Three Biggest Losers of the MLB Offseason Thus Far
As the offseason continues to unfold in Major League Baseball, some teams have experienced more disappointment than success. Whether through underwhelming free-agent signings, poor trades, or missed opportunities, several organizations have emerged as clear “losers” in the early stages of this offseason. The 2024 MLB season is just around the corner, and teams are positioning themselves to contend, but not every squad is making moves that will help them reach that goal. The following are three of the biggest losers of the MLB offseason thus far.
1. San Diego Padres: Missed Opportunities Amid Financial Constraints
The San Diego Padres entered the offseason as one of the most intriguing teams in the league. They boasted a roster filled with star power, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Xander Bogaerts. Despite their elite talent, the Padres stumbled in 2023, missing out on a postseason spot after a deep run in the previous year’s playoffs. Heading into 2024, they had the potential to be a World Series contender if they could balance their roster and improve in key areas. However, their offseason has thus far been marred by missed opportunities and financial constraints that have left the team in a precarious position.
The Financial Elephant in the Room
The Padres’ most significant issue this offseason has been their massive payroll. They have committed huge contracts to multiple star players, and as a result, their financial flexibility is incredibly limited. With Tatis, Machado, Soto, and Bogaerts all eating up significant portions of the budget, the team has little room to add key pieces, particularly to their pitching staff, which has been inconsistent at best.
While the Padres attempted to make moves this offseason, they were largely unable to find success. They missed out on top-tier free agents who could have helped improve their starting rotation and bullpen. Additionally, their limited ability to trade for a top-of-the-rotation arm was stymied by their financial situation. With limited funds, the Padres were forced to look for bargains in free agency, and that hasn’t paid off as expected.
The Soto Trade Drama
A critical moment in the Padres’ offseason came when trade rumors around Juan Soto began swirling. Many believed the Padres might look to trade Soto to relieve payroll and create more financial flexibility. Given Soto’s talent and the fact that he is entering his final year of arbitration, it seemed like an ideal time for the Padres to make a move. However, despite ongoing discussions, Soto remained with the Padres—at least for the moment—creating an awkward situation. If Soto doesn’t perform at his elite level or if the Padres continue to underperform, they might be stuck with a costly player who could be heading toward free agency without receiving the return they were hoping for.
In the end, the Padres’ offseason has been a blend of frustration, as they’ve been unable to improve significantly, and uncertainty surrounding the future of their high-priced core. With limited moves made and the potential for financial struggles ahead, the Padres appear to have missed an opportunity to capitalize on their window of contention.
2. New York Mets: The Collapse of Their Grand Plan
The New York Mets’ offseason has been one of the most perplexing, especially given their enormous financial commitment to building a championship-caliber team. When owner Steve Cohen took over the Mets in 2020, he made it clear that he was willing to spend big to bring a World Series back to New York. With massive free-agent signings like Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and others, the Mets had one of the most impressive rosters on paper heading into 2023. However, the 2023 season turned into a major disappointment, with the team underperforming and finishing well out of playoff contention.
The Shockingly Short-Lived Scherzer and Verlander Experiment
The Mets’ biggest move this offseason was trading away both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, two pitchers who had been signed to hefty contracts in 2022. Both pitchers, however, failed to live up to expectations in 2023. Scherzer, in particular, struggled with injuries and inconsistencies, while Verlander, though solid, was not the dominant ace the Mets had hoped for. The Mets decided to get out of the expensive contracts early, trading Scherzer to the Texas Rangers and Verlander to the Houston Astros.
While moving these players was understandable given their struggles, it was still a clear admission of failure. The Mets had invested heavily in two aging pitchers, hoping their elite pedigree would propel the team into championship contention. Instead, they were left scrambling for a new direction. The problem is that the Mets didn’t quite have the depth of talent in their rotation or bullpen to replace Scherzer and Verlander’s presence.
Missed Opportunities in Free Agency
Beyond the trade of Scherzer and Verlander, the Mets have failed to make any major strides in improving their roster this offseason. While they still have a core of young players like Brett Baty and Francisco Álvarez, the team has not added significant upgrades to their pitching staff or lineup. The Mets missed out on a few high-profile free agents and found themselves lacking in key areas like starting pitching depth, bullpen reliability, and outfield production. Despite having one of the highest payrolls in MLB, they have been unable to make a big splash this winter.
What’s more, with their aging core and lack of improvement this offseason, the Mets seem to be in a holding pattern, lacking the same momentum they had in previous years. Their grand plan to build a dominant, star-studded roster has faltered, and it’s unclear where they go from here.
3. Chicago Cubs: Underwhelming Approach to Roster Building
The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason with a significant opportunity to build on their competitive foundation, particularly after finishing in the middle of the playoff hunt in 2023. With a talented core that includes Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, and Marcus Stroman, the Cubs were in a prime position to make a significant push for contention in the National League. Instead, their offseason moves have left much to be desired, and the team’s future remains uncertain.
Bargain Hunting Instead of Big Moves
The Cubs’ most notable addition this offseason was the signing of outfielder Dansby Swanson last winter, which was one of their few impactful moves. However, beyond Swanson, the Cubs have been largely quiet and have made only smaller, incremental additions. While they have signed a few role players and depth pieces, they have yet to make any major splashes in free agency or the trade market.
For a team with playoff aspirations, the Cubs have been relatively underwhelming in their approach. Instead of making a big move to further strengthen their lineup or pitching staff, they’ve been hunting for affordable players who could fit into a more modest strategy. While this approach might work for some smaller-market teams, the Cubs have the resources to do more. With the current state of the NL Central, the Cubs could have been more aggressive in upgrading their roster to compete with the top teams in the division, such as the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals.
Stagnation and Missed Opportunities
Another key issue for the Cubs is their failure to capitalize on the market’s best players. They were linked to several high-profile free agents, including Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto. However, they came away empty-handed, while teams like the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants landed their targets. The Cubs have a glaring need in their rotation and outfield, yet they’ve yet to make any game-changing acquisitions that will elevate them to the level of their competitors.
While the Cubs’ front office has remained steadfast in their belief that the team can contend, the lack of major moves or significant upgrades has raised questions about their commitment to building a championship-caliber team. If they continue to operate in the margins without addressing the more pressing needs of their roster, they may find themselves stuck in mediocrity for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion: A Long Road Ahead for These Teams
The 2024 MLB offseason has been filled with high-profile moves, but these three teams—the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets, and the Chicago Cubs—have found themselves in a difficult position. Whether due to financial constraints, failed strategies, or missed opportunities, these teams have had underwhelming offseasons that may ultimately hold them back in their quest for postseason glory. As spring training approaches and the season looms closer, they will need to regroup and rethink their approaches to ensure they are competitive in a rapidly evolving league. Until then, these teams will remain among the biggest losers of the 2024 MLB offseason.
Leave a Reply