The Los Angeles Dodgers capped 2025 by becoming baseball’s first repeat champions since 2000, overcoming a 3-0 deficit in a stunning World Series Game 7 win over Toronto. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned series MVP, and the championship core, anchored by Shohei Ohtani, returned intact. Well, almost intact—the Dodgers immediately fortified an already formidable roster.

In a free agency class headlined by their own actions, the Dodgers added superstar OF Kyle Tucker on a short-term deal with opt-outs and acquired closer Edwin Diaz (253 career saves) to solve their ninth-inning question. Meanwhile, other spenders, particularly the Mets, were busy. New York brought in Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., and traded for ace Freddy Peralta. The Cubs landed Alex Bregman, while Framber Valdez (Tigers) and Ranger Suarez (Red Sox) switched teams.

Significant trades saw the Red Sox acquire Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray from the Cardinals, who also traded Nolan Arenado to Arizona. The Rays moved both Brandon and Josh Lowe, and the Rangers landed MacKenzie Gore. Two ballparks are adjusting: the Rays return to a repaired Tropicana Field, while the Royals moved the fences in at Kauffman Stadium, potentially boosting offense for Bobby Witt Jr. The Dodgers’ relentless roster-building cements them as the team to beat.