It’s midway through December, and this has already been one of the most active Major League Baseball offseasons in recent memory. Plenty of teams have been dealing aggressively, making smart acquisitions or signing key free agents to counter the moves made by their divisional rivals.
While teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs have stolen the show so far this hot stove season, some clubs have been disappointingly inactive. Others have just made some puzzling moves.
These teams include the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies. It’s time these ballclubs show their respective fanbases that they have clear plans in place.
In the case of the Padres, reversing the course from last offseason may be the right move, but trading away significant pieces and a large chunk of the bullpen is worrisome.
Other teams have been slow to sign big names while the free-agent market chugs onward. As we saw in the case of the Zack Greinke deal closely following Jordan Zimmermann’s signing, once one domino falls, others topple soon after.
A number of general managers have yet to address certain glaring needs. Let’s look at why 2016 may turn out to be a long, frustrating year for various MLB teams.