Here’s what’s shaping the MLB landscape today, with a few key storylines to keep tabs on as teams continue to reshape their rosters heading into 2026:
1. Athletics Add Contact to Their Power-Heavy Lineup
The Oakland A’s made a move that adds more than just another bat - they added a different type of bat. In acquiring Jeff McNeil, the A’s inserted a veteran contact hitter into a lineup that’s been built around raw power. At 33, McNeil isn’t going to lead the team in home runs - he’s more of a 10-to-15 homer guy - but that’s not what Oakland needs from him.
With sluggers like Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brent Rooker already anchoring the lineup with muscle, McNeil brings a much-needed counterbalance. He’s a bat-to-ball guy who can grind out at-bats, keep the line moving, and give pitchers a different look. Pairing him with fellow contact-oriented infielder Jacob Wilson gives the A’s a more versatile offensive approach - one that’s harder to game-plan against.
This move also signals that the A’s aren’t content with just treading water in their second season in West Sacramento. The AL West is already a dogfight, and while Oakland’s biggest need might still be on the mound, adding McNeil strengthens a lineup that was already dangerous. If the front office can shore up the pitching staff next, this team could be a real problem for the rest of the division.
2. Mets Keep Reshaping - and Shedding - Their Core
Jeff McNeil’s departure from New York is just the latest chapter in what’s become a full-blown roster reset for the Mets. After a brutal 2025 campaign, the club has moved on from several of its longtime staples. McNeil joins Brandon Nimmo as key pieces traded away, while Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz walked in free agency.
The returns so far? Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien - all solid players, but not exactly the kind of splashy additions that fire up a fanbase still reeling from unmet expectations. President of baseball operations David Stearns clearly has more work to do, and the clock is ticking.
Pitching remains a top priority. The Mets have been hunting for a frontline starter all offseason, and they’re also in need of another outfield bat to support Juan Soto, who currently stands as the only sure thing in that group.
There’s still time to make noise, but the pressure is on. The next move could tell us a lot about whether this is a retool or a full rebuild in disguise.
3. Outfield Market Starting to Stir
It wasn’t a blockbuster, but Rob Refsnyder’s one-year deal with the Mariners might end up being a smart piece of business. Seattle is leaning heavily on platoon options like Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley, and Refsnyder gives them a reliable right-handed bat who can handle lefties and bring some veteran poise off the bench.
While the move doesn’t shift the top of the market - names like Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are still out there - it could signal the beginning of more activity in the outfield tier just below the stars. Refsnyder joins Lane Thomas as notable right-handed bats who’ve already found homes, and with players like Austin Hays and Harrison Bader still unsigned, there’s a chance we see a few more dominoes fall before the holiday break.
Teams looking to round out their rosters with depth and matchup flexibility are watching this tier closely. Don’t be surprised if one of those names comes off the board soon - especially with clubs trying to lock things in before the calendar flips to January.
Bottom Line
Whether it’s the A’s diversifying their offensive identity, the Mets continuing to overhaul a once-star-studded roster, or the outfield market beginning to thaw, the MLB offseason is heating up in all the right ways. There’s plenty of movement still to come - and a whole lot of teams looking to make their next big swing.