Many Major League Baseball teams have been busy this holiday season filling their stockings with free agent acquisitions. Other teams have put some nifty presents under their tree via the trade route. And some teams have been dumping player salaries as quick as Mr. Scrooge.
While many of the top free agents have been signed, there are still many top-flight players available: Kevin Millwood, Alex Gonzalez, and Roger Clemens. These players will have a definite impact on how we rate teams' final offseason activities. So for now, let's rank the top three winners and losers of the Hot Stove period to date.
Winner No. 1: New York Mets
* Acquired 1B Carlos Delgado from Florida
* Acquired C Paul LoDuca from Florida
* Signed FA LHP Billy Wagner
* Acquired 1B/OF Xavier Nady from San Diego
* Signed FA 3B Jose Valentin
* Signed FA LHP Matt Perisho
* Acquired OF Tike Redman from Pittsburgh
* Signed FA 1B Julio Franco
The Mets are one of the big winners of the offseason activities so far. They signed one of the most dominant left-handed relievers in the history of baseball in Billy Wagner. Carlos Delgado adds immediate power to the lineup and Paul LoDuca is a solid, reliable, and relatively inexpensive catcher. The Mets were already a dangerous team before these moves, and now they look ready to challenge for a championship.
Winner No. 2: Boston Red Sox
Note: this was written prior to the loss of Johnny Damon.
* Acquired RHP Josh Beckett from Florida
* Acquired 3B Mike Lowell from Florida
* Acquired RHP Guillermo Mota from Florida
* Acquired 2B Mark Loretta from San Diego
* Acquired 3B Adam Marte from Atlanta
* Acquired RHP Rudy Seanez from San Diego
* Re-signed 3B Tony Graffanino
Beckett is a front line starter that will immediately strengthen Boston's starting rotation. Lowell is a three-time all-star 3B and 2005 Gold Glove winner that will help stabilize the left side of the infield. Adam Marte is a power-hitting third baseman that many ranked as the top prospect in the Atlanta farm system. Mota is a power pitcher that adds more depth to the Red Sox bullpen. Perhaps the best thing about this trade for the Red Sox is they didn't have to include their top pitching prospect, LHP Jon Lester, in any of their deals.
Winner No. 3: Chicago White Sox
* Acquired 1B Jim Thome from Philadelphia
* Acquired RHP Javier Vazquez from Arizona
* Acquired utilityman Rob Mackowiak from Pittsburgh
* Re-signed 1B Paul Konerko
* Re-signed 3B Pablo Ozuna
The top priority of the White Sox was to resign 1B Paul Konerko, which they accomplished. Konerko is the heart of their offense and a respected leader in the clubhouse. They traded for Jim Thome to bat behind Konerko and provide some protection for him. And as if the White Sox starting rotation wasn't strong enough, they added a solid starter in Vazquez to go along with Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, and Freddy Garcia. The White Sox are primed and ready to defend their 2005 World Series title.
Loser No. 1: Florida Marlins
So far this offseason, the Marlins have managed to dump nearly $45 million from their 2006 payroll and only received minor league players in return. They lost half of their starting rotation (Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett), 75% of their infield (Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, and Mike Lowell), outfielder and lead-off hitter Juan Pierre, and Todd Jones, Jim Mecir, and Guillermo Mota from the bullpen. The Marlins will basically be a Triple-A team next year ... what must Dontrelle Willis be thinking right about now?
Loser No. 2: Toronto Blue Jays
* Signed FA RHP A.J. Burnett
* Signed FA LHP B.J. Ryan
* Acquired 1B Lyle Overbay from Milwaukee
General Manager J.P. Ricciardi made a huge gamble in giving Ryan, who has 42 career saves and a five-year, $47 million dollar contract, which is the first five-year contract given to a relief pitcher since Bruce Sutter. Burnett has a career record of 49-50, has already undergone Tommy John surgery (2003) and has questionable durability and maturity. Yet Riccardi rewarded Burnett with a five-year, $55 million dollar contract. If Burnett stays healthy and doesn't throw any more tantrums like he did at the end of last season, he could be a dominant No. 2 starter behind Roy Halladay.
Can Ryan, who only has one full season as a closer, continue his dominance, or was he a flash in the pan? The success of Burnett and Ryan will have a major role in the success of the Blue Jays, and in the tenure of J.P. Riccardi in Toronto.
Loser No. 3: Houston Astros
* Re-signed C Brad Ausmus
* Re-signed 1B Mike Lamb
* Re-signed OF Orlando Palmeiro
* Re-signed RHP Russ Springer
The defending National League champion Astros have been a big disappointment this offseason. They declined to offer salary arbitration to Roger Clemens, who led the majors with a 1.87 ERA. Clemens is undecided if he wants to pitch again next year, so there is still a chance he could re-sign with Houston on May 1st. Not re-signing Clemens would leave a major hole in the Astros' potent starting rotation.
The Astros have been unable to trade for or sign another power hitter, which they desperately need. If they aren't able to fill this need, the Houston starting rotation can expect another long season of trying to win games with minimal run support.
December 21, 2005
joe aratok:
you have Boston as the second team of big winners? How can that be said even jokingly? They have lost their heart and soull this off season and I would count them as one of the losers, right behind florida
December 21, 2005
Marc James:
It was written before Damon left, Joe. A note was made about that in the story. These damn offseason moves are happening so fast that by the time you write something, it’s out of date!
December 25, 2005
Jody Cooper:
If Ryan or Burnett went anywhere besides Canada it would be reported as great signings. Had the Yanks or Sox got either of the two you would talking about how much those teams have improved.
December 25, 2005
Rich Carlson:
Jody - you have got to be kidding…
FIrst of all, you don’t know me. You don’t know how I feel about Canada. And to accuse me of judging a trade because the players were signed by a Canadian team is stupid, illogical, and ridiculous.
Any team who would have signed Burnett to that big of a contract would have been stupid. And for the Blue Jays to give Ryan 5 yeas??? Maybe you missed the point in my article - it is the first 5 year deal for a reliever since Bruce Sutter. Are you telling me that Ryan deserves a 5 year deal more than Billy Wagner or Mariano Rivera?
The Blue Jays overpaid for both players. Period.
Get off your Canadian high horse and come back to reality.
December 25, 2005
Jody Cooper:
Richard,
Perhaps chilling out may be a good idea. I miss-typed by saying “you”….I meant the American media, however I’m guessing you are included.
I didn’t say they weren’t overpaid. And I’m not saying that both players aren’t coming with some risk. Saying that you would have similar comments had those players gone to a big center, I think is a joke.
How do you feel about Glaus? I’m guessing the Jays are getting a troubled hitter with massive shoulder problems, while giving up a promising gold glover and ideal setup man?
Keep up the good work,
Cheers!
December 25, 2005
Stan Heifets:
How did the Dodgers get left off of your list of winners? They did as musch as anybody else in upgrading their club, and if they stay relatively injury free, a lot of noise could be made with the new line up. Especially, in their division, and in the NL in general with the deterioration of other teams, like the Cardinals.