Steven Urena
By Steven Urena
Call me McRib, because I’m back baby!!!
I knew this off-season would be crazy but it’s looking to be the most memorable in quite some time. Let’s run through the biggest off-season moves.
Corey Seager
Texas Rangers. 10 years. $325 million.
Grade: A-
Corey Seager checks all the boxes except for one. Health. When he’s on the field he is one of the most valuable players in baseball. He hits for average, hits for power, only 27 years old, WS MVP and, despite what people say, plays a really good shortstop. Corey is the mild mannered guy that is a fierce competitor. He works hard and is a good clubhouse guy. He just needs to stay healthy, which I think he will. The Rangers need a Corey Seager. The Dodgers and their fans want him but we don’t need him when he wants north of $300 million. I will truly miss Seags but he was too expensive. Especially when the Dodgers supporting cast is still pretty darn good. Good move for the Rangers but it’s still an expensive one.
Max Scherzer
New York Mets. 3 years. $130 million.
Grade: A-
Yes, Max Scherzer is long in the tooth but after what he did with the Dodgers last season, he’s still got it. Mad Max and Jacob deGrom will make up the most potent 1-2 punch in baseball. I like the move because the Mets have money to burn. They are all in NOW! Especially since deGrom looks like he will bounce back from last season’s injury. Imagine having to face a hot deGrom and Scherzer in a 5 game or 7 game playoff? Ouch. Unfortunately for the Mets, deGrom and Scherzer can’t pitch every game. They’re still going to have trouble getting past the Braves in the NL East and may have to get in via the wildcard route. Get the Mets in the dance and they are dangerous!
Javier Baez
Detroit Tigers. 6 years. $140 million.
Grade: B+
I like Baez but I’m not in love with him. He’s put up really good numbers but I simply would not want him on my team. He’s a huge showboat, he lacks hustle, he strikes out a lot and makes a ton of errors. If he matured a bit, I think he would be much better but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. Maybe now that he’s got the big bucks he may step it up. Maybe not. He can be the spark plug that Detroit needs to get out of the gutter. Good move but with it comes some risk.
Wander Franco
Tampa Bay Rays. 12 years. $185 million guaranteed, $223 million maximum value.
Grade: B
I fell in love with Wander when I first started seeing footage of him in the minor leagues. He seemed to be everything you want in a “can’t miss” prospect. Wander does it all and he’s only 20 years old. I think the move is genius but I give it a B because a lot can happen to a kid that’s 20 years old that has guaranteed money. Complacency, partying, pressure, etc. I also feel they gave him way too much money. A 20 year old kid from the Dominican Republic that came from extremely humble beginning will almost always take the guaranteed money. In my opinion, they gave him too much. I would have low-balled him. If Wander pans out, you tip your cap to the Rays. Gutsy and economic move.
Marcus Stroman
Chicago Cubs. 3 years. $71 million.
Grade: B+
Stroman has a rocket arm but he is similar to Pedro Martinez. They wear down because they are little guys. They generate a lot of power and it puts wear and tear on their arms. Stroman will be good for the Cubs. I just don’t see him being an All-Star. I knew he would not last more than one season in New York. Chi-Town will benefit from his experience and fiery attitude.
Chris Taylor
Los Angeles Dodgers. 4 years. $60 million.
Grade: A-
Finally, a win for the good guys! Taylor will be huge for the Dodgers. He can play almost every position, he’s shown a lot of potential with his stick and he’s a glue guy (good clubhouse guy). LA got him at a discount. He wanted to stay with the Dodgers and I don’t blame him. Taylor is comfortable there and he wants to win. He will compete with Gavin Lux for time at second base and with Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock for time in the outfield. Don’t be surprised to see CT3 starting every day somewhere.
Justin Verlander
Houston Astros. 1 year. $25 million.
Grade: A
Nice little chunk of change for a try-out season. Verlander is certain of two things. The first is that the Astros are still a contender. The second is $25 million. At his age, he wants to win and get paid. The Astros covered both his needs. Let’s be real, it’s not fun to be an Astro. Everyone hates them. Verlander doesn’t want to be there forever but this is a good deal for him and he believes the Astros can win a ring. If he pitches well and makes a playoff run, another big contract awaits him. If he stinks, the Astros won’t have to pay him long-term.
Robbie Ray
Seattle Mariners. 5 years. $115 million.
Grade: A-
Ray has had some seasons where he’s been banged up but he’s also had some really good seasons. Because he has been inconsistent or hurt, the deal does raise some eyebrows but the reigning Cy Young award winner looks like he is hitting his prime. He’s still under 30 and looks as good as ever. The M’s almost got in the dance this past season. They feel Ray can help get them over the hump. With expanded playoffs, this looks like a big possibility. Good move for both parties, especially since Ray has an opt-out after 3 years.
Marcus Semien
Texas Rangers. 7 years. $175 million.
Grade: A
Semien has looked like the real deal the past 3 seasons. This past season he set the single season home run record for second basemans with 45. Semien and Seager are, without a doubt, the best middle infield in baseball. One could say the best middle infield money could buy. Ha! Even at 30, I don’t see Semien slowing down. He may fall off a little at the end of the contract but I still expect him to be a .260/270 guy with over 30 home runs. Great move by the Rangers. They are going for it.
Noah Synergaard
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 1 year. $21 million.
Grade: C
Thor has not been healthy and is inconsistent. His potential is through the roof but he’s only had one good season. He went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA. Are the Angels hoping this is the season he can put it all together? $21 is a lot of money for a guy that is not proven. He is also being asked to go to Anaheim and be the dude. He’s not. The Angels are finally investing in arms but this is not a great move.
Byron Buxton
Minnestoa Twins. 7 years. $100 million (with incentives)
Grade: B+
Buxton is good. The Twins need guys that are going to be consistent and that can flat out play. Buxton has shown he can be an All-Star caliber player. The incentives make sure the Twins get more bang for their buck. Smart move. Both parties will be happy by the end of the deal.
Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel (Available thru Amazon–click on pic)
Kevin Gausman
Toronto Blue Jays. 5 years. $110 million.
Grade: B-
Gausman has been in the league 9 years and has one good season to show for it. I like where he’s headed in terms of his development but $110 is a lot of money for a guy that could still be a fluke. Some guys are late bloomers and Gausman could be one of them. His production at the end of the season was down a lot from the beginning of the season. Had Gausman stayed consistent, I would have graded this an A. Clearly, the Blue Jays are all in!
Contact Steve Urena at:
Email: theurenaexpress@gmail.com
Twitter/IG: @theurenaexpress
