The MLB offseason this year has been one of the more notable ones in recent memory as there have been several big signings and massive trades to complement them. While the offseason is not over, many teams have already won and lost this battle. The MLB is so intriguing because, unlike other sports, some players are not known by entire fanbases, making them more intriguing along with the Minor League system that baseball has in place.
Winner
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have had a quiet but good offseason as they acquired Garret Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for a group of four prospects led by Kyle Teel. Teel was seen as the future long-term backstop for the team. However, they already have Connor Wong, so this move was not the worst considering they got a top pitcher in Crochet. The Sox did strike out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, although without Soto and other free agents on the roster like Alex Bregman, it should free up playing time for their big three prospects. Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell are all top prospects in baseballand all have a good chance of sniffing the field for the Sox. The team also added Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman to bolster their pitching staff.
Losers
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have had a terrible off season to date as they have lost arguably their two best players Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. The team had a chance to re-sign Bregman, though they low-balled him and Bregman opted for free agency where he currently sits. They also traded Tucker for not much current talent, as the move might make sense for the long term. However, for a win-now team, it does not add up. Along with these losses, their current roster continues to decline in age as Jose Altuve and his squad will hope to make one final push at a World Series as his career comes to a close.
Winner
Los Angeles Dodgers
Many can complain that the Dodgers are the most hated team in baseball right now due to their lavish spending and unfair system of deferring large sums on contracts. However, the harsh reality of this is any other team could do this same tactic. Los Angeles made a frenzy of moves as they acquired two aces in Blake Snell via free agency and international sensation Roki Sasaki. Additionally, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates are more arms that the team will look to utilize in the bullpen next season. The other big move of the offseason was the re-signing of Teoscar Hernandez, one of the team’s best hitters last season. The real question now is whether the super-team will be able to win it all come October, considering how strong the rest of the league is.
Losers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have not done a great job bolstering their roster from last season as they have lost some pieces, including star Willy Adames, who signed with San Francisco. They also dealt their best arm, Devin Williams, to the Yankees for Nestor Cortes Jr. who is a mid-level starter. They are both entering the last years of their deals, so in a way it made sense for both teams. The Brewers also had to bite a pill as Rhys Hoskins exercised his player option for 17 million next season. While the Brewers are still a great ballclub, they made some questionable moves that could hinder their success this year.
Winner
New York Mets
The New York Mets are winners because of the biggest free agent signing in the last ten years, Juan Soto. Soto, who previously played for the cross-town rival Yankees, is one of the best hitters in baseball and still has not entered his prime. He signed a massive deal that will keep him in Queens for the rest of his career. If he can figure out how to become a better defender, this could be seen as one of the best moves the team has done in recent memory. They also got Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes to bolster their pitching staff as they look to make a World Series push.