PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s trip north on Interstate 5 during free agency was the highlight of Major League Baseball’s offseason, even though recent off-the-field events have made his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers uncertain.
But the Japanese star won't be the only All-Star player in a new uniform when MLB’s regular season starts Thursday for 28 of 30 teams. The Dodgers and San Diego Padres opened the season last week in Seoul, South Korea, splitting a two-game series.
Young slugger Juan Soto was traded to the New York Yankees while the Baltimore Orioles added hard-throwing righty Corbin Burnes as they aim to win consecutive titles in the AL East.
The San Francisco Giants made several moves – including a few recent ones – adding four-time Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman and two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest names who will be playing for new teams in 2024.
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
The two-way star is just a hitter in 2024 after elbow surgery, but Ohtani‘s move to the Dodgers on a $700 million, 10-year contract was still one of the biggest moves in several years. Ohtani, 29, was excellent during spring training with a .500 batting average and two homers, and he started the regular season with three hits in 10 at-bats in Korea. Ohtani’s first season faced problems recently when his translator Ippei Mizuhara was dismissed by the Dodgers last week amid accusations of gambling and theft, but big things are still expected.
Juan Soto, Yankees
Soto seems like he’s been around forever, but he’s just 25. After being traded from the Padres to the Yankees, the three-time All-Star could form a power-hitting force in the Bronx when paired with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. He’s coming off a 35-homer season with the Padres last season.
Blake Snell, Giants
The Scott Boras client finally signed with the Giants last week on a $62 million, two-year contract, potentially giving San Francisco a legitimate ace as it competes in the NL West with the Padres, Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Snell has never thrown more than 181 innings in a season, but he’s dominant when he’s on the mound. He won his second Cy Young in 2023 with the Padres, striking out 234 and giving up just 115 hits in 180 innings.
Corbin Burnes, Orioles
The 2021 NL Cy Young winner has been among the game’s most dominant pitchers the past three seasons while playing for the Brewers. Milwaukee dealt him to the Orioles on Feb. 1 in exchange for a package of prospects. The 29-year-old Burnes has struck out at least 200 batters in each of the past three seasons.
Josh Hader, Astros
Houston reinforced the back end of its bullpen by signing the five-time All-Star in January. Hader’s been one of the most dominant relievers in the game since he debuted with the Brewers in 2017, striking out an incredible 648 batters over 388 2/3 career innings. The Astros already had a very good closer in Ryan Pressly, who now moves to a setup role.
Sonny Gray, Cardinals
The Cardinals, who are rebuilding, signed Gray to a $75 million, three-year contract in the hope that the right-hander can help improve a rotation that was a weak point last season. Gray, who is 34 years old, will begin the season on the injured list due to a hamstring injury, but the team hopes he can have a season like 2023, when he had a 2.79 ERA over 32 starts with the Twins.
Matt Chapman, Giants
Chapman has been an outstanding defensive third baseman in baseball for the past seven years with the A’s and Blue Jays. Now he's joining the Giants on a $54 million, three-year contract, reuniting with former manager Bob Melvin. Chapman’s defense stands out, and he also has significant power, hitting a career-high 36 home runs with Oakland in 2019.
Chris Sale, Braves
The Braves took a risk by acquiring the left-hander in a trade with the Red Sox during the offseason, despite his struggle with injuries since 2018. Sale had some strong moments in 2023 and recorded 125 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks
The D-backs, who had a surprising run to the World Series in 2023, signed the left-handed pitcher to an $80 million, four-year contract in the offseason. He will start the season on the injured list due to a strained muscle in his left side, but the team hopes he can make a quick return and be a strong presence as the No. 3 pitcher in the rotation alongside Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Rhys Hoskins, Brewers
Hoskins, 31, was a consistent power hitter for the Phillies from 2017-22 but missed the 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained in spring training. The Phillies decided to move Bryce Harper to first base in the offseason, making Hoskins available, and he then signed with the Brewers. The right-handed hitter has hit 148 home runs over six seasons in the big leagues.
Kenta Maeda, Tigers
Maeda, 35, missed the entire 2022 season after Tommy John surgery but had a strong comeback in 2023, making solid contributions over 20 starts. The Tigers were impressed enough to offer the right-handed pitcher a $24 million, two-year deal. Maeda finished second in AL Cy Young voting for the Twins during the shortened 2020 season.
