As the new year unfolds, discussions about the 2025 MLB postseason have begun to surface. According to the 'To Make the Playoffs' odds from Moneyline, eight teams have 'Yes' lines ranging between +130 and -130, indicating varying degrees of uncertainty regarding their postseason prospects. With the free-agency cycle nearing conclusion—despite several notable names still available—let's delve into the significant offseason roster moves of these eight teams. Each analysis will provide a reason to buy and a reason to sell on their postseason chances, culminating in a 'Contender' or 'Pretender' verdict.

First, the Arizona Diamondbacks made headlines with their offseason moves. They lost prominent players such as Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk to free agency, but they acquired Corbin Burnes and traded for Josh Naylor. A key reason to be optimistic about the Diamondbacks is their formidable starting rotation, featuring Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Jordan Montgomery. This rotation has the potential to be among the best in baseball, particularly after the addition of Burnes. However, concerns arise regarding their bullpen depth and the absence of significant contributors from their lineup. The loss of Walker and the DH tandem of Pederson and Grichuk could hinder their offensive productivity, leading to the verdict: Contender.

Next up, the Cleveland Guardians have had a mix of departures and acquisitions, including the loss of Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb, both of whom contributed in the postseason. The Guardians' bullpen remains strong, with stars like Emmanuel Clase expected to return. Nonetheless, the franchise has traded away key position players like Josh Naylor and Andrés Giménez, raising concerns about its overall talent pool. If Shane Bieber can recover from surgery in time, they might contend again, but the uncertainty surrounding their rotation and lineup gives them a 'Pretender' designation.

The Detroit Tigers made a concerted effort to strengthen their roster by signing Alex Cobb and Gleyber Torres. Their exciting core features ace Tarik Skubal and promising young talent like Riley Greene, who can provide significant contributions. However, the lineup lacks power and depth, posing a serious challenge to their offensive output. Despite these concerns, the Tigers hold a 'Contender' status because of their potential upside and the possibility of further acquisitions that can bolster their chances in the AL Central.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals face tougher scrutiny. Their impressive improvement in the previous season can largely be attributed to their top rotation, but key players remain untested. Despite the presence of Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals' overall roster lacks depth. Their offseason has seen minimal activity, leading to a recommendation of 'Pretender' status as they need to make significant moves to further their success.

The Milwaukee Brewers, who lost Willy Adames and several other contributors, still boast a resilient team. Their rotation, aided by Nestor Cortes and returning Brandon Woodruff, holds promise. However, replacing Adames will be a formidable task, and without key hitters stepping up, their postseason ambitions may falter. Despite this challenge, the Brewers’ historical resilience earns them a 'Contender' label, suggesting they can still compete effectively this season.

The Minnesota Twins have undergone a lackluster offseason, losing a handful of impactful players without simultaneously making significant improvements. The team is fraught with injury concerns—especially for stars like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton—which could undermine their performance. Due to their inactivity and uncertain health of key players, the Twins are given a 'Pretender' designation; they may struggle to climb out of the division’s lower ranks.

For the Seattle Mariners, the offseason has been a mixed bag. While their pitching staff, one of the best current rotations led by George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, puts them in a good position, their offensive struggles raise flags. The Mariners’ inability to bolster their hitting lineup hampers their overall prospects, leading to a 'Pretender' classification as they face stiff competition without adequate solutions to their scoring deficiencies.

Lastly, the Texas Rangers have made significant moves to address their shortcomings. They faced a disappointing season but have added several key players through trades and free-agent signings, hoping to re-establish championship-level competitiveness. Nevertheless, questions linger about their pitching depth as they lost several important arms. If their top pitchers stay healthy, they possess the potential to contend once again in the playoffs. Therefore, the Rangers are identified as a 'Contender', emphasizing their busy offseason efforts to reinforce their roster for a successful upcoming campaign.