5 MLB Teams That Have Had the Most Worrisome Offseasons so Far
It’s midway through December, and this has already been one of the most active Major League Baseball offseasons in recent memory. Plenty of teams have been dealing aggressively, making smart acquisitions or signing key free agents to counter the moves made by their divisional rivals.
While teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs have stolen the show so far this hot stove season, some clubs have been disappointingly inactive. Others have just made some puzzling moves.
These teams include the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies. It’s time these ballclubs show their respective fanbases that they have clear plans in place.
In the case of the Padres, reversing the course from last offseason may be the right move, but trading away significant pieces and a large chunk of the bullpen is worrisome.
Other teams have been slow to sign big names while the free-agent market chugs onward. As we saw in the case of the Zack Greinke deal closely following Jordan Zimmermann’s signing, once one domino falls, others topple soon after.
A number of general managers have yet to address certain glaring needs. Let’s look at why 2016 may turn out to be a long, frustrating year for various MLB teams.
Baltimore Orioles
1 of 5The Baltimore Orioles have had a curious 2015-16 offseason so far. For a large chunk of December, the club’s plans appeared to revolve almost entirely around the possible re-signing of free-agent first baseman Chris Davis.
Now, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has pulled any seven-year, $150 million offer off the table while he pursues other options.
While going public with this information may be some sort of negotiating ploy, as Steve Davis of CBS Baltimore wrote, the fact that the Orioles have waited so long on Davis is itself worrisome.
Yes, focusing on re-signing Davis is important. But the front office shouldn’t let one aspect of its offseason plan dictate everything else.
Before they could move on other key free agents, the Orioles had to wait for Davis and his agent, Scott Boras, to mull their offer. This held things up in turn, as they were not able to offer a sizable contract to a second-tier starting pitcher—something they desperately need—because the asking price to retain Davis’ services was so high.
In that time, they may have missed out on other key free agents.
And yet Baltimore still may be dancing with Davis as we get into the second half of December. With Wei-Yin Chen departing via free agency, Duquette needs to show a committed change in course for this offseason, one that is focused around starting pitching.
Also, as MASN reporter Roch Kubatko mentioned in the MLB.com video above, the Orioles are in need of more left-handed bats with or without a possible Davis re-signing. Inking lefty Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim is a good start, as MLB.com’s Cash Kruth reported on Wednesday. However, Baltimore needs more balance on top of just Kim and the switch-hitting Matt Wieters.
Cleveland Indians
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Although the Cleveland Indians finally made a splash in the free-agent market by signing both Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli on Wednesday, according to Spencer Fordin and Cash Kruth of MLB.com, the ballclub still has been too inactive.
Originally picked by Sports Illustrated to win the 2015 World Series, the Indians ultimately failed to make the postseason last year and won 81 games. They haven't been in the postseason since 2013, when they lost 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Wild Card Game.
Now, the Indians may need something drastic to happen in order to correct a downward trend that has had them in the middle of the pack in the AL Central the last couple of years.
Trading a guy like Carlos Carrasco could represent a quick fix and a prime reward, but the Indians’ front office has been holding back, and that is worrisome.
With a depth of starting pitching that would make any team jealous, the time is now to move a star like Carrasco for multiple pieces. If general manager Mike Chernoff does not get more active while a ton of teams are looking for cost-effective pitching options, the Indians’ short-term future may be in trouble.
Colorado Rockies
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Another team that has not done much so far this offseason is the Colorado Rockies. Look, everyone knows this team needs pitching. In fact, second-year GM Jeff Bridich told reporters in November that he would be willing to trade up big for starting pitching help, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.
But since that November 11 press conference, not much has happened in the Rockies’ hot stove.
It’s safe to assume many teams are interested in the talents of All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. And while Bridich may be taking his time to assess all options for a possible trade, which is the smart thing to do, fans can also certainly call for some free-agent additions.
There are still plenty of affordable second- and third-tier free-agent pitchers available on the market.
Questions remain in the bullpen as well, where the depth chart lists Adam Ottavino as the regular closer. In five years of MLB service time, Ottavino has four career saves.
Another quick glance at the depth chart, and it’s plain to see this team needs some more veteran pieces, especially given the fact that Justin Morneau is departing as a free agent. While Bridich has said all the right things so far, it is now time to back it up with some positive moves.
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San Diego Padres
4 of 5The timeline for young GM A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres has certainly been an interesting one. After being the talk of the league last offseason and making a series of blockbuster trades to improve its offense, the team failed to play up to raised expectations in 2015.
Now, in what brings to mind the Miami Marlins’ sale of the 2012-13 offseason following their disappointing 2012 season, it appears Preller has done a 180 and is quickly trading away veterans for prospects.
It is only Preller’s second year on the job, and as Tom Verducci said on MLB Now in November, it’s anyone’s guess as to what the Padres’ plan is.
For starters, trading both your setup man (Joaquin Benoit) and closer (Craig Kimbrel) is a bit of a head-scratcher. Sure, the Padres got a great package back for both players, including standout prospect Javier Guerra, but whom will they count on in late-inning pressure situations next year?
As of right now, the San Diego bullpen looks extremely young.
It’s also worrisome that the club will rely on Wil Myers as its primary first baseman in 2016 following the trade of Yonder Alonso to the Oakland Athletics, according to FanSided's Daryll Dorman. While Myers said he enjoys playing first base, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock, he has only started 19 games at first in his entire major league career.
Toronto Blue Jays
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It goes without saying that losing staff ace David Price to the rival (and revamped) Boston Red Sox was a big early blow for the Toronto Blue Jays. However, in the wake of that signing, the Blue Jays have done well to ink both Marco Estrada and J.A. Happ, as Richard Justice of MLB.com wrote.
While the various additions it has made combine for some solid depth, Toronto is still lacking a true, reliable No. 1 starter with experience. On top of that, the back end of the rotation appears to be a weakness on paper, as Drew Hutchison, Jesse Chavez and R.A. Dickey each had an ERA above 3.90 last season.
Simply put, the Blue Jays rotation is good, not great.
Another troublesome fact surrounding Toronto’s offseason so far is that the front office has yet to replace the veteran bullpen arms the Blue Jays lost to free agency. Both Mark Lowe and Ryan Madson are gone. Granted, teams typically sign veteran relievers late in the winter, but it would still be nice to see some movement in this area.
Since there is still plenty of time left in the hot stove season, it will be interesting to see how the new-look Toronto front office proceeds as we get closer to the new year.
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