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5 Biggest Surprises of MLB Offseason So Far

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5 Biggest Surprises of MLB Offseason So Far

Atlanta Braves v Pittsburgh Pirates
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With everyone predicting what every free agent and team will do in the offseason, the MLB winter can seem predictable. However, those predictions often don't hold true and some teams make moves that nobody saw coming. Here are five of those moments that have taken many by surprise so far this offseason.

5. Dodgers Make OFs Available

Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Dodgers
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5. Dodgers Make OFs Available

Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Dodgers
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With Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier on the trade block for L.A., this team could look quite different by next season. While they're only likely to trade one of them, the saved payroll could help them land a big fish in free agency. Expect any deal involving one of these players to help shape the league next season.

4. Michael Cuddyer Signs With Mets

San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies
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4. Michael Cuddyer Signs With Mets

San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies
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It seemed almost like a sure bet that Cuddyer would be back in Colorado after the success he experienced there, but the Mets swooped in and made the first big signing of the offseason. The signing has Mets fans optimistic that they're a good shortstop away from competing in 2015.

3. Russell Martin Signs With Blue Jays

Pittsburgh Pirates v Atlanta Braves
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3. Russell Martin Signs With Blue Jays

Pittsburgh Pirates v Atlanta Braves
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A dark horse until a few days ago, the Blue Jays emerged as a favorite for Russell Martin out of nowhere. They landed him by giving him a crazy five-year, $ 82 million contract, which he gladly took. While the Cubs were favored to land him and almost did, Toronto swiped him from them at the last second.

2. Cubs Hire Joe Maddon

Chicago Cubs Introduce Joe Maddon
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2. Cubs Hire Joe Maddon

Chicago Cubs Introduce Joe Maddon
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Most people weren't even aware Maddon could become a free agent this offseason because few knew about the clause in his contract allowing him to opt out if GM Andrew Friedman left. However, he exercised that option, and the Cubs, who already had a manager in place, gave him a five-year, $ 25 million contract to try and become the first manager since 1908 to deliver a World Series title to the franchise.

1. Cardinals Land Jason Heyward

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves
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1. Cardinals Land Jason Heyward

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves
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In the biggest blockbuster of the offseason, the Cardinals were able to land Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden for young starter Shelby Miller and a minor league pitcher. With plenty of pitching, Miller wasn't an essential piece, but Heyward gives St. Louis a stacked lineup in 2015. This move makes them the early front-runners in the National League.

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