With the Texas Rangers crowned MLB world champions this past year the offseason began as soon as the season ended. Teams were already making moves and big names were moving all over, including players already in the league and international players coming overseas to play in the states.
The biggest deal of the offseason was pitcher/DH Shohei Ontani, who signed with the LA Dodgers for $700 million over 10 years. What was interesting about the deal was that he deferred $680 million to the club, meaning when his contract expires in 2033 he will be getting that $680 million back. In doing that the Dodgers can still use the money he deferred back to the club on other players.
“I think the Ohtani trade was ridiculous. The salary cap is now getting too out of control. He should get a ring from it though, and if not I will be surprised,” junior Cam Bueno said.
Along with Ohtani, the Dodgers also signed two powerful arms Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Japan, who signed a 12-year contract with the Dodgers. They also signed all-star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to a one-year deal.
Now for who made the best moves so far, there have been a couple of blockbuster moves with the big market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees making money moves you could say.
“Definitely the Dodgers by a landslide. They have picked up some really good players and are looking scary next year and are most likely going to be favorites for a World Series championship,” senior Luke Trentadue said.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Yuki Matsui, Woo Suk Go, Jung Hoo Lee. Those are just some of the names of Japanese and Korean baseball players who have already come over to the MLB this year in the offseason.
“I like the international players coming over to the MLB a lot. It brings more people to the league and truly good talent. I just wish they would change the rules that Japan has in place to stop the players from coming over,” Bueno said.
Other players who have already been in the MLB are also on the move this offseason. After being a young star for the Red Sox, Alex Verdugo is a Yankee. Juan Soto joined him to complete the star-studded outfield of the Yankees who now have Soto, Judge, Verdugo, and Stanton. The Yankees added starter Marcus Stroman to their rotation to put themselves in top contention
2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray is now a Giant. They got rid of lefty starter Sean Manaea and he is headed to New York and is now a Met.
“I think these smaller market teams making moves is going to help them compete with the Dodgers and Yankees late in the season when games matter,” senior Collin Kramp said.
The hometown Brewers signed Burnes, Adames, and Williams to avoid arbitration. This means that the brewers are returning their key pieces to go with their young core.
“I think that the Brewers are doing the right thing with these guys and keeping a veteran presence in a younger clubhouse to help guide these young guys,” Trentadue said.
