2021 MLB Offseason Recap and Predictions

After a COVID shortened 60 game season, an expanded playoff bracket, and a whole bunch of drama, the Los Angeles Dodgers walked out of Arlington, Texas, with their first championship since 1988, beating the Tampa Bay Rays in 6 games.  Most people began paying attention to football or basketball respectfully, but not me.  Just because the games stop doesn’t mean I don’t stop obsessing over baseball.  Now that spring training has began and with Opening Day around the corner, I review one the the wildest offseasons in MLB history.

Let’s start with the team that easily won the offseason, the San Diego Padres.  After an incredible 2020 season, they Friars only got better.  The made trades for Cy Young contender Yu Darvish from the Cubs, playoff hero Blake Snell from the Rays, and a depth piece in Joe Musgrove from the Pirates to bolster out their starting rotation.  Not to mention extending the 22 year-old superstar shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr, for 14 years, $340 million, the longest deal in major league history.  With Tatis and Manny Machado locked up long term, the left side of the infield is going to be VERY good in San Diego for a long time.

Of course, I cannot write a baseball story without mentioning my New York Mets.  As you all well know, Steve Cohen purchased the Mets for $2.4 Billion dollars in late October of 2020, and immediately began cleaning house.  The biggest move by far, bringing in superstar Francisco Lindor and an underrated pitcher in Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians.  They signed catcher James McCann, infielder Jonathan Villar, outfielders Kevin Pillar and Alberto Almora Jr, pitchers Taijuan Walker, Trevor May, and Aaron Loup.  They traded for pitchers Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto, and involved themselves in two 3 team trades to acquire minor league prospects.  New York resigned pitcher Marcus Stroman, days after Stro watched Steve Cohen’s introductory press conference. The Mets have made it a priority to extend Lindor, right-fielder Michael Conforto, and pitcher Noah Syndergaard, and those extension talks should hopefully start in the coming weeks.  The culture has changed in New York.  As the saying goes when it comes to the Mets, “Ya Gotta Believe”.

Maybe outside of the Lindor trade, the biggest trade of the offseason went to the St. Louis Cardinals, acquiring the best 3rd baseman in the sport, Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies.  Arenado, who just signed an extension with the Rockies, will be playing in St. Louis until 2027 unless he opts out after this season.  The Cardinals may have just found their missing piece to win the (very bad) NL Central.  To add insult to injury for Rockies fans, they also sent $50 million to the Cardinals.  Rockies fans deserve better.

Speaking of fire sales, the Boston Red Sox.  Andrew Benintendi was traded to the Kansas City Royals for prospects.  Not even 2 years removed from their 2018 Worlds Series, their all star outfield of Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, and Jackie Bradley Jr, have all left Boston.  Josh Sims, a Red Sox fan, said “It actually sucks so much, ownership is cheap and they didn’t want to shell out the money to keep our stars.”

The big three free agents this year were 2020 “Mickey Mouse” NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, 2017 World Series MVP* George Springer, and the best catcher in baseball, J.T Realmuto.  In the most simple way I can phrase it, they got PAID.  Bauer singed a 3 year, $102 million deal with the defending world champion Dodgers, easily giving LA the best rotation in the sport.  Clayton Whetsine, a dodgers fan, said, “We are going to be so good for a long time.”  Springer signed a 6 year, $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Toronto also signed shortstop Marcus Siemen to help bolster a young lineup.  Realmuto will be staying in the city of brotherly love, signing a 5 year, $115.5 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.  Here’s a fun fact, the Mets finished second for all three of this years big name free agents, hopefully a sign of a brighter future in Queens.

The Chicago White Sox, much like the Mets, have always been the little brother team in their city.  That was then, this is now, and the White Sox have one of the most exciting young teams in the league.  First, Hall of fame manager Tony La Russa has come in to teach these young Sox.  Pitcher Lance Lynn gives the Sox a top 5 rotation, with 3 of the top 7 2020 AL Cy Young finalists in their rotation.  Finally, they got Liam Hendricks, the best relief pitcher in baseball.  The South Side is about to take over Chicago, and maybe even the American League.

Many of the Mets rivals made some notable moves as well.  The New York Yankees brought back star second baseman DJ LeMahieu, and signed pitchers Corey Kluber, Jameson Tallion and Darren O’Day.  The Atlanta Braves brought back there star 4 spot hitter, Marcell Ozuna.  They signed playoff veteran Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly to solidly their young rotation.  Finally, the Washington Nationals singed Veteran pitcher Jon Lester, closer Brad Hand, and power bats in Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber.  The NL East was basically a nuclear arms race this offseason.

This season is going to be a lot of fun, specifically the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West as well as the stacked NL East.  I am so excited to see how this year plays out.  Hopefully, there will be fans in every stadium soon, especially with the Texas Rangers opening up the season at full capacity.

Predictions: 

AL East: New York, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Boston, Baltimore.

Al Central: Chicago, Minnesota, Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit.

AL West: Houston, Oakland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas.

NL East: Atlanta, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Miami.

NL Central: St Louis, Milwaukie, Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh.

NL West: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona, Colorado.

Play Ball!