MLB Special: 2011 Major League Baseball Offseason Review – Part 1
As the 2011 Major League Baseball regular season came to a close, the drama of the offseason began. Many top players were on the move as others were looking to maintain their position with revised contracts and increased benefits. The fans were not disappointed
as there was plenty happening during the offseason, here is a brief look at some of the major newsworthy events to take place.
Albert Pujols, after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series Championship in a brilliant series, landed a ten-year mega contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth a massive $254 million. For weeks the fate of Pujols was debated throughout the
media. Most fans were hoping that he would stay with the St. Louis Cardinals, but unfortunately they could not agree to the huge sum that Pujols was looking for. One thing is certain, with Pujols moving out west, the balance of power in Major League Baseball
will surely change.
Another dominating slugger was also on the move during the offseason. The Milwaukee Brewers’ star hitter Prince Fielder became a free-agent after the 2011 MLB regular season and was spurred on by the massive contract that Pujols had received. Quite a few
teams were looking at the possibility of acquiring the slugger, however, only a slight few could actually afford to make such a high offer to him. In the end, Fielder was given a huge nine-year contract worth $214 million by the Detroit Tigers. The Brewers’
fans were disappointed to see their star hitter leave the club. For Fielder, it was a dream contract to play for one of his favourite teams.
The Los Angeles Angels were quite busy during the offseason, having acquired the talented Albert Pujols with a massive contract; the team was looking to add some depth to their pitching line-up. The Angels signed the talented C. J. Wilson to a five-year
contract worth $77.5 million. Not only did the team acquire the services of one of the most dynamic hitters to grace the field in the past few years, but now they had signed a tremendous pitcher to strengthen their rotation. The Texas Rangers could not do
anything as they watched one of their star pitchers go out west to join the Angels.
The Rangers were not to be undone as rumours swirled regarding the Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. Many teams had Darvish in their sights. However, it was the Rangers that finally managed to land the tremendous thrower with a six-year contract worth $60 million.
The Rangers had proven to the League that they also know how to acquire the best players and are willing to pay whatever it takes. Having made it to the World Series finals for the past two years and losing, the Rangers know what they need to help them throughout
the postseason.
New York Yankees also made some offseason moves that showed their fans that they are willing to make some necessary changes to help them get ready for the 2012 MLB regular season. The Yankees traded catcher Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher
Michael Pineda. In a move that is sure to strengthen their pitching and provide some support to their front-line throwers, the inclusion of Pineda is something the Yankees’ fans will be looking at during the regular season.
Although most of the offseason is filled with players moving from one team or the other, the actual teams had a lot going on in terms of changes in management structure and in one case, an outright sale of the entire franchise. The Los Angeles Dodgers went
up for sale as Major League Baseball allowed for bidders to put in their offers for the team.
Continued in Part 2
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