The MLB free agency period has lived up to its billing through the first month. While there are still a number of big names available on the market, there have been enough key moves to identify the winners and losers so far this offseason. Here is a quick look at the four biggest winners through the first month of the MLB offseason.
Boston Red Sox
Boston took a major step back following its World Series win in 2013. All of the talk surrounding the team over the final month of the regular season (and heading in to the offseason) was about how the team had plenty of room to reload and would make a big splash in free agency. Those rumors became reality when the Red Sox committed more than $180 million combined to Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval in an effort to bolster and offense that struggled last season.
Boston is still doing everything it can to bring back free agent pitcher Jon Lester as they look to make another World Series run. If they can bring him back to the staff, that would be a huge coup considering they got some talent for him by trading him away at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox still have the money to sign a big arm like Lester – or someone else – and considering what they have done already, it’s clear that they are among the biggest winners through the first month of the offseason.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners shocked the world when they landed Robinson Cano with a mega deal last winter and they did it again. They are big winners early on this offseason following the signing of reigning MLB home runs leader Nelson Cruz. Seattle signed Cruz to a four-year, $57 million contract that will add significant power to the middle of an order that already features Cano and Kyle Seager. And apparently they aren’t done yet.
There have been reports that the Mariners are interested in signing free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera and while they will undoubtedly have competition in that pursuit, the fact that they are still in the hunt to buy is testament to this franchise’s current outlook. Seattle wants to be a World Series contender and even if they miss out on Cabrera, the addition of Cruz makes them a big offseason winner for the second year in a row.
Oakland Athletics
Oakland…a winner? Even after trading away Josh Donaldson and waving goodbye to Lester? Yes.
General manager Billy Beane opened the offseason by signing Billy Butler to a three-year, $30 million deal and then turned an unhappy Josh Donaldson in to what he hopes can be an everyday third basemen in Brett Lawrie. Lawrie has had his share of injury troubles but he is a terrific defensive player that will provide consistency at the bottom of the Athletics lineup – if he can stay healthy. Meanwhile, Butler will slot right in to the heart of their order. Oakland is still very much in the market for a veteran pitcher but the additions of Butler and Lawrie have them among the early offseason winners. And plus, don’t forget that they replenished their farm system in the Donaldson trade, so that will help down the road too.
Toronto Blue Jays
The best trades are the ones that work out for both teams involved and that was certainly the case when Toronto acquired Donaldson for Lawrie. Donaldson will provide a little bit of everything while fellow free agent signing Justin Smoak could be a nice, under-the-radar addition too. The Blue Jays moved J.A. Happ for outfielder Michael Saunders, meaning they will have at least three new faces in their everyday line up next year. Toronto is still negotiating with Cabrera and while bringing him back would really help their offense, he’s likely a goner. Regardless, they already have to be considered among the biggest offseason winners based on the three new players that they brought in to wear the Blue Jays uniform next season.
