10 Biggest Surprises Of MLB Offseason So Far

By Jacob Kornhauser

The MLB offseason rarely lacks drama, and this winter has been no different. Things happened that surprised all of us. These 10 developments were the biggest surprises of the entire offseason to this point.

10 Biggest Surprises Of MLB Offseason So Far
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10. Cespedes Stays In Queens After All

Cespedes Stays In Queens After All Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA Today Sports
At points this offseason, it seemed like it would be impossible for the Mets to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes because of conflicting goals in contract between player and team. However, the outfield market was strange this offseason, and the two sides eventually agreed to a three-year deal that gives the Cuban slugger an opt out after 2016.

10. Cespedes Stays In Queens After All

At points this offseason, it seemed like it would be impossible for the Mets to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes because of conflicting goals in contract between player and team. However, the outfield market was strange this offseason, and the two sides eventually agreed to a three-year deal that gives the Cuban slugger an opt out after 2016.

9. Cardinals Stand Pat

Cardinals Stand Pat Credit: Kelley L. Cox-USA Today Sports
Despite other teams in the division, namely the Cubs, going all out this offseason, the Cardinals did very little. They signed Mike Leake, who will be a very nice addition to the rotation, but they didn't do anything to help themselves out in the lineup. Given the fact they lost Jason Heyward, their best hitter from a season ago, one has to wonder why they haven't pushed for another outfielder yet.

9. Cardinals Stand Pat

Despite other teams in the division, namely the Cubs, going all out this offseason, the Cardinals did very little. They signed Mike Leake, who will be a very nice addition to the rotation, but they didn't do anything to help themselves out in the lineup. Given the fact they lost Jason Heyward, their best hitter from a season ago, one has to wonder why they haven't pushed for another outfielder yet.

8. Dee Gordon Gets Huge Extension

Dee Gordon Gets Huge Extension Credit: Getty Images
Gordon had a great season last year, but his performance at the plate seemed more like an aberration than a trend. Despite that, he got a five-year, $50 million extension this offseason. That's crazy money to pay to a player who has had one above-average year offensively. Of course, his ability to steal bases counts for a lot, but he got a contract bigger than anyone was expecting.

8. Dee Gordon Gets Huge Extension

Gordon had a great season last year, but his performance at the plate seemed more like an aberration than a trend. Despite that, he got a five-year, $50 million extension this offseason. That's crazy money to pay to a player who has had one above-average year offensively. Of course, his ability to steal bases counts for a lot, but he got a contract bigger than anyone was expecting.

7. Mattingly Takes His Talents To South Beach

Mattingly Takes His Talents To South Beach Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA Today Sports
It became less surprising as the two sides got closer to an agreement, but when reports first surfaced that Mattingly had interest in the Miami job, most people were taken aback. Going from a franchise like the Dodgers to the Marlins is a big jump, organizationally, but Mattingly has much less pressure on him in Miami. The weather? Well, that's been good wherever he's managed.

7. Mattingly Takes His Talents To South Beach

It became less surprising as the two sides got closer to an agreement, but when reports first surfaced that Mattingly had interest in the Miami job, most people were taken aback. Going from a franchise like the Dodgers to the Marlins is a big jump, organizationally, but Mattingly has much less pressure on him in Miami. The weather? Well, that's been good wherever he's managed.

6. Nationals Land Former Division Foe

Nationals Land Former Division Foe Credit: Getty Images
The market for Daniel Murphy wasn't very clear at the beginning of the offseason, but things quickly took form. Washington signed him to a three-year deal and largely paid him for his success in October last postseason. He's a valuable piece to have and he's now a weapon they've taken away from their division rivals, but only time will tell how much they overpaid for him.

6. Nationals Land Former Division Foe

The market for Daniel Murphy wasn't very clear at the beginning of the offseason, but things quickly took form. Washington signed him to a three-year deal and largely paid him for his success in October last postseason. He's a valuable piece to have and he's now a weapon they've taken away from their division rivals, but only time will tell how much they overpaid for him.

5. D'Backs Trade Top Pick For Miller

5. D'Backs Trade Top Pick For Miller

The Diamondbacks were busy this offseason and they decided to sell the farm to get another top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher in Shelby Miller. Among other players like Ender Inciarte, the D'Backs traded 2015 No. 1 overall pick shortstop Dansby Swanson to Atlanta in exchange for Miller. It's hard to tell what was more surprising: the fact the D'Backs had the guts to pull off this trade or how much they actually gave up to get it done.

4. Tigers Give Upton Huge Contract

Tigers Give Upton Huge Contract Credit: Jake Roth-USA Today Sports
Justin Upton is one of the better power hitters in the game, but he doesn't hit for a very high average. Apparently the Tigers weren't worried about that because they gave him a six-year contract, which will pay him well over $20 million annually. Detroit was in the market for an outfielder, but few expected them to spend that much money on one.

4. Tigers Give Upton Huge Contract

Justin Upton is one of the better power hitters in the game, but he doesn't hit for a very high average. Apparently the Tigers weren't worried about that because they gave him a six-year contract, which will pay him well over $20 million annually. Detroit was in the market for an outfielder, but few expected them to spend that much money on one.

3. Sox Bring Frazier To The South Side

Sox Bring Frazier To The South Side Credit: Richard Mackson-USA Today Sports
After a disappointing 2015 campaign, the White Sox had to do something to mix things up this offseason. They did exactly that when they traded for slugger Todd Frazier. He makes their lineup 10 times better and provides some much-needed protection for Jose Abreu. Those two in the middle of the lineup should produce a ton of runs for the White Sox in 2016.

3. Sox Bring Frazier To The South Side

After a disappointing 2015 campaign, the White Sox had to do something to mix things up this offseason. They did exactly that when they traded for slugger Todd Frazier. He makes their lineup 10 times better and provides some much-needed protection for Jose Abreu. Those two in the middle of the lineup should produce a ton of runs for the White Sox in 2016.

2. Greinke Heads To The Desert

Greinke Heads To The Desert Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports
Of all the teams interested in Zack Greinke, the D'Backs seemed like the least likely destination for the talented righty. However, when you get over $200 million over six years, you take it. Arizona overpaid for one of the best pitchers in baseball but now has a legitimate chance of competing in the NL West. With Greinke and Miller at the top of the rotation and A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup, you have to think they'll get close to 90 wins.

2. Greinke Heads To The Desert

Of all the teams interested in Zack Greinke, the D'Backs seemed like the least likely destination for the talented righty. However, when you get over $200 million over six years, you take it. Arizona overpaid for one of the best pitchers in baseball but now has a legitimate chance of competing in the NL West. With Greinke and Miller at the top of the rotation and A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup, you have to think they'll get close to 90 wins.

1. Cubs Steal Heyward From Rival Cardinals

Cubs Steal Heyward From Rival Cardinals Credit: Getty Images
Nobody knew quite how bold the Cubs were going to be this offseason, but they went all in. At first, it seemed like their interest in Heyward was fake and that they were just trying to drive up the price on the rival Cardinals. It became apparent they weren't playing around, though, when they inked the 26-year-old to an eight-year, $184 million deal. Not only did the Cubs get a great player, but they stole him from their top rival. With Heyward, the Cubs are the 2016 World Series favorites.

1. Cubs Steal Heyward From Rival Cardinals

Nobody knew quite how bold the Cubs were going to be this offseason, but they went all in. At first, it seemed like their interest in Heyward was fake and that they were just trying to drive up the price on the rival Cardinals. It became apparent they weren't playing around, though, when they inked the 26-year-old to an eight-year, $184 million deal. Not only did the Cubs get a great player, but they stole him from their top rival. With Heyward, the Cubs are the 2016 World Series favorites.

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