For the second straight offseason, valuable MLB free agents remained available going into spring training. Despite big names like Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel still biding their time while waiting for the highest bidder, most teams were busy in the free agent and trade markets. Here's a look at every team's biggest move as of early March.
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It was an offseason of major personnel losses for the Diamondbacks, but they have some hope with the return of Weaver and Carson Kelly in the Paul Goldschmidt trade with the Cardinals. Weaver struggled last season, but it's easy to see why the Diamondbacks were interested after the former first-round pick posted a 2.03 ERA for his minor league career.
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Former Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos reunited with Donaldson, whom he acquired from Oakland as GM of the Jays in 2015. The former AL MVP will make $23 million on a one-year deal, and the team is hoping he helps it defend the NL East title after playing only 52 games last year.
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Baltimore was late to hire new GM Mike Elias, a former member of the Astros front office. It's clear the Orioles are not planning to compete in 2019, with Karns the headliner of an underwhelming offseason. Karns posted a 3.67 ERA in 147 innings with the Rays in 2015 but has struggled to stay healthy since then.
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Despite winning the World Series last season, Boston's only notable move was re-signing Eovaldi to a four-year, $68 million contract. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 3.33 ERA in 54 innings during the regular season for Boston after being acquired from the Rays.
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The Cubs ownership claimed it had no money remaining after a quiet offseason. Leadership had to clear out payroll even to pick up Cole Hamels' 2019 option, and Descalso was one of the few outside additions. The veteran utilityman saw 423 plate appearances in Arizona last season, posting a .789 OPS with a career-high 13 home runs.
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The White Sox whiffed on their attempt to sign Manny Machado, but they still had a busy offseason. Their biggest impact addition was Alonso, who was acquired from Cleveland in what was effectively a salary dump. Alonso has a combined 51 home runs over the last two seasons and is expected to serve as Chicago's regular DH.
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The Reds made a blockbuster trade with the Dodgers in the offseason, sending two top prospects and Homer Bailey to L.A. for Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer. Puig has a combined .827 OPS over the last two seasons and could see his numbers increase with the move to hitter-friendly Cincinnati. The Reds also made notable additions with Sonny Gray and Tanner Roark.
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Cleveland shed plenty of payroll in the offseason, but fans are happy to have Santana back. He had no role in Philadelphia with the Phillies wanting to move Rhys Hoskins back to first base, but he is set to replace Edwin Encarnacion in Cleveland.
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Colorado is expected to move Murphy to first base after he signed a two-year, $24 million contract. While his OPS declined to .790 last year following knee surgery, Murphy was one of baseball's best hitters the previous two seasons and will certainly enjoy the benefits of Coors Field.
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Detroit was in the business of adding veteran filler in the offseason, and Ross was the most expensive on a one-year, $5.75 million contract. He's struggled to regain his old form following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but Ross was a former ace in San Diego who averaged 32 starts and a 3.03 ERA in 2014-2015. If he can get anywhere close to that level again, the Tigers will have a great trade chip in July.
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The Astros lost several starting pitchers but are hoping the addition of Brantley can help make up for them. The longtime Cleveland Indians outfielder signed a two-year, $32 million contract after hitting .309/.364/.468 last year.
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Continuing their rebuild, the Royals added Hamilton after he was non-tendered by Cincinnati. Hamilton is an elite speedster and defensive center fielder, but his OPS is a paltry .631 for his career. Hamilton will earn $5.25 million on a one-year deal.
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The Angels revamped their starting rotation after a long list of injuries last year. Harvey and Trevor Cahill were the impact additions. A former ace with the Mets, Harvey has had trouble working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome but showed improved velocity with the Reds last year. The Angels took a one-year, $11 million flier on him.
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It was an odd offseason with the Dodgers, as they shed payroll. Their one big contract was Kelly, who came over from Boston on a three-year, $25 million contract to set up closer Kenley Jansen. The reliever has a combined 3.64 ERA in 127 appearances over the last two seasons.
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For the Marlins, it's still all about the rebuild. They have one major international addition in top Cuban prospect Victor Victor Mesa. However, their acquisition of Sanchez, acquired in the J.T. Realmuto trade with Philadelphia, is even more significant. Philadelphia's best prospect at the time, Sanchez had injury issues last year but posted a 2.51 ERA in eight starts at High-A Clearwater. The Marlins hope he can be an ace at the major league level by next season.
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Milwaukee made some strong under-the-radar additions like Grandal, Mike Moustakas and Alex Claudio. Grandal is one of baseball's top offensive catchers and a major upgrade over Manny Pina. Over the last three years, Grandal has averaged .239-24-66 with a .799 OPS as a Dodger.
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Cruz agreed to a one-year, $14.3 million contract to become Minnesota's primary DH. He's entering his age 38 season but has hit 203 home runs since the 2014 season. The Twins also added C.J. Cron, Jonathan Schoop and Marwin Gonzalez in what looks to be one of the AL's most powerful lineups.
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Possibly at the expense of their long-term future, the Mets were buyers after hiring GM Brodie Van Wagenen. Their biggest splash was the acquisitions of Diaz and Robinson Cano from Seattle for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and a group of top prospects. Diaz was the top closer in baseball last year, with a 1.96 ERA, 124 strikeouts and 57 saves.
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The Yankees kicked off a strong offseason by acquiring Paxton from Seattle. A developing ace, Paxton is 23-11 with a 3.40 ERA and 364 strikeouts in 296.1 innings over 52 starts during the last two seasons. He's an excellent complement to Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka in the rotation.
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Oakland Athletics: Jurickson Profar, IF
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Billy Beane and Co. are known for making moves, and the A's had a busy offseason again. They added several veteran pitchers like Joakim Soria and Marco Estrada, but no addition will have a bigger impact than Profar. The former top Texas prospect finally got a chance to play regularly last year, and he hit 20 home runs. Oakland hopes he's a viable replacement for Jed Lowrie at second base.
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The news didn't break until the last day of February, but the Phillies finally got their man. Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract to play right field in Philadelphia and give them an envious lineup in 2019. The Phillies had already been active this offseason, adding David Robertson, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen and J.T. Realmuto.
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The Pirates had a quiet offseason after acquiring Chris Archer and Keone Kela last July. Gonzalez was an under-the-radar trade acquisition from Cleveland and has a chance to be the team's starting shortstop if he can beat out young Kevin Newman and Kevin Kramer this spring.
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The Padres were nearly silent in the offseason until they signed Machado to, at the time, was the biggest free agent contract in sports history when February rolled around. Machado's 10-year, $300 million contract made waves, as he fills a hole at third base while the team's top prospects continue to develop.
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Former Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi moved north to the NL West rivals, but he hasn't made many moves since being hired. He did plug some starting rotation holes by re-signing Derek Holland and signing Pomeranz. The addition of Pomeranz hasn't received much press after he struggled through arm problems last year, but the lefty went 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA in Boston during 2017.
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Seattle had a massive sell-off in the offseason, but they also made a few interesting additions. They signed Kikuchi to a four-year, $56 million contract after a distinguished career in Japan. The left-hander is joining Seattle in his prime, at age 27, most recently producing a 3.08 ERA in 163.2 innings with the Seibu Lions last season.
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Goldschmidt was arguably the biggest trade acquisition of the offseason, as the former Diamondbacks franchise player was sent to St. Louis for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly and a minor leaguer. He's made six straight All-Star appearances as arguably the top first baseman in baseball, and the Cardinals are hopeful he can help them return to the playoffs.
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Tampa Bay isn't used to big free agent signings, but it bucked the trend this year. After two outstanding years in Houston, Morton signed a two-year, $30 million contract with Tampa Bay to be its No. 2 starter behind defending Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
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Texas desperately needed pitching after last season and addressed that need with the addition of Lynn and Drew Smyly. Lynn signed a three-year, $30 million contract early in the offseason after holding out into spring training last year. While he struggled for much of last year, Lynn pitched well for the Yankees after getting traded, posting a 4.14 ERA and 2.17 FIP in 54.1 innings.
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The Blue Jays are reloaded this year, as they wait for top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s arrival. One of their few significant moves was the addition of Galvis, who agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract and is set to get playing time in the middle infield. Galvis is limited offensively, but he has a strong glove and has played all 162 games in two straight years.
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Washington made a splash early in the offseason after allowing Bryce Harper to test the market in free agency. The Nats signed Corbin to a six-year, $140 million contract after a breakout 2018 season with Arizona in which he posted a 3.15 ERA with 246 strikeouts in 200 innings. Along with the additions of Anibal Sanchez, Yan Gomes, and Brian Dozier, the Nats hope to return to the playoffs in 2019.