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- Adam Parker and Troy Ballard
MLB free agency has been a roller coaster ride of signings, the most shocking coming earlier today, as the Los Angeles Angels have locked in the biggest fish, Albert Pujols, to a 10-year $254 million deal.
But as free agency nears its end, the Beard and Stache breakdown the biggest winners and losers from MLB. Which teams scored the biggest, and which teams took the largest losses? Troy Ballard and Adam Parker cover all the movers, shakers, and monumental signings this MLB off-season.
Winners
Los Angeles Angels:
It looks like the AL West will be crowning a new champion this year. This is the definition of highway robbery. Sure, there were whispers throughout the Winter Meetings that the Angels were going to be big players this offseason, but no one could have predicted them winning this big. The Halos came in at the eleventh hour to swipe up arguably the best player of our generation in Albert Pujols on a 10-year, $254 million deal and also managed to snag the best free agent pitcher on the market in C.J. Wilson on a 5-year, $77.5 million contract. Looks the Rangers are no longer top dog in the AL West.
Miami Marlins:
Apparently, all you need to turn the Marlins into a contender and an attractive free agent destination is a new name, city, and stadium. If you don't believe me, just check to see who they've added in recent weeks. They inked All-Star closer Heath Bell to a 3-year, $27 million deal. A day later, they lured lightning fast shortstop Jose Reyes away from the Mets with a 6-year, $106 million deal. Now, it's being reported that former White Sox ace Mark Buerhle will be bunking up with former manager Ozzie Guillen in Miami after agreeing to a 4-year, $58 million deal.
Philadelphia Phillies:
This team didn't have many holes to fill coming into the offseason, but they filled their biggest need after reeling in Jonathan Papelbon to take over for incumbent closer Brad Lidge, who has all but entered the twilight stage of his career. They still need to resolve the Jimmy Rollins situation, but with Ruben Amaro Jr. at the controls, I'd say that's less of a possibility and more of an inevitability at this point.
Losers
St. Louis Cardinals:
The defending champs have lost their golden boy. Albet Pujols has left St. Louis in a LeBron-James-Esque fashion for the Los Angeles Angels, leaving the Cardinals with nothing but fond memories of two World-Series wins. The future first ballot Hall of Famer made the biggest impact for the Cardinals, and combined with the loss of manager Tony La Russa, St. Louis will likely struggle immensely next season.
But look at it this way Cards' fans, at least you don't have to play Pujols all that often now that he's in the AL.
New York Mets:
The New York Mets are quite possibly the most disappointing team in MLB, and the organization could be put in the same category as the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a whole roster of underwhelming talent, the Mets really had one bright spot on the team, and that was Jose Reyes. And as we already know, he left for warmer weather and beaches after signing with the Miami Marlins, New York's division rival.
I fully expect the Mets offense to be dead, and their interior defense to be about as mediocre as their fan base.
Texas Rangers:
The two-time defending American League Champions have lost their momentum following a loss to the Cardinals in the World Series last year, and have now lost their best pitcher in CJ Wilson to the Los Angeles Angels in free agecny. Texas has been back and forth in terms of consistency, and the loss of Wilson is only going to totally damage the Rangers chances of making another World Series run, and actually winning it.
The worst part about losing Wilson, he is now playing for their AL West rival with the Angels.
Chicago White Sox:
The Chicago White Sox cut ties with long-time manager Ozzie Guillen this off-season, and then failed to resign pitcher Mark Buehlre, and both ended up as members of the Miami Marlins. I wouldn't say that Buehlre is an elite pitcher in MLB, but he was still far and away the best pitcher on White Sox, and the loss will really hurt the team in the long-haul.
Maybe, just maybe, Guillen actually knows what he is doing.
Possible Winners/Losers
Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies have already locked in closer Jonathan Papelbon to replace Ryan Madson and the oft-injured Brad Lidge. However, they have not yet made a move to resign All-Star short stop Jimmy Rollins. There have been rumors or Rollins looking elsewhere with serious consideration, and if Philadelphia loses their best defensive infielder and spark in the lineup, the team could be in trouble.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Milwaukee has been flirting with losing one of the best young first basemen in baseball this entire off-season in Prince Fielder. It seems that because Pujols has dominated all of the news in MLB's free agency, Fielder has been pushed under the rug and people are forgetting he is still available. The Brewers are going to be doing everything in their power to bring back the big man, and if they were to lose him it would be a fatal blow to the team's forward progression.
Los Angeles Dodgers:
Los Angeles locked up the best center fielder in baseball in Matt Kemp long-term this off-season, and went about back-loading his contract to open up funds to bring free agents to the Dodgers. Thus far, Los Angeles has not made any moves or signings, despite desperately needing to bring in talent to flank Kemp. I guess it's always possible that due to the Dodgers financial and organizational issues, free agents have almost marked the team as taboo. If Los Angeles doesn't end up signing anyone, it could be an incredibly long season for the Kemp and the Dodgers.
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