MLB Best and Worst Offseason Moves

Story posted March 31, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Dylan Price

In one of the most unorthodox offseasons in MLB history, with big spending, huge trades and of course, the lockout that postponed opening day, some teams shined while others faltered.

Let’s take a look at some of the best, and worst moves of the MLB offseason.

Best

The Rangers Stacked Their Middle Infield with Marcus Semien & Corey Seager

The Rangers went into this offseason with a mission to try to upgrade their middle infield and add star power to a relatively young roster. The team decided to go out and offer Marcus Semien a seven-year $175-million contract.

Semien is coming off one of the most explosive seasons by a second baseman in MLB history, when he raked in 45 home runs, breaking Brian Dozier’s record. Semien paired that with a .265 average and his consistency and power will be a welcomed addition to a 102 loss team.

As will Corey Seager, who when healthy, can be one of the most consistent middle infielders in the game. Last season, in 95 games, Seager hit .306 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs.

Seager and Semien now bring star power to a team that desperately needed it.

The Twins Added The Crown Jewel of Free Agency and Two More Stars via Trade

The Twins took a big swing post lockout, inking short stop Carlos Correa to a monster three-year, $105.3 million dollar deal. Correa is coming off a season where he slashed a line of .279 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs.

Correa becomes the cornerstone of an already strong roster that saw them add another infield addition and backstop. The Twins acquired young third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Gary Sanchez from the New York Yankees.

With two more young studs in the lineup, the Twins had an offseason that should vault them to the front of the pack in the American League.

Worst

Another Athletics Fire Sale

The Athletics pursued a full blown fire sale this winter in all facets. Outfielder and first baseman Mark Canha and outfielder Starling Marte now find themselves in new homes with the New York Mets, leaving Oakland to pursue greener pastures, literally, with both landing good deals on the open market.

The team also traded first baseman Matt Olson to the Braves and infielder Matt Chapman to the Blue Jays, landing significant prospect hauls, headlined by the addition of OF Christian Pache. They also traded starting pitcher Chris Bassitt to the Mets.

The Athletics completed a significant overhaul, and although in the past it’s paid off for the A’s, once again they find themselves without their own homegrown stars. 

New York Yankees Don’t Live Up To Expectations

The Yankees have always been the “big spenders.”

For decades if there was a big fish, it was known the Yankees would be involved.

Instead, the Yankees doubled down on the potential of their current lineup and farm system and opted not to take a big swing for one of the big name shortstops in the free agency market.

So, aforementioned, the Yankees traded away third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Gary Sanchez for third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

Rortvedt, 24 is going to be counted on to platoon with catcher Kyle Higashioka, which may be a defensive upgrade, but will likely be a large offensive downgrade. Kiner-Falefa and Donaldson will be consistent starters, but Urshela had been one of the cornerstones of the team for the past few years and a fan favorite.

Some may consider the offseason a win, but it’s hard to say the expectations matched the outcome.

 

Dylan Price is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email dvp5625@psu.edu.