The 2026-27 Major League Baseball offseason has officially launched, with teams moving quickly to address roster needs before an anticipated labor stoppage. ESPN MLB experts Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield have begun evaluating major transactions, providing immediate analysis on the early moves that will shape the upcoming season.
The Boston Red Sox signed free agent Jake Bauers to a four-year contract worth $58 million, earning an A grade from the analysts. Although Boston already has All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras, the team secured Bauers for an average annual value of $14.5 million, a figure Schoenfield described as a steal. Bauers finished last season with the 11th highest OPS in the majors and third in on-base percentage, delivering an MVP performance in the National League Championship Series with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Advanced metrics suggest Bauers' recent success is sustainable rather than a fluke, with his bat speed and hard-hit rates ranking in the top percentiles. He is expected to serve as the designated hitter, allowing Contreras to remain at first base. The Red Sox outfield will feature Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu, while the team may look to trade or non-tender Jarren Duran. The departure leaves the Brewers in good shape, as they have prospects like Andrew Fischer and Blake Burke ready to step in and may use the financial flexibility to extend William Contreras.
The Atlanta Braves signed reliever Evan Phillips to a three-year deal worth $35 million, which received a B- grade. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos prefers to make early moves, and this signing allows the club to explore starting pitcher options. Phillips replaces Raisel Iglesias in the bullpen, where the Braves led the league in win probability added last year. The team will likely use Didier Fuentes or Robert Suarez as the closer, with Phillips serving in a setup role alongside left-handers Dylan Lee and Dylan Dodd.
Phillips had a strong return to the mound in 2026 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, recording 33 strikeouts in 26 innings. However, his injury history and the fact that he allowed five home runs in limited action make the three-year commitment slightly risky. The signing also opens a path for Fuentes, who was effective in relief as a rookie, to potentially move into the starting rotation during spring training.
The Detroit Tigers signed closer Emilio Pagan to a one-year contract worth $11.5 million, a move graded C. The Tigers finished 76-86 last season, with their bullpen ranking 26th in win probability added despite a 12th-place ERA. With Kenley Jansen departing, the team turned to Pagan, who has served as the closer for the Cincinnati Reds for the past two seasons.
While Pagan is a small upgrade over Jansen, he remains prone to allowing home runs, having surrendered 17 in the last two years. The Tigers are betting that a change of scenery will help, as 12 of those home runs were hit in Cincinnati. Analysts noted that Pagan's 95 mph fastball is somewhat average for a modern closer and that his velocity dropped slightly in 2026. At age 36, he is projected to be a mid-tier closer rather than an elite option, leaving the Tigers potentially in need of a reliable right-handed setup man.
As the offseason progresses, these initial transactions set the tone for a busy winter. The Red Sox appear to have found a cost-effective solution at the plate, while the Braves and Tigers have made calculated moves to stabilize their pitching staffs. Further analysis will be provided as new deals are announced in the coming weeks.
