The LA Dodgers spent big in free agency before they found big success. The 2025 class could be even deeper

PHOENIX – The Los Angeles Dodgers had a great last offseason before picking up a big win in the postseason, taking home the World Series title after committing over $1 billion on players such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernández.

Now it’s time to see which teams are willing to open their wallets for free agents in preparation for the 2025 season.

Ohtani’s sweepstakes dominated last year’s offseason talks until the Japanese superstar signed a contract a staggering $700 million 10-year deal in December last year. Sorry Juan Soto, but there may not be anyone else making that salary in the coming months, even if this year’s class is likely to be a broader one.

Soto, Willy Adames, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell, Alex Bregman and Jack Flaherty are among the high-level players looking for new teams. Then there is another tantalizing tier of players like the previously mentioned Hernández, Anthony Santander, Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Pete Alonso, Christian Walker and Sean Manaea who could provide a big boost to championship-contending teams.

MLB general managers will meet this week in San Antonio, Texas for the unofficial opener of the offseason. Typically, not much movement occurs during these talks in early November, but the groundwork for future deals is often laid.

Here are some things to watch as MLB free agency opens this week:

Soto shined as a Yankee, but don’t expect a discount in New York

This class may be deep, but there is no doubt that the No. 1 pick is Soto. The four-time All-Star has now scored 201 in his career, a career .421 on-base percentage, and helped the New York Yankees reach the World Series before losing to the Dodgers in five games.

He is also only 26 years old.

The Yankees would love to keep Soto, who has teamed up with Aaron Judge to form a formidable pair for the Bronx Bombers. However, it is unclear how much team owner Hal Steinbrenner is willing to spend on a player who can count on a contract of around $500 million.

Soto didn’t lift a hand in New York a disappointing performance in the Fall Classicbut it doesn’t seem like he’s willing to accept a discount.

“I will be available for all 30 teams,” Soto said. “I don’t want to say that anyone has any advantage because ultimately we will see what they have and how much they want me.”

More Big Apple decisions are coming for the Mets

One of the most interesting teams to watch in the coming months is the New York Metswhich overcame a slow start to advance to the NL Championship Series before losing to the Dodgers.

Alonso has been an important part of the Mets over the last six seasons, scoring 226 runs. After all, Manaea, Luis Severino and José Quintana are also on the market, all of whom have played important roles in the pitching rotation.

Now the franchise must decide whether to keep them, rebuild them, or a combination of both. There’s a lot of pressure on the team to improve, especially since it doesn’t look like the crosstown Yankees will stop winning anytime soon.

Fascinating veterans seek late-career resurgence

It will be fascinating to see what happens with veterans like Paul Goldschmidt, Walker Buehler, Shane Bieber and Carlos Santana. These are guys who have a lot of mileage (and surgery) on their bodies, but have been great big league players for a long time.

Goldschmidt was the 2022 NL MVP for the St. Louis Cardinals, but his offensive play has declined significantly over the last few years. Still, he’s a first baseman, doing well in the clubhouse and keeping his body in great shape.

Buehler is back from his second Tommy John surgery this season. There have been some ups and downs, although his stellar performance in the World Series suggests he has a lot left in him. He threw six scoreless innings against the Yankees, including a scoreless ninth that clinched the series in game five.

Superagent Scott Boras will make his presence felt once again

Baseball super agent Scott Boras has long been considered one of the best in the business, though this past year’s offseason wasn’t one of his best.

Several of his clients – including Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bellinger – didn’t sign until spring training and still didn’t get the long-term deals they expected. Instead, most signed short-term contracts.

Boras will once again play an important role this offseason, representing a number of major free agents, including Soto, Burnes, Alonso, Snell and Bregman.

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb