Reviewing MLB’s Top Signings and Trades Through Mid-April

Ten percent of the Major League Baseball season is not enough time to draw many definitive conclusions about where we're headed. That said, it's never too early for baseball fans to stand tall and acknowledge a new guy's hot start. Or, to the contrary, slump in their seat and squirm because a big star isn't shining brightly yet.

Among the bigger offseason transactions, be they free agent or trade, let's take a REALLY early look at how they're doing. Even if it's only mid-April.

Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers $240 million free-agent contract

The Dodgers own the best record in the league, so they haven't missed Tucker's bat. But the production has been absent in his first 71 plate appearances: .237/.352/.305, with 1 home run and 17 strikeouts. This is what Tucker told The Athletic: "Sometimes you have good games, sometimes you don't." It's a terrible quote, but he's right! Let's wait 4-6 more weeks before delivering an early verdict.

Edwin Díaz, Los Angeles Dodgers $69 million free-agent contract

The concern stems from a small velocity dip, particularly noticeable in a blown save Friday night. We're talking literally 0.5 mph based on his average four-seam speed from the first month of the 2025 season (it's 95.8 mph instead of 96.3). Díaz has mentioned before that ever since his knee injury in the 2023 WBC, his early-season velocity takes a while to reach full throttle. Still, manager Dave Roberts is concerned enough to say the team has a "low" level of concern. The Dodgers could be bracing themselves, they could be paranoid, or both, given their recent repetitious injury history with pitchers.

Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles $155 million free-agent contract

Alonso batted .213/.314/.377 with two home runs in his first 16 games. But he's producing a lot of red numbers in the right places in Statcast, plus the vibes have been terrific. His second home run was hit right to a guy called "Mr. Splash" who was wearing a furry polar bear head, referencing Alonso's nickname.

Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays $210 million free-agent contract

The Jays season has gone all sorts of wrong so far, but not Cease, who had a 2.45 ERA, 26 strikeouts and lots of soft contact through his first three starts. Too many walks, but that's how he rolls.

Alex Bregman, Chicago Cubs $175 million free-agent contract

He's been mediocre (.243/.316/.343 with two homers) and the team is a game under .500 amid multiple pitching injuries and other players off to slow starts. Bregman will produce, but that can't help the starting rotation get healthy.

Edward Cabrera, Chicago Cubs (trade with the Marlins)

It's a good thing he's there, given the injuries. Cabrera has a 1.62 ERA with 13 strikeouts and nine walks in 16 2/3 innings. Command has been a big problem for him before. Conversely, the Marlins have to be happy with rookie outfielder Owen Caissie, who produced .261/.327/.478 with two homers through his first 52 plate appearances, and has lots of encouraging red numbers in Statcast.

Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers $115 million free-agent contract

Valdez has made two strong starts and one clunker. His changeup has been terrific but he needs better results from his two-seamer. So far, he and catcher Dillon Dingler have gotten along great, why do you ask?

Bo Bichette, New York Mets $126 million free-agent contract

They've been booing him already at Citi Field, thanks to a slash of .225/.273/.296 with one homer in his first 77 plate appearances. Everybody needs to chill, but they won't, and it could get ugly soon.

Freddy Peralta, New York Mets (trade with the Brewers)

Peralta has been OK in four starts (3.75 ERA) but he needs to pitch more like an All-Star and less like a No. 3/4 starter. The prospects the Mets traded (Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams) are off to slow starts in the Brewers organization, if you bother to play that game.

Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox $34 million free-agent contract

He hit three homers in his first three games, but the overall results aren't there yet. Some of the signs are positive. He's not chasing pitches out of the zone. He's hitting the ball hard with the barrel. He's getting poor results on fastballs 95 mph and faster, but his expected stats there (.229 xBA, .461 xSLG) bring hope. And his personality has been fun, which the White Sox could use.