Best Offseason

Having already evaluated the best offseason moves, here are the teams who had the best offseason.

10. Milwaukee Brewers
This is not a homer pick, just look at what they did. They kept their main core of talent in place, and chose to add around it. That's Doug Melvin's model for success, and one that I'm quite fond of. Offense was a problem for the Crew last year, and they made up grades to it. The only question facing this team is it's bullpen, will it be strong enough to hold. They lost Dan Kolb, but got a great arm in return for him in Jose Capellan. Capellan will eventually will be their closer, but until then they have a few guys who can fill the void until he is ready.

Notable Losses:
Keith Ginter, Dan Kolb, Craig Counsell, Luis Vizcaino, Scott Podsednik

Key Additions:
Carlos Lee, Damian Miller, Jose Capellan, Justin Lehr, Junior Spivey*, Brady Clark*, Ricky Botallico, Jeff Cirillo


9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Reluctantly I put them on this list. The D'backs fall into a group of teams like the Dodgers and Mariners who made a lot of moves, but for the most part I'm not sure why they made these moves in particular, or what their plans are. This team looked like they were going to rebuild and let their young guys get a lot of playing time, but then they began to add big contracts, mainly in the hopes of keeping Richie Sexson, but it didn't work. The moves they made are 50-50. They'll either work great, or Arizona is going to be one of the worst teams in the league. It should make for an interesting year in Phoenix.

Notable Losses:
Richie Sexson, Randy Johnson, Danny Bautista

Key Additions:
Javier Vazquez, Russ Ortiz, Shawn Green, Jose Cruz Jr, Troy Glaus, Tony Clark, Shawn Estes, Craig Counsell, Royce Clayton, Dioner Navaro


8. Chicago Cubs
This may be a little high for them, but I really think they had a top ten offseason. They got rid of Sammy Sosa. Theres no doubting what he can do offensively, but he was a defensive liability and he began to wear out his welcome. The loss of Sosa is a case of addition by subtraction and it gets rid of that dark cloud looming over this team. They don't have to worry about the Sosa situation anymore. They didn't make any big splashes in free agency, but they did add little pieces that will fit in with the unit they've assembled nicely.

Notable Losses:
Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, Mark Grudzielanek, Kyle Farnsworth

Key Additions:
Jerry Hairston Jr, Jeromy Burnitz, Normar Garciaparra*, Aramis Ramirez*, Neifi Perez, Henry Blanco, Chad Fox



7. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are interesting because they too are building like the Diamondbacks, half young guys and the other half high paid veterans. They did make some nice moves last winter, and if new additions like Mags can stay healthy this team is interesting. The AL Central isn't too strong, and the best case scenario for the Tigers is a third place finish, which believe or not could happen.

Notable Losses:
Nothing worth missing

Key Additions:
Magglio Ordonez, Troy Percival, Kyle Farnsworth, Carlos Pena*, Ramon Martinez, Vance Wilson, Dwayne Wise, Ugeth Urbina*


6. Baltimore Orioles
Didn't make too many moves, but they did add Sammy Sosa. Like him or not, and I for one hate him, he is one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. The addition of Sosa adds even more firepower to an offense that already features Miguel Tejada, Javier Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro. They also added to their bullpen, which was a weakness last year. If the young pitchers they have can take pressure off the offense to score 8 runs a game, then this team can win about 55-60% of their games.

Notable Losses:
Jerry Hairston Jr, Buddy Groom

Key Additions:
Sammy Sosa, Steve Kline, Steve Reed, Rafael Palmeiro



5. Atlanta Braves
Upgraded their offense, and pitching. Most teams look to do, or hope to do one of those two but the Braves did both. This team is built around a lot of older players and question marks though, particularly reguarding whether or not some of these guys can handle what will be asked of them, like Dan Kolb, or if they can stay healthy all year and not break down, like Smoltz and the corner outfielders.

Notable Losses:
Russ Ortiz, Juan Cruz, Charles Thomas, Dwayne Wise, Antonio Alfonseca, Jaret Wright, JD Drew, Paul Byrd

Key Additions:
Tim Hudson, Dan Kolb, Marcus Giles*, Jay Powell, Raul Mondesi, Brian Jordan, Gabe White, Julio Franco*


4. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards lost the guy who made the offense go, Edgar Renteria, but they have more than enough offense to make up for the loss. The main issue with this team was starting pitching, and the addition of Mark Mulder gives their formation credibility, a left handed pitcher, and a true ace all in one move. I like that upgrade, and I like the additions of David Eckstein and Mark Grudzielanek.


Notable Losses:
Edgar Renteria, Mike Matheny, Kiko Calero, Steve Kline, Danny Haren, Tony Womack

Key Additions:
Mark Mulder, David Eckstein, Mark Grudzielanek, Einar Diaz


3. Florida Marlins
Kept their young nuecleus in tact and added nice components to it. They lost Carl Pavano who had a great year last year, but you could question if he is really coming on or just performed well in a contract year. The Marlins didn't really make many moves, but the ones they did were impact moves that upgraded the offense, and pitching depth.

Notable Losses:
Carl Pavano, David Weathers, Will Cordero, Chad Fox

Key Additions:
Carlos Delgado, Al Leiter, Josh Beckett*, AJ Burnett*, Paul Lo Duca*, Guillermo Mota*, Antonio Alfonseca, John Reidling


2. New York Yankees
This team resembles some of those late 90's teams, which is something you couldn't say for the last few units they Yanks trouted out onto the field. They added a Yankee in Tino, which should help the first base situation. On a side note, Jason Giambi is in for one nightmarish season, not so much statistically, but emotionally. He is going to get riddiculed at every park he goes to. I feel bad for Jason cause I like the guy and by all account he is a great guy, but he brought it on himself. Starting pitching is going to be interesting to watch. Can Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano, and Randy Johnson for that matter hold up to the New York pressure? If so then this is a pretty good rotation.

Notable Losses:
Javier Vazquez, Dioner Navaro, Orlando Hernandez, Miguel Cairo, Enrique Wilson, John Lieber, John Olerud, Tony Clark, Esteban Loiza, Travis Lee, Kenny Lofton, Paul Quantrill

Key Additions:
Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Tony Womack, Tino Martinez, Doug Glanville, Mike Stanton, Buddy Groom



1. Boston Red Sox
They Red Sox did a good job of maintaining what they had, and upgraded what they could. They did loose Pedro and Derek Lowe, but to make up for it they added David Wells, Matt Clement and Wade Miller (If he can stay healthy). They upgraded shortstop with Renteria over Cabrera, and the outfield by adding Jay Payton. If Matt Mantei can regain his form and stay healthy, then thats an upgrade to the bullpen.

Notable Losses:
Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Williamson, Ramiro Mendoza, Dave Roberts, Pokey Reese

Key Additions:
Matt Clement, Edgar Renteria, David Wells, Matt Mantei, Jay Payton, Jason Varitek*, Wade Miller, Bill Mueller*, John Halama