The 2020-2021 MLB Offseason had it all; shocking trades, big free agent signings, and much more. Even the Red Sox and the Yankees made a trade, that’s how shocking it was. Yes, that actually happened.
So, with pitchers and catchers starting to report to spring training and the 2021 MLB season set to begin in the coming weeks, let’s take a look back at this offseason and see which teams won and which teams lost the offseason.
Winner: San Diego Padres
You can make the argument for who was overall the biggest winner of this MLB Offseason with numerous teams, but I’ll say that the biggest winner was the San Diego Padres. The Padres were already a team that was ready to contend now, and they went out and added a few pieces that could potentially put them over the top. The Padres went out and acquired former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in a trade with the Rays, as well as trading for Cubs starter Yu Darvish and Pirates starter Joe Musgrove. The Padres also improved their lineup by acquiring catcher Victor Caratini in the Darvish trade, resigning Jurickson Profar, and signing free-agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim from the KBO. San Diego now has one of the best rotations in baseball and looks fully ready to contend for a World Series.
Loser: Chicago Cubs
Yes, the Cubs will still be competitive in 2021 in the NL Central, but what was a window to win now is quickly turning into a rebuild. The Cubs traded away ace Yu Darvish to the Padres, lost veteran starter Jon Lester to the Nationals, and cut ties with outfielder Kyle Schwarber. It also appears that Kris Bryant and Wilson Contreras’ time left in Chicago could be numbered based on recent moves from the Cubs front office. The Cubs will be good in 2021, but this team could look a lot different this time next year.
Winner: New York Mets
With new owner Steve Cohen declaring that the Mets would spend this offseason, you started to see more and more interest in players signing with the Mets and that the Mets were connected to every big-time free agent. Obviously, the Mets are a massive winner due to acquiring superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor from the Indians. Lindor, a career .285 hitter, is undoubtedly one of the top shortstops in all of baseball, and only adding Lindor would’ve been enough, but the Mets didn’t stop there. New York also acquired starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the Lindor trade, starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi in a trade, while also signing catcher James McCann, reliever Trevor May, and versatile infielder Jonathan Villar in free agency. The Mets offseason started when Marcus Stroman accepted the team’s qualifying offer, and these moves make the New York Mets a legit threat in the NL East. Also, if New York can sign Lindor to a long-term extension, this offseason becomes 100% better.
Loser: Boston Red Sox
After trading one of the best players in baseball last offseason in Mookie Betts, it was pretty clear that the Red Sox were inevitably headed for a rebuild. The Red Sox seemed to accelerate that idea as they recently traded young outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the Royals out of no-where. The Red Sox did bring in a few players this offseason, however, such as Kike Hernandez, Adam Ottavino, and Garrett Richards, but if I had to guess, none even last the full season with Boston.
Winner: Washington Nationals
A team that not many are talking about this offseason, the Nationals quietly made numerous moves to improve their team. The World Series winners from two years ago added veteran lefty Jon Lester to their already dominant rotation, as well as adding veteran closer Brad Hand to a bullpen that struggled closing games last season. Adding first baseman Josh Bell in a trade with the Pirates and outfielder Kyle Schwarber to an already potent lineup also helps as well. This team won the World Series two years ago, and these moves make the Nationals that much more capable of doing it again.
Loser: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates were the worst team in baseball a year ago, and they only got worse this offseason. After they traded their three best players this offseason, the Pirates once again seem destined as the worst team in baseball. You can make the argument that the Pirates are the biggest loser of the offseason, and you’d honestly probably be right.
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
The rich get richer. This team won the World Series last season, surely they can’t get any better right? Well, if you guessed no, you’re wrong. The Dodgers signed 2020 NL Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer to a massive three-year contract to add to an already formidable rotation that will also include David Price after he opted-out last season. The champs also re-signed Blake Treinen and Justin Turner, but the big acquisition is obviously Bauer. Bauer went 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA last season while also striking out 100 batters in 11 starts. The Dodgers will once again be considered the favorites to win it all again in 2021, and these moves will pay dividends in October.
Loser: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies traded away their best player in Nolan Arenado, and it now seems inevitable that Colorado will lose star shortstop Trevor Story as well. The Rockies were arguably the third-best team in a loaded NL West but now seem headed toward the bottom of the division. Colorado still has talent such as Story, German Marquez, and Charlie Blackmon, but the Rockies will need to see some additional development and progress from their younger players this season to feel better about trading their franchise guy.
Winner: Toronto Blue Jays
What do you do with a very talented and deep younger team ready to win now? You go out and get a superstar to lead the way. Toronto went out and signed former World Series MVP George Springer this offseason, as well as bringing in shortstop Marcus Semien and closer Kirby Yates. The Blue Jays appear convinced their time is now, and with Springer alongside Bichette, Guerrero Jr, and others, the Blue Jays will be one of the most exciting teams in baseball this season. Are the Toronto Blue Jays a dark horse to win the AL East?
Loser: Philadelphia Phillies
Yes, the Phillies re-signed JT Realmuto and Archie Bradley, but that is pretty much all they did. The Phillies have essentially had the same team the previous two seasons in which they finished fourth and third in the deep NL East, and with the additions the other teams in the division made, it appears the Phillies may not even be one of the three best teams in the NL East. Signing the best catcher in baseball to a long-term extension was a very good move, but the Phillies needed to build more to their roster as Philadelphia is in win now mode.
Honorable Mention Winners: New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals
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