MLB · 1 year ago

Winners & Losers? Grading Each AL East Team’s Biggest Offseason Move

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Toronto Blue Jays
After missing out on Shohei Ohtani in free agency, everything else that transpired this offseason would be viewed as a disappointment for Toronto Blue Jays fans. Still, adding Justin Turner gives them a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Turner is up in age, but he was still impactful on the diamond for the Boston Red Sox in 2023. The signing of Turner doesn't move the needle a ton for the Blue Jays, though, highlighting what's been a lackluster offseason for Canada's team.

Toronto Blue Jays 2024 World Series Odds: +2000
Baltimore Orioles
After a surprising 2023 campaign, which saw the Baltimore Orioles win the AL East and post the top record in the league at 101-61, they've gone out and added pieces to their roster to contend again in 2024. The O's have arrived with a roster loaded with young talent, and they used some of that to add a bonafide stud to their starting rotation in Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers. Baltimore has been the laughingstock of the American League for a long time, but with their loaded farm system and talent on their major league roster, that's no longer the case. Adding Burnes to their rotation is an A+ move.

Baltimore Orioles 2024 World Series Odds: +1500
Boston Red Sox
It's been another lackluster offseason for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox owners don't appear to want to spend money to help this team win in 2024, which is not something you've grown accustomed to saying for one of the league's notoriously highest-spending teams. The most significant addition the Red Sox have made this offseason was signing Lucas Giolito. There's a chance this move works out in their favor, but it won't move the needle a ton. We'll happily change our tune on a poor Red Sox offseason if they go out and add a Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. It's been underwhelming for now, and they hold the award for the most disappointing offseason in the AL East.

Boston Red Sox 2024 World Series Odds: +5000
New York Yankees
The biggest winners and biggest splash in the offseason from the AL East came from the Bronx Bombers. The New York Yankees acquired Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres, forming a dynamic middle of the lineup with big bopper Aaron Judge. Few teams in baseball can contend with superstar talents like Soto and Judge being paired together. With Soto a year away from free agency, he can continue building his already sky-high value on the market and get that coveted $500 million contract he's been searching for. The Yankees needed to make a splash this offseason, and they did precisely that with Soto.

New York Yankees 2024 World Series Odds: +800
Tampa Bay Rays
It should hardly be a surprise that the most significant offseason move for the budget-friendly Tampa Bay Rays came via trade. The Rays were trying to cut payroll instead of dishing out long-term deals, so Tyler Glasnow was sent packing to the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with Manuel Margot. In return, the Rays received RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca. It's easy to argue that the trade was another classic win-win move involving the Rays. The Rays got some quality young talent in return that can make a difference on their roster in 2024. It's not flashy, but the Rays will contend again in 2024 because of moves like this.

Tampa Bay Rays 2024 World Series Odds: +3300
Toronto Blue Jays
After missing out on Shohei Ohtani in free agency, everything else that transpired this offseason would be viewed as a disappointment for Toronto Blue Jays fans. Still, adding Justin Turner gives them a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Turner is up in age, but he was still impactful on the diamond for the Boston Red Sox in 2023. The signing of Turner doesn't move the needle a ton for the Blue Jays, though, highlighting what's been a lackluster offseason for Canada's team.

Toronto Blue Jays 2024 World Series Odds: +2000
Baltimore Orioles
After a surprising 2023 campaign, which saw the Baltimore Orioles win the AL East and post the top record in the league at 101-61, they've gone out and added pieces to their roster to contend again in 2024. The O's have arrived with a roster loaded with young talent, and they used some of that to add a bonafide stud to their starting rotation in Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers. Baltimore has been the laughingstock of the American League for a long time, but with their loaded farm system and talent on their major league roster, that's no longer the case. Adding Burnes to their rotation is an A+ move.

Baltimore Orioles 2024 World Series Odds: +1500

Winners & Losers? Grading Each AL East Team’s Biggest Offseason Move

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