A recent USA Today article discusses the proverbial winners and losers of the 2008-09 offseason. Obviously the signing period is not over and the rankings could change depending on where major free agents like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, and Ben Sheets sign.
Of note to Met fans are the ranking that the team garnered at #2. Let Bob Nightengale explain:
The Mets decided to do something to change their gags of the last two Septembers. They signed closer Francisco Rodriguez, who had a record 62-save season last year, and traded for Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz. Just like that, the Mets might have the best 1-2 bullpen punch in baseball.
After being buried in anxiety over what the starting rotation that will hand leads to the bullpen would look like, it did help to think about what we have done this offseason. Nonetheless we will need to secure another starting pitcher to make this offseason better.
The other teams that received interesting marks include, among the winners: the Yankees at 1(for almost spending as much money in contracts as the entire GDP of American Samoa), the Cleveland Indians at 3(who have quietly addressed their two biggest needs, bullpen and an infield bat), and the Oakland Athletics at 4(Holliday and Giambi).
The Washington Nationals were labeled the biggest(brace yourselves) loser of the offseason for not really signing anybody after talking strong. That could change if they get Dunn, but as it stands, Daniel Cabrera is their big signing.
By the way, I almost did a double take when I read that this was the fifth year for the Nats in Washington. My, how the time has flown. No change headed their way.
In other news from around the league, the Pittsburgh Pirates are the favorites to sign ex-Met Braden Looper.
