For a lot of MLB fans, the offseason is all they can look forward to. After watching their squads get trounced in September, landing a big free agent or making a big trade can do wonders for a fan base's psyche.

It has been a relatively quiet offseason so far, but that is likely to change in the very near future. I simmed the MLB offseason in MLB 08: The Show for PS3. This is what transpired.

(Note: I did not make any of the moves that already happened. For example, Matt Holliday is still with the Rockies. Also, the New York Yankees won the World Series over the Phillies in the season I simulated.)

Just like in real life, Nick Swisher was acquired by a New York team -- only this time it was to play center field for the New York Mets.

C.C. Sabathia re-signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brew Crew also got Ben Sheets back. Looks like the Yankees are not going to raid their staff after all.

Manny Ramirez stayed with Los Angeles. In other words, he gets to torment Joe Torre for three more years. No word on whether his dreadlocks signed as well.

The Yankees added another bat to their lineup, stealing David Ortiz from the Red Sox. They already won the World Series, do they want to kill the opposing pitchers, too? At least their pitching staff is weak: Hughes, Wang, Pettitte, Kennedy and Rasner make up the rotation. Either way, With that lineup it probably would not matter who is tossing on the mound.

Rafael Furcal went from LA to Toronto for $20 million a year. Note to Toronto: Just because you can give out big contracts like the Yankees, does not mean it is enough to compete with the Yankees.

Detroit is also going for glory, signing Carlos Beltran to join Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera in an already stacked lineup.

Mark Teixeira and Francisco Rodriguez both stayed in Anaheim. It looks like the Angels want to win another World Series during this decade.

Big Papi to be in pinstripes? Say it ain't so!

Biggest Winners

New York Yankees - They win the World Series over the Phillies and still acquire David Ortiz. They did not get that big-time starting pitcher they needed, but it is hard to imagine them not being in contention for another World Series appearance.

Milwaukee Brewers - They re-signed C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets. Expect them to make a big leap this year with a full season for C.C. and a dormant offseason for the Cubs.

Los Angeles Angels - If anyone doubted the Angels ability to pay up, they better check again. Re-signing Mark Teixeira and K-Rod definitely gives them enough firepower to compete with the big boys in the American League.

Minnesota Twins - Just because you are a small-market team does not mean you have to be terrible. Teams like Pittsburgh and Kansas City should take notice. Minnesota improved on a solid season by adding Stephen Drew to their lineup, along with a returning Scott Baker and a healthy Francisco Liriano.

Arizona Diamondbacks - They may have lost Stephen Drew, but they kept everyone else in their lineup, including Adam Dunn. Their top-flight pitching staff is still intact with Max Scherzer joining the rotation full time. Look out for Rufus Haas, he is already garnering Rookie of the Year buzz at shortstop.

Biggest Losers

New York Mets - They lost Carlos Beltran to free agency and Moises Alou to retirement. Their rotation is just as old as last year and their bullpen is just as bad. After a season in which they did not make the playoffs, their biggest acquisition is Nick Swisher? Expect the Mets to take a backseat to Philadelphia once again.

Boston Red Sox - Their biggest acquisition? Getting rid of Jason Varitek. However, they lost David Ortiz in the process. Their lineup might be fine but they will miss the leadership that both those guys brought. Their pitching will still be good enough to compete night in and night out.

Philadelphia Phillies - In a year they made it to the World Series, they do not have much to show for in the offseason. Luckily for the Phillies, the Mets and Braves did not make any major moves, so Philadelphia will most likely repeat in the NL East.

Chicago Cubs - They did not lose anybody, but they did not sign anybody either. In a season where you won a lot of games but did nothing past beyond that, the Cubs definitely should have added another solid outfield bat. Instead they will be trotting out Reed Johnson every day, hoping for the best.

Seattle Mariners - In a season of futility, you would think that the Mariners would do something to try and stay competitive. Instead, they have gotten worse, losing Adrian Beltre and signing Tony Clark. Expect another long season in the Northwest.


If this were all to really happen, the opening of Citi Field would be just as bittersweet as the closing of Shea Stadium. It seems the Yankees are back in charge in the majors and everything is back in order in the NL East. Hopefully the Tampa Bay Rays can derail the virtual Yankees just like they did the real Red Sox.

Who do you think will get Sabathia and Teixiera? Are the Mariners that bad? Do the Cubs need to make a big move? Can the Mets make it back to compete with the Phillies? Sound off in the comment box below.