Key free-agent signings
1. David Robertson, closer (4 years, $46 million)
2. Melky Cabrera, LF (3 years, $42 million)
3. Adam LaRoche, 1B/DH (2 years, $25 million)
4. Zach Duke, LHR (3 years, $15 million)
5. Emilio Bonifacio, IF/OF (1 year, $4 million)
6. Geovany Soto, C (minor league deal)
Trades
1. Acquired Jeff Samardzija, RHP (from Oakland Athletics)
The White Sox have taken a team that was a dismal 73-89 last year and made it a club that, on paper, could win 85-90 games and be a legitimate threat in the AL Central. The White Sox's home attendance last year dipped to its lowest mark (1,650,821) since 1999, but with all the offseason excitement of player moves, they should get back to at least the 1.8-1.9 million range this season.
The White Sox's outfield is now set with Avisail Garcia in right field, Adam Eaton in center and Melky Cabrera in left; that's a good balance of above-average defense, speed and hitting ability. LaRoche has added left-handed power and better balance throughout the lineup and gives manager Robin Ventura the option to "rest" his best position hitter, Jose Abreu, by placing him at DH from time to time. But the Samardzija trade serves as the biggest improvement, as it gives the pitching staff a deadly one-two punch with Chris Sale atop the rotation, and Robertson and Duke improve the White Sox's bullpen dramatically.
No one knows how this team will come together in the clubhouse, but at least on paper, it's the most improved team in baseball.
Key free-agent signings
1. Jon Lester, LHS (6 years, $158 million)
2. Jason Hammel, RHS (2 years, $20 million)
3. David Ross, C (2 years, $5 million)
4. Chris Denorfia, OF (1 year $2.6 million)
5. Jason Motte, RHR (1 year, $4.5 million)
Trades
1. Acquired Miguel Montero, C (from the Arizona Diamondbacks)
2. Acquired Dexter Fowler, CF (from the Houston Astros)
3. Acquired Matt Brazis, RHP (from the Seattle Mariners)
Managerial hiring: Joe Maddon
Cubs president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer arrived in Chicago in October 2011 with a clear blueprint on how they hoped to rebuild the team, and they've done a remarkable job staying with the plan. They completely rebuilt their player development and scouting departments and have been successful in their drafts and free-agent signings.
This offseason, they started the next phase of making major changes to the major league roster, putting the Cubs in position to be relevant in 2015 while being serious contenders in 2016, if not this year. The hiring of Joe Maddon as their new manager was significant because he's considered one of the top three skippers in the game; he's a strong leader with a proven track record of winning with young developing teams. He also has the personality to be beloved in Chicago. There's no better manager in baseball to develop the young core of Cubs prospects, such as Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Addison Russell.
The Cubs knew they had to acquire an ace at the top of their rotation to start heading in the right direction. They tried last offseason to lure Masahiro Tanaka, but they fell short when the Yankees outbid the industry. But they landed their top target this offseason when they used their personal relationship and strong financial backing to land Lester, who is just a year removed from a world championship. His leadership, combined with Maddon's, will completely change the culture in the Cubs' clubhouse from "developing" to "winning now." Epstein and Hoyer also made two significant trades, landing Montero and Fowler without giving up much in the process. Montero solves catcher for the next four years until Kyle Schwarber is ready -- if the prospect isn't moved from the position -- and significantly improves the game-calling, while Fowler takes over center field until Albert Almora is ready and gives the Cubs a legit leadoff hitter. The Cubs also added depth with the signings of David Ross, the game's best backup catcher, and Chris Denorfia, who can play all three outfield positions and maybe platoon in left.
The Cubs' major league roster is finally relevant again thanks to the prospects being close enough that Epstein and Hoyer could have an aggressive offseason.
Key free-agent signings
1. Brandon Morrow, RHS (1 year, $2.5 million)
2. Clint Barmes, SS (1 year, $1.5 million)
3. Josh Johnson, RHS (1 year, $1 million)
Trades
1. Acquired OF Matt Kemp, OF and C Tim Federowicz (from the Dodgers)
2. Acquired OF Justin Upton (from the Braves)
3. Acquired OF Wil Myers (from the Rays)
4. Acquired C Derek Norris (from the A's)
5. Acquired 3B Will Middlebrooks (from the Red Sox)
6. Acquired RHP Brandon Maurer (from the Mariners)
7. Acquired RHP Shawn Kelley (from the Yankees)
Padres rookie GM A.J. Preller has been wheeling and dealing and could go down in baseball history as the most aggressive GM in his first offseason. The Pacific Ocean next to San Diego is usually smooth and peaceful, but since Preller has come to town, his moves have made the ocean feel like tidal waves and whitecaps.
Preller inherited a team that finished second in the National League in ERA (3.27), but the Padres also finished last in runs and home runs. He was on a mission to change the latter two, and at least on paper he succeeded without giving up much from his major league roster, instead utilizing the strong farm system that was in place. The Padres' outfield got a complete makeover with Upton, Myers and Kemp; all three are capable of 25-30 home runs, with the only main issue being lack of range in center field. Derek Norris brings significant power to catcher while continuing to improve defensively, and Will Middlebrooks gets a fresh start at third base.
This team is going to score more runs and hit for power, and with a strong pitching staff already in place, the Padres now have to be considered a serious NL West contender. There is also a legitimate shot they'll sign right-handed pitcher James Shields in the next 48 hours, which would cap off the most impressive offseason in Padres history.
Key free-agent signings
1. Hanley Ramirez, LF (4 years, $88 million)
2. Pablo Sandoval, 3B (5 years, $95 million)
3. Justin Masterson, RHP (1 year, $9.5 million)
4. Alexi Ogando, RHP (1 year, $1.5 million)
Trades
1. Acquired LHP Wade Miley (from the Diamondbacks)
2. Acquired RHP Rick Porcello (from the Tigers)
3. Acquired C Ryan Hanigan (from the Padres)
4. Acquired RHR Anthony Varvaro (from the Braves)
The Red Sox have built the best and deepest lineup in the AL East this offseason by opening up their checkbook and landing both Ramirez and Sandoval. With the continued development of Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo and Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox are primed for some high-scoring games this year as veterans David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli now have the support they need. The Red Sox's rotation is improved with the significant innings that both Miley and Porcello bring to the table. The Red Sox are now missing just a No. 1 starter, but certainly have a farm system capable of trading for Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto or Jordan Zimmermann between now and the trade deadline. With an ace, they'd move to the top of this list.
Key free-agent signings
1. Michael Morse, 1B (2 years, $16 million)
2. Ichiro Suzuki, OF (1 year, $2 million)
Trades
1. Acquired RHP Mat Latos (from the Reds)
2. Acquired 2B Dee Gordon, IF Miguel Rojas and RHP Dan Haren (from the Dodgers)
3. Acquired 3B Martin Prado and RHP David Phelps (from the Yankees)
4. Acquired RHP Aaron Crow (from the Royals)
5. Acquired RHP Luis Castillo and RHP Kendry Flores (from the Giants)
The Marlins started their offseason with the record-breaking 13-year extension for their best player, Giancarlo Stanton. The signing was symbolic of the new culture of the team and the commitment to keeping its young players, a concern that loomed ever since the Marlins traded away Miguel Cabrera in December 2007. The Marlins followed that signing with a flurry of trades and free-agent signings that have left them as a legitimate wild-card contender in 2015. Miami rebuilt its infield and now is improved offensively and defensively because of it. Gordon adds special speed and range at second, Prado brings better defense and on-base percentage at third, and Morse brings more power to first base. The Marlins also improved their rotation with the trades for Mat Latos and Dan Haren, while bringing in a good bullpen arm in Crow.
The Marlins are still working on signing some of their young core, including Adeiny Hechavarria, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Jose Fernandez. The Marlins drastically improved their clubhouse character with the signings of Morse and Suzuki and trades for Prado, Haren and Gordon. With their young players developing and their offseason moves, they could be a playoff-ready team.
at the Padres and they just got James Shields.......
3 rangs in 5 years 
