Three MLB Teams That Had Great Offseasons

Somewhere within an ailing economy, court proceedings, and steroids lies Major League Baseball's offseason. With spring training beginning and the number of free agents without work dwindling, baseball's turbulent winter is finally coming to a close.

Even with a name as appealing as Manny Ramirez still on the market and moves still to be made, most General Managers are closing the proverbial door on the offseason and looking toward 2009.

With the Super Bowl hangover now well over and March Madness right around the corner, let us take a look back at the teams that struck gold this offseason.

New York Yankees

The Yankees had the best offseason in baseball, hands down. Let's face it, anytime you go out and sign the three best free agents available, you're improving.

However, not only did the Yankees sign the best three free agents in baseball, they also addressed needs. In years past, the Yankees would throw money at the sexy names in the free agent market, regardless of necessity. Guys like Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and even Alex Rodriguez come to mind.

This year, however, the Yankees did not just ink the big name contracts; they also addressed needs. More specifically, pitching.

While posing one of the most lethal lineups in the majors last year, one that would torment even the game's best pitchers, the Yankees failed to make the playoffs.

GM Brian Cashman made his intentions public and specific—he was going after pitching.

In come CC Sabathia, a guy who singlehandedly took the Milwaukee Brewers to the postseason, and A.J. Burnett, a strikeout pitcher with some of the best stuff in the bigs. Problem solved.

Cashman didn't stop there. After solidifying his rotation, the GM went out and signed Mark Teixeira to a long-term deal. With the departure of Jason Giambi, the Yankees had a vacancy at first base.

Cashman could have relied on someone within the organization to take over at first, but in typical Yankee fashion, he signed the best free agent first basemen available.

The Yankees also re-signed Andy Pettitte to a one-year deal to anchor the fifth spot in the rotation.

Job well done, Mr. Cashman. Even though you stuck to the "money buys everything" approach to managing, at least you finally addressed your needs.

New York Mets

Much like the Yankees, the New York Mets had one glaring weakness entering the offseason—the bullpen. In each of the last two seasons the Mets have lost the division in the final week of the season.

In both years, the bullpen was the prime culprit of the meltdown in September. Add to that the fact that Billy Wagner may miss all of the '09 season due to injury, and it was no secret that the Mets needed bullpen help going into the offseason.

GM Omar Minaya wasted little time addressing his most pressing needs. He signed Francisco Rodriguez, who just broke the record for saves in a single season, to a three-year deal.

Minaya didn't stop there. The GM also traded for J.J. Putz, a closer from Seattle, as insurance in the event of injury. Putz will enter the season as the setup man for K-Rod.

Once the bullpen was in place, Minaya shifted his focus to the starting rotation. First, he re-signed left-hander Oliver Perez. After dabbling with the idea of making a run at a Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets, the Mets decided to stick with what they have in Perez.

Another vastly underrated move by Minaya was the signing of Tim Redding, a starting pitcher from the Washington Nationals. Last year, Redding started 33 games for the Nationals and posted a 10-11 record. Not bad for a guy pitching in Washington.

Redding could very well prove to be the best fifth starter in baseball.

Congratulations, New York. After dealing with the Plaxico Burress scandal and watching Brett Favre throw pick after pick, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. Baseball is here.

Boston Red Sox

Although the Boston Red Sox did not get the publicity and media attention that the New York teams received, they still had a very effective offseason.

I know what you're thinking, and no, I do not hold an East Coast bias toward baseball. Facts are facts, and the fact is that the Red Sox have positioned themselves for another World Series run.

General manager Theo Epstein did not enter the offseason with a glaring weakness, such as the Yankees and Mets. Instead, Epstein had the privilege of spending money where he deemed necessary.

After re-signing Jason Varitek to a two-year deal, the Red Sox attempted to bring Mark Teixeira to Boston. Kevin Youkilis could move to third, and Mike Lowell could be used in a trade. It seemed perfect.

However, the Yankees won the bidding war for Teixeira, and it was on to plan B for the Red Sox.

As was the trend this offseason, Epstein turned his attention to pitching. The Red Sox have a solid one-two-three, but the back of the rotation needed some work.

The Red Sox signed John Smoltz and Brad Penny, two guys coming back from injuries who have shown the ability to dominate games. If Smoltz and Penny even resemble their old forms, then the Red Sox will once again be the favorite in the AL East.

Only two years removed from their last World Series championship, the Boston Red Sox are poised for another deep run into October.