Biggest Surprises of the 2024 MLB Offseason: Moves No One Saw Coming #1

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NeilYormets · 2025-02-22T15:35:06+08:00

NeilYormets commented

2025-02-22 15:35:06 +08:00

As Spring Training camps fill up with players, the 2024 MLB offseason has already delivered its fair share of jaw-dropping surprises. From record-breaking contracts to unexpected trades and managerial comebacks, here are the most shocking moves that caught fans and analysts off guard:

Juan Soto’s Historic $765 Million Deal with the Mets
Juan Soto’s move to the New York Mets was expected, but the terms of his contract left everyone stunned. The 15-year, $765 million deal is the largest in professional sports history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Dodgers. What’s more, Soto’s deal includes no deferred money and features escalators that https://www.storenymets.com/collections/dedniel-nunez-jersey could push its total value past $800 million. The Mets’ aggressive signing of Soto, a generational hitter, signals their commitment to building a championship-caliber team.
Corbin Burnes Joins the Diamondbacks
In one of the most surprising signings of the winter, ace pitcher Corbin Burnes inked a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move was unexpected, as the D-backs already had a strong rotation and hadn’t been linked to Burnes during free agency. Burnes, who lives in Scottsdale, approached the team himself, leading to a deal that bolsters Arizona’s pitching staff and positions them as serious contenders in the NL West.
The Athletics’ Spending Spree
The Oakland Athletics, known for their frugality, shocked the baseball world by becoming one of the top 10 spending teams this offseason. They signed pitcher Luis Severino to a two-year, $67 million deal—the largest in franchise history—and added third baseman Gio Urshela, reliever José Leclerc, and Japanese two-way star Shotaro Morii. With over $150 million invested in new talent, the A’s are signaling a new direction despite playing in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento.
The Angels’ Aggressive Overhaul
After years of disappointment, the Los Angeles Angels made a bold push to rebuild their roster. They traded for slugger Jorge Soler, signed left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal, and added veterans like Kenley Jansen, Travis d’Arnaud, and Yoán Moncada. Despite finishing 36 games under .500 in 2024, the Angels are aiming to climb the standings in a competitive AL West.
The Cardinals’ Quiet Offseason
The St. Louis Cardinals, expected to retool after missing the playoffs for the second straight year, have been surprisingly inactive. Despite efforts to trade star third baseman Nolan Arenado (who vetoed a deal to the Astros), the Cardinals have yet to make significant moves. With veterans like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras also holding no-trade clauses, St. Louis faces challenges in reshaping its roster.
Clay Holmes’ Transition to Starter
Former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, known for his dominant bullpen work, signed a three-year deal with the Mets to return to a starting role. Holmes, who struggled as a starter early in his career, will attempt to revive his starting potential and provide depth to the Mets’ rotation—a move that caught many by surprise.
Guardians Trade Andrés Giménez
The Cleveland Guardians, coming off an ALCS appearance, shocked fans by trading Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays. Despite his stellar defense, Giménez’s rising salary and https://www.storenymets.com/collections/juan-soto-jersey offensive struggles made him expendable. The move leaves a gap in Cleveland’s infield but brings pitching prospect Luis Ortiz in return.
Terry Francona’s Return to Manage the Reds
After retiring in 2023, legendary manager Terry Francona is back in the dugout with the Cincinnati Reds. The 65-year-old, lured out of retirement by a call from Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, brings his Hall of Fame pedigree to a young Reds team looking to compete in the NL Central.
Astros Trade Kyle Tucker
The Houston Astros made waves by trading All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs. Tucker, a pending free agent, was Houston’s best all-around player, but the Astros opted to acquire prospects like Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes rather than risk losing him in free agency. The move marks a shift in Houston’s typically win-now approach.
Conclusion
The 2024 offseason has been full of twists and turns, reshaping the landscape of Major League Baseball. From blockbuster signings to unexpected trades, these moves have set the stage for an exciting season ahead. Stay tuned as teams prepare for Opening Day and fans gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable year of baseball!

As Spring Training camps fill up with players, the 2024 MLB offseason has already delivered its fair share of jaw-dropping surprises. From record-breaking contracts to unexpected trades and managerial comebacks, here are the most shocking moves that caught fans and analysts off guard: 1. Juan Soto’s Historic $765 Million Deal with the Mets Juan Soto’s move to the New York Mets was expected, but the terms of his contract left everyone stunned. The 15-year, $765 million deal is the largest in professional sports history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Dodgers. What’s more, Soto’s deal includes no deferred money and features escalators that https://www.storenymets.com/collections/dedniel-nunez-jersey could push its total value past $800 million. The Mets’ aggressive signing of Soto, a generational hitter, signals their commitment to building a championship-caliber team. 2. Corbin Burnes Joins the Diamondbacks In one of the most surprising signings of the winter, ace pitcher Corbin Burnes inked a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move was unexpected, as the D-backs already had a strong rotation and hadn’t been linked to Burnes during free agency. Burnes, who lives in Scottsdale, approached the team himself, leading to a deal that bolsters Arizona’s pitching staff and positions them as serious contenders in the NL West. 3. The Athletics’ Spending Spree The Oakland Athletics, known for their frugality, shocked the baseball world by becoming one of the top 10 spending teams this offseason. They signed pitcher Luis Severino to a two-year, $67 million deal—the largest in franchise history—and added third baseman Gio Urshela, reliever José Leclerc, and Japanese two-way star Shotaro Morii. With over $150 million invested in new talent, the A’s are signaling a new direction despite playing in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento. 4. The Angels’ Aggressive Overhaul After years of disappointment, the Los Angeles Angels made a bold push to rebuild their roster. They traded for slugger Jorge Soler, signed left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal, and added veterans like Kenley Jansen, Travis d’Arnaud, and Yoán Moncada. Despite finishing 36 games under .500 in 2024, the Angels are aiming to climb the standings in a competitive AL West. 5. The Cardinals’ Quiet Offseason The St. Louis Cardinals, expected to retool after missing the playoffs for the second straight year, have been surprisingly inactive. Despite efforts to trade star third baseman Nolan Arenado (who vetoed a deal to the Astros), the Cardinals have yet to make significant moves. With veterans like Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras also holding no-trade clauses, St. Louis faces challenges in reshaping its roster. 6. Clay Holmes’ Transition to Starter Former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, known for his dominant bullpen work, signed a three-year deal with the Mets to return to a starting role. Holmes, who struggled as a starter early in his career, will attempt to revive his starting potential and provide depth to the Mets’ rotation—a move that caught many by surprise. 7. Guardians Trade Andrés Giménez The Cleveland Guardians, coming off an ALCS appearance, shocked fans by trading Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays. Despite his stellar defense, Giménez’s rising salary and https://www.storenymets.com/collections/juan-soto-jersey offensive struggles made him expendable. The move leaves a gap in Cleveland’s infield but brings pitching prospect Luis Ortiz in return. 8. Terry Francona’s Return to Manage the Reds After retiring in 2023, legendary manager Terry Francona is back in the dugout with the Cincinnati Reds. The 65-year-old, lured out of retirement by a call from Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, brings his Hall of Fame pedigree to a young Reds team looking to compete in the NL Central. 9. Astros Trade Kyle Tucker The Houston Astros made waves by trading All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs. Tucker, a pending free agent, was Houston’s best all-around player, but the Astros opted to acquire prospects like Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes rather than risk losing him in free agency. The move marks a shift in Houston’s typically win-now approach. Conclusion The 2024 offseason has been full of twists and turns, reshaping the landscape of Major League Baseball. From blockbuster signings to unexpected trades, these moves have set the stage for an exciting season ahead. Stay tuned as teams prepare for Opening Day and fans gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable year of baseball!

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