The MLB off-season: Winners and losers

By Joe Pantorno

The past week saw plenty of wheeling and dealing, some raised eyebrows and, from what I'm seeing from the Yankees, anger and disrespect (I had to throw that in). We'll take a look at some of the winners, the losers and headlines that will be dominating the Major Leagues in 2014.

Biggest deal: Robinson Cano to Seattle

Did I really have to say it? No, but here in New York, we're finding the spectrum to insulted fans to those who basically are saying 'good riddance,' to the best second baseman in baseball. 10-years, $240 million: say what you want about the money and being greedy, if someone offered you an extra $70 million, you'd take it, even if it means being underwhelming in a small baseball market.



Move with biggest chance of a let-down: Mark Trumbo to Arizona

While 1B/OF Mark Trumbo has massive power numbers and headlined a deal that saw the Angels get pitchers Tyler Skaggs from Arizona and Hector Santiago from the White Sox, Trumbo could have a rough go in the NL West. His career on base percentage is .299 and he will have considerably less protection in the Diamondback's line-up. Chase Field also isn't the easiest park to hit one out in. In a few years' time, we could be talking about how LA stole Hector Santiago from Chicago.


Signing that filled biggest gap: Bartolo Colon to Mets
With a bowl full of jelly and shouts of 'he's a cheater,' just hear me out before we get on the Colon bashing train. We all know the Mets are reeling after the loss of Matt Harvey. It doesn't matter what they say, this team had big plans for 2014 and their centerpiece went down during a putrid September. Colon went 18-6 last year, is an innings eater and has a track record of providing quality starts. This isn't a deal to make a statement, it's to stop the bleeding in the pitching staff and give the less experienced (Wheeler, Niese, Gee) a veteran presence that has actually attained success...not Dice-K.

Best free agents still available: Grant Balfour, Shin-Soo Choo

Both were All-Stars in 2013 and Choo, whose numbers don't scream for the kind of attention that he is getting, is driving his paycheck up as we speak. The longer he holds out, the bigger his contract will be. There have been reports that the Rangers were preparing a 7-year, $153 million deal for the outfielder. Last year with Cincinnati he hit .285, 21 HR, 54 RBI with 20 stolen bases. Do those numbers warrant that sort of deal? No.

Balfour has been talking with Baltimore on a deal. He wants three years while the Orioles won't budge at two and are starting to look for other options. Balfour had 38 saves with a 2.59 ERA in Oakland. At 35 years old, he's in no way considered old in relief pitcher years, yet a three-year deal seems to be too much to ask for.



Most underrated deal: Tim Hudson to San Francisco

It's clear that Hudson will end his career in San Fran. The 38 year old's two-year deal is his last shot to win a title. His addition to the Giants' pitching staff has rounded out what could now be one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Of course this is all probable, but come Opening Day, the Giants could have a rotation of Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong and now Tim Hudson. That's not too shabby.

Lowest risk, highest reward value: Carlos Beltran to Yankees

The Yankees have money, so before you go griping about how this could be such a good deal if they gave him so much cash, stop it. Sometimes you have to overpay a bit to fill a need and Carlos Beltran is most likely to find plenty of success in the Bronx, though it pains me to say that. The 36 year old still can pay a smooth outfield and whenever comes the time (and it will come) when he picks up a knock, he can provide a great alternative at DH. Switch hitting, he'll feast off the short porches, just like Brian McCann will with right field.