With Major League Baseball’s winter meetings now in the rear-view window, many people around the country are wondering how their favorite teams are going to cope with the latest signings and trades that have been made.

The biggest moves have been made by the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, while a few other teams have made very few moves in the offseason. All of this will mean that the team rankings in MLB 09 will be very different.Also, while a lot of teams have been strengthened by trades and free-agent signings this winter, there are more than a few teams that will suffer when it comes to overall team rankings in MLB 09.

So, following on the heels of the signings and trades that have already been made, I have compiled a list of three teams that have benefited from the offseason; three teams that likely believe this winter has been detrimental to their future success; and three teams that are currently in limbo and will only have a better idea what next season will bring after a few more high-profile players are signed.

Major Movers: Teams That Have Benefited the Most This Offseason

New York Mets: In a huge 12-player, three-team trade, the Mets effectively landed a new set-up man, J.J. Putz, for its beleaguered bullpen. Putz will be handing the ball off to the Mets’ new closer, Francisco Rodriguez, who set a new record for saves last year by compiling 62 of them, eclipsing the previous record of 57. While the Mets have made a few other moves to strengthen both the offense and starting pitching, these two moves will likely make the biggest impact on the team because the bullpen has previously been anything but consistent. Due to these moves, the Mets will definitely be a force in MLB 09: The Show.

New York Yankees: In the span of three days, the Yankees spent over $240 million on two pitchers, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Admittedly, these pitchers are outstanding. Also, with both of them on the Yankees, the pitching staff will challenge any team that is playing the Yanks next season. In order to not solely focus on pitching, though, the Yankees also managed to trade for outfielder Nick Swisher in return for Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. Needless to say, the Yankees are going to be a force to be reckoned with in next year’s game, and I expect to see many more people playing online as the Yankees.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants have made two significant additions this offseason. The first is the addition of shortstop Edgar Renteria, previously with the Detroit Tigers. Renteria brings a dependable offensive and defensive approach and will likely be a huge asset for the Giants in 2009. Also, the Giants signed former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jeremy Affeldt to a two-year contract. Last year, Affeldt was a solid reliever for the Reds, and if he brings the same kind of dependability to the Giants, the squad will likely be a much better team next year -- especially considering Tim Lincecum’s overwhelming success as the team’s premier starting pitcher. While the change in overall rank will not be as drastic as with the Yankees and Mets, I believe that both offensively and defensively the Giants’ rankings will increase.

The Big One Got Away: Teams That Have yet To Make a Splash This Offseason

Atlanta Braves: Various Braves pitchers were injured for long stretches of time last season, including John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Tim Hudson. Going into the offseason, the team was aware that the earliest Hudson would be able to pitch again would be September; Hudson recently underwent Tommy John surgery. Braves management also knew that their two veteran pitchers, Smoltz and Glavine, may not pitch again. So, the team knew it would have to find pitching replacements in the event that neither pitcher returned.

Early in the offseason, the Braves began talking with Jake Peavy, starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres. After a week or so, those negotiations fell apart, and the Braves began to get interested in another starting Pitcher, A.J. Burnett. However, Burnett recently signed a contract with the Yankees, which makes it seem like the only pitcher the Braves are going to pick up this winter will be Javier Vazquez.

In the trade, however, the Braves had to give up a talented young shortstop, Brent Lillibridge. It appears the Braves have accomplished very few of its goals this offseason, and depending on how well Vazquez does next year, the squad may find that it would have been better off not making any moves at all. While there are still a few intangibles with the Braves’ starting rotation, I am expecting to see Atlanta drop a few places in the rankings in '09. I do not expect it to be a sizable drop in ratings, but without an ace, Atlanta's rating is certainly not going to increase.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds traded Ryan Freel and two prospects to the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Ramon Hernandez. This is a fairly equal trade for both teams, as Hernandez had a slightly lower average than Freel last year, but it gives the Reds more production and power from the catcher’s spot. However, with Jeremy Affeldt signing a two-year contract with the Giants, the Reds have lost a dependable reliever. Unless the Reds can land a reliable reliever before next season begins, Cincinnati’s rating will likely be going in the negative direction.

Colorado Rockies: The biggest piece of news involving the Rockies is that Matt Holliday was traded to Oakland in return for Huston Street, Greg Smith and Carlos Gonzalez. Street appears to be the best player in the deal for the Rockies, but considering how much power the team will lose without Holliday around, I do not know if the benefits to the Rockies will be enough to make this a good trade. Having lost Fuentes, Street appears to be the new closer for the team. Either way, will this team will be able to produce enough runs to give Street a lot of games to save? While the bullpen should still be in good shape next season, the offensive rankings for the Rockies will likely decrease with no Holliday in the lineup.

The Jury Is Still Out: Teams That Still Need To Make That One Big Move

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles are currently trying to bring Mark Teixiera to Baltimore, and are hopeful that the fact that he wants to play near his hometown will entice him to join the Orioles. He has currently been offered a lucrative eight-year, $160 million deal by the Washington Nationals, which was quickly followed by the Angels making an eight-year offer, reportedly worth slightly more than $160 million -- now the Angels seem to be pulling out of the Teixiera sweepstakes. If the Orioles are able to land Mark Teixiera, it will make Baltimore's ratings jump up a significant amount. However, without Teixiera on the team, I expect the Orioles to be in the same area as in previous years (see: near the bottom in ratings).

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels are having a bit of a tough offseason so far. First, Francisco Rodriguez accepts a deal with the New York Mets, and now Mark Teixiera is taking offers from the Nationals, the Orioles, the Red Sox and now possibly the Yankees. While the Angels are not in nearly as bad a position without Teixiera as the Orioles would be, the Halos will certainly be a much different team in 2009. In any case, the Angels' ratings will certainly slip a few places in MLB 09: The Show.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are currently in a difficult position. Management is wondering if Manny Ramirez, a key player during the last part of the 2008 season, will be returning next season. He is currently being pursued by the Yankees, Angels, Mets and Dodgers. If the Dodgers are able to provide enough incentive for him to return next season, the lineup should be just as potent as it was at the end of last season; the Dodgers recently re-signed Rafael Furcal for three more years. However, if LA is unable to persuade him to re-sign with the team, the Dodgers will have much less production in the lineup. Regardless of what happens with Ramirez, the Dodgers’ overall ranking likely will not decrease too much.