Fansided

5 teams that won the MLB offseason

By Nathaniel Reeves

February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Ender Inciarte (5) looks on from the on deck circle during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Ender Inciarte (5) looks on from the on deck circle during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are not going to be competitive in 2016, and it would not surprise anybody if they finished with the worst record in the Majors. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it was a very successful offseason in Atlanta.

It’s not often that a single move can make a team one of the winners of the offseason, but the Shelby Miller deal with the Diamondbacks is one of the rare trades that falls into that category. The Braves dealt away a good but not great pitcher in Miller for the impressive haul of Dansby Swanson, Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair.

That’s the kind of trade that can instantly kickstart a rebuild, and it should make Atlanta very interesting in 2017 and beyond. Swanson, the top overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, projects very well at the plate and instantly becomes Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect.

If that wasn’t enough, Inciarte may already be a more valuable major-league player than Miller after posting 3,3 WAR last year per FanGraphs. Blair should also hold down a rotation spot soon enough, making this a steal for the Braves.

The Andrelton Simmons deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wasn’t nearly on that level, but Atlanta can still be happy with a return. While losing a valuable young player like Simmons hurts, prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis give the Braves even more young pitching to stockpile.

When the Braves are getting back towards contention in 2017 or 2018, they can look to this offseason as a major springboard.

Next: 4. Kansas City Royals

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