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5 teams that lost the MLB offseason

By Jackson Shannon

October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) returns to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) returns to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) talks with pitching coach Mike Butcher (23) and catcher Carlos Perez (58) and shortstop Erick Aybar (2) in the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Los Angeles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) talks with pitching coach Mike Butcher (23) and catcher Carlos Perez (58) and shortstop Erick Aybar (2) in the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Los Angeles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Which teams lost the MLB offseason?

When the last out is recorded in the World Series it marks the end of a 162-game marathon season and signals the beginning of the Major League Baseball offseason. General managers, front office executives, and scouts waste no time and begin their quest for creating what they believe is a better roster for the next season. Whether that means spending millions in free agency or trading valuable assets for prospects, every organization has a plan.

The MLB offseason is a chance for every team to hit the reset button and set out to better one’s organization. The 2012-2013 Boston Red Sox offseason is a great example of how a team can go from a last place finish in the American League East to being crowned World Champions the following season. The 2005 Florida Marlins and the 2012 Miami Marlins give us an example of just how disappointing a team’s offseason can be.

In 2012, the Red Sox went 69-93 under manager Bobby Valentine. He was promptly dismissed of his duties and the Red Sox set out for a complete team makeover. Their first order of business was hiring new manger Jim Farrell, with a new manager in town it was now time to fill out the rest of the roster. What the Red Sox did in the 2012-2013 offseason was unique. They went after free agents whom were not necessarily the big-ticket free agents but guys they believed fit their culture and team philosophy.

Re-signing David Ortiz not only brought back their team captain, but also solidified the middle of the lineup. The Red Sox also brought in catcher David Ross, outfielder Jonny Gomes, outfielder Shane Victorino, shortstop Stephen Drew, first basemen Mike Napoli, starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, and closer Koji Uehara. Each player contributed throughout the season and in the playoffs, which resulted in a regular season record of 97-65 and the winning of the 2013 World Series.

For every successful off-season story there are teams that have unsuccessful offseasons and the team and the fans suffer from that. The Marlins are a good example of a franchise with a dark history of poor off-seasons.

In 2005, the Marlins conducted the first of their infamous fire sale offseasons, trading away their most valuable players in Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Delgado, Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett, Juan Pierre, and Luis Castillo. The Marlins were left with an incredibly thin roster, angry fans, and a fourth-place finish in the national league east.

History repeated itself seven years later when the Marlins shipped out a slew of proven players; John Buck, Gaby Sanchez, Omar Infante, Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Emilio Bonifacio, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, and Anibal Sanchez. With so much turnover and loss of talent the Marlins limped to the finish line with a last-place record of 62-100.

The 2015-2016 MLB offseason has been an interesting one, we’ve seen David Price and Zack Grienke sign for over $200 million, the games two best closers in Craig Kimbrel and Arolidis Chapman traded to the American League East, and a variety of bargain free agents finding roles with various organizations. Similar to every MLB offseason, this year yields five teams that have lost in their quest to better their organization for the 2016 season and beyond.

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