I‘m focusing on major moves. The newest moves are on top.
The Los Angeles Dodgers extended C Will Smith for 10 years/$140 million in a solid move.
In a good move, Arizona signed SP Jordan Montgomery for 1 year/$25 million.
The Colorado Rockies extended SS Ezequiel Tovar for 7 years/$63.5 million in a promising move.
The New York Mets signed DH J.D. Martinez for 1 year/$12 million in a weird move for the team, as they’re otherwise not trying to make the playoffs.
San Francisco Giants finally added to their rotation, signing SP Blake Snell for 2 years/$62 million. It’s a good deal for them and a disappointing one for Snell.
St. Louis Cardinals curiously extended manager Oliver Marmol for 2 years.
Chicago White Sox traded SP Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres for RP Steven Wilson and prospects RHP Drew Thorpe, OF Samuel Zavala and RHP Jairo Iriarte. Chicago made the right call to rebuild and build up their farm. San Diego improve the team in a good move, but still don’t look like a playoff team.
Boston extended SP Brayan Bello for 6 years/$55 million in a promising move.
Philly extended SP Zack Wheeler for 3 years/$126 million. The AAV is way too much, but the length is good based on his age (33). He was going to be a free agent after the upcoming season.
Toronto’s terrible off-season as San Francisco signed 3B Matt Chapman for 3 years/$54 million, in a solid deal. I still don’t see San Francisco as a playoff team however.
Chicago Cubs re-signed CF Cody Bellinger for 3 years/$80 million in a solid but risky deal.
Miami Marlins signed SS Tim Anderson for 1 year/$5 million in a great move.
The Pittsburgh Pirates extended SP Mitch Keller for 5 years/$77 million in a good move.
Milwaukee re-signed SP Brandon Woodruff for 2 years/$17.5 million ($2.5 million in 2024, $5 million in 2025, $10 million buyout on a $20 million 2026 option). I’m surprised no one else fihld beat that.
The Boston Red Sox smartly signed RP Liam Hendriks for 2 years/$10 million, with $20 million in incentives and a 2026 club option.
San Francisco keeps making mistakes, signing DH Jorge Soler for 3 years/$42 million. He will not live up to that contract and will be seen as a bust. The Miami Marlins made a mistake not offering him a QO and need a replacement.
The Tampa Bay Rays extended GM Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash to long-term deals (past 2028) in great moves.
Houston chose loyalty over logic, by extending 2B Jose Altuve for 5 years/$125 million with a $15 million signing bonus.
The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed SP Clayton Kershaw for 2 years with the second a player option. Smart move for both sides.
Kansas City smartly extended SS Bobby Witt Jr. for 11 years/$288.7 million, with 3 player option years that can make it 14 years/$377 million.
Milwaukee traded SP Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles for new SP DL Hall, Minor League SS Joey Ortiz and the #34 pick in next year’s draft. Great trade for Baltimore, who badly needed an ace. It all depends on if Hall becomes a top of the rotation arm himself.
Milwaukee wasn’t going to extend Burnes and aren’t contenders, so trading him prior to his contract year makes sense, but then why bother signing Rhys Hoskins? They did get a good return however. Hall immediately replaces Burnes in the rotation and has potential to be a front of the rotation arm.
San Diego overpaid for RP Wandy Peralta, signing him for 4 years/$16.5 million away from the New York Yankees. The deal comes with opt-outs and is risky based on his advanced metrix
Toronto upgraded from Brandon Belt at the cost of lineup balance, by signing Justin Turner for 1 year/$13 million. Turner is also likely to decline due to age (39). Boston will need to replace his bat, or have someone step up significantly.
Minnesota traded expendable 2B Jorge Polanco to Seattle for SP Anthony DeSclafani, RP Justin Topa and Minor Leaguers Darren Bowen and Gabriel Gonzalez Seattle didn’t need DeSclafani, but may need another LRP/depth SP, Polanco improves them at 2B. DeSclafani has a shot to crack Minnesota’s rotation, but they’ll need the prospects to eventually be useful in the Majors, or for Topa to not be a one-year
Detroit extended 2B prospect Colt Keith for 6 years/$28.6425 million, that has 3 club options that max his deal out at $82 million. Very risky deal.
The Chicago Cubs signed RP Hector Neris for 1 year/$9 million, with a $9 million club option for 2025, that turns into a player option if he gets 60 appearances. OK deal for a declining reliever.
San Francisco won’t miss DH Joc Pederson, who signed a 1 year/$12.5 million deal with Arizona. The deal includes a mutual option for 2025 that likely won’t be exercised. He’s overpaid and takes Arizona out of bidding for the better J.D. Martinez, who they were interested in.
Miami probably won’t miss RP Matt Moore, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels for 1 year $11 million. Good deal for Anaheim. The Fish also won’t miss David Robertson, who was overpaid by Texas on the same contract.
The Los Angeles Dodgers added starting pitching depth that the Boston Red Sox won’t miss. They signed SP James Paxton for 1 year/$11 million with incentives topping at $1 million.
The Milwaukee Brewers signed 1B Rhys Hoskins for 2 years/$36 million, with an opt-out after next season. Good deal for both. He’s an upgrade over Carlos Santana. Philly were fine without Hoskins in 2023 and won’t miss him. Santana later signed with Minnesota for 1 year/$5.25 million with performance bonuses. Minnesota should’ve done better, as he’s expected to start at either first base or DH.
The Texas Rangers took a hit to their bullpen, as Aroldis Chapman is now gone. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their new set-up man for 1 year/$10.5 million. Good move for Pittsburgh, who can flip him at the Trade Deadline
The Los Angeles Angels signed RP Robert Stephenson for 3 years/$33 million in a bit of a gamble of a signing.
The Houston Astros signed CP Josh Hader for 5 years/$95 million. Solid though risky move, as San Diego continues to get worse.
San Francisco signed Jordan Hicks to 4 years/$44 million as a starting pitcher. That’s surprising and I‘m not sure that it’s going to work out. I understand St. Louis letting him go if he wanted to start and I think that they’ll be fine
Atlanta extended PBO Alex Anthopoulos through 2031 in a great move.
The New York Yankees signed SP Marcus Stroman for 2 years/$36 million, with an option for a third year, that becomes an $18 million player option with 140 innings pitched. Good deal.
The Chicago Cubs possibly overpaid, by signing SP Shota Imanaga for 4 years/$53 million.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed RF Teoscar Hernandez for 1 year/$23.5 million. They will versus but it’s a one year deal and he he helps their OF. $8.5 million will be deferred from 2030-2039, which is bizarre.
San Francisco signed SP Sean Manaea for 2 years/$28 million in a likely slight overpay.
Seattle traded SP Robbie Ray to San Francisco for SP Anthony DeSclafani and RF Mitch Haniger. Seattle moved on from Ray, whose absence is replaced by their pitching depth, which DeSclafani will add to and compete for a rotation spot with. Haniger is back in RF for them, so it’s a good if not impactful trade for the team. San Francisco subtracted from their OF/DH mix and made it worse, but did upgrade in the rotation. We’ll see how it works out for them
The New York Mets wasted money on CF Harrison Bader, signing him for 1 year/$10 million despite their CBT situation. They’ll end up paying $20 million for him now and he was already an overpay.
Boston traded ace Chris Sale to Atlanta for IF/OF Vaughn Grissom and $17 million of Sale‘s $27.5 million 2024 salary. Wow. Boston sold very low on Sale and their rotation is now highly questionable, while lacking a clear ace. Grissom should be their new second baseman, but is more of a role player than a difference-maker. Atlanta won’t miss Grissom, who wasn’t a starter for them. Sale gives them a lot of upside in the rotation. Atlanta won this trade pretty easily. Atlanta extended Sale for 2 years/$38 million, with an $18 million club option to complete a good move for them.
Cincinnati had money for Jeimer Candelario and to way overpay SP Frankie Montas. They gave him 1 year/$15-16 million. They should’ve spent on an ace.
The Boston Red Sox overpaid for SP Lucas Giolito at 2 years/$38.5 million. He’s probably not going to come close to earning that money.
The Toronto Blue Jays re-signed CF Kevin Kiermaier for 1 year/$10.5 million in a solid move. They then overpaid to sign IF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa for 2 years/$15 million. The New York Yankees won’t miss him.
Seattle signed DH Mitch Garver for 2 years/$24 million. It’s an overpay as he can’t stay healthy and Texas won’t miss him.
In a very risky move, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto for 12 years/$325 million. They either signed an ace or way overpaid.
Arizona extended LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for 3 years/$42 million, with an opt-out after 2025 and a $14 million team option for 2027. This is a silly overpay.
Kansas City signed RF Hunter Renfroe for 2 years/$13 million, with an opt-out after the first year. This deal could go either way. They also signed SP Michael Wacha for 2 years/$32 million with an opt-out after year one. San Diego badly needs rotation help as Kansas City suddenly look as division contenders
The Tampa Bay Rays proved to be unreliable and untrustworthy when it comes to extending players, as they traded SP Tyler Glasnow, OF Manuel Margot and $4 million to the Los Angeles Dodgers for SP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny DeLuca. Pepiot replaces Glasnow in a short-term downgrade, but a long-term benefit (as they were set to lose Glasnow to free agency after the upcoming season. DeLuca should be an upgrade over Margot. LA got a massive rotation upgrade is Glasnow and won’t miss Pepiot. The deal was contingent on LA getting an extension with Glasnow, and they did at a reasonable 5 years/$135 million (including a $30 million team option). They won’t miss DeLuca either, and Margot will help them from the bench. Good trade for both sides.
The Detroit Tigers overpaid by signing SP Jack Flaherty for 1 year/$14 million.
The Texas Rangers signed SP Tyler Mahle for 2 years/$22 million, with $5 million in incentives. Solid deal but their rotation gets worse, as Jordan Montgomery is almost certainly gone now.
In a risky overpay, the San Francisco Giants signed OF Jung Hoo Lee for 6 years/$113 million.
The Kansas City Royals signed SP Seth Lugo for 3 years/$45 million. This is a good move for them if Lugo‘s 2023 performance isn’t a fluke. They have an outside shot at their weak division now.
The inept Los Angeles Angels of course lost SP/DH Shohei Ohtani to free agency, when they could’ve traded him before that. The Los Angeles Dodgerss improved, but well overpaid by giving him 10 years/$700 million.
St. Louis smartly traded OF Tyler O’Neill (who is entering his contract season), to Boston for Minor League right-handed pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos. O’Neill is replacing Alex Verdugo in Boston’s OF. He is a risky acquisition, and probably won’t really change their outlook as a bottom team in the division. Solid trade for both teams.
In a bizarre move, the Cincinnati Reds signed 3B Jeimer Candelario, who is overrated and doesn’t feel a need. The Chicago Cubs badly need a 3B now.
The New York Yankees acquired LF Juan Soto and CF Trent Grisham, from the San Diego Padres for Minor League pitchers Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez, SP Michael King and backup C Kyle Higashioka. Wow.
San Diego smartly parted with Soto early, though take a big hit in 2024. They were never have been able to afford extending him. They do now need a LF however and a CF too. King enters their rotations and gives them upside. However their rotation still declined barring returns or additions. Vasquez and Brito will likely compete for spots as well. Higashioka will likely be their backup catcher.
New York traded a lot of pitching depth and their farm declined as well. They need another SP too. Higashioka lost his spot to Austin Wells. It was worth it though to bring in new LF Juan Soto. Grisham will also help with defense and injuries off the bench. Extending Soto or at least winning a pennant, will turn it into a definite win for New York. Soto is a New York native.
Arizona signed SP Eduardo Rodriguez for 4 years/$80 million, with an option that can take it to 5 years/$99 million. They overpaid for a mid-rotation starter at best.
The Baltimore Orioles signed RP Craig Kimbrel for 1 year/$13 million with a club option for 2025. Philly won’t miss him, but need another RP for the late innings. Baltimore will regret it, if they plan on him closing games.
The Boston Red Sox traded RF Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees for RP Greg Weissert and prospects Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice. Boston moved on from Verdugo early as they were unlikely to re-sign him next off-season. He isn’t a big loss for them and they add bullpen help and some depth for the farm. They will need to add a RF now. The Bronx Bombers traded unimportant prospects and a depth bullpen piece for a very useful OF bat. Verdugo might move to LF now.
Philly extended Manager Rob Thomson through the 2025 season in a good move. Detroit did the same with their Manager A.J. Hinch, but for an undisclosed length.
Another bad trade for Seattle as they helped the Atlanta Braves fill their LF vacancy with Jarred Kelenic. They also gave them starting pitching depth with Marco Gonzales and only got rid of Evan White. Atlanta sent them right-handed pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips who weren’t important for Atlanta, and won’t do much for Seattle.
The Milwaukee Brewers extended OF prospect Jackson Chourio for 8 years/$80 million with 2 team options. This is a very risky deal.
The New York Mets signed SP Luis Severino for 1 year/$13 million, with $2 million in bonuses. Solid buy-low move and the New York Yankees were right to move on.
St. Louis overpaid SP Sonny Gray with a 3 year/$75 million contract, with a team option. Minnesota took a big hit, but I don’t see St. Louis being much better.
The Detroit Tigers took away a rival team’s starting pitcher, by replacing Eduardo Rodriguez with Kenta Maeda for 2 years/$24 million. Detroit still need their young players to step up as this is a wash. Minnesota will be fine without Maeda.
Seattle continues to weaken the lineup. They traded 3B Eugenio Suarez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for C Seby Zavala and RHP Carlos Vargas. Good trade for Arizona that improves their lineup.
The San Diego Padres hired Mike Shildt as their manager. I’m not too optimistic for them.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed SP Lance Lynn for 1 year/$10 million with an option for $11 million for 2025, with a $1 million buyout. He’s a solid back of the rotation arm, but they need aces. The Los Angeles Dodgers won’t miss him.
The Philadelphia Phillies extended SP Aaron Nola for 7 years/$172 million in a solid deal.
The Milwaukee Brewers hired Pat Murphy as their manager. I expect a retooling season for them next season.
The Los Angeles Angels signed Ron Washington as their manager for two years. We’ll see how it goes. The Houston Astros promoted Joe Espada to be their manager. We’ll see how it goes.
The Seattle Mariners stupidly didn’t offer RF Teoscar Hernandez a QO. The Miami Marlins should’ve likely offered one to DH Jorge Soler as well.
Cleveland Guardians hired Stephen Vogt as their new manager. Meanwhile, the New York Mets hired Carlos Mendoza and the Chicago Cubs hired Craig Counsell from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Arizona Diamondbacks extended manager Torey Lovullo through 2026. We’ll see how these moves work out.
Peter Bendix has been hired as the new PBO of the Miami Marlins. He was the GM of the Tampa Bay Rays, so I really like this move for The Fish.
Los Angeles Dodgers extended 3B Max Muncy for 2 years/$24 million with a $10 million club option, in a great move for the team. He could’ve got more on the open market, and the option is very team-friendly.