AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - With spring training right around the corner and the offseason coming to a close, the hot stove is finally starting to cool off. The top free agents have all officially signed, so let's take a look at the teams who swung big and may have won this years offseason.
New York Yankees
One of the biggest questions coming into the offseason was, where will Aaron Judge land? For a brief second it appeared he would be a San Francisco Giant. The Yankees ultimately landed their fan favorite, coming to an agreement on a 9-year, $360 million deal. The Yankees stayed busy, extending Anthony Rizzo's contract to two years for $40 million. Carlos Rodon will also be suiting up in pinstripes this season after accepting a 6-year, $162 million offer. Lastly, the Yankees signed some bullpen help in Tommy Kahnle, a 2-year, $11.5 million deal.
With the extensions of Judge, who is hot off a record-breaking season hitting 62 home runs and a 1.111 ops, and Rizzo, who stays consistent as a plus plus defender and hitter, the Bronx Bombers are setting themselves up for another successful season. The Yankees are only getting a sharper rotation by adding the likeness of Rodon, who went 14-8 with a 2.88 era. Overall Yankees fans should be pleased with their front office this year and ecstatic in their new captain Aaron Judge.
New York Mets
Jumping over to the other side of New York, the Mets blew everybody's expectations out of the water, outspending every other team this year. After saying goodbye to Jacob deGrom, the Mets took no time in signing another Cy Young winner, Justin Verlander for 2 years, and $86.7 million. They are reuniting Verlander with fellow Mets pitcher and former Tiger teammate, Max Scherzer. With the addition of Jose Quintana (2 years, $26 million) and Kodai Senga (5 years, $75 million), the Mets could argue for the best rotation in the sport.
The Mets secured some bullpen arms this offseason as well. After extending closer Edwin Diaz to 5 years, for $102 million, they went out and locked up David Robertson with 1 year, $10 million deal. The Mets also signed Adam Ottavino for a 2 years, $14.5 million deal.
As far as their lineup is concerned Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162 million), is a good sign for an outfield position. Mets also locked up Tommy Pham (1 year, $6 million) for more outfield depth.
Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, went crazy this offseason, outspending every other team in baseball. Having a payroll form their new signs than some teams spend on all their players. These are the moves the Mets deemed necessary to get back into the World Series contingency and just maybe come out with a ring.
San Diego Padres
San Diego is amongst one of the teams signing one of the four big short stops. Joining the Padres is Xander Bogaerts under an 11 year, $280 million contract. Bogaerts who bats around .300 year to year adds to an already scary lineup. Along with Bogaerts, the addition of Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz will contribute to the depth of the padres lineup.
They extended reliever Robert Suarez to 5 years, for $46 million and added an additional reliever, Seth Lugo for 2 years, and $15 million. These two signings should give their bullpen enough to let the Padres' offense do it's thing.
San Diego hopes that another big contract will get them closer to a World Series appearance, their last being in '98. Having never won a World Series, if they do in fact get one from this team, the franchise will consider this money well spent.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are next on the list after president Jed Hoyer alluded to spending big this offseason, shortly before the trade deadline last season. And spend he did. This includes signing one of the four big name free agent short stops. Dansby Swanson, (7 years, $177 million), to pair with fellow middle infielder Nico Hoerner to create a solid defensive middle infield. The Cubs also took a gamble on signing former NL MVP Cody Bellinger to a 1 year, $17.5 million deal. Bellinger hasn't had the best performance following his MVP season but for one year the cubs are willing to take the risk in hopes of another MVP-like season from the outfielder. Other notable signings for the Cubs lineup is first basemen Eric Hosmer, DH Trey Mancini and catcher Tucker Barnhart. The Cubs picked up Hosmer for 1 year at $720,000 almost league minimum. Mancini 2 year, $14 million. Barnhart, a two time Gold Glove winner, signed a contract for 2 years, $6.5 million.
As far as pitching for the Cubs goes. Drew Smyly was extended 2 years, $19 million. Cubs added starter Jameson Taillon 4 years, $68 million coming off a good showing for the Yankees last season. Giving the Cubs much needed depth in their rotation. The only new help joining the bullpen this offseason was Brad Boxberger 1 year, $2.8 million.
After just an all around down year from the Cubs, going out and getting all these pieces to fill holes in their lineup just show that the Cubs are ready to be serious and make a run soon. With all their young talent in the minors scheduled to come up soon these small year deals makes since for the club. If some of these gambles from the Cubs offseason work out, they could be trouble for their fellow teams in the NL Central.
The Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies landed another one of the big four short stops, Trea Turner (11 years, $280 million). Turner is an instant boost for any club. The Phillies knew they were going to have to go get another piece to make this team a legit world series contender for years to come.
The rest of the Phillies pick ups, were all arms. Signing starter Taijuan Walker 4 years, $72 million, after a somewhat breakout year. Relievers Craig Kimbrel and Matthew Strahm were also picked up. Strahm 2 years, $15 million. Kimbrel 1 year, $10 million.
Other Notable Teams
Just outside of the top winners are the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. Notable signings from the Twins include Carlos Correa and Christian Vazquez. Correa who was in deep talks with multiple teams this offseason ended up signing with the Twins for 6 years, and $200 million. The Rangers notably signed two time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom 5 years, $185 million. If deGrom can stay healthy, the Rangers have themselves an ace for the next few seasons, and one of the best aces at that.
Will these big signings from a big offseason pay off? Which club will benefit the most from the offseason? Only time will tell what happens to these clubs after a hectic, busy and expensive offseason.
