Post by Mickey34jb on Dec 24, 2022 12:16:09 GMT -5
Off-season has been productive for some
FROM GOOD TO GREAT?
1. Padres
Somehow, San Diego managed to surprise us yet again. Just when many in the industry assumed the pace of Padres’ acquisitions was bound to slow this offseason, they pulled off a monstrous pact with Xander Bogaerts that, combined with a full season of Juan Soto and the eventual return of Fernando Tatis Jr., could give them an embarrassingly lethal top half of the lineup. Bringing aboard Matt Carpenter improves the bottom half, and swingman Seth Lugo deepens the pitching staff.
2. Cardinals
Yadi Molina is a legend. But with Yadi limited to 78 games in his swan song season and no longer an offensive presence, the Cards ranked 20th in MLB in catcher WAR and 28th in catcher OPS. Enter Willson Contreras, who is no sure thing on the defensive end but is a clear upgrade offensively to ease the middle-of-the-order burden on Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.
3. Guardians
The signings of Josh Bell and Mike Zunino should considerably improve the Guards’ lackluster power profile. Cleveland ranked 29th in OPS at both catcher and designated hitter in 2022. Bell now joins Josh Naylor as an option at DH and first base, so they are deeper there. And Zunino assumes the starting catching duties, where he is a huge offensive upgrade over the departed Austin Hedges without compromising the defense the Guardians value at the position.
4. Blue Jays
While the Teoscar Hernández trade did rob the Blue Jays of some offensive thump, the subsequent deal for Daulton Varsho adds power from the left side. And the signing of center fielder Kevin Kiermaier allows them to move George Springer to right field and gives them a significant improvement defensively. The Blue Jays also now have three viable playoff starters (four, if José Berríos rights himself) after inking Chris Bassitt. The acquisition of Erik Swanson in the Hernández trade brought needed upside to the bullpen.
5. Mariners
And here’s the other end of the Hernández trade. To the frustration of the fan base, the Mariners haven’t made any noise in free agency (their only signing is veteran reliever Trevor Gott to a $1.2 million contract for 2023). But Hernández, who was worth 2.8 WAR (per Baseball Reference) last year to Mitch Haniger’s 1.4, has the ability to amplify their corner outfield production, and Kolten Wong, who was worth 3.1 WAR last year at a second base spot where the Mariners only ranked 23rd with a minus-1.3 mark, also raises the floor for a team that took a big step last season. It’s understandable why fans would want to see a bigger Seattle splash, because the Astros remain the better team, on paper. But the Mariners do merit a mention here.
FROM GOOD TO GREAT?
1. Padres
Somehow, San Diego managed to surprise us yet again. Just when many in the industry assumed the pace of Padres’ acquisitions was bound to slow this offseason, they pulled off a monstrous pact with Xander Bogaerts that, combined with a full season of Juan Soto and the eventual return of Fernando Tatis Jr., could give them an embarrassingly lethal top half of the lineup. Bringing aboard Matt Carpenter improves the bottom half, and swingman Seth Lugo deepens the pitching staff.
2. Cardinals
Yadi Molina is a legend. But with Yadi limited to 78 games in his swan song season and no longer an offensive presence, the Cards ranked 20th in MLB in catcher WAR and 28th in catcher OPS. Enter Willson Contreras, who is no sure thing on the defensive end but is a clear upgrade offensively to ease the middle-of-the-order burden on Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.
3. Guardians
The signings of Josh Bell and Mike Zunino should considerably improve the Guards’ lackluster power profile. Cleveland ranked 29th in OPS at both catcher and designated hitter in 2022. Bell now joins Josh Naylor as an option at DH and first base, so they are deeper there. And Zunino assumes the starting catching duties, where he is a huge offensive upgrade over the departed Austin Hedges without compromising the defense the Guardians value at the position.
4. Blue Jays
While the Teoscar Hernández trade did rob the Blue Jays of some offensive thump, the subsequent deal for Daulton Varsho adds power from the left side. And the signing of center fielder Kevin Kiermaier allows them to move George Springer to right field and gives them a significant improvement defensively. The Blue Jays also now have three viable playoff starters (four, if José Berríos rights himself) after inking Chris Bassitt. The acquisition of Erik Swanson in the Hernández trade brought needed upside to the bullpen.
5. Mariners
And here’s the other end of the Hernández trade. To the frustration of the fan base, the Mariners haven’t made any noise in free agency (their only signing is veteran reliever Trevor Gott to a $1.2 million contract for 2023). But Hernández, who was worth 2.8 WAR (per Baseball Reference) last year to Mitch Haniger’s 1.4, has the ability to amplify their corner outfield production, and Kolten Wong, who was worth 3.1 WAR last year at a second base spot where the Mariners only ranked 23rd with a minus-1.3 mark, also raises the floor for a team that took a big step last season. It’s understandable why fans would want to see a bigger Seattle splash, because the Astros remain the better team, on paper. But the Mariners do merit a mention here.
