“And your 2011 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox!”
Not so fast – Major League Baseball witnessed enormous amounts of money being thrown around this offseason. Multiple teams made serious splashes to become contenders.
Other teams faltered, not making the necessary moves. Here are a few key signings and trades.
Jayson Werth signed a seven year deal for $126 million with the Washington Nationals. Unfortunately, the team will not be a contender this season without Stephen Strasburg. Fortunately for Werth, he will be going to the bank.
Adrian Gonzalez was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Boston Red Sox. He is scheduled to make $6.3 million in 2011. A long-term extension was not yet agreed upon with the power-hitting first baseman.
A new contract will be discussed during the season. According to Red Sox sources, seven years for $154 million has been conversed.
I believe Adrian Gonzalez will have an MVP caliber season. He can no longer be pitched around with the lethal Sox lineup. Fenway Park has a short porch in right field, serving as a colossal advantage to the lefty. He has averaged 36 home runs over the past three seasons while playing in a stadium where hitters infrequently homer. Gonzalez will smash at least 40 bombs.
Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum each became members of the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. Both starters are shifting from the American to National league. The duo will accompany Yovani Gallardo, forming a well-anchored staff. The “Brew Crew” are now built to battle the Giants and the Phillies in a five game playoff series.
Cliff Lee is migrating back to Philadelphia to be a part of arguably the greatest pitching staff of all time. He signed for $120 million over five years. According to Lee, he chose the Phillies because he felt most comfortable there with the environment and team catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez resigned with the Colorado Rockies. The offensive firepower of the Colorado organization will be pleasurable to view in the upcoming season.
Winners: Red Sox are the all-inclusive winners for this offseason. They were able to bolster every asset of their team. The Sox added Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks. Crawford will have an explosive season and will score more runs than with the Rays.
The Red Sox rotation is healthy and remains strong. Acquiring Jenks will sure up the back end of the already imposing bullpen. The 7th, 8th and 9th innings will be taken care of by former closer Jenks, flamethrower Daniel Bard and elite finisher Jonathon Papelbon. The Red Sox’s balance makes them the favorites to winning a Word Series title.
The Milwaukee Brewers are the other monster winners of the offseason.
Acquiring Greinke and Marcum are monumental. To accompany a profound staff, the offense is full of young studs. Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and Casey Mcgehee are all coming off extremely impressive seasons. Resilient pitching to an already potent offense can shake up the National League Central this time around in ’11.
Other notable winners include the Phillies (Cliff Lee), Braves (Dan Uggla) and the White Sox (Adam Dunn).
Losers: The New York Mets are losers during this past offseason. They did not address any of their needs. For instance, the team’s pitching is depleted and no big name arms were brought in. Therefore, the team in Queens will not be competing for any type of division title this year.
The Tampa Bay Rays essentially sold their team this offseason. They got rid of star players Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza and Rafael Soriano. With no new stadium plans set, do not count on the Rays to make the playoffs in the next couple seasons.
Look forward to an abundance of frenzied division races up during the last haul of the season. The Braves, having acquired Dan Uggla, and Phillies will butt heads for the division in the east. The veteran Cardinals, revamped Brewers, and youthful Reds will battle in the NL Central.
In the American League, the Yankees and Red Sox will have their greatest rivalry in several years. The White Sox, Tigers and Twins will clash in the central. In the west, the Angels and A’s will be competitive with the Rangers.
Tim Shanahan can be reached at tshanahan@spartans.ut.edu.