Winter business is dragging toward March, but it’s finally time for our annual winter winners list. Here are players and teams with plenty to celebrate.
1. Tarik Skubal
His record $32 million arbitration win with a record $13 million gap was landmark. He heads into his platform year poised to earn the biggest pitching contract ever.
2. Tigers
It’s weird to put the Tigers, the loser in Skubal’s hearing, right behind Skubal. But they had a huge finish, adding bona fide ace Framber Valdez and old friend/all-time great Justin Verlander late.
3. Dodgers
The two-time defending champions enhanced their two tiny areas of imperfection, signing shutdown closer Edwin Díaz and superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker.