Let’s break this down because the MLB offseason may be winding down, but is it the rumor mill? Oh, it’s still running hot.
Blockbuster trades are still simmering, potential roster shake-ups are on the horizon, and updates could shift the landscape of the 2025 season.
So, let’s dive in.
Red Sox Land Bregman—Could That Mean Goodbye to Yoshida?
The Boston Red Sox made waves by locking in Alex Bregman, which reshaped their infield in a way few saw coming.
The longtime Astros star is heading to Fenway, and while that’s a win for Boston, it also brings some tough decisions—one of them being Masataka Yoshida’s future with the team.
Initially, when it looked like Boston might pivot to Nolan Arenado, the plan was clear: Rafael Devers would shift to DH, meaning Yoshida was on the chopping block.
But Bregman’s arrival seemingly put that talk to rest—until it didn’t. Reports now suggest that Bregman could still slide over to third at times, which could push Devers to DH anyway, and suddenly, Yoshida is back in the trade conversation.
And here’s the tricky part: moving Yoshida is no easy task. His $18.6 million per year contract isn’t exactly a bargain, and after last season, teams may hesitate to take on that salary for a guy who hasn’t delivered big power numbers.
All it takes is one team willing to roll the dice, so expect this situation to keep bubbling as the season progresses.
Dodgers Sticking With Five-Man Rotation (For Now)
Meanwhile, over in Los Angeles, the Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches regarding their rotation.
After adding Blake Snell and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki—and with Shohei Ohtani set to return to the mound at some point—you’d think a six-man rotation would be the obvious choice, right? Not so fast.
GM Andrew Friedman has clarified that the Dodgers are starting the season with a traditional five-man rotation. That means some tough calls on how to use arms like Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller early in the year.
The idea, though, is to keep the bullpen deep and maximize flexibility—especially given that guys like Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw have injury histories that can’t be ignored.
Now, once Ohtani is ready to pitch, the Dodgers are expected to make the switch to six starters. And honestly, that makes sense.
A two-way player like Ohtani requires some unique roster management, and the Dodgers—if nothing else—know how to be patient and play the long game.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Gives Braves Fans a Reason to Smile
Finally, let’s talk about a guy who could be the ultimate game-changer: Ronald Acuña Jr. The Atlanta Braves star is working his way back from his second torn ACL (on the opposite knee from his first injury), and the latest update? It’s about as good as Braves fans could hope for.
Acuña told reporters that he’s feeling “90-95%” when it comes to his cutting and running ability. That’s a huge step forward, and he even admitted that it’s going to be tough for him to “take it easy” in spring training.
That’s both exciting and nerve-wracking—Braves fans want him back at full strength but not at the risk of another setback.
The good news is that Anthopoulos and the Braves staff believe Acuña is ahead of schedule compared to his 2022 recovery, meaning he could be back in the lineup sooner than originally expected.
And with the Braves needing a spark after a relatively quiet MLB offseason, getting their MVP-caliber outfielder back at 100% might be the biggest addition of all.
What’s Next in the MLB?
While the major fireworks of the MLB offseason may have already exploded, there are still plenty of storylines worth following.
Will the Red Sox find a trade partner for Yoshida?
How will the Dodgers juggle their deep rotation? And when exactly will Acuña make his triumphant return?
One thing’s for sure—there’s no such thing as a slow offseason in Major League Baseball. Stay tuned.
