MLB 2023 Offseason:

Best Under the Radar Signings

01/12/2023

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

The MLB offseason is in full bloom, with player acquisitions being announced by teams seemingly each and every day. What ‘The Unheralded Sports View’ wants to focus on some of the lower-profile moves teams have made. Analyzing some of the unheralded players that franchises acquired so far this offseason that could play key roles. Let's look at five player acquisitions that may get overlooked but will be key additions to their new ballclubs.

James McCann – Young O's Vet Backstop

James McCann was acquired via trade by the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later. This move fills the vacant backup catcher spot for an Orioles team that will be led by 2nd year-stud catcher Adley Rutschman. McCann, 32 years old, will bring welcomed experience to a young Orioles club that exceeded expectations with an 83-win season in 2022. A 2019 All-Star, McCann has been durable most of his career (played 105 or more games six of nine seasons) providing a reliable option for Baltimore to not overwork Rutschman. Plus, his .243 career batting average, 78 career home runs, and 316 RBIs are nothing to sneeze at in terms of offensive production. He especially has the motivation to have a bounceback year following a .195-hitting, injury-filled campaign. His excitement to work with Baltimore's young players should make Orioles fans happy to have him as well.

Tyler Anderson – Halos New Lefty

2022 All-Star lefty Tyler Anderson will not have to move far to play for his new team. He now becomes the latest free agent pitching signing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. After signing a three-year $39 million deal, Anderson will look to build off his stellar 2022 and add to an Angels rotation that was 9th in the majors in ERA last season. With a career record of 44-43 and a 4.16 ERA in 802.1 innings pitched he has had a solid career, especially for a pitcher who spent a chunk of his career in Colorado. Now he joins a rotation that includes two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, the promising Patrick Sandoval, and no-hitter throwing Reid Detmers. As of now, the Angels may be building a rotation that can help them finally compete for a postseason spot.

Josh Bell – Services Needed By Guardians

It seems the Guardians 'rung the bell' to help to improve their offense which was able to operate at a league-average level but was lacking power. The Guardians signed First Baseman/DH Josh Bell to a two-year $33 million deal with an opt-out after 2023. This move adds the former 2019 All-Star and 2022 Silver Slugger to a lineup that was in desperate need of a power bat to complement superstar third baseman Jose Ramirez. After hitting .266 with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs between Washington and San Diego last year his presence now lengthens Cleveland's young, promising lineup. Add in the fact this takes the pressure off a player like Josh Naylor at first base is crucial to maintaining his health down the stretch of the season. For a Cleveland team that made it to game 5 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Bell adds a key fixture that they hope gives them some of the thump they were missing last season. Plus, his charity work he has done with his previous teams will be much appreciated as well once he gets settled.

Zach Eflin – Rays Latest Reclamation

In classic Rays fashion their biggest offseason move to this point is for a very low-profile name with some intriguing upside. Tampa Bay signed Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin to a three-year $40 million deal. An interesting commitment to a player with a career 4.49 ERA working mostly as a starter. But as we should all be accustomed to by now, the way the Rays develop players, breathes belief into this move. Eflin has been solid for two of the last three seasons as a starter but has not started 20 + games since 2019. With his mix of a strong two-seam fastball and slider, he has showcased the great ability to induce groundballs. Though knowing Tampa Bay, they will work to help him cultivate his repertoire and generate more swings and misses. Whether they use him as a starter or reliever he has untapped potential still to be unlocked and if any organization can accomplish this it is the Tampa Bay Rays.

Brandon Drury – Angels 3rd Base Depth

The Angels made it a priority to get more depth on the infield and specifically at third base this offseason. Thus, they chose to sign Brandon Drury to a two-year $17 million deal adding a new bat to their infield. With the injury issues of big free agent addition Anthony Rendon since he arrived in LA in 2020 Drury will provide needed insurance with an impactful bat. Drury is coming off his best season as a pro hitting .263 with 28 home runs, 87 RBIs, and a 122 OPS+. These numbers won him a 2022 Silver Slugger award and should provide optimism that there will be an increase in production at the position. Plus, his positional flexibility to play second base, first base, along with third base is valuable. Now he has bounced around to six prior teams and consistency from year to year is a question but getting him coming into the season with confidence off last season is huge. Overall, this move is a smart one by the Halos and once again displays their want to truly compete in 2023.