MLB Power Rankings: 1 offseason decision every team will regret
By Tim Boyle
10. Seattle Mariners will regret free agency inactivity
The Seattle Mariners relied more on trades than free agency this offseason. Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong were their two big trade additions. They did sign AJ Pollock, but he doesn’t quite measure up to expectations for those other two. The Mariners had one of the lowest team batting averages in 2023. Waiving their chance to sign a better player than Pollock in free agency could be something they regret quickly when the team is once again in the basement of team batting average.
9. Baltimore Orioles will regret not adding a star player
Wasn’t this offseason supposed to be a chance for the Baltimore Orioles to add a star player? They barely touched the free agent and trade market. It seems like the effort the players gave down the stretch last year went ignored. Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin aren’t enough for the Orioles to capture a playoff spot. Instead of making a late-season charge, the Orioles are probably going to hang around all year on the outside looking in. The big reason: they didn’t sign a star pitcher or add a star bat.
8. New York Yankees will regret their belief in Aaron Hicks
The New York Yankees haven’t learned. Aaron Hicks is not going to get the job done in left field. Likely the Opening Day starter at the position, Oswaldo Cabrera will look to save fans from the torturous performance Hicks has continued to give the franchise. The Yankees should already be on the lookout for upgrades. Bring on the Bryan Reynolds trade rumors all day, every day.
7. Cleveland Guardians will regret thinking Josh Bell was enough
It’s frustrating to see a playoff team settle in the offseason. This is pretty much what the Cleveland Guardians did. The American League Central will be a tight race yet again. Signing Josh Bell was good for them, but not nearly enough. The Guardians didn’t even have to necessarily pay someone. Trades could have brought them another bat or even an upgrade to the rotation. This isn’t the same team it was in the past where they had five starters they can trust. The Guardians are setting themselves up to get passed by the Chicago White Sox or Minnesota Twins this year.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers will regret releasing Cody Bellinger
The Cody Bellinger redemption tour is going to be fantastic. Settling on a deal with the Chicago Cubs after the Los Angeles Dodgers released him, it’s the biggest regret the Dodgers will have. What did they have to lose by giving him the same deal? Curiously, the Dodgers have a couple of things they could regret. Their rotation doesn’t feel as stacked as usual nor does the lineup feel as dangerous. Somehow, they’ll still win 100 games even with Bellinger returning to form.