MLB Hot Stove 2022

 

I’m no baseball expert.  I prove this every year with my preseason predictions.  On the other hand, it’s not like experts ever get it right either.  Last offseason got wrecked by the lockout.  I didn’t even bother buying a preseason guide as there were so many free agents still unsigned.  But this time, I’ll be ready with some 100% guaranteed picks for next season’s postseason. 

 

All the major free agents signed early.  (Well, sort of.  We’ll get to that.)  Usually you have several big name holdouts looking for more money and not wanting to go Spring Training.  Though Aaron Judge got the biggest free agent contract ever and other players got massive contracts, I have to take this as a sign of a bad outlook for the economy in general.  The players were taking all the money they could as quickly as possible.   

  

I did get to watch some of the MLB Network coverage this year.  It was in San Diego again.  Unlike previous years, it was kind of a shabby affair from a setting standpoint.  You had network hosts sitting outside with nearly pitch black darkness behind them.  I liked the previous years with nicer hotels with extravagant Christmas displays.  (Another ominous sign of an economic downturn.)      

 

The MLBN hosts were fascinated with the money being thrown around in the offseason.  They get into a cheerleading frenzy over the size of the contracts.  When these big signings don’t result in championships, they forget all about that.  It felt like offense was at a premium this offseason.  Maybe there just weren’t that many big name pitchers available.  I think front offices are anticipating an increase in hitting with the coming rules change to limit defensive shifting.   

 

The major free agent deals for the Winter Meetings were Aaron Judge and Xander Bogaerts.  The Judge drama was expected.  Indeed, he made sure it was a prime time drama.  Judge had an historic season in his walk year and somebody was going to pay for it.  He strung along the San Francisco Giants, played the Padres, but the Yankees weren’t going to let him walk to either of them.  Spurned by Trea Turner and Judge, Padre GM AJ Preller snatched offseason victory from defeat by signing Xander. 

    

I’m just going to hit a few transactions (or lack thereof) that I found interesting in no particular order.

Texas Rangers: After spending big on Corey Seager and Marcus Semien (and still having a lousy team), the Rangers had one of the biggest pitching signings this off season by getting Jacob deGrom’s greatness and his poor health.  Nathan Eovaldi joins him in the pen.  Perhaps he can return to form in a pitcher’s park.  

 

San Francisco Giants: Doesn’t anybody want to play for these guys?  They lost out on Aaron Judge, who was nothing but a cruel tease.  They signed Carlos Correa to a huge deal and then he failed the physical.  Picking up Michael Comforto and other spare parts isn’t going to make the pain go away.

 

New York Mets: This is a front office on a mission.  They overpaid for Justin Verlander, picked up Kodai Senga from Japan, and resigned Brandon Nimmo.  They might not miss deGrom.  Then the Mets truly splurged and handed Carlos Correa a huge amount of money and then he failed the physical.  (Actually, it’s probably more complex than that.)  Two weeks later, this deal still isn’t done.  Correa won’t take less money or time, but the Mets want some security if he breaks down.  Something’s got to give.  (It’s likely going to be Mets.  The owner wants to win.)

 

San Diego Padres: Preller loves wheeling and dealing.  He’s finally put together a team that should truly compete for a World Series.  Hopefully adding Xander Bogaerts will make for a killer lineup.  Getting Fernando Tatis Jr. back this season is almost like picking up a new star player as well. 

 

St. Louis Cardinals: We all love Yadier Molina, but he broke down badly in his final season.  Willson Contreras should be a great upgrade offensively.  Hopefully, he’s competent defensively and handling the pitching staff.  The Cardinals didn’t make any other major moves and this will likely limit their ceiling this season. 

 

Houston Astros: They lost Verlander and his wife, Kate Upton.  (What a blow!)  They did get Jose Abreu for their offense and Jeremy Pena is looking like a star in making.

 

Boston Red Sox: They lost Xander and signed Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, and some Japanese outfielder.  I’m sure the Bean-eaters aren’t salty at all about their chances in 2023.

 

Chicago Cubs: They signed Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger.  I have this vision of the league becoming littered with former Dodger all-stars.  Much like the Red Sox, I don’t know what the hell the Cubs are doing.

 

Chicago White Sox: They lost Carlos Rodon and signed Andrew Benintendi.  Seldom have I seen a window of championship opportunity drop unexpectedly on the fingers of a baseball front office so quickly. 

 

Toronto Blue Jays: Signed Chris Bassett.  They must be feeling very confident in their current lineup.

 

New York Yankees:  Oh, they’re more than likely going to regret this Judge contract, but what is money to the Yankees?  The upside is Judge having a Hall of Fame career leading the Pinstripes to multiple championships.  They also got Rodon and resigned Anthony Rizzo.  They’ll have sparkplug, Harrison Bader, for a full season.  They have the best projected rotation in baseball.  What could go wrong? 

 

(This basically the same team they had last year that didn’t win a World Series, except Judge is not going to hit 62 home runs.)    

 

Philadelphia Phillies: Philly fans should be happy.  They got the best of the available free agent shortstops, Trea Turner.  This team made the World Series with only a half a season of Bryce Harper.  On the other hand, how did this team make it to the World Series in 2021?

 

Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners: These two up-and-coming teams basically did nothing over the offseason.  I’m sure the fans in their respective cities will be more than satisfied with last year’s showing.  Maybe star Julio Rodriguez will carry the M’s back to the playoffs.  The O’s did pick up Adam Fraizer to go with rookie sensations Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson.  Of course, they’re really waiting for Aggie alums, Joey Ortiz and Kyle Bradish, to mature and become stars (and become free agents and go play for the Yankees or Dodgers). 

 

Hey, I just noticed the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t make this list.  Talk about smug confidence. 

 

We await the spring for further baseball developments.