The MLB offseason is officially underway, though we have yet to see any major movement in free agency and on the trade block. Expect that to change during the annual winter meetings in early December.

For now, we've assigned all of the top upcoming free agents to logical landing spots and projected a few trades on the way to predicting each MLB team's Opening Day lineup for the 2025 season.

Lineup data from Baseball Reference, roster data from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation on where free agents will sign went into compiling each team's batting order.

This will be updated throughout the offseason, so this is just the start.

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected signing or trade pickup.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Corbin Carroll
LF Jake McCarthy
2B Ketel Marte
1B Christian Walker
3B Eugenio Suárez
DH Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C Gabriel Moreno
SS Geraldo Perdomo
CF Alek Thomas
SP Zac Gallen

Notes

-The D-backs already addressed one potential roster hole when they picked up a $15 million club option on third baseman Eugenio Suárez on the heels of his strong finish to the regular season, and re-signing Christian Walker would return another key piece from an offense that led the majors with 886 runs scored.

-How will top prospect Jordan Lawlar fit into the team's 2025 plans? After an injury-plagued season, he is making up for lost time in the Dominican Winter League where he is hitting .268/.323/.402 in 93 plate appearances.

Athletics

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Lawrence Butler
DH Brent Rooker
CF JJ Bleday
C Shea Langeliers
1B Tyler Soderstrom
LF Miguel Andujar
2B Zack Gelof
SS Jacob Wilson
3B Yoán Moncada
SP JP Sears

Notes

-The Athletics have the makings of a solid offensive core with Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers all coming off strong seasons, while Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson are just scratching the surface of their top prospect pedigrees.

-A staggering 10 different players started at least one game at third base in 2024, and no one started more than 56 games at the position, so that stands as the most glaring hole in the lineup. The A's could be the perfect team to roll the dice on Yoán Moncada, who is still only 29 years old and was productive in limited action when healthy.

Atlanta Braves

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Michael Harris III
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
RF Ramón Laureano
C Sean Murphy
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia
SP Chris Sale

Notes

-With Jorge Soler sent to the Los Angeles Angels in the first notable trade of the offseason, the Braves seem poised to roll with Ramón Laureano and Jarred Kelenic at the corner outfield spots once again until Ronald Acuña Jr. is ready to return to action.

-Incumbent shortstop Orlando Arcia is owed just $2 million in 2025 and a $1 million buyout on a $2 million club option in 2026, so if the Braves decide to pursue an upgrade, his contract status will not stand in the way.

Baltimore Orioles

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Cedric Mullins
C Adley Rutschman
SS Gunnar Henderson
1B Ryan Mountcastle
DH Ryan O'Hearn
3B Jordan Westburg
LF Colton Cowser
RF Heston Kjerstad
2B Jackson Holliday
SP Max Fried

Notes

-If the Orioles do anything on the offensive side of things this offseason, it will likely be dealing someone like Ryan Mountcastle or Cedric Mullins for pitching after both players were floated at the trade deadline last year.

-The O's will have a ton of competition in their pursuit to re-sign ace Corbin Burnes, and if they are unable to bring him back, they will need to move quickly to find a suitable replacement to anchor the staff. Max Fried, Blake Snell, Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea and Nathan Eovaldi are among the other top-of-the-rotation-caliber arms on the market.

Boston Red Sox

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Jarren Duran
1B Triston Casas
3B Rafael Devers
SS Trevor Story
RF Wilyer Abreu
DH Masataka Yoshida
C Connor Wong
2B Kristian Campbell
CF Ceddanne Rafaela
SP Tanner Houck

Notes

-Healthy seasons from Triston Casas (63 G) and Trevor Story (26 G) could provide a major in-house boost for the Red Sox, and they may rely on their production to bolster the offense rather than making any splashy outside additions.

-After hitting .330/.439/.558 with 32 doubles, 20 home runs, 77 RBI and 24 steals in 115 games across three minor league levels, Kristian Campbell should get a long look for the starting second base job next spring. The 22-year-old closed out his first full professional season at Triple-A Worcester.

Chicago Cubs

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Ian Happ
2B Nico Hoerner
RF Cody Bellinger
3B Isaac Paredes
1B Michael Busch
DH Seiya Suzuki
SS Dansby Swanson
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
C Miguel Amaya
SP Justin Steele

Notes

-Cody Bellinger deciding not to exercise the opt-out in his contract has created a logjam in the Cubs outfield, and that's without taking into account rising prospect Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara who are both knocking on the door. The most logical trade candidates are Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, but they could also use a revolving DH to keep everyone in the lineup.

-Will the Cubs find an upgrade at catcher, or at least a platoon partner for Miguel Amaya? Top prospect Moises Ballesteros could push for the starting job in 2026, but relying on him in any capacity next year might be premature.

Chicago White Sox

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Amed Rosario
LF Andrew Benintendi
CF Luis Robert Jr.
1B Andrew Vaughn
RF Gavin Sheets
DH Miguel Vargas
C Korey Lee
3B Bryan Ramos
2B Thairo Estrada
SP Garrett Crochet

Notes

-Expect the White Sox to clean up the free-agency scraps, similar to what they did last offseason when they signed Paul DeJong, Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar and others. Their ability to offer playing time to veterans who might otherwise have to settle for bench roles will be their biggest bargaining chip.

-Thairo Estrada and Amed Rosario are both attractive buy-low targets who might not be able to find an everyday role elsewhere. Estrada was a 2.3-WAR player in 2023 when he had a 14-homer, 23-steal season for the Giants, while Rosario had a 4.2-WAR season as Cleveland's starting shortstop in 2022. So, neither player is far removed from productivity.

Cincinnati Reds

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Jonathan India
SS Elly De La Cruz
DH Joc Pederson
LF Spencer Steer
1B Jeimer Candelario
C Tyler Stephenson
2B Matt McLain
CF TJ Friedl
RF Jake Fraley
SP Hunter Greene

Notes

-The Diamondbacks used a successful platoon of Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk at designated hitter in 2024. And with both players on the open market again, that tandem could make a ton of sense for a Reds team looking to find more consistent run production.

-How does former top prospect Noelvi Marte factor into the team's plans? The 23-year-old hit .210/.248/.301 for a 49 OPS+ in 66 games after returning from an 80-game PED suspension. And with minus-1.8 WAR he was one of the least valuable players in baseball, but he still offers significant upside.

Cleveland Guardians

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Steven Kwan
DH Kyle Manzardo
3B José Ramírez
1B Josh Naylor
RF Jhonkensy Noel
CF Lane Thomas
2B Andrés Giménez
C Bo Naylor
SS Brayan Rocchio
SP Tanner Bibee

Notes

-It's unlikely the Guardians will make any splashy offseason additions, and if they do, it will likely be to fortify the starting rotation. That said, a full season of Lane Thomas and the September emergence of Kyle Manzardo still raises their offensive outlook for 2025.

-It will be interesting to see if outfielder Chase DeLauter can make a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training. The 23-year-old hit .340/.475/.511 with six extra-base hits and 11 RBI over 59 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League following an injury-plagued regular season.

Colorado Rockies

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Tommy Pham
SS Ezequiel Tovar
CF Brenton Doyle
3B Ryan McMahon
RF Kris Bryant
1B Michael Toglia
2B Brendan Rodgers
LF Nolan Jones
C Jacob Stallings
SP Kyle Freeland

Notes

-No team in baseball is more content with the status quo than the Rockies, so while Ryan McMahon, Brendan Rodgers and others may look like potential trade candidates, the smart money is on them staying the course with the same roster that lost 101 games in 2024.

-With Charlie Blackmon retiring, there is room to add a low-cost veteran bat to fill the designated hitter role, and Tommy Pham has made a living signing with non-contenders and playing well enough to get traded to a contending team at the deadline the last several years.

Detroit Tigers

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Parker Meadows
RF Kerry Carpenter
LF Riley Greene
DH J.D. Martinez
3B Matt Vierling
2B Colt Keith
1B Spencer Torkelson
SS Trey Sweeney
C Jake Rogers
SP Tarik Skubal

Notes

-The Tigers have a lot of exciting young offensive pieces, but adding a proven veteran run producer such as J.D. Martinez to the middle of the lineup could help take their lineup to the next level. It would also be a nice homecoming for the 37-year-old, who originally broke out with the Tigers in 2014.

-Rookie shortstop Trey Sweeney played well enough down the stretch, especially defensively, to wonder if the Tigers will consider cutting their losses on Javier Báez this winter. He has three years and $73 million left on his contract, and he was a minus-1.1 WAR player over 80 games in 2024.

Houston Astros

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Jose Altuve
DH Yordan Alvarez
RF Kyle Tucker
3B Alex Bregman
C Yainer Diaz
1B Josh Bell
SS Jeremy Peña
LF Chas McCormick
CF Jake Meyers
SP Framber Valdez

Notes

-A reunion with the Astros still feels the most likely outcome for Alex Bregman's free agency, even with Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez both poised to hit the open market following the 2025 season.

-Jon Singleton held his own stepping into the starting first base job after José Abreu was demoted, posting a 103 OPS+ with 13 home runs and 42 RBI in 119 games. With club control through 2028, he could be the guy once again, but there are plenty of potential upgrades available this winter.

Kansas City Royals

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Michael Massey
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
C Salvador Pérez
RF Tyler O'Neill
DH Hunter Renfroe
LF MJ Melendez
3B Maikel García
CF Kyle Isbel
SP Seth Lugo

Notes

-The Royals would benefit greatly from adding another true power threat to join Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino in shouldering the offensive load, and Tyler O'Neill is coming off a 31-homer season in only 473 plate appearances.

-Outside of the eight incumbents listed above, the Royals only have seven other position players on the current 40-man roster. Expect at least a few more outside additions following their surprise playoff run, even if it's just to bolster the bench.

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Nolan Schanuel
SS Zach Neto
CF Mike Trout
DH Jorge Soler
C Logan O'Hoppe
LF Taylor Ward
3B Anthony Rendon
2B Luis Rengifo
RF Jo Adell
SP Tyler Anderson

Notes

-Infielder Luis Rengifo and outfielder Taylor Ward both looked like potential trade candidates heading into the offseason, but after slugger Jorge Soler was acquired from the Braves, it looks like the Angels might be more inclined to buy this winter.

-The addition of Soler also likely eliminates a potential shift to designated hitter for Mike Trout, which might have helped him stay on the field after he played in just 29 games in 2024. The 33-year-old is still owed a staggering $222.7 million over the next six years.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Shohei Ohtani
SS Mookie Betts
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Teoscar Hernández
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
CF Tommy Edman
LF Jesse Winker
2B Gavin Lux
SP Tyler Glasnow

Notes

-Slugger Teoscar Hernández has made it clear he prefers to stay with the Dodgers, but it's also unlikely he is going to settle for another short-term deal coming off an elite offensive season that boosted his stock significantly.

-The Dodgers can turn to some combination of Andy Pages, James Outman, Chris Taylor and top prospect Dalton Rushing to fill the other corner outfield spot, but adding a productive veteran such as Jesse Winker would help take some pressure off that group. If he can be had on a one-year deal, he would be a nice under-the-radar pickup.

Miami Marlins

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Xavier Edwards
3B Connor Norby
RF Jesús Sánchez
1B Jake Burger
DH Gary Sánchez
LF Alex Verdugo
2B Otto Lopez
C Carson Kelly
CF Kyle Stowers
SP Jesús Luzardo

Notes

-Similar to the White Sox, the Marlins will be a landing spot for a handful of veterans who prioritize playing time over a potentially smaller deal, with an eye on getting traded to a contending team at midseason.

-Alex Verdugo and Gary Sánchez are both capable of outperforming their 2024 numbers offensively, while Carson Kelly can be a productive platoon partner for Nick Fortes behind the plate. Despite whiffing on the Tim Anderson signing a year ago, the buy-low strategy still makes sense for Miami.

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Jackson Chourio
DH Christian Yelich
C William Contreras
CF Garrett Mitchell
1B Rhys Hoskins
LF Sal Frelick
3B Paul DeJong
SS Joey Ortiz
2B Brice Turang
SP Freddy Peralta

Notes

-With Rhys Hoskins exercising his player option and Joey Ortiz expected to slide over to shortstop to replace the departing Willy Adames, the only obvious hole on the Brewers roster is at third base. Paul DeJong spent most of his time at the hot corner after he was traded to the Royals at the deadline, and he quietly hit 24 home runs in 139 games in 2024.

-Defensive standout Blake Perkins profiles well as a fourth outfielder who is capable of stepping into a larger role if needed, while prospect Tyler Black will need to play his way into a starting role after struggling in his first taste of the big leagues.

Minnesota Twins

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Willi Castro
SS Carlos Correa
2B Royce Lewis
CF Byron Buxton
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Matt Wallner
DH Trevor Larnach
3B José Miranda
C Ryan Jeffers
SP Joe Ryan

Notes

-The Twins need to decide where Royce Lewis fits best on the infield, and the answer could be second base after he saw some action there down the stretch in 2024. That would open up playing time for Jose Miranda at third base and put them in the market to add a veteran first baseman, with Anthony Rizzo a great potential fit in the lineup and in the clubhouse.

-Where do Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien fit into the 2025 plans? Both players offer enough versatility to line up at multiple spots on the infield, and the former has the top prospect pedigree to warrant more than just a bench role.

New York Mets

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Francisco Lindor
LF Brandon Nimmo
3B Mark Vientos
1B Pete Alonso
RF Starling Marte
CF Tyrone Taylor
DH Jeff McNeil
C Francisco Alvarez
2B Luisangel Acuña
SP Corbin Burnes

Notes

-Despite the two sides failing to come to terms on an extension in the past, it would still be shocking to see Pete Alonso sign anywhere else this offseason. The homegrown slugger departing would create a massive hole in the middle of the lineup, and his stellar playoff performance has made it even more difficult to envision him getting away.

-This might look like a quiet offseason for the Mets at first glance, but they have a lot of work to do rebuilding the starting rotation, and it's not out of the question to think they could walk away with Corbin Burnes and one of the other top arms such as Blake Snell, Jack Flaherty or a reunion with Sean Manaea.

New York Yankees

Projected Starting Lineup

3B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
RF Juan Soto
CF Aaron Judge
1B Paul Goldschmidt
DH Giancarlo Stanton
C Austin Wells
LF Jasson Dominguez
SS Anthony Volpe
2B Caleb Durbin
SP Gerrit Cole

Notes

-$500 million? $600 million? Expect the Yankees to do whatever it takes to keep Juan Soto in pinstripes. There is simply no replacing his impact offensively, and his ability to take pressure off Aaron Judge makes the entire offense better.

-Caleb Durbin just won Breakout Player of the Year honors in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .312/.427/.548 with five doubles, five home runs, 21 RBI and 29 steals in 24 games. The 24-year-old also had a terrific run in the AFL a year ago and a strong 2024 regular season, so if the Yankees decide to go with an open competition among in-house options for the second base job, he is one to watch.

Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
3B Alec Bohm
RF Nick Castellanos
2B Bryson Stott
C J.T. Realmuto
CF Brandon Marsh
LF Austin Hays
SP Zack Wheeler

Notes

-The Phillies are listening to trade offers for third baseman Alec Bohm, but that doesn't mean they are simply going to give away a player who posted a 117 OPS+ with 61 extra-base hits and 3.0 WAR while still carrying two remaining years of club control. It's still far more likely he is penciled into the 2025 Opening Day lineup.

-The more compelling offseason storyline for the Phillies is on the pitching side of things. Will they cut ties with Taijuan Walker? And if they do, will they look for an outside addition, or keep a path open for top prospect Andrew Painter to pitch his way onto the roster?

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Andrew McCutchen
LF Bryan Reynolds
CF Oneil Cruz
1B Mark Canha
C Joey Bart
RF Bryan De La Cruz
SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa
2B Nick Gonzales
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
SP Paul Skenes

Notes

-The Pirates are a team on the rise, but that doesn't mean they will suddenly be a free-spending franchise. Their offseason wheeling and dealing is still likely to be on the fringe of the market, rather than any high-profile moves.

-A veteran like Mark Canha who can provide professional at-bats, solid on-base ability and some solid run production would be a great fit on this roster. He can play first base and the corner outfield spots, which gives the team more lineup flexibility as they continue to mix-and-match young pieces to try to find a go-to lineup.

San Diego Padres

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Luis Arraez
LF Jurickson Profar
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B Manny Machado
CF Jackson Merrill
SS Xander Bogaerts
1B Jake Cronenworth
C Kyle Higashioka
2B Jose Iglesias
SP Yu Darvish

Notes

-First things first, the Padres need to re-sign Jurickson Profar, and considering how much success he has enjoyed in San Diego relative to everywhere else he has played in his career, there should be plenty of mutual interest in getting a deal done.

-With Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth both capable of manning either spot on the right side of the infield, and Xander Bogaerts lining up at both middle infield spots, the Padres could go a lot of different routes with who they target. Veteran Jose Iglesias would give them a solid defender with elite contact skills who can serve as a second leadoff hitter out of the No. 9 spot in the order.

San Francisco Giants

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jung Hoo Lee
RF Mike Yastrzemski
SS Willy Adames
3B Matt Chapman
LF Heliot Ramos
1B Carlos Santana
DH LaMonte Wade Jr.
2B Tyler Fitzgerald
C Patrick Bailey
SP Logan Webb

Notes

-Can the new-look Giants front office, led by Buster Posey, do a better job getting top-tier free-agent talent to sign on the dotted line? Locking up Matt Chapman was a great first step, and shoring up the left side of the infield by landing Willy Adames would move the needle in a major way.

-The idea of targeting a shortstop after Tyler Fitzgerald had such a productive rookie campaign might seem redundant, but he looks like a major regression candidate. His .380 BABIP will not be sustainable given his middling batted-ball data, and he was a below-average defender (-6 DRS, -2.0 UZR/150) at shortstop.

Seattle Mariners

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Ha-Seong Kim
CF Julio Rodríguez
C Cal Raleigh
DH Anthony Santander
LF Randy Arozarena
1B Luke Raley
3B Josh Rojas
SS J.P. Crawford
RF Victor Robles
SP Luis Castillo

Notes

-The Mariners need middle-of-the-order run production, and with arguably the best starting rotation in baseball, they should be willing to spend big to find it. Anthony Santander is coming off a 44-homer season and would slot perfectly into the middle of a lineup that should also benefit from a full season of Randy Arozarena.

-Versatile infielder Ha-Seong Kim could bring a stop to what has been a revolving door at second base, providing strong defense and more than enough offense to be an asset in a table-setting role.

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Masyn Winn
2B Brendan Donovan
1B Willson Contreras
DH Alec Burleson
LF Lars Nootbaar
3B Nolan Gorman
RF Jordan Walker
C Iván Herrera
CF Victor Scott II
SP Sonny Gray

Notes

-The Cardinals are focused on getting younger, and a trade of Nolan Arenado seems like a real possibility this winter. He has a no-trade clause, but if St. Louis is headed for a rebuild, there is a good chance he will be open to waiving it in favor of joining a contender.

-Jordan Walker needs to be penciled into an everyday role and left to develop. The team's shuttling him between Triple-A and the majors has been a disservice to his development, and he still has legitimate star-caliber upside if everything clicks.

Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Starting Lineup

1B Yandy Díaz
RF Josh Lowe
3B Junior Caminero
2B Brandon Lowe
DH Christopher Morel
LF Max Kepler
CF Jonny DeLuca
C Yasmani Grandal
SS José Caballero
SP Jeffery Springs

Notes

-The Rays could continue selling off veteran pieces this winter after a busy trade deadline, with first baseman Yandy Diaz and second baseman Brandon Lowe obvious candidates as two of the highest-paid players on the roster. For now, they are penciled into the Opening Day lineup, but that could certainly change.

-Slugger Max Kepler is one of the better buy-low bats on the market, and the Rays are all about bargain hunting. Yasmani Grandal would also be a nice addition who can provide some power at the plate and a veteran voice to lead the pitching staff.

Texas Rangers

Projected Starting Lineup

2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
1B Nathaniel Lowe
RF Adolis Garcia
3B Josh Jung
DH Josh Smith
LF Wyatt Langford
C Jonah Heim
CF Evan Carter
SP Jacob deGrom

Notes

-The Rangers lineup looks as set as any in baseball heading into the offseason, though that could change if they decide cutting payroll is a priority and decide to trade someone like Nathaniel Lowe whose price tag is set to climb in arbitration.

-The pitching staff is more of a question mark with Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Kirby Yates, David Robertson and José Leclerc all departing in free agency, though a healthy Jacob deGrom could help offset those losses.

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected Starting Lineup

RF George Springer
2B Gleyber Torres
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3B Nolan Arenado
LF Michael Conforto
SS Bo Bichette
CF Daulton Varsho
DH Spencer Horwitz
C Alejandro Kirk
SP Kevin Gausman

Notes

-The Blue Jays sold at the trade deadline, but they stopped short of moving any key controllable pieces, and all signs point to them approaching the offseason as buyers. After making a legitimate push to sign Shohei Ohtani last winter, the organization is clearly willing to spend in the right situation, and the above additions would make this a bona fide contender.

-It might not cost much to acquire Nolan Arenado in terms of prospect talent if the Blue Jays are willing to take on the bulk of his remaining salary. Aggressively pursuing additions this winter might also help convince Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to stick around long-term.

Washington Nationals

Projected Starting Lineup

SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
DH Justin Turner
1B Juan Yepez
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García Jr.
3B Gio Urshela
CF Jacob Young
SP MacKenzie Gore

Notes

-The Nationals' rebuild took a step forward in 2024, even if their win-loss record didn't necessarily reflect it. Middle infielders CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr. both had breakout seasons, while young outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews showed flashes in their first MLB action.

-A veteran run producer like Justin Turner could help bolster the lineup and provide a needed voice in the clubhouse, while a low-cost pickup like Gio Urshela would shore up their base and give the team a potential trade chip who could outperform his contract.