Washington Nationals and 19 Most Ambitious Offseasons in MLB History
In a desperate attempt to stay relevant, the Washington Nationals shocked the baseball world and handed out a colossal seven-year $126 million contract to Jayson Werth.
Certainly they are not the first overly ambitious team to overspend on a free agent, and they won’t be the last; but it does raise some interesting points.
Often times if a big-market team, with high expectations, fails to make the playoffs, the only possible move seems to be a free agent spending spree. Other times, irrelevant teams will make major moves in an effort to silence angry fans.
Whatever the reason, there have been countless examples of determined GMs working their magic, and here we take the time to examine the 19 most ambitious offseasons.
19. 2002 Atlanta Braves
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During the Braves 14 year streak of consecutive playoff appearances, the team made many shrewd moves to ensure future success.
Perhaps the best examples are their major signings before the 2002 season. Atlanta was able to keep free agent pitcher John Smoltz, while adding Gary Sheffield’s potent bat to the line-up.
During his two years in Atlanta, Sheffield smashed 64 homers with 216 RB (including 132 in 2003)!
18. 2008 Seattle Mariners
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The 2008 Mariners hold one of baseball’s most inglorious records, becoming the first team to lose 100 games with a payroll of at least $100 million.
The team had made aggressive moves in the offseason; they just weren’t the shrewdest of moves. Seattle dealt a package of prospects including Adam Jones to Baltimore for supposed ace pitcher Erik Bedard.
They followed up that dreadful deal by signing Carlos Silva to a four-year deal worth $12 million a season. Silva had just pitched the second best season of his career, in which he posted a mundane 4.19 ERA, yet the desperate Mariners made sure to outbid their competition to ensure the services of this 250-pound righty.
Aggressive can be good, but being overaggressive can result in a devastating long-term fallout.
17. 1999 New York Yankees
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You’ll notice the Yankees make multiple appearances on this list, and the reasoning is simple; they’ve always been amongst the most aggressive players in the free agent market.
Following the 1998 season, the Yankees made sure to maintain all the players they had in place, including Scott Brosius, David Cone (who would pitch a no-no that year) and Bernie Williams. However, the big move for the Yankees was a trade that brought Roger Clemens to town.
After two phenomenal years in Toronto, New York acquired the Cy Young winning pitcher for a package including David Wells and young second baseman Homer Bush.
The Rocket played five years in the Bronx, winning the 2001 Cy Young and two world series rings (1999 and 2000).
16. 2011 Washington Nationals
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The Nats set a horrible precedent this season when they overextended themselves to sign outfielder Jayson Werth.
After winning only 69 games a season ago, the Nats felt they needed to make a splash in free agency. Adam Dunn had already signed with the White Sox and so Washington turned to the top available FA.
Along with Werth’s shocking seven years and $126 million contract, the Nats have allegedly been shopping Josh Willingham and Ian Desmond. The Nats have also been linked to the Royals Zack Greinke, but a report stated that Washington is unwilling to part with pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. Rumors have linked Washington to other pitchers including Carl Pavano and Tampa Bay's Matt Garza.
This team is still years away from competing, as Strasburg is out for the season and Bryce Harper is years away from the big leagues.
15. 2005 New York Yankees
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The Yankees always go big with their transactions; they just don’t always make the right moves.
In 2005, New York signed one-year wonder Carl Pavano for four years and $40 million, while giving the erratic Jaret Wright three years and $27 million. Neither one of those players ever stayed healthy nor delivered results.
The Yankees biggest move, however, was the trade of Javier Vazquez and prospects for Randy Johnson. The 42-year-old lefty was solid but far from his dominant former self. The 6’10 Johnson posted a 17-8 record with a 3.79 ERA—up over a full point from the year before.
14. 1997 Chicago White Sox
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Believe it or not, there was a time when Doug Drabek and Danny Darwin were prime free agents. In the off-season following the 1996 season, the White Sox added both of these pitchers, in addition to Albert Belle—arguably the best hitter in baseball at the time.
Although Belle opted out of his contract just two seasons later, this offseason made a huge splash.
13. 1999 Baltimore Orioles
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With Cal Ripken holding down the hot corner and inching closer and closer to retirement, Orioles management ambitiously looked to make one final World Series push.
The Orioles signed slugging outfielder Albert Belle to a (regrettable) five-year deal worth $65 million. They also added Will “the Thrill” Clark, Heathcliff Slocumb, B.J. Surhoff and dealt Armando Benitez to the Mets for Charles Johnson.
It was one of the most ambitious offseasons in MLB history, although the O’s only managed 78 wins on the season.
12. 2000 Cincinnati Reds
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The 2000 Cincinnati Reds made one of the more ambitious free agent signings when they netted Elmer Dessens. Oh, and they also added a future member of the 600 home run club.
The Kid joined the Reds in a trade that sent Mike Cameron and prospects for the smooth swinging lefty.
Griffey signed a nine-year and $112.5 million contract almost immediately after free agency started—in addition to Dante Bichette, who had batted .298 with 34 HR and 133 RBI the previous year.
While neither of these big acquisitions lived up to expectations, it’s a perfect example of ambitious spending.
11. 2004 Boston Red Sox
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It may not be the biggest haul in MLB history, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more impactful offseason.
Keith Foulke provided the Sox with a late game presence to close out games, while Schilling helped anchor a much-improved pitching staff.
The six-time all-star not only led by example but also was one of the team’s emotional leaders, as Boston broke their 86-year World Series drought.
10. 2001 Colorado Rockies
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Arguably the worst offseason of all-time occurred when the Rockies looked to address their porous pitching rotation in the winter of 2000.
Struggling to find pitchers who could produce in the thin, mile high air of Denver, the Rockies handed out an eight-year and $121 million contract to Mike Hampton—the best free agent pitcher on the market.
How did they top that off? By handing over an equally bad contract to Denny Neagle (five-years and $51 million). It just goes to show you, ambition does not always equal success in major league baseball.
9. 2008 Detroit Tigers
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One of the biggest problems with baseball is the inequity between the rich and the poor. This offseason provided a perfect example, as the small-market San Diego Padres lacked the funds to sign Adrian Gonzalez to a long-term extension and were forced to trade him away.
A similar situation existed in 2008, when the Florida Marlins worked out a deal with the Detroit Tigers.
Looking to dump salary, the fish dealt stud third baseman Miguel Cabrera and young lefty Dontrelle Willis (who at that time was still highly thought of). In return, the Marlins received two top prospects that failed to pan out (Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin).
8. 2006 NY Mets
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After a disappointing 2005 campaign, the Mets were determined to make the playoffs. Utilizing trades, the Mets added Paul Lo Duca, Mike Cameron and Carlos Delgado to help bolster the offense.
They also signed flame throwing lefty Billy Wagner to anchor the bullpen, while dumping the underachieving and overpaid Kris Benson for Jorge Julio and John Maine.
The team went on to record a 97-65 record, winning the NL East in the process.
7. 1997 Cleveland Indians
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The season may have ended in heartbreak, but it began with such hope. Following the 1996 season, the already stacked Indians aggressively looked to improve, dealing away centerfield mainstay Kenny Lofton to Atlanta for Marquis Grissom and David Justice.
In addition, the Indians signed Matt Williams to play third and five-time all-star Tony Fernandez to play second. Cleveland won 86 games to win the AL Central before making it all the way to the World Series, where Edgar Renteria’s game seven hit game the Marlins their first championship in franchise history.
6. 2004 New York Yankees
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A year after defeating the Red Sox in a gut wrenching ALCS, before being upset by the Florida Marlins, the Yankees were ready to make a significant addition. They did so in the form of two blockbuster trades.
New York dealt first baseman Nick Johnson to Montreal for Javier Vazquez and then dealt Alfonso Soriano for Alex Rodriguez.
Unfortunately for the so-called Evil Empire, they ended up blowing a three game lead over the Sox in the ALCS in one of the most exciting series in MLB history.
5. 2003 Florida Marlins
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Typically a low budget team that plays the roll of seller, the 2003 Marlins were big buyers and were able to translate nice offseason additions into their second World Series victory.
The Marlins traded away Preston Wilson and Charles Johnson for Mike Hampton and Juan Pierre.
Pierre flourished as a table setter and posted a career high 65 steals. Florida also added a nice hitter in Kevin Millar but the biggest surprise was the addition of Ivan Rodriguez.
Pudge was one of the top available free agents, so when the future hall of fame catcher signed a four-year, $40 million deal with Florida, he turned more than a few heads.
Interesting side note, that very season the Marlins dealt Adrian Gonzalez to Texas in exchange for Ugueth Urbina who anchored the Fins bullpen.
4. 2007 Chicago Cubs
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With the weight of a century long championship drought on their shoulders, the Cubs were prepared to completely re-tool. They signed a new manager in Lou Pinella before doling out a handful of lucrative deals.
Alfonso Soriano earned a massive eight-year, $136 million, contract on the strength of a 40/40 season with the Nationals.
The Cubs didn’t stop there, adding Ted Lilly to a four-year deal worth $40 million and Jason Marquis for three years and $21 million.
Perhaps, the most ironic part about this offseason is that the best player they acquired was quickly dispensed. Chicago selected Josh Hamilton in the rule five draft but immediately sold Hamilton to the Reds,
3. 2011 Boston Red Sox
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It barely qualifies as history, but this offseasons moves by the Red Sox rank amongst the most ambitious of all-time.
After a season plagued with injures that resulted in a third place finish, the Red Sox traded away three of their top ten prospects for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
A middle of the order lefty with opposite field power would have been enough, but GM Theo Epstein went the extra mile by inking Carl Crawford—the best available position player.
The Sox made significant investments in two all-star performers under the age of 30. It’s not just a significant pick-up, it’s money well spent.
2. 2009 New York Yankees
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After failing to make the playoffs the season before, it was obvious that Brian Cashman was going to dig deep into the Steinbrenner’s pockets and make a splash in free agency. What they created was a monsoon.
The Yankees doled out nearly half a billion dollars worth of salary to Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, three of the biggest free agents on the market.
Sabathia’s 7-year pact worth $161 million is the largest ever doled out to a pitcher, while Teixeira’s $180 million, 8-year deal has the fifth highest net worth in MLB history.
1. 1920 New York Yankees
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As a Bostonian, this one still stings a little.
We all know the back story here; after the 1919 season, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 to finance the Broadway play No, No, Nanette. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Sultan of Swat became the all-time home run leader and fueled the rivalry between Boston and New York for the ensuing century.
