MLB Offseason: Five conclusions

MLB Offseason highlights

Teams are beginning Spring Training, which means the MLB offseason is coming to its conclusion. Top free agents are still unsigned in Jackie Bradley Jr and Jake Odorizzi, but the majority of offseason moves have gone through.

The shortened schedule and expanded playoffs of 2020 are no longer. MLB is aiming for the full 162-game slate in 2021 with the postseason back to its previous format. Alterations have been made to the ball, too, which could see a reduction in the number of home runs after the record-breaking numbers of recent years.

Here are five conclusions from this offseason, featuring the reigning champions.

White Sox go all-in.

The signing of Yasmani Grandal was a signal last winter. The Chicago White Sox have made headlines for the wrong reasons this offseason, but they’ve also made strides towards World Series contention.

Trading for Lance Lynn bolsters the rotation. Liam Hendriks should improve their bullpen. The ChiSox still have young talent to come, led by Michael Kopech, and they are arguably the favourites to win the American League Central.

The range of outcomes is still huge. Chicago is reliant on a lot of young players being productive across a full season, but their ceiling is high.

It’s time to #ChangetheGame! Here are your staters for today’s Spring Training opener!

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— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 28, 2021

Mets favourite in NL East

Every MLB offseason rumour featured the New York Mets. Steve Cohen’s ownership resulted in considerable roster changes, though the Mets struck out on the premier free agents.

The Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco trade was their biggest move. James McCann represents an upgrade at catcher, and Taijuan Walker should provide rotation depth while they wait for the return of Noah Syndergaard.

The Mets offseason has done enough to edge them ahead of the Atlanta Braves. The National League East is going to be intense from start to finish, though, with all five teams holding postseason ambitions.

Dodgers ready to defend crown

Having watched the Padres make blockbuster trades, the Dodgers bided their time. They made smart bullpen acquisitions in Corey Knebel and Blake Treinen.

Then as the most-hyped free agent signing came up, the Dodgers stepped in. A record-breaking contract was handed to reigning NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer. The Dodgers emphatically rejected any notion that the Padres could be division favourites.

The champions got markedly better this MLB offseason. They are deservedly the heavy favourites.

Cardinals take charge

With the Cubs cutting salary, the Reds not spending, and the Pirates tearing everything down, the National League Central was a wasteland. There was an opportunity for a team to make themselves division favourites.

The St Louis Cardinals did just that. They took Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies for minimal prospect cost. It was one of the most impactful trades of the MLB offseason, a deal that elevates St Louis to the top of preseason projects in the Central.

The Cards are a bit behind the strongest teams from the East and West. If they start strongly, though, don’t rule out a big trade or two at the deadline.

Haters will say it’s photoshopped. pic.twitter.com/mtsecr3mdN

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 24, 2021

Blue Jays swing big.

The Blue Jays took advantage of a weakening American League Central. Tampa Bay dealt Blake Snell, Boston is rebuilding, and Baltimore is bad. The Jays swung big this MLB offseason, landing George Springer to give them one of the league’s best line-ups.

Toronto has a raft of young talent to accompany Springer on offence. The rotation is what keeps them from being seen as serious challengers to the Yankees.

Robbie Ray and Steven Matz arrive with upside, but neither are a guarantee from a production or availability standpoint behind Hyun-Jin Ryu.