As Major League Baseball teams kick off their spring training for the 2025 season, many rosters remain fluid, with trades and signings yet to come. However, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the recent offseason and identify teams that fell short in their efforts to strengthen their lineups.

Let’s examine some franchises that faced disappointing offseasons this winter.

It’s important to note that the San Diego Padres are not expected to perform poorly in 2025; they will likely still compete for a playoff spot. Their inclusion on this list highlights their shift from being only one game away from ousting the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs to losing crucial roster members without adequate replacements, as well as missing out on their primary offseason target.

Key players such as Ha-seong Kim, Jurickson Profar, and Kyle Higashioka left through free agency, yet the team did not invest to fill these voids. They did manage to re-sign catcher Elias Díaz on a budget-friendly contract and signed Connor Joe and Jason Heyward for a left-field platoon. Acquiring Nick Pivetta was a smart move, and left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart, who excelled in the KBO last season, presents a low-risk opportunity.

Perhaps the most frustrating moment for the Padres came when they invested heavily in trying to sign Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki, only to see him choose the Dodgers. A family ownership dispute added to the woes of this challenging offseason for the franchise.

The St. Louis Cardinals entered a rebuilding phase this offseason, making no notable acquisitions and looking to trade several veteran players, including third baseman Nolan Arenado. Currently, those trades have not materialized as spring training kicks off with Arenado, veteran pitchers Sonny Gray, Steven Matz, and Miles Mikolas still on the roster.

This offseason, the Cardinals also saw Paul Goldschmidt, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson depart, along with reliever Andrew Kittredge. The organization is evidently ushering in a younger era, spearheaded by promising shortstop Masyn Winn.

The franchise will remain in uncertainty until they can move Arenado. If the Cardinals start poorly this season, they may consider trading several assets, including some of their top starting pitchers. Had that been the strategy, it might have been wiser to act during the offseason.

On the other hand, the Seattle Mariners had a relatively uneventful offseason following their 85-77 season, missing a wild-card spot by just one game. While other teams in the American League West actively sought improvements, Seattle remained mostly inactive.

The Mariners did re-sign second baseman Jorge Polanco and welcomed Donovan Solano after his bounce-back season with the Padres. However, with an offense that struggled throughout 2024, it’s unclear how the team plans to address these shortcomings.

Fortunately, Seattle has a strong pitching rotation, featuring Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Luis Castillo, which should keep them competitive as long as the batting lineup improves.

There’s still an opportunity for the Mariners to make impactful moves before the regular season starts, but time is running short.

For the Minnesota Twins, the offseason’s highlight is likely their last with the current ownership, as the Pohlad family plans to sell the team, potentially before Opening Day—although that timeline is optimistic.

Due to budget constraints amid the expected sale, the Twins were limited in their offseason moves. Their most significant acquisition was Harrison Bader, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract. While they also secured trades for former Dodgers catching prospect Diego Cartaya and added Ty France and Danny Coulombe on modest contracts, key players like Carlos Santana and Max Kepler left as free agents.

The Twins find themselves in a holding pattern until a sale occurs. After finishing 82-80 in 2024, they could have successfully targeted key players this offseason to bolster their chances for playoff contention in 2025.

The Colorado Rockies, who had the worst record in the National League in 2024, are on track to potentially repeat that performance in 2025. This isn’t due to poor decisions in their attempts to enhance their roster, but rather a lack of any substantial moves.

While the Rockies signed Kyle Farmer and Thairo Estrada to one-year deals—decent additions around the edges—they have lacked a significant shakeup for years. Although Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle show promise, the overall roster is in desperate need of enhancement.

There is glimmering hope for Colorado with top pitching prospect Chase Dollander expected to join the majors this season, alongside 2024 third overall pick Charlie Condon, who is anticipated to rise quickly through the ranks. Nevertheless, without quality players to support them at the major league level, the Rockies have not demonstrated a commitment to improvement in recent years.