playJeff PassanNov 10, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsLAS VEGAS — The sense of urgency across Major League Baseball right now is palpable. Everyone in the industry knows the game is shutting down when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 2 and the owners lock the players out, and the transaction freeze that accompanies it makes the next three weeks that much more important.In the final days before the last lockout in 2021, teams guaranteed more than $1.5 billion to free agents. This week at baseball’s GM meetings, executives and agents are anticipating a similar deluge of deals as November progresses. The parties have skipped the standard early-winter formalities and gone straight to expressions of interest.
And with the shortened timetable, offers are expected to follow soon — especially following next week’s owners’ meetings.The unknown labor situation’s impact has been front and center on the minds of executives and agents here. Some believe owners see an opportunity to exert pressure on a large group of players and squeeze. Others think teams will spend like any other year to ensure players, in a potential legal battle, cannot suggest any sort of collusive behavior. It’s not a bonanza free agent class by any means, but after an October in which three small-market organizations were among the four playing in league championship series, teams regard the current landscape as wide open enough that few plan to punt on the 2027 season.With that in mind, here is the perfect offseason move for the dozen returning playoff teams and five others expected to be active during the shortened transaction window.
While some of these teams will land multiple additions, the rule for this exercise was only one move per team and only one team per player.Milwaukee Brewers2026 results: 103-59, first place NL Central, World Series championsThe perfect transaction: The Brewers don’t spend in free agency. Over the last half-decade, their two biggest deals were for Rhys Hoskins (two years, $34 million) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (two years, $24 million). And while the run to their first championship infused the organization with the sort of cash — and cachet — that would allow them to pursue top-end free agents, Milwaukee isn’t suddenly going to deviate from a strategy that works. And, in this case, that’s trading players they don’t intend to sign to long-term deals a year before they reach free agency.
The Brewers have no obvious weaknesses to fill, particularly with the strength of their farm system. And considering the paucity of high-end relievers in this market, the argument to add to their prospect cache is that much stronger. Trade closer Trevor Megill.Tampa Bay Rays2026 results: 98-64, first place AL East, lost in World SeriesThe perfect transaction: Exactly how much the Rays’ payroll grows this winter under new owner Patrick Zalupski is one of the more interesting subplots of the offseason. Tampa Bay has already signaled that it intends to hold onto ace Drew Rasmussen, who will make $20 million in 2027 before he hits free agency.While the Rays could use another bat, they’ll have fast-moving catcher Caden Bodine in the big leagues next year, and center fielder Theo Gillen might not be far behind.
The Rays’ clearest susceptibility is its rotation, and with Shane McClanahan a trade candidate heading into his walk year, Tampa Bay could benefit from the return of a familiar face: the player everyone in the clubhouse pointed to as the Rays’ unquestioned leader. Re-sign right-handed starter Nick Martinez.Los Angeles Dodgers2026 results: 100-62, first place NL West, lost in NLCSThe perfect transaction: Aside from Tarik Skubal, the Dodgers return all of the core players from a 100-win team. And even though Milwaukee slew them in a four-game NLCS sweep, Los Angeles is still a force, featuring a roster stacked with stars and a farm system ready to graduate young players to join what this year was the oldest roster in baseball.Certainly the Dodgers will be in the mix on Skubal, but to what extent is unclear. Unlike Kyle Tucker last offseason, Skubal has no interest in a shorter-term, higher-dollar deal, which could disadvantage the Dodgers when contending with the New York Mets (or the San Diego Padres or Toronto Blue Jays).
And considering their every-day lineup is set and their rotation abounding with options, the Dodgers might replicate their 2022-23 offseason, which was limited to a handful of lower-dollar deals. If that’s the case, the bullpen is a reasonable place for them to start. Re-sign left-handed reliever Alex Vesia.San Diego Padres2026 results: 91-71, second place NL West, lost in NLDSThe perfect transaction: The Padres are going to be busy. They have no rotation to speak of, so they are casting a wide net on starting pitching — including Tarik Skubal.
With their payroll in the $200 million range already, though, how much will new owner Jose Feliciano be willing to spend? Skubal will command at least $45 million a year. And while San Diego is not opposed to bargain hunting for arms, spreading out that cash among two or even three pitchers might better suit a rotation that returns only Randy Vasquez, with Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish wild cards. The easy move — the practical one — is to lock up its ace for the past three seasons who just opted out of his deal with San Diego.
Re-sign right-handed starter Michael King.Cleveland Guardians2026 results: 85-77, first place AL Central, lost in ALCSThe perfect transaction: While the Guardians’ aggressiveness at the trade deadline helped them reach the ALCS, nobody expects them to replicate that in free agency. With the emergence of Chase DeLauter and trade for Jo Adell, their outfield is set for the first time in years. Their infield is solid, too, with the exception of first base, and between that and designated hitter, Cleveland should be in on midtier power bats.What the Guardians really could use is one more solid starting pitcher, preferably on a shorter-term deal, with real upside. And the ideal candidate is right there for them.
Sign right-handed starter Casey Mize.New York Yankees2026 results: 93-68, second place AL East, lost in ALDSThe perfect transaction: There are any number of perfect moves for the Yankees. Go get Teruaki Sato to solve third base? Sure. Bring back closer David Bednar?
Absolutely. Sign Brandon Lowe to play second and abuse the short porch in right field? Yup.The best of the bunch, though, would give them the sort of weapon manager Aaron Boone needs: a multi-inning reliever slinging some of the game’s nastiest stuff. Spending on bullpen help is tricky, and the Yankees must do plenty more to address all their deficiencies, but landing a top-5 reliever in the game is a pretty good place to start.
Sign left-handed reliever Adrian Morejon.Atlanta Braves2026 results: 94-68, first place NL East, lost in NLDSThe perfect transaction: The Braves need impact starting pitching. Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes are fine at the back end of a rotation, and Didier Fuentes will be an impact starter long term but could find himself innings-limited in 2027. But in a division primed to be loaded with good arms, Atlanta needs to keep up. That might mean right-hander Tyler Mahle, who served as a worthy complement to ace Chris Sale down the stretch.
But this isn’t about the moves the Braves are willing to make. It’s about what would be ideal. And in this case, as good as Mahle was, there’s another righty whose fastball sits in the low 90s and still finds ways to keep runs off the board. Sign right-handed starter Sonny Gray.Chicago White Sox2026 results: 84-78, second place AL Central, lost in ALDSThe perfect transaction: After trying to solve its starting pitching shortage at the deadline by adding Luis Castillo, Chicago is back for another go.
And there is no shortage of available starting pitching. The White Sox won’t be in on Skubal — even though, with a payroll currently under $100 millio
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