2025 All-Acquired American League
Earlier this week, I took a look at the top players who were acquired by National League teams in the 2024-25 offseason. Now it’s time to shift my focus from the senior to the junior circuit, to look at which American League teams had the most impactful trades and/or free agent signings. While the AL didn’t make as impressive a splash on either side of the transactions divide, they did end up with a much deeper team overall.
The two top American League acquired players (according to MLB.com’s ranking of the top 100 fantasy players) came on the pitching side. Firstly, the Red Sox swung a blockbuster trade for young ace Garrett Crochet, who has exactly one (1) year as a successful starting pitcher under his belt. Meanwhile, Boston’s rivals to the north traded for the top-ranked acquired reliever in Devin Williams, who should close games for the Yankees after an injury plagued 2024 season in Milwaukee. The only other top 100 players acquired by AL teams were first baseman Christian Walker (signed by the Astros), outfielder Anthony Santander (signed by the Blue Jays), and infielder Alex Bregman (who will join Crochet on the Red Sox).
I didn’t give Bregman a specific position because of his specific circumstances. The longtime Astro has spent the vast majority of his career at third base. However, the Red Sox already have Rafael Devers entrenched at the hot corner. Thus Bregman has reportedly agreed to move to second base, a move which will not only help out Boston, but also the Aries Rams, who already have a log jam at third. Bregman will likely remain at third were he to play for the AL All-Acquired team, since second base is spoken for by a combination of Jonathan India, Gleyber Torres, and Andres Gimenez – the latter of whom could cover shortstop if Ha-Seong Kim is not ready for the start of the season.
Meanwhile, Crochet is not the only question mark in the rotation. Jack Flaherty signed with the Tigers for the second consecutive offseason, but he counts as an All-Acquired player because of his midseason 2024 trade to the Dodgers… a trade that only happened because the Yankees balked at his physical and scuttled a trade that they had in the works. Ironically, New York turned around and signed Max Fried, another oft-injured pitcher, to a huge eight-year contract. Yusei Kikuchi and Luis Severino each had good 2024 seasons, but will be joining non-contending AL West clubs. The bullpen after Devin Williams is solid, with grizzled veterans like Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman providing experience for newer closers Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman.