5. The Chicago Cubs- The Cubs started off hot by signing superstar free agent pitcher Jon Lester, and future Hall of Fame coach Joe Madden. Two pieces they needed to add to this team to make them relevant in the best division in baseball. They didn't necessaryily need Madden, but how can you pass up on him. Lester was crucial, because the Cubs needed something to build around in the starting rotation. They took a risk on former Cardinals closer Jason Motte to help a very poor bullpen last year. The Cubs also signed a couple veteran catcher to improve the pitching, and defense of their catchers. Miguel Montero was the first catcher they signed, then back up catcher David Ross. Both men will improve there catching offensively, and defensively.
4. The White Sox- The White Sox have made some key additions to their team this off-season, and have made themselves contenders in the tough AL Central. They lock down a solid closer in David Robertson, which is a big improve in that bullpen and everyone can move down a spot in the bullpen. The biggest moves were the men they will put in front of and behind Jose Abreu. The man hitting in front of Abreu will be Melky Cabrera, and behind is Adam Laroche. Melky is a veteran that is coming off a solid year for the Blue Jays. He is a switch hitter, has power, contact, and speed, which adds a lot to the top of the lineup. Adam Laroche is a veteran power hitter, that will give Abreu some back up, and avoid him getting walked as much. Even if he gets walked Laroche is perfectly capable of driving in runs. The last big move they made was Jeff Samardzija, who has been lights out since he has come in the league. He proved he can pitch in the American League when he was traded to the Athletics during the season last year. Samardzija is capable of being an ace, but Chris Sale already has that job locked up. That means Samardzija will be a solid number two in the starting rotation.
3. The Boston Red Sox- Boston was hot to start the off-season by signing All-Star short-stop Hanely Rameriz, and playoff phnom Pablo Sandoval. Hanley has been a stud when he is healthy. He will be given a new task, and will be asked to play left field. He is open to the challenge and will make things interesting. Sandoval has never excelled in the regular season, he is the master of the post season and is why he was signed. He will be faced with a new city, and the challenge of improving his regular season numbers if he will be worth his contract. Of course if they make the post season and win because of Pablo's bat then his numbers will remain irrelevant in the regular season. The Red Sox also tried to beef up there starting rotation with 3 names Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, and Justin Masterson. Porcello being the best of the three he is looking to take the role as the number one pitcher if the Red Sox don't make another move. You would rather see Porcello in the 2 or 3 spot in your starting rotation. Why? Because he had the Tigers offense last year going up against the fourth guy in the opponents rotation, which is much different than facing a number 1 or 2 spot in the rotation. Miley is looking to take the 5 fifth spot in the rotation, which is a good place for him and makes it a low risk move. Masterson will flex between a starting, and reliever. He will be there for spot starts, and injuries in the starting rotation, and will be a reliever than can pitch as many innings as necessary if he is pitching good. The last move was replacing back up catcher David Ross, and they did just that by trading for Ryan Hanigan. He might not be as good as a defensive catcher as Ross, but he will bring more offense than Ross.
2. The San Diego Padres- The Padres have made a lot of noise signing a lot of big name athletes to the team this year. First came the trade for Matt Kemp, who has MVP potential when he is healthy. He hasn't been healthy the last two seasons, but he showed the Matt Kemp of old in the second half of last season. Next they traded for Justin Upton, and Will Myers. Upton is on the last year of his contract, and is worth the risk of him not returning. Why? Because his power, and what he can bring to the team this year, such as, a playoff run might make him want to stay. Will Myers has a couple years before he can hit the free agency, and brings a lot of young talent to the team. He is excited to be playing for a new team making all these moves. It shows the Management, and front office are as dedicated to this team as anyone else, and that pumps up the players. Myers is given the difficult task of being the everyday center fielder, but a job everyone, including Myers, thinks he can pull off. The Padres also added the additions of Will Middlebrooks, and Derek Norris. Those these players bring good offensive numbers to the table, but not so much on the defensive side. That is okay when they have had problems with the offensive more than anything over the past years. The last move they made was to improve their pitching depth, and they did just that when they signed free agent Brandon Morrow. He has dealt with injuries most of his career, but when he is healthy he has blown some people away. The Padres already have a good starting rotation, and he just brings a little more to the table.
1. The Miami Marlins- The Marlins have made the most overall improvements to their team this off-season. The start it off by locking up their Super Star GianCarlo Stanton to a record deal. Now they have their guy to build around on offense it is time to make moves, and they did just that. They traded for one of the fastest players in the game Dee Gordan, who led all of baseball in stolen bases last year. Gordan can also play a solid defensive, and can play both second base and short-stop. In the trade the also got Dan Haren. This would have been a good thing if Haren wanted to pitch in Miami. I believe he won't get the chance to pitch where he wants and will have to make the choice to stay or retire. Next, the Padres needed to replace Jose Fernadez, until he returns from injury, and Mat Latos is a good person to fill that void. Once Jose returns the Marlins will have a great one-two punch at the start of their rotation. The Marlins also traded with the Yankees to get utility player Martin Prado, and pitcher David Phelps. Prado brings fire, and a veteran leadership to a young team. Phelps gives them a little more depth in the rotation and a long reliever out of the bullpen. Lastly, they signed slugger Mike Morse to play first base. Morse had some injury problems, but has been healthy of late, just not given a shot to be a starter. Miami has done that, and knows the potential power he can bring to the line up as an everyday starter. I feel the Marlins have been the best team of the off-season because they addressed all their problems, and fixed them with above average players.
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