Most Improved MLB Teams in 2023

By RotoWire

After seasons of uncertainty and turmoil from COVID-19 and labor strife, the 2023 offseason took a more normal course and teams were not shy about spending money.

The league’s 30 teams spent over $3.5 billion on players this winter. We saw massive deals handed out to players, but the real question is, which teams spent most efficiently to become playoff hopefuls, and which are now World Series contenders?

TEXAS ARMS ITSELF

After adding Corey Seager and Marcus Semien heading into 2022, the Texas Rangers focused on overhauling their starting rotation this offseason after maintaining the MLB's sixth-worst ERA (4.76). The big get was inking Jacob deGrom -- the best pitcher in the league when he’s healthy -- to a five-year, $185 million contract. The team also added pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney.

But the Rangers still face obstacles to reaching the postseason. The first is durability of the new hurlers. DeGrom has thrown only 156.1 innings across the last two campaigns, Eovaldi has topped 110 innings only once in the last four seasons, and Heaney has dealt with elbow and shoulder injuries throughout his career.

Moreover, the AL West is brutal, with the defending champion and perennial contender Houston Astros, the Seattle Mariners – a postseason team in 2022 — and the Los Angeles Angels, with superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

CUBS OPEN POCKETBOOKS

The Chicago Cubs also paid for several big names, highlighted by a quartet of hitters. The star of that group is Dansby Swanson, who has been a steady hitter over the last several years and gives the Cubs a strong combination up the middle of the infield when paired with Nico Hoerner.

Chicago also signed Cody Bellinger, who has had a fall from grace after winning the National League MVP award in 2019 but is still an excellent center fielder and only 27. Jameson Taillon was added as a reliable starting pitcher, while rookie Hayden Wesneski earned a rotation spot out of spring training and could make an immediate impact.

Unlike the Rangers, the Cubs are in a relatively soft division, with the Cardinals looking like the only team with a definitively better roster in the National League Central.

D-BACKS READY TO BUST OUT

The Arizona Diamondbacks arguably took a step back in December when they dealt away Daulton Varsho. But the D-backs have several prospects that are ready to break through. Corbin Carroll was among the top prospects in the game before making his brief big-league debut to end the 2022 season.

While Carrol is the headliner, the team boasts a number of intriguing pitching prospects -- Drey Jameson, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. The team also upgraded its bullpen, a major problem in 2022, with the additions of Scott McGough, Miguel Castro, and Andrew Chafin.

METS, PADRES EVEN BETTER

The Padres and Mets also spent big and probably should be higher on this list. But they already had the best rosters and the highest expectations among the teams mentioned here. They are legitimate World Series contenders.

The Mets let Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt walk during the winter, but they reloaded by adding Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga. The Mets were also swept up in the Carlos Correa drama before ultimately losing out, though they still have top prospects along the infield such as Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, and Mark Vientos.

The loss of Edwin Diaz will hurt, but David Robertson is an experienced reliever and will have the chance to lead the bullpen in either the closer role or as a reliable high-leverage arm.

Meanwhile, as has become an annual tradition, the Padres made a big splash in free agency by adding Xander Bogaerts on a long-term deal, in turn pushing Fernando Tatis Jr. into the outfield.

After relying on a thin and oft-injured rotation in 2023, the Padres also added depth to their pitching staff by signing Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Those aren’t star level names, but they should be reliable inning-eating pitchers that will prove to be vital when injuries inevitably strike.

The always formidable Dodgers took a step back, and the Padres are poised to take advantage and prove to be the team to beat in the National League West.

Photo Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA wire