The Chicago White Sox began giving away their best players last season as they embarked upon a deep rebuild, and they dealt ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres as the 2024 season was on the horizon. The Miami Marlins, meanwhile, made their big deal with the Padres in early May, waving their own white flag after a dismal start by sending batting champ Luis Arraez out of town as they punted on this season.
The Los Angeles Angels, meanwhile, watched Shohei Ohtani sign across Los Angeles with the Dodgers and then saw superstar Mike Trout once again go down injured.