As we approach the holidays, most of the heavy lifting around Major League Baseball free agency has already been done. Even though there are a handful of interesting free agents still available, most of the top tier talent have been signed to new contracts.
With that in mind, let’s look at which teams have helped themselves the most by ranking the top-three teams in terms of their MLB free agent signings thus far.
New York Mets MLB Free Agents
In a day and age when many MLB teams are scrutinized for not spending competitively, the New York Mets are proving to be one of the major exceptions. Owner Steve Cohen is showing how deep his pockets are as the Mets explore uncharted territory in terms of payroll and the luxury tax implications that come along with it.
Tops on the list of MLB free agent signings for the Mets was reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. After losing Jacob deGrom to the Rangers, the Mets were quick to find his replacement in Verlander, who went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA to help the Astros win their second World Series title ever.
If that wasn’t enough, the Mets continued to load the pitching staff by adding the likes of Kodai Senga (11-6, 1.94 ERA in NPB), Jose Quintana (6-7, 2.93 ERA), Edwin Diaz (32 saves, 1.31 ERA), David Robertson (20 saves, 2.40 ERA), Adam Ottavino (6-3, 2.06 ERA), and Brooks Raley (1-2, 2.68 ERA).
In the field, the Mets re-signed Brandon Nimmo (.274 avg, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 102 R) and Omar Narvaez (.206 avg, 23 RBI, 21 R).
The Mets are tied for the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series next year at +1000.
New York Yankees MLB Free Agents
Anytime that you can bring back an AL MVP and bolster your rotation with one of the best lefties in the game, it has to be a good offseason. For the Yankees, they did exactly that.
The biggest piece of business for the Yankees this offseason was to secure AL MVP Aaron Judge to a long-term deal. When the dust settled, Judge signed for nine years and $360 million to stay in the Bronx.
Last season, Judge hit a new AL record for home runs with 62. He also hit .311/.425/.686 with 131 runs batted in, 133 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases.
On the mound, the Yankees added one of the best southpaws in the game in Carlos Rodon, agreeing to a six-year deal worth $162 million. Last year, Rodon went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and he struck out 237 in 178 innings of work.
While Judge and Rodon rightfully get the headlines, another key move for the Yankees was re-signing first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The 33-year-old hit 32 home runs, 75 runs batted in, and 77 runs scored in 465 at bats last season for New York.
Trailing only the Houston Astros, the Yankees have the second-best odds of winning next year’s World Series at +700.
Philadelphia Phillies MLB Free Agents
Having made it to a World Series last season, the Phillies could have easily just been content to run it back as it was, hoping to find the same success as last year. However, in a division that includes the Mets and Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia knew they would have to add firepower, and that is exactly what they did.
The biggest signing for Philadelphia this offseason was that of shortstop Trea Turner to a 11-year, $300 million contract. Last season, with the Dodgers, Turner hit .298/..343/.466 with 21 home runs, 100 runs batted in, 101 runs, and 27 stolen bases.
Now, paired with Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies will bolster one of the more intimidating lineups in the National League.
If Turner wasn’t enough, the Phillies also added starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.49 ERA) and reliever Matt Strahm (4-4, 3.83 ERA).
Trailing their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, the Phillies have the seventh-best odds of winning the World Series at +1200.
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