We’ve already recapped each of the 30 MLB teams’ winter, as well as our picks for the best performers during the offseason. Now, it’s time to take a look at the ugly. With the offseason drawing to a close, let’s go over the teams we believe performed the worst during the winter.
Related: Which MLB teams did the best during the 2022-23 offseason?
Red Sox
The Red Sox faced a difficult offseason after a tough 2022 that saw Boston slide down to fifth in the AL East. Boston did address its weakness in the bullpen, as Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin will be among the new relievers for the Sox for 2023. However, the most notable news from the Sox’s offseason were the departures of stars Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, and Nathan Eovaldi. The losses of those three, along with failing to bring in adequate replacements and a major injury to Trevor Story are set to leave Boston in a tough position in a loaded AL East.
The road ahead won’t be easy for the Sox. While Boston does own some impressive prospects, the farm system as a whole isn’t among the league’s best. Given the strength of Boston’s division rivals, it may be an uphill climb for the Red Sox to make the playoffs over the next few seasons — unless the team goes back to its big-game hunting ways.
Rockies
There were a lot of teams that had relatively quiet winters — the Athletics, Nationals, and Pirates are good examples of that. However, each of those three squads are rebuilding. The Rockies, on the other hand, look very much like a rock in a hard place. Colorado boasts a relatively solid lineup, led by C.J. Cron, Kris Bryant, Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon, and Brendan Rodgers. But, the Rockies headed into the winter with a below-average rotation, something that can be a big problem when half of Colorado’s games are played in Coors Field.
The only notable additions made this offseason were the pickups of reliever Pierce Johnson and former top Guardians prospect Nolan Jones. Colorado didn’t address the team’s biggest weakness, leaving the Rockies in an odd state entering the 2023 season.
Dodgers
The Dodgers failed to make it past the NLDS in 2022, after Los Angeles set a franchise record for total wins. After that season, the Dodgers lost a number of key pieces of its group. Justin Turner joined the Red Sox, while Trea Turner is heading back out east. On the pitching side of things, Andrew Heaney and Tyler Anderson both departed in free agency. One would think that under normal circumstances, the Dodgers could have gone after another star shortstop to replace Trea Turner or even look towards the trade market to add some new pieces. That never happened, as LA opted for short-term deals this winter.
Despite not making a big splash in the winter, this was most likely planned for a couple of reasons. One, it does leave the Dodgers with a change to see whether its prospects like Miguel Vargas and James Outman can break through as regulars. More importantly, it does give Los Angeles a chance to come under the luxury tax threshold and reset penalties. That could allow the Dodgers to spend in the winter of 2023, which is set to feature a major class of free agents.
Giants
San Francisco did make some solid additions for its 2023 roster, but the Giants also endured some hefty losses. While the Giants did add three former All-Stars in Mitch Haniger, Michael Conforto, and Taylor Rogers, San Francisco did lose its ace — Carlos Rodón — in 2022, and the de facto “captain” of the team, first baseman Brandon Belt.
However, the Giants’ biggest miss from this winter was what San Francisco didn’t do. The Giants were rumored to be big players in the offseason, but failed to woo Aaron Judge from New York and saw a deal fall through with Carlos Correa. Given that the Dodgers and Padres are both powerhouses, a star hitter could have been a major difference maker for a lineup that does include some interesting pieces. But for 2023, all the Giants can do at this point is look ahead — and possibly towards a hunt for Shohei Ohtani this coming November.
