The MLB Hot Stove has been an absolute blast to observe all offseason long, with big-name free agents switching uniforms and marquee trades changing the landscape. We're here to boil everything down as we start Ranking The 5 MLB Teams Who've Had The Best Offseasons.
5. Atlanta Braves
The Braves are going full "tank mode" right now, but they're doing it in a way that sets them up nicely to compete when they open a new stadium in 2017. Atlanta took advantage of Arizona's desperation to remake their starting rotation, absolutely fleecing their farm system in exchange for starter Shelby Miller. The main piece of the return was shortstop and 2015's #1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson.
If you're going to punt on an upcoming season, this is the way to do it -- adding impact prospects who could be major factors in driving fans to the brand-spanking SunTrust Park in 2017.
4. Chicago White Sox
Their in-town rivals have had a more impactful offseason overall, but the White Sox's trade acquistion of All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier is enough to whisper "Wild Card" around the South Side. Factor in the additions of Brett Lawrie (likely to move from third to second) and catcher Alex Avila, and the White Sox have a balanced enough lineup to compete in 2016. The rotation's still a bit iffy on the back end, but there's enough talent there to expect a nice jump in overall win total.
3. San Francisco Giants
San Francisco's starting rotation was their Achilles heel in 2015, and the signings of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija could go a long way towards righting the ship. We're not as high on their offseason as some, though, because Samardzija was a wreck for most of last season with the White Sox and Cueto was an enigma down the regular-season stretch for the world champion Kansas City Royals.
Still, an upgraded rotation will go a long way in the NL West -- especially with the uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers after Zack Greinke's departure.
2. Kansas City Royals
The other teams on this list get credit for radically upgrading their rosters through free agency and trades, but the Royals score this high for one reason -- continuity. The Royals' primary goal for this offseason was re-signing left fielder Alex Gordon to a multi-year contract. Despite constant speculation that he'd leave for more money elsewhere, Gordon stayed home in KC on a four-year, $72 million deal.
Adding Joakim Soria to the 'pen is a sneaky masterful move by GM Dayton Moore, and re-signing Chris Young goes a long way towards solving the team's 2016 rotation puzzle. Add one more starter (and the Royals are in on several free agents), and it'll be fantastic business as usual for the class of the American League.
1. Chicago Cubs
Remember last season when the San Diego Padres made headlines for radically "upgrading" their roster, only to watch their aging lineup/rotation blow apart into smithereens? The Cubs have taken a similar break-the-bank approach, but president Theo Epstein did it in much smarter fashion. Chicago landed two of the best position-player options on the free agency market (Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward) and a veteran blue-chip starter in John Lackey.
For a young, dynamic team that's already on its way to bigger and better things, these moves appear to be the finishing touches for an up-and-coming MLB juggernaut.
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