Plenty Moves Post MLB Lockout:

3 Who Leveled Up

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

03/23/2022

With the MLB and MLBPA coming to deal for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on March 10th, Major League Baseball quickly transitioned back into regular offseason activities. Now with spring training starting just three days following the end of the lockout and 300 free agents still without a team, franchises and players were in a scramble to make moves. The Unheralded Sports View discusses three teams who made significant acquisitions to their clubs that improve them ahead of the fast-approaching start of the season.

The Minnesota Twins

Following a 73-89 record in 2021 which put them last in the AL Central, Minnesota successfully reshaped its roster and added several All-Star talents during this offseason frenzy. The Twins via trade acquired shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and pitcher Ronny Henriquez for catcher Mitch Garver. They then flipped Kiner-Falefa along with catcher Ben Rortvedt, and Josh Donaldson to the Yankees for catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshella. They also acquired starting pitcher Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds for pitchers Chase Petty and Francis Peguero. They finalized their huge offseason by signing top free agent shortstop Carlos Correa to a 3-year $105 million dollar deal. With these moves the Twins upgraded their defense by adding two plus defenders in Correa and Urshella, hoping to improve their 28th ranked fielding percentage from last season. They also add to an offense that scored the 14th most runs and ranked 5th in home runs. Plus, with the addition of Sonny Gray to their pitching staff they hope he can help lower their team ERA that ranked 26th in the MLB last season at 4.83. Adding former All-Star’s like Gray, Correa, and Sanchez provide the Twins with the star power that will not only draw more fan interest but help make them a playoff darkhorse this coming season.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies who have not made the playoffs since 2011, went into this offseason looking to find the pieces that can help end this postseason drought. With this latest group of offseason signings, they made – blowing past the luxury tax threshold in the process – they hope this group of players are the missing pieces. The Phillies first looked to upgrade their bullpen which was sixth worst in baseball last season with a 4.60 ERA. They signed veteran relievers Jeurys Familia and Brand Hand to one-year deals, while also signing left-hander Jose Alvarado to avoid arbitration. The Phillies hope by taking a flyer on some power arms coming off down years they can bounce back to form and upgrade their struggling pen. Following these moves they then went on to further add to an offense that scored 734 runs (13th in MLB in 2021) last season. They signed sluggers Kyle Schwarber (4-years, $79 million) and Nick Castellanos (5-years, $100 million) to add to a lineup spearheaded by 2021 NL MVP Bryce Harper and All-Star catcher J.T. Relamuto. Schwarber and Castellanos add two more big bats to the middle of their lineup that will help elevate them offensively to a Top 10 if not better MLB offense. Whether theses moves are the ones that finally put the Phillies over the top remains to be seen, but Philadelphia continues to have no issue spending to reach postseason success.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays with the moves they made this offseason showed to be all in on not just making the playoff but becoming an American League powerhouse. The Blue Jays already sport a young core that features players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Alek Manoah. Now through these major additions to their roster they have firmly put themselves in the mix to be a World Series title threat. The Blue Jays were clearly on a mission to further upgrade their starting pitching to compete with the top teams in the AL. They succeeded by first signing Jose Berrios – who they acquired from the Twins via trade last season – to a 7-year extension. Then followed this up by signing starters Kevin Gausman (5-year, $110 million) and Yusei Kikuchi (3-year, $36 million) to multi year deals. In Gausman the Blue Jays add a pitcher who finished with a 2.81 ERA which ranked 6th in the MLB last season. Plus. retaining Berrios is key with him posting a 3.52 ERA last season and adding a solid lefty in Kikuchi balances out their rotation. Toronto then made a huge trade to add to their talented position player contingent by acquiring Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman. They traded right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund, third baseman Kevin Smith, and left-handed pitchers Zach Logue and Kirby Snead to acquire him. By adding him the Blue Jays add an elite defender to their infield at a premium position, being a 2x Platinum Glove and 3x Gold Glove winner. The Blue Jays now can comfortably move Guerrero Jr. to first base and have a Stallworth at the other hot corner in his prime. Plus, the offensive upside he adds make him another key cog in an offense that scored the 3rd most runs in the sport last year. Toronto improved a weakness and added to a strength with their offseason moves and are ready to make major noise in the MLB this season.

These three clubs were certainly among the most active teams, all with aspirations to return to postseason play. Each of these teams addressed their weaknesses, while adding to their strengths. Now we will have to see how these acquisitions gel on their new clubs and if this offseason is the one that puts these teams into legit title contention.