MLB Rankings: These Five Teams had the Worst 2021 Offseasons
By Travis Koch
While the Padres and Mets cracked the four-minute mile this MLB offseason, most other teams took their sweet time perusing the free agent and trade markets. The Blue Jays didn’t leave the start line until January, and the Cardinals’ race began on January 31st then ended a week and a half later.
Some teams started the race but didn’t finish it on account of poor preparation or faulty navigation. Such participants are the focus here.
We defined this offseason’s biggest losers as organizations that did not have a clear plan, repeated mistakes from years past, or were unnecessarily passive. These clubs had the autonomy to push forward, but instead, they find themselves worse off or only marginally better.
Behold the five MLB teams that had the most unsatisfactory 2021 offseasons.
Worst 2021 MLB Offseasons: #5 Philadelphia Phillies
Notable additions: C J.T. Realmuto, SS Didi Gregorius, RHP Archie Bradley, LHP Jose Alvarado, LHP Tony Watson, RHP Brandon Kintzler, RHP Chase Anderson
The Phillies faced an essential offseason after falling just short of an expanded playoff berth in 2020. Not only did they need to resolve extensive pitching trauma, but they also had to devise a plan for bringing back or replacing free agents J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius.
They successfully resigned both up-the-middle stalwarts. Realmuto returned for five years and $115.5 million, and Gregorius for two years and $28 million. Those were two Grade-A signings given the importance of the shortstop and catcher positions and the evident talent gained.
Philadelphia’s fifth-ranked scoring offense from 2020 returns; however, they haven’t reformed their pitching staff enough for that to make a difference.
The Phillies’ 7.06 bullpen ERA was by far the worst in MLB last year. They’ve reacted this offseason by signing one big-name reliever in Archie Bradley; their second and third most intriguing bullpen additions are two non-roster invitees in Tony Watson and Brandon Kintzler.
Given the extreme depth of the free-agent relief market, the Phils could have easily made a more significant dent. Alex Colome signed with the Twins for one year and $6.5 million, Kirby Yates with the Blue Jays for $5.5 million, Mack Melancon with the Padres for $3 million, and Jeremy Jeffress with the Nationals on a minor league deal. Roberto Osuna and Shane Greene remain unsigned. There were, and still are, proven relievers available, but the Phils have hardly ventured out.
The same applies to their starting rotation. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler make up a stellar one-two punch, but the rest of the order is questionable.
The starting pitching market was top-heavy and not nearly as steep as the relief market. Still, there was an opportunity for the Phillies to make an impact signing. They chose instead to offer contracts to past-their-prime starters Matt Moore and Chase Anderson, moves one would suspect from a rebuilding team.
All the while, their division foes have hugely capitalized on the opportunistic markets.
Bottom line: the Philadelphia Phillies have not done enough this offseason to engrave themselves in the NL East title race. With no expanded playoffs and two NL West teams just about guaranteed to make the postseason, the Phils may have to win 90 games to have a shot. It’s hard to envision that after this offseason.