Best And Worst Off-Season

[Moneyman]

I know the off-season isn't over, but it's pretty close to being over. Who do you think had the best off-season in the major leagues? What team had the worst?

For me, the best has to go to the Seattle Mariners, with a close call on the Orioles and Rangers.

For the worst, it has to be the Angels. I really thought they would do more this off-season, but besides Matsui, and Pinero, they didn't make a big of a splash as they needed to.

Your thoughts?

[CubsBearsBullsNuggets]

The worst was the Cubs.

[Philly Diehard]

Best was the Seattle Mariners, and worst was the Cubs. I thought that the Cubs were going to be aggressive and get what they needed, and they sat back and did nothing while the Cardinals and even Astros/Pirates/Reds got better.

[srpeters]

Best Off-Season has been the Mariners so far, on a homer note I love what the Phillies have done. The Mariners added Lee to pair with Felix but I think Bedard is key to the pitching staff. If the Mariners want to make a post season run they will need Bedard to come back healthy and play like he has the ability to, a rotation of Felix, Lee, and a healthy Bedard is as good as any other teams in the league. They also made much needed additions to the offensive side, by adding Figgins, Bradley and Wilson they improved their offense greatly. However I would have liked to see them add a key power bat to hold down the middle of the order, as I think that was their number one offensive need.

The Worst offseason is probably the Cubs but the Braves als had a lackluster offseason, they got rid of Vazquez one of their best pitchers last yeaar while not adding anyone key to their team. Their bullpen lost many key members including their closer. On Offense they added a few players like Glaus and Cabrera but I am not impressed by Glaus and Cabrera is no more than a 6 or 7 hitter IMO. After finishing close last season, many braves fans probably thought that they would make a push for the wild card, but the management doesnt seem every interested in getting better.

The Braves may not have been the worst I just feel they didnt do all they needed or should have done to fulfil their expectations for the season.

[Krenzel16]

This year, the Cleveland Indians decided the best job they could do to improve an abysmal 2009 campaign was to add a backup catcher through free agency (Mike Redmond) and trade for a utility infielder (Brian Bixler). Not by adding to a staff that has more question marks than the Riddler. The Indians weren't supposed to be players this offseason but not even adding a pitcher on a low risk, incentives based contract (think Pavano last year) is a big mistake.

[Ruud]

Twins and Mariners had the best. Call me a homer, but there is no way Minnesota gets no love. Added a SS that has put up great numbers for a SS, signed a 2B, and kept Pavano, who was an unsung hero for this club. Oh, and they added a pretty good bench player in Jim Thome.

[STLSports4life]

Best offseasons:

1.) Seattle Mariners - Like their pick ups in landing Cliff Lee, Milton Bradley, Brandon League all through trades. Liked seeing them bring back Jack Wilson. Chone Figgins, was a solid free agent pick up by them. Casey Kotchman was a solid pick up for their line up. Ryan Garko or Eric Byrnes could rebound for the Mariners. Erik Bedard coming back to the team (if healthy), can make the Mariners starting rotation a lot better. All they need to do is find another bat for their line up. Last, they got rid of Carlos Silva (who was a major free agent bust for them).

2.) Philadelphia Phillies - Roy Halladay gives the Phillies a hell of a lot better starting rotation. Placido Polanco, was a solid pick up by the Phillies for third base. Jose Contreras (if he can put up his numbers out of the bullpen, like he did when the Rockies picked him up last season; he could be a nice addition to the Phillies bullpen). Danys Baez could fill in as closer for the Phillies, if Brad Lidge does bad again (so, they have some help if that happens). Ross Gload, gives the Phillies a nice left handed bat off of their bench.

3.) St. Louis Cardinals - Even though they haven't done much this offseason, they re-signed their biggest need in Matt Holliday (yes they might have overpaid for him, but lots of players get overpaid; so nothing really new). Brad Penny was a solid pick up in free agency by the Cardinals, he's shown that he can pitch in the big leagues (two time 16 game winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 06 and 07). Recently, locked up starting second baseman Skip Schumaker for two years. The Rich Hill minor league signing, is a low risk-high reward move; if he's healthy. According to Hill, he's feeling great and hasn't felt it since 2007. The Cardinals just need to add a veteran pitcher for their bullpen. Their biggest surprise coming out of spring training, could be Eduardo Sanchez (if he does well in camp and if the coaching staff gives him a roster spot). http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...anchez-1.shtml

4.) Texas Rangers - Vladimir Guerrero was a nice free agent signing for their young line up, even though his numbers were down last season; he can still put up some good numbers. Rich Harden is another nice free agent signing by the Rangers, if he can stay healthy. Darren Oliver should help out their bullpen. Their taking a gamble on Khalil Greene (who I have a good feeling he'll rebound, because he's in a hitters park and wont have that much pressure on him). Chris Ray (who they got in a trade from the Baltimore Orioles), if he can get back to being healthy; he could become a nice set up man for Rangers closer Frank Francisco.

5.) Cincinnati Reds - Ardolis Chapman was the Reds best signing for their offseason, in a few years their starting rotation could be scary with .... Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Ardolis Chapman, Homer Bailey, and Matt Maloney (assuming that all of them will live up to their potential). Orlando Cabrera cam help teach Paul Janish (who I think might not be that far off, from being a good player). The picking up Aaron Miles (in a trade with the Oakland Athletics) could help Miles refind himself, because of Dusty Baker being a players coach. Jose Arredondo might have been a nice free agent signing by the Reds, even though he isn't expected to pitch at all in 2010; but if they have him in 2011 .... he could help out their bullpen (if he's healthy and can refind his number from 2008). At one time, Arredondo was said to the future Angels closer.

Runners up: Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles.

Worst offseasons: Los Angeles Angels (haven't done much of anything), and Chicago Cubs (even though, they have the potential to have a nice bench).

[hammerinhank]

I 100% disagree with the Braves having a bad offseason. It was not full of big moves but with the money they had to work with they had a very good offseason. Vazquez had to go as they needed to cut budget and nobody wanted Lowe. They get a MLB ready player in Cabrera (not an amazing player but can hit late in the order), a low risk signing in Glaus who if healthy could easily be that extra power source and put up 25+ homeruns. They also grabbed a great bench bat in Hinske who can also fill in for Glaus or Chipper on days they need to rest. The bullpen improved as they replaced Soriano and Gonzo with Wagner and Saito. Not to mention some pretty good specs in return for Javy

The Braves will also have a full season of Tommy Hanson as well as the return of Tim Hudson. Lowe will prob improve from last year so I dont see their rotation and worse then it was last year, maybe even better. Their offense didnt get any worse and if Glaus can stay healthy nad return to previous years form they will be in a good spot. They also get a full season of McLouth and Heyward is expected to play in Atlanta at some poin tthis season.

I would give them an overall grade of a B maybe B-

[srpeters]

Originally Posted by hammerinhank

I 100% disagree with the Braves having a bad offseason. It was not full of big moves but with the money they had to work with they had a very good offseason. Vazquez had to go as they needed to cut budget and nobody wanted Lowe. They get a MLB ready player in Cabrera (not an amazing player but can hit late in the order), a low risk signing in Glaus who if healthy could easily be that extra power source and put up 25+ homeruns. They also grabbed a great bench bat in Hinske who can also fill in for Glaus or Chipper on days they need to rest. The bullpen improved as they replaced Soriano and Gonzo with Wagner and Saito. Not to mention some pretty good specs in return for Javy

The Braves will also have a full season of Tommy Hanson as well as the return of Tim Hudson. Lowe will prob improve from last year so I dont see their rotation and worse then it was last year, maybe even better. Their offense didnt get any worse and if Glaus can stay healthy nad return to previous years form they will be in a good spot. They also get a full season of McLouth and Heyward is expected to play in Atlanta at some poin tthis season.

I would give them an overall grade of a B maybe B-

Yes but my point was that they needed to have a great offseason in order to compete, I expected the Braves to make a push at the wild card this offseason and maybe go after some more offensive players but now I dont think they have a shot at the playoffs unless their pitching is as great as it can be almost every game. Coming into the offseason the Braves needed an excellent offseason to try and push for the playoffs and it just didnt happen.

[hammerinhank]

I dont think so at all. They are better then last year which is all you can ask for.

[JediSkyWalker]

Anyone want to let me know what the Jays did? Trade away Doc, not re-sign Scutaro, who'd they even get this off-season?

[Ruud]

Originally Posted by JediSkyWalker

Anyone want to let me know what the Jays did? Trade away Doc, not re-sign Scutaro, who'd they even get this off-season?

Prospects and Brandon Morrow. Couple relievers in Dana Eveland (the other guys name is escaping me right now).

I think they're in the middle of the pack as far as best/worst offseasons. They didn't do anything extraordinary, but they did recieve prospects for Halladay, so it could be a step in the right direction.

[Yaowow]

How can you not give the Mariners the best offseason? They officially made improvements that pushes them over the Angels in the AL West.

[Ruud]

Originally Posted by Yaowow

How can you not give the Mariners the best offseason? They officially made improvements that pushes them over the Angels in the AL West.

I don't buy that. You have to play the game of baseball to be considered a good team. Everything they've done is on paper, and quite frankly i'm not all that sold on Bradley/Garko/Kotchmann.

They added Lee and Figgins (Hope i'm not forgetting anyone key), but that doesn't come close to assuring they win the West. As long as Scocia is coaching that Angels team, I have a hard time counting them out, and the Rangers continue to get better every year.

[INFINITEJUSTICE]

I haven't been paying as much attention to baseball over the last 5 years, but the Rangers did a pretty good job. Just holding together some semblance of a decent team is impressive considering how some other teams have blown up and how badly we're doing financially.

I don't expect a AL West pennant this year, but it'll be nice to be competitive. I expect it.