4 Teams That Are Winning The MLB Offseason (So Far)

 

With MLB business on lockdown for the foreseeable future, it brought an end to the most condensed frenzied free agent span ever seen before in baseball. Teams committed $1.7 Billion to free agents through the Dec. 1st shutdown, with one massive signing following another. 

Now that we're all catching our breath, it's time to take stock, and see who's come out on top—so far. These four teams could be said to have "won" the offseason to this point.

New York Mets

The Mets have remade their clubhouse, their on-field product, and their ability to be a contender once again with a flurry of smart moves, culminated by the big splash of landing 3-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

Owner Steve Cohen promised to spend to bring the Mets back to contention, and he has certainly delivered thus far. 

The 3-year, $130M contract for Scherzer gives the Mets the best one-two rotation punch in recent memory if Jacob deGrom is healthy. 

They also made a huge move to solidify their athleticism and speed, by bringing in Starling Marte on a 4-year, $78M deal, to man center field and anchor the top of their lineup. Marte is 33, but still far-and-away led all of baseball in 2021 with 47 stolen bases. 

Eduardo Escobar (2 years, $20M) is an under-the-radar move that provides not only a solution for their annual 3B problems, but one of the best clubhouse guys in the sport—an area the Mets certainly needed help with.

Toss in another solid vet, outfielder Mark Canha, and the Mets have vaulted themselves into instant contender status. 

Texas Rangers

The Rangers committed $561M—yes, over half a billion dollars—to significantly upgrade their talent base. That is an offseason record already, and they've still got time to add to it on the other side of the lockout. 

Texas signed shortstop Corey Seager to a 10-year, $325M deal to man shortstop for the next decade, while Marcus Semien received a 7-year, $175M contract to presumably play next to Seager at 2B, and form the most expensive keystone combo in history. 

They also signed starting pitcher Jon Gray to a 4-year, $56M deal, and outfielder Kole Calhoun to a one year at $5M. 

They'll still need significantly more pitching to reach certain respectability, but their moves so far will no doubt signal a big improvement for a team that's finished last in its division in 3 of the last 4 years, spiralling to an abysmal 102 losses this past season.

Seattle Mariners

Signing a Cy Young winner will usually help a team be a winner in the offseason. No different here. And getting Robbie Ray for 5 years, $115M to anchor their starting rotation, is a win. 

The Mariners also added All-Star utilityman Adam Frazier in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Frazier batted .305 in 2021, and can slot it at second base or the outfield. 

No doubt the Mariners are not done yet, either. “When we start the ’22 season, I would be shocked if we haven’t added more to our offense,” said president of baseball operations Jerry DiPoto.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers made two significant signings. Javy Baez was signed to a 6-year, $140M contract, and will bring his magic and dynamic personality to the Tigers' infield. He also brings electric speed to the basepaths, and has a knack for the big hit. He does, however, also bring a lot of swing-and-miss to the lineup. The signing comes as somewhat of a surprise, after the Tigers were strongly tied to Carlos Correa, who has close ties to manager AJ Hinch. 

The Tigers also signed a good-if-not-great starting pitcher to add to their staff, in former Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez. The long-term deal brings in a veteran to help stabilize a young, up-and-coming starting rotation. 

But alas, this is all just Part 1 of the offseason, as all moves are on hold now until a new collective bargaining agreement is worked out. No doubt another transaction frenzy awaits on the other side.

Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports