Offseason Archives | Baseball Essential

The Cleveland Indians are Paying the Ultimate Price for an Inactive Offseason

Jun 6, 2019

Cleveland Indians, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

The Cleveland Indians treated the 2018-19 Major League Baseball offseason as though they could act with impunity, believing that regardless of their activity on the market -- or lack thereof -- the American Lea...

DJ LeMahieu Has Been Highway Robbery for the New York Yankees

Robbie Stratakos

Jun 4, 2019

New York Yankees, Opinions & Predictions

DJ LeMahieu has won a batting title, is a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove Award recipient, and one of the best middle infielders of his generation. Yet, he signed just a two-year, $24 million deal with the Ne...

The Washington Nationals Need to Extend Anthony Rendon

Robbie Stratakos

Mar 4, 2019

Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

It's official: Bryce Harper will not be playing for the Washington Nationals in 2019. On Thursday afternoon, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a 13-year, $330 milli...

QUIZ: How Well Do You Remember This MLB Offseason?

Tom Dorsa

Feb 21, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason

Major League Baseball's annual offseason is a test of patience for fans, of smarts in general managers, and of determination in players. Generally speaking, if you work hard on your flaws in the offseason, when...

Seven MLB Players Returning From Injury to Watch in 2019

Tom Dorsa

Feb 10, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason

Cal Ripken Jr.'s streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, without a single day off for rest or injury, is one of baseball's various unbreakable records. For 16 years Ripken took his position for the Baltimore ...

Free Agency: Ranking Bryce Harper’s Suitors Based on Fit

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 10, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Perennial All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper remains a free agent. The first two-thirds of that sentence makes its ending remarkable. The reason why this three-month drag has taken place isn't because of one part...

The New York Mets Need Their Young Core to Take the Next Step to Contend in 2019

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 8, 2019

New York Mets, Opinions & Predictions

The New York Mets have been one of the most active teams in Major League Baseball this offseason and are surely a National League playoff threat in 2019. But if the Mets aspire to be an NL pennant threat, they ...

The Boston Red Sox Must Address Their Bullpen Before it’s Too Late

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 5, 2019

Boston Red Sox, Opinions & Predictions

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have done little to nothing to improve themselves this offseason. Sure, they've re-signed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and utility man Steve Pearce, but their r...

The Oakland Athletics Should Pursue a Gio Gonzalez Reunion

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 4, 2019

Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez remains one of the most notable free agents on the open market. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics need starting pitching; a reunion between the two parties makes all the sense in the wor...

The Atlanta Braves Should Focus on Deepening their Pitching Staff

Robbie Stratakos

Jan 30, 2019

Atlanta Braves, Opinions & Predictions

Last season the Atlanta Braves surprised many going 90-72 and winning the National League East. Are they well-assembled to repeat as division champions in 2019? Yes, but they would be wise to deepen their pitch...

Tagged Offseason