Ever felt the sting of a favorite player leaving your team? It’s like that country song says, ‘How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?’—except in baseball, the absence hits hard. But here’s where it gets controversial: some departures aren’t just felt; they’re celebrated. This year, I added two bold questions to my annual spring preview survey of 36 MLB insiders—executives, former executives, managers, coaches, and scouts—to uncover the most irreplaceable and the best subtractions of the offseason. And let me tell you, the results are spicy. Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and even Nick Castellanos (before the Phillies officially let him go) were front and center. But who landed where? Let’s dive in.
The Irreplaceable Ones
Every spring, we hype up the new faces joining teams, but this is the part most people miss: the players who leave can leave just as big a hole. When I asked insiders which players would be getting ‘Wish You Were Here’ texts from their former teammates, the responses were eye-opening. Here’s the breakdown:
- Alex Bregman (Red Sox) – 11 votes
- Pete Alonso (Mets) – 10 votes
- Kyle Tucker (Cubs) – 6 votes
- Framber Valdez (Astros) – 5 votes
- Ranger Suárez (Phillies) – 4 votes
- Freddy Peralta (Brewers) – 4 votes
- Edwin Díaz (Mets) – 3 votes
Bregman vs. Alonso: A Study in Contrast
What’s fascinating is how different these two are. Alonso was a Mets lifer, shattering records and becoming a clubhouse cornerstone. Bregman? Just one season with the Red Sox, yet his impact was as massive as a T-Rex footprint. One voter noted, ‘Losing him hurts the core young guys in Boston.’ Another called him ‘a perfect fit in Boston,’ while a third praised ‘everything he brings, even off the field.’ Bregman isn’t just a player; he’s a magnet for camaraderie and leadership—something you can’t replace with stats alone.
Alonso: Undervalued by the Mets?
Here’s where it gets intriguing: did the rest of baseball value Alonso more than his own team? Voters seemed to think so. Despite mixed feelings about his $155 million deal with the Orioles, one exec admitted, ‘His combination of power, performance, and character are tough to replace.’ Another put it bluntly: ‘He owned that city… You knew what you were getting every year. Taking that out of your lineup? That’s a huge hole.’
The Best Subtractions: A Surprising Twist
Now, for the question that struck a nerve: Who was the best subtraction? Turns out, more players got votes here than for the irreplaceable category. But here’s where it gets controversial: did MLB execs actually enjoy cutting ties with certain players? The results suggest… maybe?
- Nick Castellanos (Phillies) – 6 votes (before he was officially released!)
- Marcus Semien (Rangers) – 5 votes
- Framber Valdez (Astros) – 3 votes
- Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox) – 3 votes
- Anthony Rendon (Angels) – 2 votes
- Devin Williams (Yankees) – 2 votes
- Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) – 2 votes
Castellanos: The Premature Winner
Nick Castellanos hadn’t even been officially subtracted when he topped this list. One NL exec joked, ‘He can’t qualify yet, right?’ My response? ‘It’s my survey—we make the rules.’ Castellanos also dominated the ‘Most Likely to Be Traded’ category, proving he was on everyone’s mind.
Semien: A Personality Clash?
Marcus Semien’s exit from Texas was another hot topic. Was his rift with Corey Seager as public as insiders claim? One AL exec didn’t hold back: ‘You have to buy into the team first. If you’re not willing, you’re gone.’ Another added, ‘The Rangers clearly chose Seager over Semien. Something had to give.’
Final Thoughts: The Mets’ Subtraction Saga
The Mets deserved their own category. Not only did they lose veterans like Alonso and Jeff McNeil, but they also picked up players like Devin Williams and Bo Bichette, who were voted as ‘best subtractions’ by their former teams. And Anthony Rendon? Only two votes? Seems like he fell off the radar entirely.
Now, I want to hear from you: Who do you think was the most irreplaceable or best subtraction this offseason? And do you agree with the execs who celebrated certain departures? Let’s debate in the comments—I’m all ears!
