For Major League Baseball, it’s been one of the busiest offseasons in recent memory. For players of MLB: The Show, these moves often bring more excitement, as we get to "play" with/as these guys in our favorite game.

Here are five intriguing moves that may change the way you play MLB 15: The Show:

Padres' Outfield

In our recent OS Staff Roundtable, I picked the Padres as the one team I’m most interested in playing as this spring. Of course, part of that is having James Shields at the top of a fairly deep rotation.

However, I’m more excited at their rebuilt offense. Having acquired Justin Upton, Will Myers and Matt Kemp, the Padres have revitalized a lethargic offense. Assuming these guys stay healthy and produce like they can/have, the Padres may be one of the most fun teams to play with in The Show.

Oakland’s Make-over

Staying in California, the A’s made a flurry of moves, nearly rebuilding their entire team. Few of them were as “splashy” as other teams’ moves, including the aforementioned Padres; on the other hand, they seem to solidify a team that always seem to be in contention.

Additions like Brett Lawrie, Billy Butler, Ben Zobrist, and Tyler Clippard are were low key, but notable. In The Show, Billy Beane’s moves should be interesting to see work … or challenging to undo.

Red Sox’s big additions

Boston signed both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, changing the landscape in the N.L. West and the left side of their infield.

These moves offer some interesting choices for players tinkering with the Red Sox’s lineup, while creating some gaps that may need to be filled in L.A. and San Francisco.

Rollins to Dodgers

L.A.’s real-life replacement at shortstop is the former face of the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins. While I don’t think this move makes the Dodgers significantly better or worse, it does signal the end of an era in Philly.

Rollins’ departure signals a new youth movement in Philadelphia, though it appears to be slow in developing. If you typically play as the Phillies, how will you handle what is now an “official” rebuild?

Washington signs Max Scherzer

The Nationals have slowly been climbing out of the hole dug by the Expos, and in recent years have become a favorite in the N.L. East. The signing of Scherzer makes the rotation in Washington very formidable.

When Gio Gonzalez is your projected fifth starter, and promising youngster Tanner Roark can’t land a spot in the rotation, deep is an understatement. It should be fun to dominate the opposition as Scherzer, Strasburg, et al while playing as the Nationals.


What team do you look forward to playing as the most?