Post-Lockout: AL East Off-Season Transactions
The theme of the AL East appears to allow team talent to play itself out while taking in a few free agents on reasonable contracts. Look for the AL East to dominate the Wild Card race again, with three teams again vying for two spots.
Baltimore Orioles
Key Additions:
Signed Robinson Chirinos to a one year $900 K contract
Key Subtractions:
Pedro Severino signed with Brewers one year $1.9 M
Nobody expected the Orioles to be active in the free-agent market, and they did not raise expectations, Carlos Correa rumors aside. Chirinos is a placeholder for uber-prospect Adley Rutschman, could be flipped at the deadline, and replaces Severino as a veteran backstop.
Boston Red Sox
Key Additions:
Signed Trevor Story six years $140 M
Signed Jake Diekman two years $8 M
Signed Matt Strahm one year $3 M
Signed Hansel Robles (minor league) one year $2.25 M
Signed Travis Shaw (minor league) one year $1.5 M
Key Subtractions:
Phillies sign Kyle Schwarber four years $79 M
Rockies sign Jose Iglesias one year $5 M
Mets sign Adam Ottavino one year $4 M
The most active AL East player in the offseason, the Red Sox shored up their left-handed relief options with Diekman and Strahm while adding a power bat (Story) that fit defensively. Schwarber is a core loss, but one of J.D./Kyle would have seen the field if he returned to Boston.
New York Yankees
Key Additions:
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Ben Rortvedt ere acquired via trade with Twins
SP Justin Lange acquired via trade with Padres
Signed Anthony Rizzo two years $32 M
Signed Marwin Gonzalez (minor league) one year $1.15 M
Key Subtractions:
Traded Luke Voit to Padres
Traded Gary Sanchez, Gio Urshela to Twins
The Yankees entered the off-season without a legitimate center fielder, shortstop, or catcher on their roster. They end the off-season the same way. Kiner-Falefa could play either shortstop or catcher for the Bombers. However, it would require either Gleyber Torres to play shortstop or put Kyle Higashioka’s bat in the lineup, not ideal for a potential playoff team. New York gave up on Luke Voit for Lange, a talented prospect who has yet to reach Double A. By not substantially upgrading their roster, a Wild Card seems to be the high bar for the Yankees’ season.
Tampa Bay Rays
Key Addition:
Luke Raley acquired via trade with the Dodgers
Harold Ramirez acquired via trade with Cubs
Key Subtractions:
Traded SP/OF Tanner Dodson to Dodgers
Traded IF Esteban Quiroz to the Cubs
Nationals signed Nelson Cruz one year $15 M
Collin McHugh signed with Braves two years $10 M
After dipping their name in the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes, the Rays were not active in free agency. In a league where the Rays do everything different from the pack, It is impossible to overlook any type of transaction from Tampa Bay. Bringing back the majority of their 100-win roster and pitching, as usual, puts the Rays amongst the best tier of the American League.
Toronto Blue Jays
Key Additions:
Matt Chapman acquired via trade
Signed Kevin Gausman to a five-year $110 M contract
Signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year $36 M contract
Raimel Tapia acquired via trade
Key Subtractions:
Marcus Semien signed to a seven-year $175 M contract with the Texas Rangers
Traded prospects SP Gunnar Hoglund, IF Kevin Smith, SP Zach Logue, SP Kirby Snead to Athletics
Corey Dickerson signed to a $5 M contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
Traded OF Randal Grichuk to the Rockies
The Blue Jays were the best team not to make the playoffs in 2021. Expect that to change in 2022, with the addition of two solid starting pitchers and the middle of the order bat to replace Marcus Semien. There are no weaknesses to Toronto’s roster, and their activity in the free-agent market proves the Jays are focused on winning a championship.
Reference Page:
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac