’s salary escalated to over $3.2M in 2025 thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus, and the 26-year-old is slated for free agency after the upcoming season. This might be one of those tougher moves that contending teams have to make before they want to make it to squeeze a little draft value out of a situation.

Las Vegas Raiders

WR Jakobi Meyers

Has Meyers been good stats on bad team guy for the past couple of seasons, or is he a legitimately talented, often undervalued player that just needs a better offense around him to be truly exposed. The Raiders have a lot of directions they can go in over the next few months, but with 28-year-old Meyers on an expiring 1 year, $11M contract (non-guaranteed), flipping him for additional draft capital probably makes some sense.

Los Angeles Chargers

G Trey Pipkins

The Chargers moved Pipkins inside to guard A) because they had a hole there, and B) to accommodate newly drafted OT Joe Alt. The move inside didn’t go particularly well for Pipkins, who now enters 2025 on a non-guaranteed 1 year, $6.75M deal. There are more than a few teams looking for short-term options at tackle this March, and Pipkins could very well be in those conversations.

Los Angeles Rams

QB Matthew Stafford

Is this a real request, or a “we don’t really want to overpay you but we will if we have to” request? More than a few teams have already reached out to the Rams about the possibility of acquiring Stafford (at least that’s what Stafford’s agents are leading us to believe in order to continue to drive his extension price up). Here’s the reality: Stafford did the Rams a huge favor when he A) didn't immediately require an extension upon his trade there from Detroit. B) Signed for “only” $40M per year after leading them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season. Should the Rams be back-paying their QB1 to account for what he left on the table? No - but they should be handsomely rewarding their still top-rated, 37-year-old QB who is leading a young, inexpensive team into playoff content annually. There are plenty of ways to make a 2 year, $100M extension work in an NFL salary cap world. LA’s going to need to find a way to do that, or else someone will.

WR Cooper Kupp

The 31-year-old has been told to seek out a trade this winter, furthering the narrative that his time in LA is likely coming to an end. Kupp has 2 years, $39.85M remaining on his contract, including $5M fully guaranteed for the upcoming season. The Rams may need to eat a portion of the $7.5M bonus due on March 16th to facilitate a trade, but could also just outright release Kupp at the start of the league year, taking on $22.2M of dead cap, freeing up $7.5M of space.

G Jonah Jackson

The Rams have given Jackson permission to seek a trade this spring, despite signing him to a 3 year, $51M free agent contract last March. The deal contains 2 years, $26M remaining, including $9M that becomes fully guaranteed on March 14th. The Rams would take on $11.3M of dead cap per this move, freeing up $3.3M of space.

Miami Dolphins

WR Tyreek Hill

The Dolphins have already trimmed a few veterans from their roster as they work to become cap-compliant in March, but this offseason is about making an expensive football team more competitive in the AFC as well. Hill still has separation, speed, and a ton of ability - but for one reason or another, wasn’t given a lot of opportunities to put that on display in 2024 within this Miami offense. If a team or two is willing to overpay a bit on the trade market, the Dolphins seem open to having someone else take on the $28M+ owed to Hill in 2025 (even if a Pre 6/1 trade only frees up $401,250 of cap space).

Minnesota Vikings

NB Josh Metellus

If the plan is to bring back Byron Murphy this spring, there’s a significant chance that the Vikings look to get off of the $3.775M remaining on Metellus’ contract. The 27-year-old could easily slot into a starting spot elsewhere, and with a weak free agency class in the secondary this March, could draw trade interest from needy teams. Minnesota can free up $5.5M of cap by moving on.

New England Patriots

DT Davon Godchaux

The 30-year-old has been granted permission to seek out a trade this March, just 8 months after locking in a 3 year, $26.3M contract in New England. The deal contains 2 years, $13.5M remaining, including $5M fully guaranteed for the upcoming season.

QB Joe Milton III

Yep, we’re going there. It’s a weird QB year from a lot of angles, but there are still plenty of teams who at least want to “consider” changing things up in 2025. Milton’s sample size is about as large as yours or mine, but there’s plenty of proof of concept from his college days at Michigan/Tennessee to understand what kind of ceiling we could be dealing with here. The 6th round pick last year holds a 3 year, $3.2M non-guaranteed contract through 2027.

New Orleans Saints

None.

Every contract even worth a small consideration for trade is currently carrying more dead cap than actual cap in 2025. And the Saints are currently -$50M in terms of Top 51 cap space heading toward March. If a trade is to happen, it’ll come after June 1st when most of the dust has settled with the slight SLIGHT exception of QB Derek Carr. The Saints can free up $11M of space by trading card in the coming weeks. But with a total of $40M practically guaranteed for the upcoming season, and plenty of other QB options set to become available, it’s a highly unlikely outcome.

New York Giants

LB Micah McFadden

McFadden quietly had a career year opposite Bobby Okereke in the middle of the Giants’ defense. He’s entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.2M thanks to a Proven Performance Bonus. With Okereke accounting for $9M cash this coming season, NY may simply want to give a more inexpensive player a chance to develop into the role going forward.

New York Jets

RB Breece Hall

The Jets have a nice setup at the running back position with Hall, Braelon Allen, & Isaiah Davis - the latter two of which are under contract through 2027 on rookie deals. Hall is entering a contract year, and has salary escalated north of $3.2M thanks to a proven performance bonus. If he’s not in the Jets’ long-term plans, trying to find trade value this offseason makes sense.

Philadelphia Eagles

WR Jahan Dotson

Probably wishful-thinking here but the Eagles would probably love to have a portion of the 3rd & 2 7th round picks that they set to Washington to secure Dotson back. Was he the most ineffective WR3 in football last season? No, but the Eagles are certain to decline his 5th year option for 2026 this May, putting him on a 1 year, $2.75M fully guaranteed contract. It’s possible that Philly can find a team to swap a late round pick for a flier at that price.

Pittsburgh Steelers

WR George Pickens

The Steelers don’t have anything close to a viable replacement for Pickens in their system (yet), but it still feels as though a divorce could be imminent. Despite some internal struggles, Pickens has been largely productive (as per usual with Steelers WRs drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round). It stands to reason that Pittsburgh can shop the nearly 24-year-old this March, and use the compensation they receive to draft his replacement in April.

San Francisco 49ers

DE Leonard Floyd

If you’re wondering why this didn’t say Deebo Samuel, we’re just following the money here. The 49ers would LOSE $15.12M of cap space by trading Deebo before June 1st. He’s a release candidate until he’s not this March.

Floyd posted 9 sacks in 2024 and has averaged 10 sacks per year over the last 5 seasons. He’s also bounced around quite a bit, and is largely expected to play elsewhere in 2025 as well. With a non-guaranteed $7.95M remaining on this contract (plus incentives) it stands to reason that a cap-loaded team could find use for a player that has reached the QB so consistently throughout his career.

Seattle Seahawks

S Rayshawn Jenkins

The Seahawks have given the 31-year-old permission to seek a trade this offseason. He holds 1 year, $5.4M non-guaranteed remaining on his contract, and compiled 52 tackles, 2 sacks in 13 games last season.

WR D.K. Metcalf

With Tyler Lockett certain to fall off of this roster in 2025 (at least under his current contract) it might seem reckless to consider the Seahawks moving on from Metcalf as well. But the 27-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $18M (non-guaranteed). He’s in the market for a $30M+ per year extension, and if Seattle is looking to reset the clock here, and give a larger role to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there’s likely a hefty trade package to be had by shipping Metcalf out this March.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB Rachaad White

A 3rd round pick back in 2022, White was on track to be the primary back for this franchise after a stellar 2023 (1,500 yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs). The 5-tool player is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $3.2M thanks to a proven performance bonus. With Bucky Irving clearly in the driver’s seat going forward (and less expensive), there’s a team or two willing to listen on upgrading their RB-room with a versatile weapon such as White.

Tennessee Titans

OLB Harold Landry

The 2nd rounder out of Boston College is entering Year 4 of a 5 year, $87.5M total value contract in Tennessee and has reportedly been given the opportunity to seek a trade this March. The contract carries 2 years, $35M remaining, none of which is guaranteed, and Landry is coming off of a 9 sack, 71 tackle season for the Titans. There’s a multi-draft pick offer or two out there - especially if Landry doesn’t immediately require an updated contract.

Washington Commanders

DL Jonathan Allen

A #17 overall pick back in 2017, Allen is the longest-tenured member of this Commanders franchise not-named Tress Way, but that could be coming to an end in the next few weeks. The 30-year-old is entering a contract year in 2025, set to earn $16.3M against a $22.3M cap hit, and Washington has given his team permission to seek out a trade this March. With just $6M of dead cap on the books, Washington can free up (even more) significant cap space for league year.

Spotrac's MLB Offseason recap series continues with a look at the NL West, led by a near $400M Dodgers roster, playoff hopefuls in Arizona, San Diego, & San Francisco, and a Colorado team that continues to slide backwards.

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Available Free Agents

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona 3rd in the NL West in 2024, posting 89 wins against a $223M tax payroll (13th). They've cut back a little bit heading into 2025, currently projecting toward a $211M payroll, 13th in MLB.

2025 Projections

85 wins, 2nd in the NL West

Notable Subtractions

Losses of Walker and Pederson will certainly impact their lineup in 2025, but the Diamondbacks feel like their young core can carry/keep them in playoff contention on an annual basis - even in this behemoth of a division.

(1B) Christian Walker, Josh Bell
(DH) Joc Pederson
(SS) Kevin Newman
(RP) Paul Sewald, Slade Cecconi

Notable Additions

Arizona added one of the big fish this offseason in Corbin Burnes, who now anchors a very impressive top rotation (Burnes, Gallen, Kelly). Naylor joins from Cleveland to take on the everyday 1B role vacated by Walker. The Diamondbacks spent $216.35M in free agency this season, 4th in the league.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Corbin Burnes, $35M
(OF) Randal Grichuk,$2M

Via Trade
(1B) Josh Naylor

Prospects/Farm System

The Diamondbacks' farm system currently ranks 22nd according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Jordan Lawlar (SS/3B), who just needs to get healthy for a long stretch before he'll start impacting the major league roster. This was the #2 rated system in 2024, but a large portion of their talent has now graduated to the big league level.

Top 100 Prospects
(SS/3B) Jordan Lawlar

2025 Storylines

• Does this lineup have enough firepower to contend in what is sure to be an explosive division from an offensive standpoint?
• If the rotation or bullpen falter, Arizona will need to spend (dwindling) assets to fix it. Their inability to develop arms on a consistent basis has made for (annual) expensive moves.
• Is Corbin Carroll a legitimate star? Can Jordan Lawlar take the next step?

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies finished a division-last 61-101 in 2024, despite carrying a 16th-ranked $171M tax payroll. They've dropped that projected price down to $140M for the upcoming season, which brings them outside of the Top 20 financially.

2025 Projections

63 wins, 5th in the NL West

Notable Subtractions

The Rockies saw a significant portion of their core unit leave town this winter, turning over much of the everyday lineup to a youthful, less expensive group. Don't be surprised if Ryan McMahon (3 years, $44M remaining) is on the short list to be moved next.

(DH) Charlie Blackmon
(OF) Jake Cave
(2B) Brendan Rodgers
(SP) Cal Quantrill, Ty Blach
(RP) Peter Lambert

Notable Additions

Colorado brought in a few relatively inexpensive veteran pieces to plug a few offseason holes, but are no longer showing signed of buying/adding with any substance. The Rockies spent $$11M total in free agency, 25th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SS) Kyle Farmer, $3.25M
(2B) Tairo Estrada, $3.25M
(C) Jacob Stallings $2.5M

Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Rockies' farm system currently ranks 13th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Chase Dollander (RHP). Colorado has a fairly stout starting rotation on the big-league roster, and with Dollander (one of the top young arms in the game) on the way soon, could have a fairly formidable set of starters soon. They may be in position to start flipping some of this arm talent in an effort to bolster the lineup in the coming months.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Chase Dollander, (OF) Charlie Condon

2025 Storylines

• While the division (and subsequently the postseason) are out of reach in 2025, Colorado has a chance to use the upcoming season to develop a pitching staff for the first time in a long time.
• There are bloated contracts on this DOA roster, most notably Kris Bryant (4 years, $108M remaining). Will this front office aggressively look to get out from under in order to preserve the next few offseasons?

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers won the NL West in 2024 on the heels of a league-high $353M tax payroll. They've kept the gas pedal down this winter, now projecting toward an historic $393M payroll for the upcoming 2025 season.

2025 Projections

97 wins, 1st in the NL West

Notable Subtractions

While this looks like a glaring list of losses, the Dodgers have added in bulk at all of these (and more) positions this past winter to account for each subtraction.

(2B) Gavin Lux
(SP) Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty
(RP) Ryan Brasier

Notable Additions

The Dodgers didn't rest on the laurels of their 2024 World Series, dishing out notable deals for Snell, Hernandez, and Scott while also locking in UTIL Tommy Edman long-term. Oh and by the way, they won the Roki Sasaki bidding war, and secured a new starting 2B via international free agency in Kim. The Dodgers spent $386M in free agency, 2nd in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Blake Snell, $36.4M
(OF) Teoscar Hernandez, $22M
(RP) Tanner Scott, $18M
(OF) Michael Conforto, $17M
(RP) Kirby Yates, $13M
RP) Blake Treinen, $11M
(2B) Hyeseong Kim, $6.5M (UTL) Enrique Hernandez, $3.5M

Via Foreign Professional
(2B) Hyeseong Kim, $6.5M

Via International
(SP) Roki Sasaki

Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Dodgers' farm system currently ranks 3rd according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Roki Sasaki (RHP). The balance, substance, and impeccable development record of this franchise as a whole has to be infuriating to other MLB organizations. Though it should be stated that much of LAD's young talent has faced significant injury issues early on in their careers of late.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Roki Sasaki, (C) Dalton Rushing, (OF) Josue De Paula, (P) Jackson Ferris, (SS) Alex Freeland, (OF) Zyhir Hope

2025 Storylines

• If they're even relatively healthy, this has a chance to be one of the best 1-26 lineups baseball has seen in a long time.
• Does Max Muncy have a long-term future on this roster, or is he an early in-season trade name to watch?
• How will the team handle the "villain" role that the front office has essentially put them in with their aggressiveness and deferred payment structure?

San Diego Padres

The Padres made a late-season charge to finish just behind the Dodgers in 2024 while staying under the tax threshold at $227M (11th most). The 2025 numbers look heftier at the onset, projecting over $260M for Opening Day ($20M+ over the first threshold).

2025 Projections

83 wins, 3rd in the NL West

Notable Subtractions

San Diego lost more than a few notable pieces to their 2024 puzzle and have been rumored to let a few more go via trade at some point in 2025. That likely depends on how the next few months look, but the Padres front office has been, and will remain, one of the more aggressive in all of MLB.

(OF) Jurickson Profar
(SS) Ha-Seong Kim
(C) Kyle Higashioka
(2B) Donovan Solano
(INF) Nick Ahmed
(SP) Martin Perez
(RP) Tanner Scott, CJ Edwards

Notable Additions

Pivetta becomes one of the better late-winter additions, but San Diego was largely quite this offseason both in terms of improving their roster - or even replacing some of the production they let walk into free agncy. There's certainly belief in some of the youth within the orgazization (starting largely with Jackson Merrill of course), but there's a chance that they're not quite the same unit in 2025. The Padres spent $62M in free agency, 13th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Nick Pivetta, $11.5M
(C) Elias Diaz, $3.5M
(P) Kyle Hart, $1M
(OF) Connor Joe, $1M
(OF) Jason Heyward $1M

Via Trade
(RP) Ron Marinaccio

Prospects/Farm System

The Padres' farm system currently ranks 26th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Leodalis De Vries (SS). This is a group defined by a few notable players at the top, then a very thin list the rest of the way down. San Diego's aggressiveness in the trade market over the past few seasons has all but decimated this group.

Top 100 Prospects
(SS) Leodalis De Vries, (C) Ethan Salas

2025 Storylines

• With lawsuits hampering the ownership group, it's safe to say that the business side of the organziation could very well be in a bit of a holding pattern until sides are settled.
• If the wheels start to fall off on the field, look for teams to start to inquire about the big contracts here (Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado). Easier said than done moves however.
• At some point in time this franchise will need to turn its focus to draft & development, after a solid decade of buying/acquiring a huge majority of their active roster.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants finished 2024 with 80 wins, good for 4th place in the NL West despite the 8th highest tax payroll, and a slight tax bill last season. That was certainly a motivating factor in the organization dialing things back a bit, as they now project toward a $211M tax payroll to start 2025 ($30M below the first threshold).

2025 Projections

80 wins, 4th in the NL West

Notable Subtractions

Snell is the big loss here, to be replaced (hopefully) by 42-year-old Justin Verlander for now, while much of this production at the plate could/should be filled in by the big acquisition of SS Willy Adames this winter. Keeping Matt Chapman in the fold and securing a full, healthy season out of Jung Hoo Lee could make for a nice turnaround offensively.

(OF) Michael Conforto, Mark Canha
(2B) Thairo Estrada
(C) Blake Sabol
(SP) Blake Snell
(RP) Taylor Rogers

Notable Additions

It's just Judge or Ohtani, or Soto - but Adames is very very nice get for this Giants team that has long been trying to secure a significant position player in free agency. The fact that he's also a capable shortstop certainly amplifies this signing. Verlander is a solid stopgap signing if healthy, though it stands to reason that this active roster is still a starter away. The Giants spent $197M in free agency, 5th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SS) Willy Adames, $21M
(SP) Justin Verlander, $15M

Via Trade
(SS) Osleivis Basabe

Prospects/Farm System

The Giants farm system currently ranks 24th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Bryce Eldridge (1B). Unfortuantely outside of Eldridge, things get thin fast inside this Giants' organization. If they're out of contention come July, look for a few deadlines moves to help try to bolster the system as much as possible.

Top 100 Prospects
(1B) Bryce Eldridge

2025 Storylines

• The Giants overhauled their front office ahead of 2025, which may take a few offseasons to truly get on track. It didn't stop them from being relatively aggressive this winter, but if the team isn't winning ball games soon, will a major pivot be forthcoming?
• Adding to the farm system might be as important as winning MLB games right now. This is a franchise that isn't winning in free agency, so the draft & development approach has to become the focus.

The Buffalo Bills made the first big splash of the 2025 offseason, locking in WR Khalil Shakir to a 4 year, $60.2M contract extension. The deal comes with a reported $32M guaranteed, including $18M cash in the first season. Shakir, a 5th round pick out of Boise State, was scheduled to earn $3.2M for the upcoming season before the new deal. At $15.05M per year, Shakir is now the 23rd highest average paid WR in football, while the $32M guaranteed at signing currently ranks 20th.

Elsewhere, OT Jason Peters has decided to hang up the cleats after 19 illustrious seasons in the NFL. An undrafted TE out of Arkansas, Peters spent time with the Bills, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, & Seahawks. He walks away from the game having earned just over $120M, 8th most among offensive linemen all-time.

Spotrac's MLB Offseason recap series continues with a look at the AL Central, including four teams all relatively close in terms of projection payrolls and 2025 wins - and then the White Sox.

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MLB Offseason Tracker
2025 Tax Payrolls
Available Free Agents

Chicago White Sox

The 41-win White Sox carried the 23rd-highest tax payroll at $134.5M last season. After continuing to bottom-out, Chicago enters 2025 with an $83M projected payroll, 2nd lowest only to Miami ($79M) right now.

2025 Projections

62 wins, 5th in the AL Central

Notable Subtractions

Yoan Moncada joins the Angels after cashing over $70M as a member of the White Sox, while Garrett Crochet's trade to Boston could prove to be one of the most impactful moves of the offseason.

(3B) Yoan Moncada
OF) Gavin Sheets
(SP) Garrett Crochet, Mike Soroka
(RP) Dominic Leone

Notable Additions

Chicago added a few long-time vets to their mix to eat up innings, hold down the fort, and potentially become trade chips down the stretch. Chicago spent $15.2M in free agency this season, 23rd in the league.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Martin Perez, $3.5M
(3B) Josh Rojas, $3.5M
(OF) Mike Tauchman, $1.95M
(OF) Austin Slater, $1.75M
(RP) Bryse Wilson, $1.05M

Via Trade
(C) Matt Thaiss

Prospects/Farm System

The White Sox farm system currently ranks 4th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Noah Schultz (LHP). It's a stark rise for an organization that just 3 years ago, held what was considered the worst prospect pool in MLB. There's reason to believe that greener grass is coming quickly for this franchise.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Noah Schultz, (C) Kyle Teel, (SP) Hagen Smith, (SS) Colson Montgomery, (OF) Braden Montgomery, (C) Edgar Quero

2025 Storylines

• Two notable players (Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn) weren't moved amidst the purge this offseason. Both are heading into contract years (Robert holds club options), and could be dangled at the deadline if healthy.
• Is Colson Montgomery the SS of the future? He was drafted as such back in 2021 but has struggled mightly ever since. The White Sox will have pitching comin soon, but will need a few young bats to start popping if they're going to turn this thing around.
• Is there a chance 2025 resembles 2024? Possibly, but 120+ losses again would be catastrophic for this franchise. They're a year away from getting a serious infusion of youth at the MLB level, so the upcoming season is a grin-and-bear-it situation once again.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians somewhat surprisinlgy soared to 92 wins and an AL Central title in 2024 while carrying a 21st ranked $144M tax payroll. They've trimmed a little fat this offseaon financially speaking, and head into 2025 with a $119M projection, 25th in MLB.

2025 Projections

78 wins, 4th in the AL Central

Notable Subtractions

The Guardians moved on from two impact starters this winter, shipping Josh Naylor to Arizona and Andres Gimenez to the Blue Jays, as they turn to younger options at the midde of the infield (with even more firepower coming through the system quickly in that regard).

(1B) Josh Naylor
(2B) Andres Gimenez
(SP) Matt Boyd, Alex Cobb
(RP) Nick Sandlin, Scott Barlow, Eli Morgan, Peter Strzelecki

Notable Additions

Cleveland brought back a few familiar faces in Santana (who figures to be the Opening Day 1B), and Bieber, whose arm injury derailed his 2024 season and first go-around in free agency. Sewald's addition to the backend of the bullpen makes it one of the best in all of baseball (it already was).

The Guardians spent $54.5M in free agency, 16th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(1B) Carlos Santana, $12M
(SP) Shane Bieber, $10M
(RP) Paul Sewald, $6M
(C) Austin Hedges, $4M

Via Trade
(SP) Luis Ortiz, Slade Cecconi

Prospects/Farm System

The Guardians farm system currently ranks 7th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Travis Bazzana (2B). Cleveland has long-been a pitching development machine, and that still appears to be the case for the next iteration of arms coming through the pipeline. They also possess very strong talent up the middle of the infield and outfield.

Top 100 Prospects
(2B) Travis Bazzana, (OF) Chase DeLauter, (OF) Jaison Chourio, (INF) Angel Genao

2025 Storylines

• Was last years run a bit of fool's gold? Most preseason projections have Cleveland buried in this division. Can they overcome a bit more turnover than normal?
• The loss of Naylor means this team will struggle even more to hit the long ball. Can they prove (again) that small-ball and sound pitching can prevail?
• Second Base and Right Field appear to be very fluid situations heading toward Opening Day. This could be an active "buy" team early on.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers put together a strong 2024 campaign, posting 86 wins (tied with KC for 2nd) against the 28th ranked $109M tax payroll. They've beefed up a bit heading into 2025, now projecting toward a $153M Opening Day payroll, 19th in MLB.

2025 Projections

82 wins, 2nd in the AL Central

Notable Subtractions

Detroit (rightfully) likes quite a bit about themselves right now, opting to keep their 2024 largely intact for the upcoming season, with hopes that a few of the younger players can platform themselves to another level in 2025.

(RP) Shelby Miller

Notable Additions

The Tigers made calculated additions this winter, adding veteran pieces to their rotation and bullpen, while identifying Gleyber Torres as a stopgap upgrade for the disastrous contract that is Javy Baez.

The Tigers spent $75M in free agency, 12th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Jack Flaherty, $25M
(2B) Gleyber Torres, $15M
(SP) Alex Cobb, $15M
(RP) Tommy Kahnle, $7.75M
(RP) John Brebbia, $2.25M


Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Tigers' farm system currently ranks 2nd according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Jackson Jobe (RHP). The internal pitching development process already started paying off with Tarik Skubal's Cy Young win in 2024. Jackson Jobe could be next in line to reach these heights, with at least 2-3 more legitimate starting arms nearing MLB-level status.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Jackson Jobe, (OF) Max Clark, (SS) Kevin McGonigle, (SS) Bryce Rainer, (C/1B) Thayron Liranzo, (1B/C) Josue Briceno

2025 Storylines

• Simply put: Can they recreate or even improve upon a great run in 2024?
• Detroit has moved around a few pieces to cover up for Spencer Torkelson's continued struggles. Does he have a role in this organization going forward?
• How aggressive will this front office be in July if the division and a postseason run is on the table? A $75M offseason is a good indication that they're pot-invested.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals tied with Detroit for 2nd in the AL Central last season, posting 86 wins against a $160M tax payroll (20th in MLB). They head into 2025 right around the some neighborhood, projecting to a $165M payroll for the upcoming season, 16th in the league.

2025 Projections

82 wins, 3rd in the AL Central

Notable Subtractions

The Royals have been operating on short-term, plug-and-play contracts for the better part of 3 offseasons now, so it'll be common to see them relinquish a number of free agents in this regard. Singer is of course the notable loss here, traded to Cincinnati in the Jonathan India acquisition.

(OF) Tommy Pham
(2B) Adam Frazier
(1B) Yuli Gurriel
(SS) Paul DeJong
(SP) Brady Singer
(RP) Will Smith

Notable Additions

Estevez joins from Philly on a 2 year, $22M contract and should slot in as the Opening Day closer. India can work in a few places defensively, but should most notably be an upgrade at the leadoff spot in front of Bobby Witt Jr. He's also arbitration-eligible for one more season.

The Pirates spent $29.2M in free agency, 20th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(RP) Carlos Estevez, $10.1M
(SP) Michael Lorenzen, $7M

Via Trade
(2B) Jonathan India
(OF) Joey Wiemer

Prospects/Farm System

The Royals' farm system currently ranks 27th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Jac Caglianone (1B). This is a thin group, with only a few impact bats currently on track to progress to MLB in the coming years.

Top 100 Prospects
(1B) Jac Caglianone, (C) Blake Mitchell, (C) Carter, Jensen

2025 Storylines

• Despite minimal changes this winter, can the Royals continue to succeed off of their big 2024 offseason?
• With a weak farm system, how does this organization attract enough offensive firepower to keep Bobby Witt Jr. properly protected in the lineup?

Minnesota Twins

The Twins finished 2024 in 4th place in the AL Central, carrying a 19th ranked $161M tax payroll. Minnesota is on pace to stay right around the mark heading into 2025, with an Opening Day payroll projecting toward $150M right now.

2025 Projections

84 wins, 1st in the AL Central

Notable Subtractions

Minnesota sees a few key members of the 2024 roster leave in Santana & Kepler, but this offseason was about "officially" turning over the keys to their long-term development. 6 of the 9 projected starters were drafted by the Twins as either 1st or 2nd round picks.

(1B) Carlos Santana
(OF) Max Kepler
(SS) Kyle Farmer
(SP) Anthony Desclafani
(RP) Caleb Thielbar

Notable Additions

France figures to be the Opening Day 1B and Coulombe should secure a spot in the middle of the bullpen, but the Twins were largely silent on the open market this winter. Their $10.25M of free agent spending ranks 26th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(OF) Harrison Bader, $6.25M
(RP) Danny Coulombe, $3M
(1B) Ty France, $1M

Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Twins farm system currently ranks 8th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Walker Jenkins (OF). Jenkins is MLB's #3 overall prospect right now and should factor in by 2026. Minnesota's ability to draft and development arms has kept them relevant, and that trend should continue.

Top 100 Prospects
(OF) Walker Jenkins, (OF) Emmanuel Rodriguez, (2B) Luke Keaschall

2025 Storylines

• The ownership of the team has been in question for quite some time now, and it appears to be remaining in flux with a recent bid dropped by the Ishbias. Will this temper the organization's ability to stay competitive over the next few months of baseball if moves are required?
• The team is pot-committed toward SP Pablo Lopez, SS Carlos Correa, and OF Byron Buxton, all of whom carry serious injury history. Keeping this core healthy is a puzzle inside of the puzzle here.
• A quiet offseason indicates this team is ready for its youth to begin to breakout. If that happens, will the Twins become the 2024 Tigers?

The Cleveland #Browns have indicated that they plan to designate S Juan Thornhill a Post 6/1 release next month. They'll carry his $5,684,000 cap hit into June, then take on dead hits of:

2025: $2.284M
2026: $5.668M

The move will free up $3.4M of cap in June. Thornhill will be free to sign elsewhere as soon as the designation is processed (likely March 12th).

Spotrac's MLB Offseason recap series begins with a look at the NL Central, led by a Cubs team that has ramped up, Pirates & Reds teams looking for magic, a Brewers team looking to win on value, and a Cardinals roster at a standstill.

RELATED
MLB Offseason Tracker
2025 Tax Payrolls
Available Free Agents

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs carried the 9th largest tax payroll in 2024, finishing just over the $237M threshold last season. They enter 2025 with a $210M CBT estimate, 14th in MLB and around $36M under the threshold ($241M).

2025 Projections

84.5 wins, 1st in the NL Central

Notable Subtractions

The Cubs retained $2.5M of Cody Bellinger’s salary per his trade to the Yankees.
(OF) Cody Bellinger
(3B) Isaac Paredes
(SP) Kyle Hendricks
(RP) Hayden Wesneski, Jorge Lopez, Drew Smyly

Notable Additions

Tucker is the big catch this offseason, but the Cubs weren’t shy about adding pieces to the bullpen this winter as well. They were one of the most aggressive trade teams, a trend that could continue into the season as they see fit. Chicago spent $56.25M in free agency this season, 15th in the league.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Matt Boyd, $12.5M
(C) Carson Kelly, $5M
(SP) Colin Rea, $4.75M
(RP) Caleb Thielbar, $2.75M
(INF) Jon Berti, $2M

Via Trade
(OF) Kyle Tucker
(2B) Vidal Brujan
(SP) Cody Poteet
(RP) Ryan Pressly, Ryan Brasier, Eli Morgan

Prospects/Farm System

The Cubs farm system currently ranks 15th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Matt Shaw (3B). The pool is thin when it comes to pitching, but is loaded with middle infielders.

Top 100 Prospects
(3B) Matt Shaw, (OF) Owen Caissie, (C) Moises Ballesteros, (2B) James Triantos, (OF) Kevin Alcantara, (SS) Jefferson Rojas, (SP) Cade Horton

2025 Storylines

• Can Nico Hoerner prove he belongs in the mix long-term?
• Will the Cubs aggressively try to keep top pending free agent Kyle Tucker off of the open market?
• Is the bullpen deep enough to make this team a legit NL Central contender?

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds posted the 25th highest tax payroll in 2024, finishing just over $123M ($114M under the threshold). They enter 2025 with a $124M CBT estimate, 22nd in MLB and around $117M under the $241M threshold.

2025 Projections

78 wins, 4th in the NL Central

Notable Subtractions

Jonthan India’s trade to Kansas City brought back Brady Singer, who currently slots in as the SP2 for Cincinnati in 2025. Both players are arb-eligible again in 2026.

(1B) Ty France
(2B) Jonathan India
(SS) Amed Rosario
(C) Luke Maile
(RP) Justin Wilson, Fernando Cruz, Buck Farmer, Jacob Junis

Notable Additions

Martinez surprised a few when he signed his qualifying offer, though it does represent a $9M raise from the $12M player option he declined this fall. Lux fills a much needed utility role for this Reds team defensively, while Rogers slots in as a very formidable setup reliever for Alexis Diaz in 2025.

The Reds spent $10M in free agency, 27th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Nick Martinez, $21.050M (qualifying offer)
OF) Austin Hays, $5M
(SP) Scott Barlow, $2.5M

Via Trade
(SP) Brady Singer
(2B) Gavin Lux
(RP) Taylor Rogers
(C) Jose Trevino

Prospects/Farm System

The Reds farm system currently ranks 10th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Rhett Lowder (P). This is a pool flush with pitching, especially starting pitchers, but could use a few more impact bats as the Reds look to push toward contention.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Chase Burns, (SP) Rhett Lowder, (2B) Sal Stewart, (3B) Cam Collier, (SS) Edwin Arroyo

2025 Storylines

• Will new manager Terry Francona bring a little more magic to this young team?
• The Reds lost 4 significant relievers this winter and only replaced about half of that production on paper. Still work to do?
• Can a young OF core (Hays, Friedl, Fraley, Fairchild) develop into an MLB-producing group? They combined for a 26th ranked 1.7 WAR in 2024.
• Are we on the cusp of an Elly De La Cruz MVP-candidacy season, and the next massive MLB extension?

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers easily won the NL Central in 2024, posting 93 wins against an 18th highest $162M tax payroll last season. They’ve trimmed down financially quite a bit heading into 2025, currently projecting toward a $131M CBT payroll (23rd in MLB).

2025 Projections

81 wins, 2nd in the NL Central

Notable Subtractions

Adames becomes the new centerpiece in San Francisco, to be replaced by youngster Joey Ortiz in Milwaukee going forward. It’s an upgrade defensively, but quite a drop-off at the plate currently speaking. The big, though expected, move came in swapping closer Devin Williams to the Yankees, officially handing the keys to the role over to Trevor Megill for the upcoming season.

(SS) Willy Adames
(C/DH) Gary Sanchez
(SP) Frankie Montas, Colin Rea
(RP) Devin Williams, Joe Ross, Hoby Milner, Bryse Wilson

Notable Additions

It’s been a winter of subtraction for the Brewers who added a few minor-league level players on near-minimum salaries, and acquired SP Nestor Cortes from NY in the Devin Williams swap. If they’re in the mix come July, this is a team poised to be active at the deadline in order to bulk up for the stretch run.

The Brewers spent $2.6M in free agency, 29th in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(SP) Elvin Rodriguez, $900,000
(RP) Grant Wolfram, $760,000

Via Trade
(SP) Nestor Cortes
(RP) Grant Anderson

Prospects/Farm System

The Brewers farm system currently ranks 9th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Jesus Made (SS). Milwaukee continues to use both the International pool and strong drafting habits to keep themselves near the top of the league from a prospect standpoint, and are certainly reaping some of those benefits with the likes of Jackson Chourio at the MLB level.

Top 100 Prospects
(C) Jefferson Quero, (SS) Jesus Made, (SS) Cooper Pratt, (P) Jacob Misiorowski

2025 Storylines

• Will their win total and respective place in the standings mimic a “subtraction-first” offseason?
• If the wheels fall off early, will the Brewers rip this roster down to studs? (1B) Rhys Hoskins, (SP) Aaron Civale, (SP) Freddy Peralta, (SP) Nestor Cortes are all fairly obvious trade-away candidates.
• Jackson Chourio gave us our first sniff at the production he can provide. Will the 21-year-old find another gear in 2025?

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates found themselves in the NL Central basement yet again in 2024, posting the 26th highest tax payroll at just under $123M. They’ve gone young and cheap again this winter, heading toward 2025 with a $110M projected payroll, 26th in MLB, and $131M under the $241M threshold.

2025 Projections

77 wins, 5th in the NL Central

Notable Subtractions

Pittsburgh put their stamp on the offseason early, non-tendering notable players De La Cruz & Joe, turning to cheaper, more short-term options in each case.

(OF) Connor Joe
(OF) Bryan De La Cruz
(SP) Luis Ortiz
(RP) Aroldis Chapman

Notable Additions

The big add here is Horwitz, though he’ll miss a few months after undergoing wrist surgery this month. The 27-year-old has 5+ years of team control ahead of him still, and could quickly become a piece of this core lineup going forward.

The Pirates spent $19.95M in free agency, 22nd in MLB.

Via Free Agency
(DH) Andrew McCutchen, $5M
(OF) Tommy Pham, $4.025M
(RP) Caleb Ferguson, $3M
(2B) Adam Frazier, $1.525M
(RP) Tim Mayza, $1.150M

Via Trade
(1B) Spencer Horwitz
(RP) Peter Strzelecki

Prospects/Farm System

The Pirates farm system currently ranks 16th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect Bubba Chandler (P). Pittsburgh remains flush with young pitching talent, but has little to say in terms of up-and-coming bats to make this a productive, winning lineup anytime soon.

Top 100 Prospects
(SP) Bubba Chandler, (SS) Konnor Griffin, (SP) Thomas Harrington, (2B) Termarr Johnson

2025 Storylines

• Pittsburgh entered the winter with the most exciting young player (Paul Skenes) and did little to nothing to build around him - especially as he offers maximum financial value.
• Recent deals for Mitch Keller & Bryan Reynolds were certainly a step in the right direction for this franchise, but until they get serious from all avenues (free agency, veteran extensions, large-scale trades), they’ll be categorized as not having done enough.
• Will Skenes get a full workload in 2025 - and remain healthy during it? Will the Pirates aggressively try to sign their golden goose?
• Can CF/SS Oniel Cruz put in a healthy campaign and put himself back in the category of one of MLB’s bright young stars?

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals tied with CHC for 2nd in the NL Central last season, boasting a 14th-ranked $207M tax payroll throughout the 2024 season. They’ve trimmed back significantly this past winter, heading into 2025 with a $158M projected payroll, 18th in MLB.

2025 Projections

79 wins, 3rd in the NL Central

Notable Subtractions

Goldschmidt leaves for NY, allowing Willson Contreras a chance to move into the first base spot on a regular basis. St. Louis spent the better part of 4 months trying to add 3B Nolan Arenado to this list, but haven’t come to trade terms for the time being.

(1B) Paul Goldschmidt
(RP) Andrew Kittredge

Notable Additions

None. The answer here is none. The Cardinals haven’t added a single player via trade or free agency thus far.

Via Free Agency
N/A

Via Trade
N/A

Prospects/Farm System

The Cardinals farm system currently ranks 18th according to Baseball America, led by top prospect JJ Wetherhold (SS). There’s a good mix of hitting and pitching in the system, and their current Top 100 prospects are a star SS, and two top of the rotation projected starting pitchers. There’s a path forward here for sure.

Top 100 Prospects
(SS) JJ Wetherholt, (SP) Quinn Mathews, (SP) Tink Hence

2025 Storylines

• How long will it take St. Louis to find the right mix of retained salary/trade price to get Arenado out the door?
• Closer Ryan Helsley is a pending UFA after 2025. The Cardinals will want to maximize his trade value as soon as possible.
• All things considered, and despite a complete zero in offseason adding, this is still a legitimate division contending team. Their “rebuild on the fly” might make for interesting midseason decisions.

The Chicago Bears got an early jump on their 2025 offseason in releasing TE Gerald Everett & DE DeMarcus Lawrence. The moves freed up $10.75M of cap space, giving the Bears over $75M to work with as we approach the new league year.

Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Bengals announced the release of DT Sheldon Rankins, a move that opened up over $9.6M of cap room, while the Carolina Panthers freed up $4.35M by moving on from CB Dane Jackson.

The Chargers made their first big offseason move, locking in CB Elijah Molden to a 3 year, $18.75M extension this week. The deal comes with a reported $13.5M guaranteed, and keeps the former 3rd Round Pick under contract through the 2027 season.