The 2023 Off Season
In case you’ve had your head in the sand the entire winter, the Major League Baseball’s off season has been an epic one, with contracts being signed by some players worth more money than the GNP of some small countries. Let’s check out each league, starting with the Senior Circuit.
Obviously, any discussion about this off season has to begin with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are dishing out over a billion dollars to their new names. Yes, billion…with a B. Adding Ohtani and Yamamoto to the lineup by themselves adds an even bigger dimension to the Boys in Blue, but with the additions of Teoscar Hernandez and Tyler Glasnow, L. A.’s spending splurge makes the NL West the division to keep an eye on.
As far as the rest of the NL West, the question is whether or not the DBacks did enough by signing Eugenio Suarez and Eduardo Rodriguez to challenge in the division. It should be interesting. As for the rest of the West, there really is no tremendous challenge from anyone. No, not even the Giants.
Now, here we go. Some people might be asking; “What about the NL Central?”
Well, the Central is the Central, that’s all there is to it. If the Cubs want to win the division, they need to re-sign Cody Bellinger, or sign Rhys Hoskins. Period. They have yet to add anyone to their 40-man roster. And if they can land Snell or Montgomery, the Cubs can be dangerous in a completely mediocre division. The Reds are coming close, and the Brewers and Cardinals have some work to do. Question is: Is there a possibility of a Wild Card team from the Central? Not really.
Wrapping up the National League, we shift focus to the NL East. News Flash: The Nationals have been eliminated from the playoffs. But seriously…they have. The Braves are taking a BIG chance and hope to catch lightning in a bottle by signing Chris Sale. He’s a reasonably interesting signing, and the Braves can afford a $38 million, 2-year commitment to him. Other than that, their biggest concern is who their 5th starter projects to be in April. So, yeah…the division still runs through the ATL.
The Mets need to sign Justin Turner, and now. Signing Sean Manaea to a 2-year $28 million deal gives them back end of the rotation help, but they will still need to add another veteran arm if they want to make a run in ‘24. Otherwise, we will watch the Mets Met yet again this summer. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; Trade Pete Alonso for Vladdy Jr, and see a difference in BOTH teams. Another question: Can the Phillies get the bullpen help they need to catch the Braves? Hello, Josh Hader? The Marlins lost lots of offense with Jorge Soler leaving, and have needs at shortstop. Hello Tim Anderson? I’d be careful with that possibility. They have some work to do. Not this year for the Fish.
Let’s take a look at the American League, starting with the AL West. The West is a tough division, and a division that has remained relatively quiet to this point of the off season. The Rangers won it all last year, and if they can stay above.500 through the All Star break, they’re going to bank on the pitching of Scherzer and DeGrom to carry them through the second half of the season and another run at the postseason. Getting Jordan Montgomery back would be a big help.
Houston has been to the last seven ALCS, and bring back virtually their entire team. Advantage: Astros. Question is: Can the Angels make a run minus Ohtani? They need a front-line starter. And to that end: hello, Blake Snell. I’ll take JD Martinez at DH in Anaheim for $20 million, Alex. That’s a smart move. Seattle is all over the place, and Oakland is here to break hearts. We just hope they have fun!
Now, I’ll save lots of rhetoric here about the AL Central. Nobody has done anything. Nobody will do anything big. The Twins won the Central Division last year?? Oops. I mean: The Twins WON the Central Division last year. Then promptly cut payroll and lost Sonny Gray. Nothing doin’ in Minnesota. The Guardians might play .500. Bringing back Austin Hedges doesn’t spell Championship. Sorry. In Chicago, Mark Buehrle has a better shot to make the Hall of Fame than the Sox do at winning the division, but signing catcher Martin Maldonado and reliever Tim Hill is a good move. One questions remains: will the Tigers eventually make some noise? Maybe a small growl. In the meantime, Javy Baez is just plain bad for the team in Detroit.
And finally, there’s the American League East, the division everyone will be looking at. All eyes will be on Juan Soto in New York. He brings added offense around Aaron Judge. And if Soto and Judge get hot, watch out. A healthy Anthony Rizzo is important as well. The rotation could use some back end help, and a solid closer like Josh Hader would make the Yankees the team to beat.
The Blue Jays and Orioles can battle it out for second and a possible wildcard spot. There will be only a few games separating the Rays and RedSox, but this is not their year. Question: Can Lucas Giolito win in Boston? It’s a two-year, $38 million dollar risk, but the potential is there.
As we get set for Spring Training, there are still some key moves to be made. It will be interesting to see what happens, and how much the teams will be willing to spend as the clock ticks down to the 2024 season.
Article submitted by Jason Beck @bourbon_and_baseball, and huge Yankees fan.