Spring training is coming to a close, and the dawn of the regular season is just days away.  Everyone is in first place and every team hopes their offseason acquisitions will live up to their expectations.  When conjuring this offseason, the MLB had some big trades, some blockbuster star signings and plenty of team restructuring. What comes out of this offseason soup we won’t know, but the whole league will look completely different this season.

Star Signings
This offseason was one of the biggest for star moves. Ace pitchers and star hitters were trying on jerseys before the season ended, but this offseason allowed them to find the perfect fit. Which teams struck out, and which acquired a home-run signing?

Giants: SP Johnny Cueto
Since 2011, Cueto has only thrown one season with an ERA over 3.00. In the better half of last year, Cueto had a 2.62 ERA in 19 games with the Reds before being shipped off to the Royals midseason. His production dropped dramatically with Kansas City, but he pitched some strong World Series games, helping the Royals win it all. He has a distinctive slider, which will greatly compliment the pitching staff. Cueto has had no major injuries, and at 29 years old, he can only help this Giants team.

Tigers: SP Jordan Zimmermann
After having to deal with the hard losses of Matt Scherzer and David Price, the Tigers hopped right back in it when they signed Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann has played with the Nationals his whole career, and during his five-year tenure with them, Zimmermann posted a 70-50 record with a 3.32 ERA. Zimmermann isn’t a monster pitcher compared to the likes of Cueto or Price, but he is a solid pitcher and will help the Tigers rebuild.

Cubs: RF Jason Heyward
Possibly the biggest non-pitcher signing, the Cubs have practically guaranteed themselves a playoff spot with this signing. Heyward was wasting away in Atlanta and St. Louis the past few years, and this signing puts him on a young Cubs team teeming with potential. Last season, he hit a career high .293, and that may not be his cap. He had 13 homers last year, but we can’t forget that he had 27 in his second year with Atlanta. Heyward adds some much needed power to this Cubs batting lineup, and this Cubs team can only get better.

Red Sox: SP David Price
The biggest signing all offseason, David Price joins the Red Sox for a record amount of money. Price is one of the best, if not the best, pitcher in the MLB. He can throw any pitch he wants, and his ability to control the speed and trajectory of the ball is phenomenal. With this Red Sox team looking to turn the corner, Price is the perfect start. His 2.45 ERA was the best of his career, but going 18-5 is even more spectacular. The signs are all pointing to a monster season for Price.

Way too Early Playoff Predictions:

NL Champ: Chicago Cubs
This Cubs team has everything going for them. They carry a top batting unit and one of the most consistent pitching units in MLB. After reaching the playoffs last season, the Cubs fell, but got the needed experience to strike again. Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo should power them forth, with pitchers Jake Arrieta, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, and Jon Lester remaining dominate. Anything short of a World Series appearance would be a disappointment for the Cubs.

AL Champ: Toronto Blue Jays
The Jose Bautista bat flip just turned the tides of the Jays luck. Thirty years of struggles will come to an end, as the Blue Jays will soar to the World Series. They have multiple superstars in Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson, and the veteran presence of Bautista never hurts. Their pitching isn’t stellar, but Marco Estrada and R.A. Dickey should be talented enough to carry their team.

World Series Champs: Chicago Cubs
The curse of the Billy Goat, the collapse of 1969, Bartman…it will all be forgotten as the long-suffering Cubbie fans will finally have a World Series championship trophy to parade around the North Side of the Windy City.