TOP FIVE: Worst MLB Offseason Moves

In this week's podcast we gave another top-five list, this time reviewing the best and worst of the MLB offseason. Chris took the five best, and I took the five worst. Take a look and tell me what you think, or head over to What Are You Talking About and give it a listen for yourself. 

1.) Jon Lester- Chicago Cubs; 6yrs/155 million; Age 31 

Any team would be lucky to have Jon Lester on their team. Thirty one teams are lucky to not have just committed 155 million dollars and six years to a pitcher already age 31. Mega contracts such as this one are only justified if the team is all-in for a World Series right now. The Chicago Cubs, though young and promising, are not a win-now team. If the Cubs enter 2015 without any additional moves, Theo Epstein might feel some heat for this one.  

2.) Max Scherzer- Washington Nationals; 7yrs/210 million; Age 30

There are two sides of the coin in analyzing the deferred payment of the 105 million owed to Scherzer in the last three years of his contract. The bright side being the Nationals have more flexibility to throw cash at other free agents. The bad side being you have 105 million on your payroll spread through seven years for a guy not even in baseball. Like Lester, Scherzer is a great starting pitcher. However, the Nationals already had a great starting rotation with financial flexibility in Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark. One of these pitcher is on their way out of Washington, the question is, which one? Which one would you trade away?  

3.) Boston Red Sox- Pablo Sandoval; 5yrs/95 million; Age 28; Hanley Ramirez; 4yrs/88 million; Age 31

Sandoval earned his contract through consistency and two seasons of World Series heroics. At age 28, he will continue to justify that deal. Ramirez is a different story. Not only is he 31 with declining numbers, he's now being asked to man left field for the first time in his MLB career. The shift to outfield also forces Yoenis Cespedes out of Boston, a hitter and fielder entering his prime with none of the question marks that come with Ramirez. The move doesn't add up.

4.) Los Angeles Dodgers- Trades for Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick

The Dodgers wisely let Hanley Ramirez walk. But they replaced the vacancy at shortstop with Jimmy Rollins. While managing to stay relatively healthy, and providing a boost on defense, he's a definite downgrade on offense, and, at his age, could regress even further. At the same time, the Dodgers sent All-Star and 2014 base-stealing king, second-baseman Dee Gordon to Miami. They then turned around and traded for Howie Kendrick to replace Gordon. Granted, Rollins and Kendrick will provided some leadership and defensive stability up the middle. Both have expiring contracts after this season and the moves position the Dodgers to make a larger splash next season. But they do nothing to inspire an improved post-season run in 2015.     

5.) Giancarlo Stanton- Miami Marlins; 13yrs/325 million; Age 25

My jaw drops every time I read that number. I have no doubt about Stanton's potential and power. He could easily justify this contract well into his thirties. But this deal seems too soon for a player not even approaching free agency. The good news is we can debate the grade of this contract until 2028.

Let me know what you think.

-Bob