MLB: Five Teams Who Have Won the Offseason…So Far
By Travis Koch
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers didn’t exactly wander into unfamiliar territory this offseason. Each of their notable signings involved the return of a 2016 player. Rich Hill re-signed for 3-years, $48 million with Los Angeles. The 36-year-old has been most impactful in his second run at big league success. His curveball is his greatest weapon, opposing hitters can’t figure it out no matter how many times he throws it. Hill has grown fearless with age, plus his “whatever’s best for the team” attitude plays perfectly in the Dodger clubhouse.
Third baseman Justin Turner also re-signed with the Dodgers. Turner agreed to a 4-year, $64 million deal last Monday. The Dodgers locked up one of the more underappreciated players in baseball. Turner has posted an OBP of over .338 each of the last three seasons. He’s a disciplined hitter who displayed a sudden power surge last season, knocking 27 home runs. The Dodgers’ third place hitter from 2016 is certainly worthy of a four-year contract.
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A weak starting pitching market paved the way for an opportunistic relief market this offseason. Such opportunity as to see Aroldis Chapman sign a record 5-year, $86 million contract with who other than the New York Yankees. Closely behind Chapman’s insane deal was the Dodgers’ signing of star closer, Kenley Jansen. Jansen earned an $80 million contract for 5 years. Competition was steep for Jansen, and the massive payroll of the Los Angeles Dodgers had to sweep him away from the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. Jansen is undoubtedly a top five closer in all of baseball. His cutter is probably the closest thing the game has seen to Mariano Rivera‘s in terms of being unhittable. The Dodgers offer was wise and they will benefit with comfortable 9th innings for five seasons to come.
The argument could be made that the Dodgers haven’t done enough. While there is still time to improve their roster, L.A. would be fine if they laid low for the remainder of the offseason. They gave the Chicago Cubs a tough NLCS last postseason, so there is no reason to doubt their capability in 2017. They have a deep offense that could compete as one of the league’s best if Yasiel Puig could ever play to his potential. Jansen says it all in the pen, and their starting pitching will only improve if they can maintain their health. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be a force to be reckoned with this season.