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Julio Cortez/Associated Press
It took a couple of days, but since Major League Baseball ended its lockout, transactions have been moving at a breakneck pace.
Free agency and trades are already reshaping the league, from Freddie Freeman signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers to Matt Olson taking his place in Atlanta via trade.
How about Kris Bryant landing in Colorado, of all places, where there’s been more of a star exodus than a free-agent destination?
Teams are putting in work ahead of Opening Day, which is set for April 7.
With that in mind, here is a list of teams with the most work to do before reaching that date.
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Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
They have not done anything to hurt themselves, but operating along the margins leaves this team in a similar place it was a year ago.
Where are the bold moves to improve a team that was just two games away from the World Series?
Since the lockout ended, general manager Chaim Bloom has signed relievers Jake Diekman and Matt Strahm. The Red Sox also officially lost Kyle Schwarber to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Before the lockout, Boston signed starters James Paxton, Rich Hill and traded to bring back Jackie Bradley Jr.
Yet none of that addresses the offensive production they lose from Hunter Renfroe (31 home runs, 96 RBI).
Had they signed Freddie Freeman, who they were rumored to be pursuing, this conversation changes a bit.
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Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press
It still feels like they should have been more serious players in free agency. They reportedly reached out to Carlos Correa before the lockout, and before the free agent shortstop hired Scott Boras as his agent.
A move like this alone wouldn’t have changed the Cubs’ trajectory, but they have money and it would have shown their willingness to really spend it.
Instead, they went with Andrelton Simmons on a much cheaper one-year, incentivized deal worth $4 million.
The 2022 season should be about making strides toward whatever the Cubs eventually become.
It’s an important year for developing prospects and strengthening the farm system after trading away so much homegrown talent last season.
The Cubs’ farm system ranks 12th in the latest B/R rankings, and their long-term future depends on how these young players develop.
As for their immediate future, not much has been done to instill confidence.
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Ken Blaze/Associated Press
While other teams make moves to improve their roster, the Guardians seem oddly comfortable standing pat.
All they’d done in free agency as of Wednesday was sign catcher Luke Maile two days earlier. They also traded for catcher David Fry on March 13.
But as far as moves their fans truly care or can even feel good about? Not a lot there.
SB Nation fan blog Covering the Corner argued that it was not too late for the Guardians to sign Joc Pederson, until it was.
That would hardly have counted as a marquee signing, but would at least indicate there’s some action.
Cleveland still needs an established corner outfielder and has questions about its log jam in the middle infield.
The other AL Central squad that didn’t win the division are making moves. The Minnesota Twins traded for Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez from the New York Yankees and Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds.
The Royals signed their own franchise legend Zack Greinke.
It won’t make either of them contenders, but at least they are doing some work.
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Charles Krupa/Associated Press
The Rays’ main job by Opening Day was to consummate their flirtation with Freddie Freeman. It just didn’t work out that way.
It’s clear they want to make a big splash, contrary to their reputation as small spenders.
Atlanta traded for Matt Olson, presumably to replace Freeman, so Tampa missed out there. Perhaps Matt Chapman would have been a consolation prize, but the Toronto Blue Jays traded for him Wednesday.
The Rays had interest in Japanese slugger Seiya Suzuki, but he instead agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs.
Before the lockout, the Rays not only showed interest in Freeman, but actually made an offer.
Now, it’s too late for Freeman. But if the Rays are dipping their toe in the water, they might as well soak their feet.
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Matt York/Associated Press
The Houston Astros have dominated the American League West over the past five years, and that should not change in 2022. What will change is the team that threatens their throne.
It has been mostly the Oakland Athletics, but last year the Seattle Mariners emerged as a postseason contender while everyone else took a step back.
That included the Los Angeles Angels, who received a historic American League MVP season by Shohei Ohtani but were without their other top players in Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Trout and Rendon played a combined 94 games because of injuries.
If they can stay healthy, and Noah Syndergaard returns to form, it could finally be the Angels’ year to knock on the door.
They will need another starter to do so, and it would not hurt to make calls to the division foe Athletics.
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D. Ross Cameron/Associated Press
The San Diego Padres will get Mike Clevinger back from Tommy John surgery, and Fernando Tatis Jr.—oh, wait.
Suddenly, new manager Bob Melvin and the Padres need another with Fernando Tatis Jr. out for up to three months with a left wrist injury suffered in a motorcycle accident. Otherwise, they’re at risk of back-to-back letdown seasons.
Was there anything more disappointing last year than San Diego’s meltdown, especially considering the investments it made in the pitching staff?
Last offseason, the Padres acquired Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. Since they already had Tatis and Manny Machado leading the offense, expectations were through the roof.
Instead, the San Francisco Giants seized the National League West, turning in their best regular season ever.
This time around, the Padres are bringing back a talented roster that’s capable of meeting the expectations set last offseason. If only they can stay healthy.
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Richard W. Rodriguez/Associated Press
The Texas Rangers have spent $565.2 million so far this offseason. That’s a long play, but it could pay off sooner rather than later.
Corey Seager and Marcus Semien give the Rangers a strong middle infield, both offensively and defensively. They could certainly use the upgrades at the plate after finishing 2021 with an MLB-worst .669 OPS and the third-fewest RBI (598, fewest in the American League).
The addition of Jon Gray bolstered their rotation. That should help a squad that had the highest ERA in the American League West and eight-highest in baseball (4.79).
The question is whether that will be enough to compete with the Houston Astros or stave off the ascending Seattle Mariners.
Clayton Kershaw, a Dallas native, would’ve been a clutch signing, but he inked a one-year, $17 million deal to rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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David J. Phillip/Associated Press
One of two things was going to happen for the Houston Astros this offseason: they would pony up after a previous low-bid offer to re-sign Carlos Correa or reimagine life without one of the game’s best shortstops.
Surprisingly, the Astros are still in the running for the Puerto Rican star, and are perhaps even the favorites to land their 2012 No. 1 overall pick.
Manager Dusty Baker told reporters at spring training that prospect Jeremy Pena is the front-runner to start at shortstop, but that’s because Correa is still a free agent.
The lineup, which ranked at or near the top of MLB in nearly every category of significance, would be just fine without Correa.
But Houston values his defensive presence and leadership most. Will that value translate into the monetary compensation Correa and his new agent, Scott Boras, are seeking?
The Astros need to figure that out quickly.
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Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press
Trading for Isiah Kiner-Falefa was an unexpected way for the New York Yankees to address their glaring need at shortstop. Nonetheless, consider it addressed.
They also re-signed Anthony Rizzo to complete the infield and effectively take them out of the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes early.
What stands out now is how underwhelming the rotation is after Gerrit Cole. The Yankees were linked to Noah Syndergaard last year, though he signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
Most of the other good starting pitchers have signed as well, so free-agent options are limited.
The best way they can help themselves is to trade for Frankie Montas or Sean Manaea since the Oakland Athletics have a fire sale going.
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