Spring training is underway, with the first games coming this weekend to mark the unofficial start of the 2020 MLB season. It’s been one of the more interesting winters in recent memory in the sport – largely headlined by the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and the continuous fallout from it. While your attention has been turned toward Houston, you may have missed a signing or two.
Some of the game’s biggest stars switched teams in the offseason, whether via trade or free agency. Are you all caught up with who is playing where? We’ve got you covered with the biggest moves from the past three months:
Mookie Betts:
This one you probably heard about. An impending free agent next winter, the Red Sox traded the former MVP and four-time All-Star last week to the Dodgers to get below the luxury tax. His numbers through his age-26 season are historic, and he somehow will make 106-win Los Angeles even more lethal as they vie for a first World Series since 1988. Where Betts lands come the offseason will likely be the story in baseball next winter.
Madison Bumgarner:
After 11 years, three World Series and legendary postseason performances in San Francisco, MadBum will wear a new uniform for the first-time ever in 2020, signing a five-year, $85 million deal with the Diamondbacks. After two injury-plagued seasons, Bumgarner returned to his normal workhorse status in 2019 and was... fine. His 3.90 earned run average was the worst in his career, his strikeout rate was up slightly, but still not at his peak All-Star levels. For the money, the DBacks are getting a very good No. 2 starter.
Gerrit Cole:
After three tries – drafting him, trying to trade for him and, finally, signing him – the Yankees got their man. After a dominant 2019 that established him as perhaps the game’s best pitcher, Cole signed a historic nine-year, $324 million contract with his childhood team in the Bronx. The Cy Young runner-up led the AL in earned run average (2.50) and led the majors in strikeouts (326), punching out nearly 40 percent of all hitters he faced. Now after narrowly missing out on two of the last three World Series, the Yankees have a bona fide workhorse ace, making them the overwhelming AL favorite.
Josh Donaldson:
The former AL MVP was given a one-year “prove it” deal with the Braves last year after a few injury-riddled seasons and, well, he proved it. He blasted 37 homers and had a .900 OPS while playing 155 games for the upstart Braves, who made a return to the postseason. He was rewarded with a four-year, $92-million deal with another team on the rise in Minnesota, who bashed their way to an AL Central title last year. It’s the largest free agent deal in Twins history.
Yasmani Grandal:
One of the game’s best catchers for the past few years, Grandal was left signing a one-year deal with the Brewers last offseason. After a 28-homer campaign and an All-Star appearance, he finally got paid. He’s now with the White Sox for $73 million over four years. Only JT Realmuto was a more valuable catcher last year, per Fangraphs.
Dallas Keuchel:
Another former Brave, Keuchel signed in Atlanta midway through last season – remember, he and Craig Kimbrel were without homes until the draft-pick compensation deadlines passed. In 19 starts he had a 3.75 ERA with peripherals pretty on par with his career totals. There wasn’t a long wait this time to find a new team, as he signed a three-year, $55.5-million contract with the White Sox. He instantly becomes the ace on a team that many are predicting to make a run at the postseason.
Corey Kluber:
The Indians were expected to trade one of their mainstays, and they did just that. While Francisco Lindor is still in Cleveland, the two-time Cy Young winner Kluber is not. He was dealt to the Rangers in December, as part of a “buy low” move for Texas. The 34-year-old had his worst season ever in 2019, compiling a 5.80 ERA in just 35.2 innings over seven starts before breaking his arm. Assuming he returns to form, he will instantly help a pitching staff that allowed the fourth-most runs per game in the AL.
David Price:
The reason the Red Sox were willing to part with Betts was because the Dodgers also took the 34-year-old lefty. More importantly, they took half of his salary. As part of last week’s blockbuster deal, LA took on the contract of the five-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner. While he still has obvious value, he pitched just 107.1 innings last year and 74.2 in 2017.
Anthony Rendon:
Long an underappreciated asset nationally, no one is questioning the third baseman’s value anymore. Last year he hit .319, belted a career-best 34 homers, led the NL in doubles and RBIs and had a 1.010 OPS, notching not only his first All-Star appearance, but a World Series with the Nationals. Because Washington paid Stephen Strasburg, they couldn’t keep Rendon, who signed a megadeal with the Angels, to the tune of seven years and $245 million. He and Mike Trout gives Los Angeles two of the best position players in the game. Can it lead to a postseason push?
Zack Wheeler:
After a number of injury-plagued seasons, Wheeler became a steady presence in the Mets rotation in 2018 and 2019, making 60 starts. While not quite the ace he was projected to be early in his career, he’s a top-notch No. 2 or 3 starter, and he’s now in Philadelphia, inking a five-year deal worth $118 million. His strikeout rate is up, his walk rate is down, and he joins a rotation that includes Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta. Watching Philly fight with Washington and Atlanta for the NL East could be the most entertaining race of the year.
