MLB: Every AL Team's Best Move This Offseason

There's nothing like the excitement of Major League Baseball, from spring to fall. Although the winter has us all missing our national pastime, the offseason seems to provide plenty of action. Almost every MLB team has already made some sort of roster change for the upcoming season, and there will be many more headlines to be made before the winter ends. As the first two months of the offseason concludes, we look back at some of the big stories that came off the American League's Hot Stove. Take a look at every AL team's best offseason move so far.

Baltimore Orioles: Acquiring Taylor Teagarden

It has been a disappointing offseason for the Baltimore Orioles and their new GM Dan Duquette. So far, very little has been done to address the many on-field issues the club has. Besides signing Japanese pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, the Orioles haven't done anything to add to their poor starting rotation. However, the team did pick up 28 year-old catcher Taylor Teagarden in a trade with Texas. The trade was a bargain for the Orioles, as they only gave away a single-A pitcher and a player to be named later. Teagarden hasn't had much MLB playing time yet in his career, but scouts see a bright future in him. Teagarden isn't great with the bat, but his solid catching skills will boost the Orioles defense down the road. Also, the deal takes a lot of stress off the team's backstop issues. 

Boston Red Sox: Trading for Andrew Bailey

The Boston Red Sox were having an absolutely miserable offseason until they acquired A's closer Andrew Bailey in a trade. Although Boston was having an active offseason, they weren't having a successful one. The main goal for the Red Sox this winter should be to improve their pitching, rather than add to their terrific offense. After losing closer Jonathan Papelbon to Philadelphia, the Sox were looking to mend the back end of their bullpen. They got a great deal for a top-notch closer when they picked up Bailey in a trade with Oakland. Boston dealt outfielder Josh Reddick along with two more mediocre prospects and virtually replaced Reddick acquiring Ryan Sweeney in the deal. The deal was pretty much a gift for Boston, and Bailey's star talent will definitely bolster the Red Sox's 'pen in future years.

New York Yankees: CC Sabathia's Contract Extension

The Yankees offseason has frankly been a big failure this year. With huge spending money, the Yankees are still unable to get the starting pitching they need to win a championship. Since their offseason started back in October, they haven't acquired one starting pitcher. Rumors suggest that the Yankees are just starting their search for pitching, but time is slowly running out. The Yanks and Brian Cashman did hit a home run with one smart move, though. Earlier this fall, the Yankees agreed with contract extension with ace CC Sabathia through 2016. Considering how CC has carried the team since his arrival in New York, the move was clearly a no-brainer. The Yankees still have work to do before the spring, but Sabathia's extension was a step in the right direction.

Tampa Bay Rays: Extending Matt Moore's Contract

For all small-market teams, locking up young stars long-term is vital for the franchise's success. The Tampa Bay Rays are a perfect example of a team that has had a great history with contract extensions. With southpaw Matt Moore's phenom talent very apparent last year, the Rays made the smart move of giving the rookie an extension of at least five years. The Rays have a great future rotation, all the front office has to do is make sure they'll be pitching in Tampa Bay.

Toronto Blue Jays: Signing Relievers Darren Oliver and Aaron Laffey

The best word to describe the Blue Jays' offseason so far is frustrating. In the last month, Toronto has been involved in a lot of rumors and just couldn't pull off a deal in the end. They just fell short on the Yu Darvish bidding and have been in the mix of many other deals that never happened for them. The bullpen and the starting pitching is something they wanted to address coming into the offseason. They took a step forward after recently signing free agent reliever Darren Oliver and Aaron Laffey. Both are not really premier relievers, but they can boost a bullpen that was awful last season.

Chicago White Sox: Extending John Danks' Contract

White Sox fans can not be happy with their team's offseason. Chicago is currently in somewhat of rebuilding process, which results in losing star players. Not only have they not picked up any players to boost the team, they have also lost fan favorite Mark Buehrle and All Star Carlos Quentin. One player the White Sox do want to hang on to is starting pitcher John Danks. Danks, who has been a big part of Chicago's rotation in recent years, ended trade rumors after signing a long-term deal with the White Sox. Despite having the worst year of his career since his rookie season, Danks was given a five-year extension. It may not have been the best move for GM Ken Williams, but there wasn't any better ones this offseason.

Cleveland Indians: Re-Signing Grady Sizemore

The Cleveland Indians and GM Chris Antonetti continue to steer their franchise in the right direction. The Indians made the bold move of re-signing star Grady Sizemore earlier this offseason, after question of where he would end up. The deal was a smart one, as Sizemore is starting to overcome his injury problems. If Sizemore can stay healthy in 2012, his phenom potential could shine in a breakout season. Outfielder Felix Pie and starter Derek Lowe are two other pick-ups that should add to a club that's already improving. With the intelligent deals being made in the Indians' front office, it's clear who will be Cleveland's next successful sports team.

Detroit Tigers: Signing Octavio Dotel

The Detroit Tigers are going to have pretty much the same roster they did last year, so chances are they'll have another good season in 2012. Although Detroit had the best closer in baseball last year, the bullpen was actually a weakness of the team. The Tigers made a smart move by signing 38 year-old veteran Octavio Dotel to add to their bullpen. Dotel has been one of baseball's better relief pitchers in his years, and he could be a key piece the Detroit 'pen next year. With Joel Zumaya likely leaving the team and Al Alburquerque having major surgery on his elbow, the bullpen will need as much help as it can get next season.

Kansas City Royals: Acquiring Jonathan Sanchez

The Kansas City Royals are really emphasizing their focus on pitching this season, something that has haunted them in the last decade. This offseason, they've already re-signed starter Bruce Chen, signed closer Jonathan Broxton, and traded for starter Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez, acquired in November for star outfielder Melky Cabrera, has gradually emerged as a solid starting pitcher during his years in San Francisco. It will be interesting to see how the young pitcher fares in the American League.

Minnesota Twins: Signing Josh Willingham

Like their regular season, the Minnesota Twins' offseason is an absolute nightmare. January has just begun, and the Twins have already lost Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and their closer Joe Nathan. The Twins did sign Oakland slugger Josh Willingham, though. Willingham's probably not going to provide the batting average and defense that Kubel and Cuddyer had, but his power will likely produce a lot of runs. Willingham smacked 29 homers last year and knocked in 98 runs. I think the DH spot will suit him well Minnesota. 

L.A. Angels: Signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson to Huge Deals

The Angels definitely made the biggest headline this offseason. L.A. shocked the world when they came out of nowhere and signed superstar Albert Pujols to a mega 10-year contract worth $254 million. Later that same day, they swooped in and signed Texas' ace C.J. Wilson to a massive five-year contract. The Angels are simply having a dream offseason, and are setting themselves up for more years of success.

Oakland A's: Acquiring Derek Norris and Brad Peacock

I don't know if there's a word to describe how horrendous Oakland's offseason is. Entering the offseason, it was obvious that they were going to trade pitching in exchange for hitting. What they've done so far is trade pitching in exchange for virtually nothing. They just fail to get their end of the deal. They've traded away pitchers Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, and Andrew Bailey. They haven't just lost pitching, but they've also lost hitting. They've already lost Josh Willingham and David DeJesus, and are not far from losing Hideki Matsui and Coco Crisp. That's pretty much their whole offense right there. I don't know what kind of rebuilding process this is, but it's not going to work. Probably the best players they picked up in all this mess is prospects Derek Norris and Brad Peacock, who were both acquired in the Gio Gonzalez trade. Derek Norris is one of the top catching prospects, and pitcher Brad Peacock seems to have a good big league future as well.

Seattle Mariners: Acquiring John Jaso

Unless the Seattle Mariners are saving up for Prince Fielder, I have no clue what they are doing. This is the team with the worst offense in baseball for two straight years, and they've picked up pretty much all pitching this offseason. The only offensive player the Mariners acquired the whole offseason is John Jaso from Tampa Bay, who they got in a trade for reliever Josh Lueke. Jaso shouldn't be anybody to get too excited about, as he hit .224 and played awful defense last year.

Texas Rangers: Winning Yu Darvish

It's been a somewhat upsetting offseason for the Texas Rangers, mainly because of losing ace C.J. Wilson. Although the Rangers probably paid far too much for Darvish, it's the best move they've done so far. The only other player Texas has reeled in this offseason is closer Joe Nathan. Darvish may not be the same as C.J. Wilson, but he could be a key piece to the Rangers with him now gone.

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