1x FA Add For Every Team in the American League That Didn't Win the Division in 2025
A Blog By Brett
On to the American League! For those not paying attention, earlier this offseason, I was working on putting out a set of six articles predicting one free agent to every team that did not win their division in 2025. I was able to get through the entire National League across three pieces. From there, I decided to pivot to one longer piece to cover all three divisions in the American League.
Truth be told, I got sidetracked when I was doing this series, and then everyone decided to sign deals in a matter of a week after each other, or at least that is what it felt like. That being the case, in the matter, I figured one blog where I plug in one niche piece for all the American League teams that failed to win their division in 2025 could be just as entertaining to put together.
Baltimore Orioles
Team Needs - Rotation, Bullpen, Centerfield/Veteran Bat
Yes, the Orioles need to address Centerfield as Colton Cowser is slotted to return as the everyday starter for Baltimore in 2026. Cowser is only twenty-five years old and can definitely grow his game, but he hit below .200 in 2025. That being said, one would have to think that Baltimore is going to prioritize the rotation. There are some quality arms in the rotation with Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin. This rotation will not win you the American League East.
I take it the Orioles are serious about competing, as they went out and traded for Taylor Ward and signed Pete Alonso to a massive deal. If they want to be playing baseball in deep October this year, they need to add to the rotation with Chris Bassitt. Bassitt remains unsigned. Baltimore can strike now and probably get Bassitt on a cheap deal. The problem is, I am seeing that Philadelphia is a real player here.
Plus, Baltimore has Enrique Bradfield Jr. in the pipeline, who is a plus-defender and can allow them to move Cowser to a corner slot.
Prediction - Chris Bassitt
Tampa Bay Rays
Team Needs - 2B, SS, C, Rotation & Bullpen Depth
The Rays always seem to do their own thing and rely heavily upon internal development to fill major league voids with their big league roster. Tampa does not spend big money on free agents, so finding a player and agreeing on a smaller deal is the formula. Once I took a look at the remaining free agents, Christian Vasquez makes sense. Tampa needs depth at catcher, and Vasquez could add a little value if he can simply hit above the Mendoza line. Veteran catcher, they can add for next to nothing to give Nick Fortes some days off.
Prediction - Christian Vasquez
New York Yankees
Team Needs - Pitching (Starting & Bullpen), 3B, CF
The Yankees are done spending after Cody Bellinger, so do not expect them to go after Framber Valdez on a pipe dream. Realistically, they add another depth starter or to the bullpen.
My guy says they go the bullpen route and reunite with former Yankee Tommy Kahnle. He would cost less than $5M for a one-year deal, and I think they could acquire him for less than $4M. He is familiar with the organization and pitched well in New York as recently as 2024. He pitched to a 2.11 ERA across 50 games and struck out 46 batters.
Prediction - Tommy Kahnle
Boston Red Sox
Team Needs - Bullpen & 2B
Boston seems to have a hundred starting pitchers at this point, so there's no need for rotational depth. The lineup has a ton of youth, and there are no more big-name bats out there that Boston would be interested in. All signs point to the bullpen, and Andrew Chafin could be that guy. Chafin is a seasoned veteran who should cost the team less than $5M for one year of service. In 2025, Chafin pitched to a 2.41 ERA across 33 ⅔ innings for the Los Angeles Angels. He is also a lefty and would add another quality southpaw to the mix should Chapman need rest or sustain an injury.
Prediction - Andrew Chafin
Chicago White Sox
Team Needs - Rotation, Bullpen & DH
The White Sox are in the middle of a total rebuild. The future looks bright with core players like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Munetaka Murakami, Edgar Quero, and Brooks Baldwin. I would assume that the White Sox organization has high hopes for the future, but understands 2026 will not be the year they win a World Series title.
I’d imagine they want to get their young bats as many opportunities as possible, so I am leaning towards them solidifying the rotation with an innings eater. Miles Mikolas would cost them next to nothing and could provide some valuable innings. He has pitched over 731 MLB innings since the start of 2022 and owns a career 4.24 ERA through 1252 ⅓ career innings. At age 37, I can’t see him costing more than $7M for the 2026 season.
Prediction - Miles Mikolas
Detroit Tigers
Team Needs - Veteran Starting Pitching & OF
I originally had Nick Martinez lined up for Detroit. Then Framber signed last night, so I am rolling with Tommy Pham. A veteran OF with some pop to help this young lineup could spark the offense, especially come playoff time.
Prediction - Tommy Pham
Minnesota Twins
Team Needs - Bullpen & Offensive Depth
Minnesota is weird. Maybe one of the weirdest teams in all of baseball. They seem to always have some studs yet never really get anywhere in terms of a deep playoff run. I can’t tell if they are trying to rebuild or reload. My guess after not moving Byron Buxton or Joe Ryan is that they are trying to reload through farm help and minor acquisitions like adding Josh Bell this offseason. If they were willing to spend a little bit of money, Rhys Hoskins could do well in a role where he would play 1B and DH. Hoskins would be an immediate upgrade at DH for Minnesota and could be one more move to help them win the division in 2026.
Prediction - Rhys Hoskins
Kansas City Royals
Team Needs - Impact Bat (OF), Bullpen, 2B, CF
The Royals, similar to the Twins, are in a weird state. They have a superstar on the roster in Bobby Witt Jr., surrounded by a few other productive pieces such as Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia, but the lineup is simply not deep enough to be a real threat to contenders. I don’t worry much about the rotation, as it has talent and veterans to carry this team. It’s been rumored by many, but it’s too good a match not to think will happen. Michael Conforto needs to be added to the fold. Conforto needs to prove himself after last year’s stint with the Dodgers, and the Royals could use a productive outfield bat.
Prediction - Michael Conforto
Los Angeles Angels
Team Needs - Rotation, Bullpen, Infield & Outfield Depth
Honestly, I like a lot of the moves this team already made this offseason. This team is not the perfect roster by any means of the imagination, but there is a lot to be excited about! After adding Lowe and Moncada to the offense, I think there will be enough production to compete in the American League for a playoff spot with Trout, Adell, Neto, Soler, O’Hoppe, Moore, and Schanuel already in the mix. This team needs to add another arm. Frankie Montas could be a super intriguing add. He was just cut by the Mets after a disappointing 2025. I doubt they see anything that looks like a 2021 Montas, but even the 2022 version would be a game-changer for this rotation. Plus, he probably won’t see a contract value of more than $6M for a one-year deal. Low risk, high reward.
Prediction - Frankie Montas
Houston Astros
Team Needs - Rotational Depth, OF (Lefty Bat)
The Houston lineup is loaded. Adding Imai was huge to deepen the strength of this rotation, but their SP4 right now looks like it is slotted to be Lance McCullers Jr., as of right now, and no offense meant, but McCullers Jr. isn’t exactly a perfect bill of health. Reuniting with Justin Verlander could be a play? Sure, he is 42 years old, but he threw to a 3.85 ERA across 152 innings last season.
Prediction - Justin Verlander
Athletics
Team Needs - Rotation, Bullpen, IF Depth
This young offense is way too exciting for management not to add some rotational depth. Add Zac Gallen on a one-year prove-it deal. If it works out, this is a major upgrade for the Athletics, possibly even their SP1. Yes, Gallen is arguably coming off the worst season of his career, but that is why I would qualify this as a mid-risk, high-reward. The only risk is the money, but it would be for one year. Go and get an impact arm to help this team win some more games in 2026, Mr. Forst.
Prediction - Zac Gallen
Texas Rangers
Team Needs - Rotation & Bullpen Depth, Impact Bat, OF Depth
After looking at the Rangers’ lineup, I am not too worried about offensive production. Don’t get me wrong, there are concerns such as Corey Seager’s and Evan Carter’s health, and does Wyatt Langford fully pop off in 2026? That being said, I would pick up another starter to add depth to the backend of the rotation. Why not add Max Scherzer to the mix? Scherzer would bring a veteran presence and could serve as the 4-5 starter for this team.
Prediction - Max Scherzer