EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ The Major League Baseball offseason definitely left the sports world with questions. Coming into Free Agency, MLB fans wanted to know about two pressing topics: where the top free agents signed and what big trades happened. Now that pitchers and catchers are soon reporting to Florida for spring training, the MLB offseason is practically over, and it’s time to evaluate some of the bigger moves of the winter.
Where did the top free agents sign?
Going into the offseason, Trevor Bauer had the advantage over every MLB team. He was coming off his best year, winning the Cy Young Award and leading the league with the lowest WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitched). After being traded to the Cincinnati Reds the year before, 30-year-old Bauer was ready to make his own decisions and establish his brand. The New York Mets were the favorites to sign him, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels weren’t far behind. Bauer hid his hand through all of November and December, when it was reported that he was signing with the Mets. This claim was reported false, and in February, Bauer signed a three-year contract with the Dodgers. This deal will make Bauer the highest-paid pitcher in the history of the MLB for the next two seasons. In 2021, he’ll be making $40 million, and in 2022, he will make $45 million, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Another free agent that generated buzz around the country was George Springer. Springer, 31, played his entire career with the Houston Astros until this year. His stock was damaged when the Astros’ cheating scandal broke last year, and he never fully recovered. Nevertheless, the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros still were willing to pay for his talents. Again, the Mets were the favorites to land Springer, as they offered him the largest contract. Eventually, Springer signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for six seasons, earning $150 million total.
“I am upset about [the Mets] not getting Springer, since he is a very solid outfielder, but signing Almora and possibly getting Jackie Bradley Jr. is definitely comforting,” EBHS senior and avid Mets fan, Dominic Sclafani, said. “I was honestly relieved they didn’t get Bauer, who only had one great year in a sixty-game season. He would have cost way too much, and they could use that money to get other great signings. I’m personally super excited for the season and a possible World Series run.”
What big trades happened?
Mets fans certainly weren’t upset when they pulled off the largest trade of the offseason, trading for perennial All-Star Francisco Lindor. In a surprising turn of events, the Cleveland Indians were ready to give up and begin rebuilding; this meant they were taking calls for Lindor, a fan-favorite shortstop. While nothing was serious throughout October and November, on January 7, the New York Mets traded their current shortstop Amed Rosario and a few prospects for Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, an above-average pitcher. Mets fans were ecstatic for this trade, as it was the first of Steven Cohen’s tenure as the owner.
Junior Matt Bradley, also a Mets fan, said, “The Mets were only one or two pieces away from being a serious contender. They already have Jacob deGrom, the best pitcher in baseball, and a ‘stacked squad’, Lindor will finally propel them back into the playoffs and possibly the World Series.”
The other winners of the offseason were the San Diego Padres. Already having the best minor league system in baseball and a star-studded team led by NL MVP Fernando Tatis Jr., they traded for two of the top pitchers in baseball, Blake Snell, former Cy Young winner, and Yu Darvish, a multiple-time Cy Young runner-up. Now, the San Diego Padres are poised to win their division for the first time since 2006.