The MLB offseason is heating up with major free-agent signings, including potential record-breaking contracts for players like Juan Soto. However, the effectiveness of these signings can vary greatly, leading to mixed results for teams.

Jordan Montgomery's signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks has been disappointing, while Matt Chapman has excelled with the San Francisco Giants. Other notable signings include Blake Snell and Sonny Gray, who have had fluctuating performances.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani's historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers has proven to be a significant investment, showcasing his exceptional talent on the field.

The Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians, and Milwaukee Brewers have received confirmation regarding their television arrangements for the 2025 season, as announced by MLB.

This new plan allows for increased accessibility to games through direct-to-consumer streaming, significantly expanding the potential household reach for each team. The Twins and Guardians, in particular, could see their viewership numbers soar by over 200% compared to last season.

MLB's approach aims to enhance the viewing experience by incorporating features typically reserved for national broadcasts, while also addressing previous uncertainties that affected team operations, such as the Twins' financial decisions regarding player contracts.

The St. Louis Cardinals are at a crossroads as they enter the offseason, contemplating a rebuild while evaluating their roster. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak has indicated a shift towards player development, sparking speculation about potential trades involving key players.

Despite rumors of a fire sale, insider Katie Woo suggests that significant movement is likely but not a complete overhaul. Mozeliak has emphasized that any trades involving veterans like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray will require mutual agreement, hinting at a more measured approach to roster changes.

The ongoing MLB postseason has teams already strategizing for the upcoming offseason. With 22 teams already focused on improvements, several potential trades are being discussed.

Key trades could involve the Chicago White Sox's Garrett Crochet moving to the Baltimore Orioles, while the Milwaukee Brewers might part ways with Devin Williams to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, the Orioles could trade Ryan Mountcastle to the Cincinnati Reds, and the St. Louis Cardinals may send Sonny Gray back to the Reds.

Other notable trades could see the New York Mets' Brett Baty heading to the Los Angeles Angels and the Cardinals' Ryan Helsley potentially joining the Philadelphia Phillies.

The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to make significant cuts to their payroll this offseason, with key players like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras potentially on the trading block.

Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals' top reliever and a major league leader in saves, may also be a trade candidate as he enters his final arbitration year. His expected salary increase could make it difficult for St. Louis to retain him, especially given the high contracts recently signed by other relievers.