Major League Baseball went dormant for 99 days.
The last time a major league transaction took place, prior to Thursday’s agreement between MLB and the Players’ Association, was Dec. 1 – what feels like a lifetime ago.
And in November, as teams, players and agents scurried to hammer out (sometimes historic) deals, a lot happened in a short amount of time. While several big names remain on the free-agent market, a few stars picked their next destinations before the collective bargaining agreement expired.
From the big-money spenders to the players who hung up their spikes, get caught up on the 2021-22 offseason pre-lockout style:
The Mets made some big moves
With owner Steve Cohen poised to have the New York Mets lead the league in payroll, the Mets watched former pitchers Noah Syndergaard (one year, $21 million with the Los Angeles Angels) and Steven Matz (four years, $44 million with the St. Louis Cardinals) sign elsewhere.
On Nov. 27, the new front office led by general manager Billy Eppler made not one, not two, but three significant splashes. The Mets signed outfielder Starling Marte to a four-year, $78-million contract, and inked OF Mark Canha ($26.5 million) and INF Eduardo Escobar ($20 million) to two-year deals.
The biggest move of the offseason came days later when right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million contract. The $43.3 million average annual value is a record, besting Gerrit Cole‘s $36 million AAV from his 2019 deal with the Yankees.
WINNERS AND LOSERS OF MLB’S NEW CBA: Owners retain their riches, modest gains for players after long lockout
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT 2022 MLB SEASON: Opening day, spring training and new rules after baseball’s lockout
STAY UP-T0-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now!
The Rangers splashed the cash
Coming off their first 100-loss year since 1973, the Texas Rangers went big in free agency, spending $500 million on a middle infield overhaul with shortstop Corey Seager (10 years, $325 million) and second baseman Marcus Semien (7 years, $175 million). Texas also signed right-handed starter Jon Gray to a four-year, $56 million deal.
With a new ballpark (opened for the fan-free 2020 season) ownership appears committed to building a winner.
New managers were hired
There were only four managerial openings this winter, but all of those teams were competitive in 2021 and with the exception of the Oakland Athletics, are expected to be contenders again in 2022.
Mets – Buck Showalter replaced Luis Rojas
Athletics – Mark Kotsay replaced Bob Melvin
Padres – Bob Melvin replaced Jayce Tingler
Cardinals – Oliver Marmol replaced Mike Shildt
Pitchers got paid
While many of the unsigned stars are position players, many of the big names on the mound found new homes before the lockout. Here are a few:
Robbie Ray – Seattle Mariners (five years, $115 million)
Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays (five years, $110 million) – (Toronto also extended right-hander José Berríos for seven years, $131 million)
Eduardo Rodriguez – Detroit Tigers Tigers (five years, $77 million)
Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs (three years, $71 million)
James Paxton – Red Sox (one year, $10 million)
Alex Cobb – Giants (two years, $20 million)
Raisel Iglesias – Angels (four years, $58 million)
Javy Baez found a new home
Javier Báez was another biggest bat to sign before the lockout. The free-swinging shortstop and the Tigers agreed on a six-year, $140 million deal on Nov. 30 after his mid-2021 trade to the Mets.
Some guys said goodbye
Several big names walked away from the game this offseason. It began in September when Ryan Braun, who sat out out the 2021 season, said he was done after 14 years with the Milwaukee Brewers. Buster Posey and Jon Lester were two three-time World Series champions and former All-Stars who also called it quits.
Other retirees included: Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and right-handed reliever Wade Davis.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB’s pre-lockout offseason: Mets, Rangers made big moves in November
original source: Mets, Rangers go big, pitchers play musical chairs: Remembering what happened in MLB’s pre-lockout offseason
