By Logan Sodl, Contributing Writer
With spring training right around the corner, the baseball world is readying itself for what is sure to be a wild season. Many notable stars have become free agents this offseason, and some blockbuster trades have been made. Probably the most notable offseason acquisition was the Los Angeles Dodgers signing of the Japanese star Shohei Ohtani. The 29-year-old is a three-time all-star, and the most dominant two-way player since Babe Ruth. Ohtani signed with the Dodgers for 10 years, $700 million with only $2 million in salary each year. This will result in the Dodgers owing Ohtani $680 million at the end of his 10 years.
The Dodgers also signed 25-year-old Japanese starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. After being in talks with many other teams, Yamamoto decided to join Ohtani on the West Coast by signing a 12-year, $325 million deal. This elite pitching duo, as well as Ohtani’s bat, has made the Dodgers look even more lethal than they have in previous years. Along with these signings, the Dodgers acquired Tyler Glasnow from Tampa Bay, adding yet another dominant arm to their rotation. They also added veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
The Dodgers are not the only team that made some big moves this offseason though. In true New York fashion, the Yankees went searching for a big lefty bat this off-season, and they found just that. In a trade with the San Diego Padres, the Yankees traded for veteran outfielder and three-time all-star Juan Soto. In this trade, the Yankees also received outfielder Trent Grisham while giving up RHP Michael King, RHP Drew Thorpe, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Randy Vásquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka. Getting rid of this many pitchers may seem like an interesting decision on behalf of the Yankees, but they also added Marcus Stroman from the Cubs to take the pressure off their Cy Young Award-winning ace Gerrit Cole.
The Baltimore Orioles—who were eliminated in the Divisional Series after securing the number one seed in the American League—are looking to improve their roster and make a triumphant return to the playoffs. They made a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Corbin Burnes in the hopes that a dominant veteran starting pitcher would propel this young team to a World Series.
Blockbuster or not, there have been countless other moves that were made by every team in the league. Luis Giolito is on the move from Cleveland to Boston with a two-year, $38.5 million deal. Kevin Kiermaier is remaining in Toronto for at least another year for $10.5 million. Sonny Gray is heading from Minnesota to St. Louis. Much like Soto, Josh Hader is moving on from the Padres, and going to the Houston Astros for five years, and $95 million. Harrison Bader is once again in New York, but in Queens instead of the Bronx, as he has signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Mets.
In a heartbreaking move for Phillies’ fans, Rhys Hoskins is moving on to Milwaukee in a two-year contract worth $34 million. Hoskins was beloved by the city of Philadelphia; having worked his way up the Phillies farm system, he was viewed by many as a franchise player. Unfortunately for Hoskins, he tore his ACL in Spring Training prior to the 2023 season, forcing him to miss all of the Phillies’ amazing season. That being said, this upcoming season is going to be a true test of Hoskins’ play, as he comes back from a devastating injury in a brand-new city.
There are still multiple players that have not been claimed from free agency. Players that are still on the table include: OF Cody Bellinger, 3B Matt Chapman, LHP Blake Snell, LHP Jordan Montgomery, DH Jorge Soler, SS Tim Anderson, LHP Clayton Kershaw, DH J.D. Martinez, RHP Hector Neris, C Gary Sanchez, and 3B Gio Urshela. All of these players could be very valuable additions to any team that is able to land them.
