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Faces in new places for the 2023 MLB season
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Faces in new places for the 2023 MLB season

The 2023 MLB season is about to get underway, which is music to the ears of baseball fans everywhere. Spring training is the time of year when every team gets to feel optimistic about what lies ahead, and it also gives us the first glimpse at big-name players that may be wearing unfamiliar uniforms. Let's take a look at some faces that are in new places in 2022.

 
Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

The NL East is shaping up to be an absolute three-team gauntlet in 2023. Everyone remembers the Phillies magical run to the NL pennant last October. However, it wasn't lost on the Phillies front office that their team still finished 14 games behind both the Braves and Mets in the East, and they weren't willing to again bet on things breaking their way in a short playoff sample size. So how did they try to close the gap with their rivals? Only go out and sign the best available free agent this winter. Shortstop Trea Turner can do absolutely everything on a baseball field, and is coming off a season that watched him slash .298/.343/.466 with 21 homers and a career-high 100 RBI in LA. He's bringing Philadelphia an elite player at a premium position, and his addition instantly makes the Phillies significantly better.

 
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Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers

Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When Jacob deGrom returned last summer after more than a year since last throwing a pitch in the big leagues, it was clear immediately he's still the best pitcher on the planet. The 3.08 ERA deGrom pitched to 11 starts for the Mets was a little misleading thanks to the nine home runs opponents hit against him, often with a runner(s) on base. Peripherally though, deGrom still dominated to the tune of a WHIP well under 0.80, struck out an absurd 14.27 hitters per nine innings, and pitched the Mets to their only win in their opening-round series with San Diego. Whatever the reason, it seemed apart he was ready to go somewhere else in free agency, and the Rangers were thrilled he chose them. Provided he can stay healthy--which has obviously been a concern--this is a huge boon for Texas.

 
Justin Verlander, New York Mets
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

So what's a team like the Mets with serious championship aspirations to do when their best pitcher departs in free agency? How about signing the reigning AL Cy Young winner? Justin Verlander was unbelievable in Houston a year ago, working to a splendid 1.75 ERA in 175 innings, and New York pounced on the opportunity to replace one generational starting pitcher with another one. Verlander turns 40 this month, so age is obviously a potential concern, but as recently as--checks notes--last season, there wasn't a better pitcher in baseball. This was a huge get for the Mets.

 
Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees were the best team in baseball for the first several months last season, but didn't play nearly as well in the second half and in October were seriously threatened by an inferior Guardians team and then swept easily by Houston in the ALCS. This winter, it was obvious that New York believed the reason for some of their late-season struggles was its lack of a true ace to pair with Gerrit Cole, and they made acquiring one their top priority. Enter southpaw Carlos Rodon. In San Francisco last season the veteran pitched to a 2.88 ERA across 31 starts, while striking out 237 batters in 178 innings and making his second straight all-star team. The Yankees believe adding him to their rotation will go a long way toward preventing losing streaks, and help them get over the proverbial hump in 2023. 

 
Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Look away Red Sox fans, I know this one hurts. Just three years after dramatically botching the Mookie Betts situation, Boston inexplicably forced another homegrown fan favorite out the door. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts had been clear for months that he wanted to re-sign in New England, and as the team's unofficial captain, who is still in his prime and thriving, remaining in Boston seemed to be the most likely outcome. Welp. The Red Sox never made Bogaerts a competitive offer all winter to the point where at the winter meetings he felt the door was closed and he had to pivot. That's what landed him in San Diego where he'll join a Padres team that projects to be on the short list of serious contenders in the National League.

 
Justin Turner, Boston Red Sox
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

After discussing Xander Bogaerts leaving the Red Sox, let's move on to a new arrival in Boston. Third baseman Justin Turner was a staple at the hot corner for nine years on some tremendous Dodgers teams, but at 38 years old this winter was time for both he and LA to go in different directions. Turner missed time on the IL due to an abdominal strain last year, but was still productive at the plate, slashing .278/.350/.478 with 49 extra-base hits and 81 RBI. With Rafael Devers starting at third base for the Red Sox nearly every day, Boston will hope Turner can make a seamless transition to DHing, and off-set some of the right-handed run production Bogaerts took with him to southern California. 

 
Jose Abreu, Houston Astros
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of run producers. After just winning the 2022 World Series the Astros didn't necessarily need to add a bat like Jose Abreu, but when the rich have an opportunity to get richer, why not? Abreu had spent his entire MLB career to date with the White Sox, with him he established quite a resume. In a shade, under 5,000 big league at-bats, Abreu has a career .292/.354/.506 slash line with 243 home runs and 303 doubles. He's driven in over 100 runs six times, was the AL MVP in 2020, and has doubled more than 30 times in every season (excluding the pandemic-shortened '20 campaign). To put it lightly, adding Abreu to play first base made the Astros exponentially more dangerous. 

 
Teoscar Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

One of the first big trade dominoes to fall this off-season was the one that watched Toronto send slugger Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle two weeks before Thanksgiving. For the last several seasons the veteran right-handed hitter has quietly been one of the more underrated run producers in the American League, perhaps due to playing on the same team as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. In Seattle, he'll be inserted directly into the middle of the Mariners' line-up and will be counted on to help the M's threaten Houston in the AL West. 

 
Willson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

One of the more glaring visuals of 2023 spring training will come from Jupiter, FL, where for the first time since 2004 Yadier Molina won't be toting the tools of ignorance for the Cardinals. What will make it even odder, though, is who's replacing him. Veteran Willson Contreras spent the last seven seasons playing for St. Louis' arch-rivals in Chicago, and it's really going to take some time to get used to him in Cardinal Red. On the field, the addition of Contreras will actually represent a significant upgrade for St. Louis, as he's hammered 20 or more homers four different times, and has long been one of the best backstops in the National League. 

 
Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of high-profile catchers changing teams. The Braves 2022 catching tandem of Travis d'Arnaud and William Contreras was far from a weakness, but that didn't stop the defending NL East champs from going out and trading for Oakland's Sean Murphy. The 28-year-old Murphy was really the last legitimate all-star caliber player left in Oakland after the A's started tearing their roster down a winter ago, and bringing him to Atlanta will be a huge plus for the Braves. Last season the veteran slashed .250/.332/.426 with 18 homers and 66 RBI, but his calling card will always be his plus defense behind the plate. 

 
Pablo Lopez, Minnesota Twins
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

For over a year we'd been hearing how Marlins GM Kim Ng would like to trade from her abundance of quality starting pitching in an effort to improve Miami's struggling offense. In late January she was able to do just that by sending righty Pablo Lopez to Minnesota in exchange for infielder Luis Arraez, who just won the American League batting title in '22. For Minnesota, Lopez will bring much-needed stability to a rotation that has needed it for quite some time.In 32 starts for the Marlins a year ago he pitched to a 3.75 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP, while striking out 174 hitters in 180 innings. 

 
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Craig Kimbrel, Philadelphia Phillies

Craig Kimbrel, Philadelphia Phillies
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

As discussed in the Trea Turner slide the Phillies made it their mission this winter to close the gap--at least from the regular season--between them and their rivals in Atlanta and New York. Another piece in that effort comes in the form of 34-year-old righty Craig Kimbrel who brings 394 career saves and 2.31 lifetime ERA with him to the City of Brotherly Love. As a Dodger a year ago Kimbrel was not the dominant late-inning reliever he's been for most of his career. However, he still struck out well over a hitter/inning and should be able to carve out a consistent role in Philadelphia's bullpen even if it doesn't come in the 9th inning. 

 
Aroldis Chapman, Kansas City Royals
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Another once-dominant closer now looking to reestablish himself in a new place is lefty Aroldis Chapman, whom the Yankees were more than content to let walk this winter. Last season the veteran missed significant time for New York, first with elbow inflammation and later with an infection caused by a new tattoo. When he was on the mound he struggled, pitching to a career-worst 4.46 ERA in 36.1 innings, and he'll try to get back on the proverbial wagon in Kansas City in 2023. 

 
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Gregory Soto, Philadelphia Phillies

Gregory Soto, Philadelphia Phillies
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia has assembled an interesting mix of relievers with experience pitching in high-leverage situations, and while I don't think they know quite yet which one will assume the closer's role on opening day, southpaw Gregory Soto is as good a bet as any. The 28-year-old flamethrower came east in a January trade with the Tigers, bringing with him a power arm that saved 30 games on a bad Detroit team last season. Soto has been an all-star in each of the last two years, and there's no question he'll upgrade this team however the Phillies choose to use him.

 
Brandon Belt, Toronto Blue Jays
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Another sight in spring training that just won't look right will be Brandon Belt wearing Toronto blue. The left-handed swinging first baseman had spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Giants, winning two World Series titles and ultimately developing into the undisputed leader of the club. An injury-plagued 2022 season caused Belt to put up the worst offensive numbers of his career, slashing just 213/.326/.350 in 254 at-bats, but the Blue Jays are betting on a rebound in the upcoming campaign. 

 
Trey Mancini, Chicago Cubs
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Trey Mancini is one of the really good guys in our sport, and even before losing all of the 2020 season because of cancer treatments, he was an easy guy to root for. After spending his entire career in Baltimore Mancini was emotionally traded from the Orioles to the Astros in a deadline deal last summer. It was pretty cool to see him earn a ring in Houston last October. This winter he inked a deal with the Cubs and will bring a professional right-handed bat capable of being deployed at first base, the corner outfield positions, or DH.

 
Michael Conforto, San Francisco Giants
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most intriguing players to watch in 2023 will be former Mets' outfielder Michael Conforto, who sat out all of '22 after frustratingly injuring his shoulder during the off-season of his free-agent year. Conforto inked a deal with San Francisco in early January, and it will be interesting what kind of year he can give the Giants. The veteran has been very up and down during his career but owns a lifetime .255/.356/.468 slash line and has three seasons of 27 or more homers on his resume. San Francisco saw him as a high-upside buy-low option, and if he can deliver a big season it would go a long way toward helping the Giants hang with the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West.

 
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Kenley Jansen, Boston Red Sox

Kenley Jansen, Boston Red Sox
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Veteran stopper Kenley Jansen made three all-star teams and nailed down 350 saves for the Dodgers between '10-'21, and it was quite honestly a surprise Los Angeles let him leave as a free agent last winter. He spent the 2022 season with Atlanta, and while Braves fans will tell you he often had them holding their breath, most of Jansen's numbers in Atlanta were strong. He converted 41 of his 48 save chances, pitched to a 3.38 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 64 innings, and held the opposition to a sub-.200 batting average. In December, the Red Sox jumped at the opportunity to add the veteran to their relief corps, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in New England. 

 
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Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

One transaction this winter that has the potential to dramatically shift the balance of power in the highly competitive NL East is shortstop Dansby Swanson leaving Atlanta to join the Cubs in the Windy City. The 29-year-old was phenomenal for the Braves a year ago, slashing .277/.329/.447 with 25 homers, 96 RBI, and 32 doubles. He was selected to his first all-star team, won his first Gold Glove, and will be someone Atlanta will sorely miss. On the flip side, the Cubs are trying to claw their way back to relevance after a disappointing 2022, and adding Swanson will sure help them in that quest. 

 
Jesse Winker, Milwaukee Brewers
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Left-handed swinging outfielder Jesse Winker was an all-star for the Reds in 2021 when he slashed .305/.394/.556 with 24 home runs, but the veteran struggled mightily after being traded to Seattle ahead of last year. Winker's disappointing '22 campaign probably played a role in the Mariners acquiring the earlier mentioned Teoscar Hernandez, but this has the potential to work out for all parties involved. In early December, Seattle traded Winker to Milwaukee, and the Brewers hope a return to the familiar NL Central helps him re-find his stroke. 

 
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Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers
Christine Peterson/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK

The long-dormant Texas Rangers have been trying to return themselves to prominence in the American League, first signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien last offseason and this winter adding pitchers Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi is an interesting case study, as his ceiling is incredibly high and we've seen him pitch brilliantly on the biggest stages. But injuries have been a problem, and at age 33 he's only made 30 starts in a season twice. In Boston last year the veteran pitched to a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts, and Texas is gambling on him giving them more than that in 2023. 

 
J.D. Martinez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran DH J.D. Martinez is not coming off a particularly strong season by his standards, but at 35 years old and 12 years deep into his big-league career, it's fair to assume he still has something left in the tank. In Boston, last season Martinez slashed .274/.341/.448 but the 16 home runs he hit were his lowest full-season total. The Dodgers signed Martinez to a free-agent contract in late December and they're hoping to insert him into a dominant top-to-bottom line-up will lead to a little bit of a resurgence. 

 
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Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs
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Speaking of players searching for a resurgence. Center fielder Cody Bellinger was on top of the baseball world as recently as 2019. The left-handed slugger slashed .305/.406/.629 for the Dodgers that season, while crushing 47 homers and driving in 115 runs en route to being named National League MVP. Bellinger should have been on a fast track to superstardom, but unfortunately, he's slowly fallen off a cliff in the three years that followed. In 2022 Bellinger slashed just .210/.265/.389 and found himself non-tendered by LA this winter. The Cubs instantly leaped at the opportunity to bring him to Chicago on a low-risk free-agent deal, and they're hoping a change of scenery and voices can help him find the form that once made him the best hitter in the NL. 

 
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Nelson Cruz, San Diego Padres

Nelson Cruz, San Diego Padres
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz has had an incredibly productive career but based on his 2021 campaign in Washington, it's fair to wonder if his age has finally caught up to him. Cruz will turn 43 this summer and is coming off by far the least productive season of his Major League career. Just a year earlier, though, he slashed .265/.334/.497 with 32 home runs, which probably convinced San Diego to take a shot on him turning back the clock in 2023. The Padres don't need Cruz to be a feature bat, as they're loaded with offensive stars like Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts. But they'd love if he could provide a dangerous right-handed bat towards the bottom of the line-up and will let him DH early in the season to see if he can do just that. 

 
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Josh Bell, Cleveland Guardians

Josh Bell, Cleveland Guardians
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Switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell was having one of the best seasons of his career in Washington during the first half of '22 which made him one of the most prolific bats available on the trade market last July. The Padres were the team that pulled the trigger on acquiring him last summer, only to watch his offensive performance plummet during the last two months of the season. Bell slashed just .192/.316/.271 with only eight extra-base hits in 53 games with the Friars, but that's not what landed him a free-agent deal with Cleveland. The Guardians are hoping in 2023 the veteran can be the offensive player that has crushed 25 homers three separate times and owns a lifetime slash line of .262/.351/.459 in 852 career games. 

 
Luis Arraez, Miami Marlins
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

I discussed this trade in an earlier slide focused mostly on the Minnesota side of it, but it's also important to discuss who the Marlins got back in exchange for right-hander Pablo Lopez. Versatile infielder Luis Arraez can play various positions, but his most adept spot on the field is in the batter's box. The left-handed hitter won the American League batting title in 2022 by hitting .316, and while doesn't have a plethora of power, Arraez has done nothing but hit since arriving in the big leagues four years ago. Miami was in desperate need for offense, and they're excited about what Arraez can bring to the top of their line-up in a table-setting role. 

Justin Mears is a freelance sports writer from Long Beach Island, NJ. Enjoys being frustrated by the Mets and Cowboys, reading Linwood Barclay novels, and being yelled at by his toddler son. Follow him on twitter @justinwmears

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