Three most disappointing teams of MLB’s offseason so far

As we near the holidays, there is plenty of time left in Major League Baseball’s offseason. Some teams have shown early aggressiveness in signing free agents and making trades, while others have either missed out on those signings or waited to make their moves.

So, which MLB franchises have been the most disappointing so far? Let’s look at three who should be improving but have not done so yet.

Toronto Blue Jays

While their American League East counterparts have been adding to their rosters (the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have already made significant moves to improve their rotations), the Blue Jays have been the bridesmaids of the offseason so far.

Just how close the Blue Jays were to landing Juan Soto or Cody Bellinger remains to be seen, but missing out on big names follows a familiar path in recent years in Toronto. 

Sure, the trade for 2B Andres Gimenez and RHP Nick Sandlin fills some needs, but is it enough to get the Blue Jays back into the postseason? It feels like the AL East has become more competitive already this offseason, and that’s not good news for Toronto.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners appear to be stuck in neutral right now as the franchise has not made a notable acquisition this offseason, with general manager Justin Hollander saying, “There just hasn’t been the right set of circumstances yet to allow us to add…”

Hollander believes Seattle has plenty of time to make a move, and he’s likely correct. However, the Mariners faithful are becoming impatient with the club’s direction, especially with rumors of a potential Luis Castillo trade swirling. 

Seattle was in the hunt for a postseason spot until the final week of the 2024 regular season. Will the club make the moves needed to get them back into the playoffs in 2025? If so, and Castillo is traded, the Mariners must receive players who can help them immediately.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Like their colleagues in the Pacific Northwest, the Diamondbacks have been extremely quiet this winter for a team fighting for a playoff spot until late in the 2024 campaign.

The D-backs will look different in 2025, but just how different remains to be seen. First baseman Christian Walker is a free agent, as is OF/DH Joc Pederson. Will either be back? Is a potential reunion with 1B Paul Goldschmidt a possibility? Either way, a priority for the Diamondbacks is figuring out where production will come from at first base.

As pointed out, the Diamondbacks were never in the running for some of the market’s most prominent free agents (but they were reportedly interested in RHP Devin Williams before he was traded to the Yankees). Still, playing in the rugged National League West, getting to the postseason in 2025 will be no easy feat, even if you have a core that includes outfielder Corbin Carroll and second baseman Ketel Marte. Simply put, deals that move the needle must happen in the desert.