The New York Mets are the top-ranked team in Box-Toppers’ 2023 preseason rankings.
Box-Toppers 2023 preseason team rankings
The New York Mets are the top-ranked preseason team in Box-Toppers rankings. Players on their preseason roster accumulated 132.6 Box-Toppers points in the 2022 season. Shown below in the 2023 column is the accumulated 2022 Box-Toppers point total for each player on that team’s current roster (as of March 21). Also shown in the 2022 column is each team’s Box-Toppers point total at the end of last season. The final column (+/-) shows the change in team rosters’ Box-Toppers points from the end of last season until now.| Team | 2022 | 2023 | +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mets | 125.8 | 132.6 | +6.8 |
| 2 | Yankees | 125.9 | 129.3 | +3.4 |
| 3 | Padres | 114.7 | 122.2 | +7.5 |
| 4 | Braves | 129.0 | 120.6 | -8.4 |
| 5 | Mariners | 114.9 | 112.9 | -2.0 |
| 6 | Dodgers | 133.1 | 112.4 | -20.7 |
| 7 | Angels | 87.3 | 108.8 | +21.5 |
| 8 | Rangers | 77.7 | 107.0 | +29.3 |
| 9 | Blue Jays | 113.4 | 106.9 | -6.5 |
| 10 | Brewers | 107.7 | 105.9 | -1.8 |
| 11 | Cardinals | 118.3 | 103.4 | -14.9 |
| 12 | Orioles | 100.3 | 102.8 | +2.5 |
| 13 | Astros | 131.4 | 101.9 | -29.5 |
| 14 | Guardians | 105.5 | 101.8 | -3.7 |
| 15 | Twins | 105.6 | 101.6 | -4.0 |
| 16 | White Sox | 98.5 | 96.0 | -2.5 |
| 17 | Cubs | 77.8 | 95.2 | +17.4 |
| 18 | Phillies | 105.3 | 94.3 | -11.0 |
| 19 | Rays | 100.2 | 89.4 | -10.8 |
| 20 | Giants | 94.9 | 86.1 | -8.8 |
| 21 | Royals | 68.5 | 83.7 | +15.2 |
| 22 | Diamondbacks | 84.6 | 81.1 | -3.5 |
| 23 | Rockies | 77.9 | 79.7 | +1.8 |
| 24 | Marlins | 75.4 | 78.3 | +2.9 |
| 25 | Red Sox | 86.8 | 72.7 | -14.1 |
| 26 | Nationals | 58.3 | 65.4 | +7.1 |
| 27 | Pirates | 61.0 | 65.2 | +4.2 |
| 28 | Tigers | 73.4 | 60.4 | -13.0 |
| 29 | Reds | 55.7 | 55.7 | 0.0 |
| 30 | Athletics | 63.2 | 53.0 | -10.2 |
Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers made the biggest offseason improvement in players’ accumulated Box-Toppers points, while the World Series champion Houston Astros saw the biggest decline.
Players on the Mets current 2023 preseason roster (as of March 21) accumulated 132.6 Box-Toppers points during the 2022 season, most of any team.
The top American League team, the New York Yankees, rank second overall. Players on the current 2023 preseason roster, accumulated 129.3 Box-Toppers points during the 2022 season.
Mets rank first
The Mets rise to first place after finishing fifth in 2022 Box-Toppers team rankings with 125.8 accumulated Box-Toppers points. The Mets had a net gain of 6.8 points for 2023.
The Mets had the biggest offseason acquisition, as measured by Box-Toppers points, signing free agent pitcher Justin Verlander from the Astros. Verlander led all players in 2022 with 26.0 Box-Toppers points. This is the second straight season the Mets signed Box-Toppers’ previous season’s top-ranked player. Prior to 2022, they signed free agent pitcher Max Scherzer, who earned 25.1 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Nationals and Dodgers.
The Mets also signed pitcher Jose Quintana for 2023, who earned 11.4 Box-Toppers points in 2022 with the Pirates and the Cardinals, fifth-most among all players changing teams for 2023. However, Quintana will be out until at least July recovering from bone-graft surgery after experiencing tightness in a spring training appearance.
The Mets also lost three players who are among the top 25 who are changing teams for 2023:
Pitcher Chris Bassitt to the Blue Jays. He earned 11.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022, sixth-most among players changing teams.
Pitcher Jacob deGrom to the Rangers. He earned 9.4 points in 2022, 10th among players changing teams.
Pitcher Taijuan Walker to the Phillies. He earned 7.7 points in 2022, 14th among players changing teams.
Among top-ranked players returning to the Mets in 2023 are Pete Alonso (14.9 Box-Toppers points, first among NL batters), Max Scherzer (10.0 Box-Toppers points, 24th among NL pitchers), Carlos Carrasco (9.7 points, 27th among NL pitchers), Mark Canha (8.7 points, third among NL batters) and Francisco Lindor (6.7 points, 11th among NL batters).
While Mets closing pitcher Edwin Diaz’s 7.0 Box-Toppers points earned in 2022 is included in the teams accumulated 2023 preseason total, he is likely to miss much or all of the season after tearing his patellar knee tendon celebrating a World Baseball Classic victory. Diaz ranked second among NL closing pitchers in 2022.
The Mets lead National League teams in Box-Toppers preseason rankings ahead of the San Diego Padres with 122.2 Box-Toppers points, third among all teams.
Rangers make biggest offseason gain
The Texas Rangers had the largest offseason gain, picking up a net of 29.3 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2022 to the 2023 preseason.
Biggest team gains & drops
The Texas Rangers picked up the most Box-Toppers points on its roster in the offseason (+29.3) while the Houston Astros lost the most (-29.5). The Rangers notably gained pitchers Jacob deGrom (9.4 Box-Toppers points in 2022), Jake Odorizzi (9.4 points), Andrew Heaney (8.0 points) and Nathan Eovaldi (6.0 points). The Astros notably lost Justin Verlander, who led all players with 26.0 points in 2022.| Biggest gains | ||||
| Teams | 2022 | 2023 | +/- | |
| 1 | Rangers | 77.7 | 107.0 | +29.3 |
| 2 | Angels | 87.3 | 108.8 | +21.5 |
| 3 | Cubs | 77.8 | 95.2 | +17.4 |
| 4 | Royals | 68.5 | 83.7 | +15.2 |
| 5 | Padres | 114.7 | 122.2 | +7.5 |
| Biggest drops | ||||
| Teams | 2022 | 2023 | +/- | |
| 1 | Astros | 131.4 | 101.9 | -29.5 |
| 2 | Dodgers | 133.1 | 112.4 | -20.7 |
| 3 | Cardinals | 118.3 | 103.4 | -14.9 |
| 4 | Red Sox | 86.8 | 72.7 | -14.1 |
| 5 | Tigers | 73.4 | 60.4 | -13.0 |
The Rangers finished 2022 with 77.7 Box-Toppers points, 23rd among all teams. They open 2023 with players on the preseason roster having accumulated 107.0 points in 2022, a 15-spot jump to eighth place in preseason standings.
The Rangers have three players among the top 25 players who changed teams for 2023:
Pitcher Jacob deGrom, 9.4 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 28th among NL pitchers and 10th overall among players changing teams, from the Mets.
Pitcher Jake Odorizzi, 9.4 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 31st among NL pitchers and 11th overall among players changing teams, from the Braves.
Pitcher Andrew Heaney, 8.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 35th among NL pitchers and 14th overall among players changing teams, from the Dodgers.
The Rangers also picked up pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, 6.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 45th among AL pitchers, from the Red Sox.
The Rangers biggest losses were two players who earned 3.0 Box-Toppers points each in 2022—Reliever Matt Moore to the Angels and outfielder Kole Calhoun to the Mariners.
Among players returning to the Rangers for 2023 are Martin Perez (9.1 Box-Toppers points, 28th among AL pitchers), Marcus Semien (7.0 Box-Toppers points, second among AL second basemen), Jon Gray (6.0 Box-Toppers points, 48th among AL pitchers) and Adolis Garcia (5.0 Box-Toppers points, 10th among AL outfielders).
Yankees rank second, lead AL teams
Players on the Yankees’ 2023 preseason roster accumulated 129.3 Box-Toppers points in 2022, second among all teams and first among American League teams, ahead of the Seattle Mariners with 112.9, fifth overall.
The Yankees finished 2022 in fourth place with its players accumulating 125.9 Box-Toppers points. They pick up a net gain of 3.4 points for 2023.
The Yankees picked up pitcher Carlos Rodon from the Giants, who earned 19.8 Box-Toppers points in 2022, sixth overall and third among NL pitchers. Rodon ranks second among players changing teams for 2023.
The Yankees also acquired outfielder Rafael Ortega from the Cubs. He earned 3.5 Box-Toppers points in 2022.
The Yankees biggest loss was pitcher Jameson Taillon to the Cubs. Taillon earned 10.7 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 22nd among AL pitchers and 10th among players changing teams for 2023.
The Yankees also lost Matt Carpenter (4.5 points in 2022, 35th among AL batters) to the Padres and reliever Lucas Luetge (3.7 points in 2022) to the Braves.
Key players returning to the Yankees for 2023 are Gerrit Cole (15.4 Box-Toppers points in 2022, eighth among AL pitchers), Nestor Cortes (15.4 points, ninth among AL pitchers) and Aaron Judge (13.2 points, first among AL batters).
World Series champion Astros fall to 13th
The World Series champion Houston Astros fall from second at the end of 2022 (131.4 points) to 13th in the 2023 preseason (101.9), a net loss of 29.5 points, largest among all teams.
The Astros mainly suffer due to losing top-ranked player Justin Verlander (26.0 points) to the Mets.
The Astros most notable acquisition is first baseman Jose Abreu from the White Sox. He earned 2.5 points in 2022.
Key returning players to the Astros for 2023 are Framber Valdez (16.0 points, fifth among AL pitchers), Cristian Javier (15.7 points, seventh among AL pitchers), Luis Garcia (9.7 points, 27th among AL pitchers), Yordan Alvarez (8.7 points, third among AL batters), Alex Bregman (8.7 points, fourth among AL batters), Jose Urquidy (8.0 points, 33rd among AL pitchers) and Ryan Pressly (6.0 points, second among AL closing pitchers).
Box-Toppers top team in 2022, Dodgers, fall to 6th
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished 2022 ranked first among all teams in Box-Toppers points with 133.1. (They finished the season losing the NL Division Series to the Padres.) They have the second-biggest net loss in points to the 2023 preseason, dropping 20.7 points to 112.4, sixth among all teams and third among NL teams.
The Dodgers lose three of the top 25 players to change teams in the offseason:
Tyler Anderson, 12.7 points in 2022 (15th among NL pitchers), went to the Angels. He ranks third among players changing teams for 2023.
Andrew Heaney, 8.0 points in 2022 (35th among NL pitchers), went to the Rangers. He ranks 14th among players changing teams for 2023.
Justin Turner, 6.5 points in 2022 (14th among NL batters), went to the Red Sox. He ranks 21st among players changing teams for 2023.
The Dodgers most notable acquisition was J.D. Martinez from the Red Sox. Martinez earned 5.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022, 24th among AL batters.
Key returners for the Dodgers are Julio Urias (19.4 points, fourth among NL pitchers), Mookie Betts (11.7 points, second among NL batters), Tony Gonsolin (11.4 points, 17th among NL pitchers), Clayton Kershaw (10.7 points, 21st among NL pitchers), Freddie Freeman (8.5 points, fourth among NL batters) and Max Muncy (7.2 points, eighth among NL batters).
Angels, Cubs, Royals, Padres make gains
In addition to the Rangers, here are the remaining top five teams making the biggest net gains in Box-Toppers points:
The Los Angeles Angels gain 21.5 points from 87.3 at the end of 2022 to 108.8 for the 2023 preseason, rising from 18th to seventh place. The Angels notably gain Tyler Anderson from the Dodgers. His 12.7 points, 15th among NL pitchers, is third among players changing teams for 2023. Among players returning to the Angels is Shohei Ohtani (24.7 points, second overall).
The Chicago Cubs gain 17.4 points from 77.8 at the end of 2022 to 95.2 for the 2023 preseason, rising from 22nd to 17th place. The Cubs notably gain Jameson Taillon from the Yankees (10.7 points, 22nd among AL pitchers) and Sergio Alcantara from the Diamondbacks (6.5 points, 15th among NL batters). Taillon ranks ninth among players changing teams for 2023 and Alcantara ranks 22nd. Among players returning to the Cubs is Keegan Thompson (9.0 points, 33rd among NL pitchers).
The Kansas City Royals gain 15.2 points from 68.5 at the end of 2022 to 83.7 for the 2023 preseason, rising from 26th to 21st place. The Royals picked up several players with lower 2022 Box-Toppers point totals, including pitcher Jordan Lyles from the Orioles (3.7), outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. from the Blue Jays (2.5), pitcher Ryan Yarbrough from the Rays (2.0), reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees (2.0) and third baseman Matt Duffy from the Angels (2.0). Among players returning to the Royals is Brady Singer (11.7 points, 18th among AL pitchers).
The San Diego Padres gain 7.5 points from 114.7 at the end of 2022 to 122.2 for the 2023 preseason, rising from eighth to third place, second among NL teams behind the Mets. The Padres notably gain Michael Wacha from the Red Sox (8.4 points, 32nd among AL pitchers) and Xander Bogaerts from the Red Sox (7.0 points, ninth among AL batters). Wacha ranks 13th among players changing teams for 2023 and Bogaerts ranks 18th. Among players returning to the Padres are Joe Musgrove (17.4 points, sixth among NL pitchers), Yu Darvish (16.8 points, seventh among NL pitchers), Blake Snell (13.1 points, 14th among NL pitchers), Josh Hader (6.0 points, third among NL closers) and Manny Machado (5.5 points, 23rd among NL batters).
Cardinals, Red Sox, Tigers among biggest decliners
In addition to the Astros and Dodgers, here are the remaining top five teams with the biggest net losses in Box-Toppers points:
The St. Louis Cardinals lose 14.9 points from 118.3 at the end of 2022 to 103.4 for the 2023 preseason, falling from sixth to 11th place. The Cardinals notably lose Jose Quintana to the Mets. His 11.4 points, 18th among NL pitchers, is fifth among players changing teams for 2023. Two notable Cardinals retired at the end of 2022, though both had relatively low Box-Toppers point totals last season—first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols (3.0) and catcher Yadier Molina (1.0). Among players returning to the Cardinals are Miles Mikolas (12.1 points, 16th among NL pitchers), Adam Wainwright (10.0 points, 25th among NL pitchers), Jordan Montgomery (9.4 points, 29th among NL pitchers), Paul Goldschmidt (7.5 points, seventh among NL batters) and Nolan Arenado (7.0 points, ninth among NL batters).
The Boston Red Sox lose 14.1 points from 86.8 at the end of 2022 to 72.7 for the 2023 preseason, falling from 19th to 25th place. The Red Sox notably lose pitcher Michael Wacha to the Padres (8.4 points), pitcher Rich Hill to the Pirates (7.7 points), shortstop Xander Bogaerts to the Padres (7.0 points), pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to the Rangers (6.0 points) and designated hitter J.D. Martinez to the Dodgers (5.0 points). The Red Sox pick up pitcher Corey Kluber from the Rays (11.0 points in 2022, 21st among AL pitchers) and Justin Turner from the Dodgers (6.5 points in 2022, 14th among NL batters).
The Detroit Tigers lose 13.0 points from 73.4 at the end of 2022 to 60.4 for the 2023 preseason, falling from 25th to 28th place. The Tigers notably lost infielder Harold Castro to the Rockies (5.0 points), closer Gregory Soto to the Phillies (5.0 points) and third baseman Jeimer Candelario to the Nationals (4.0 points). The Tigers notably picked up pitcher Michael Lorenzen from the Angels (4.0 points).
Two key top five teams: Braves, Mariners
The Atlanta Braves rank fourth in 2023 preseason rankings with 120.6 Box-Toppers points, third among NL teams. They had a net loss of 8.4 points since the end of 2022 (129.0), falling from third place overall.
The Braves key loss was pitcher Jake Odorizzi (9.4 points, 31st among NL pitchers) to the Rangers. Among players returning to the Braves are Max Fried (16.0 points, eighth among NL pitchers), Kyle Wright (14.4 points, 12th among NL pitchers), Spencer Strider (13.4 points, 13th among NL pitchers), Charlie Morton (10.4 points, 23rd among NL pitchers) and Austin Riley (8.0 points, sixth among NL batters).
The Seattle Mariners rank fifth in 2023 preseason rankings with 112.9 Box-Toppers points, second among AL teams behind the Yankees. They had a net loss of 2.0 points since the end of 2022 (114.9), but rose two spots from seventh place.
The Mariners key loss was first baseman Carlos Santana (4.5 points, 37th among AL batters) to the Pirates. The Mariners key gain was outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (5.5 points, 21st among AL batters) from the Blue Jays. Among players returning to the Mariners are Robbie Ray (14.4 points, 11th among AL pitchers), Logan Gilbert (14.1 points, 12th among AL pitchers), George Kirby (11.4 points, 19th among AL pitchers), Luis Castillo (10.0 points, 25th among AL pitchers), Eugenio Suarez (8.0 points, sixth among AL batters), Cal Raleigh (7.5 points, seventh among AL batters), Julio Rodriguez (7.5 points, eighth among AL batters) and Ty France (7.0 points, 10th among AL batters).
Prominent player changes
Justin Verlander had the most 2022 Box-Toppers points of any player who moved to a new team for 2023.
Prominent player changes from 2022
Here are the most prominent player changes since 2022—the 25 players with the most 2022 Box-Toppers points who are not on the same team as they were last season. Justin Verlander had the most 2022 points of any player to change teams. He left the Astros to sign with the Mets for 2023. (Verlander also led all players in 2022 Box-Toppers points, with 26.0.) Players are ranked on the list by their 2022 Box-Toppers point (BTP) totals.| Player | Pos | ’22 BTP | ’22 team | ’23 team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Verlander | pi sp | 26.0 | Astros | Mets |
| 2 | Carlos Rodon | pi sp | 19.8 | Giants | Yankees |
| 3 | Tyler Anderson | pi sp | 12.7 | Dodgers | Angels |
| 4 | Ross Stripling | pi sp | 12.0 | Blue Jays | Giants |
| 5 | Jose Quintana | pi sp | 11.4 | Cardinals | Mets |
| 6 | Chris Bassitt | pi sp | 11.0 | Mets | Blue Jays |
| 7 | Corey Kluber | pi sp | 11.0 | Rays | Red Sox |
| 8 | Pablo Lopez | pi sp | 10.7 | Marlins | Twins |
| 9 | Jameson Taillon | pi sp | 10.7 | Yankees | Cubs |
| 10 | Jacob deGrom | pi sp | 9.4 | Mets | Rangers |
| 11 | Jake Odorizzi | pi sp | 9.4 | Braves | Rangers |
| 12 | Kyle Gibson | pi sp | 9.0 | Phillies | Orioles |
| 13 | Michael Wacha | pi sp | 8.4 | Red Sox | Padres |
| 14 | Andrew Heaney | pi sp | 8.0 | Dodgers | Rangers |
| 15 | Taijuan Walker | pi sp | 7.7 | Mets | Phillies |
| 16 | Rich Hill | pi sp | 7.7 | Red Sox | Pirates |
| 17 | Cole Irvin | pi sp | 7.7 | Athletics | Orioles |
| 18 | Xander Bogaerts | ss | 7.0 | Red Sox | Padres |
| 19 | Jesus Aguilar | 1b dh | 7.0 | Orioles | Athletics |
| 20 | Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | lf | 6.5 | Blue Jays | Diamondbacks |
| 21 | Justin Turner | 3b | 6.5 | Dodgers | Red Sox |
| 22 | Sergio Alcantara | 3b ss | 6.5 | Diamondbacks | Cubs |
| 23 | Johnny Cueto | pi sp | 6.4 | White Sox | Marlins |
| 24 | Mike Clevinger | pi sp | 6.4 | Padres | White Sox |
| 25 | Sean Manaea | pi sp | 6.0 | Padres | Giants |
Verlander’s 26.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022 ranked first overall. He was with the Astros in 2022 and signed a free agent deal with the Mets for 2023.
Carlos Rodon is the other only player who ranked among the top 10 in Box-Toppers points in 2022 to change teams in 2023. Rodon, sixth overall with 19.8 points, was with the Giants in 2022 and signed with the Yankees for 2023. He ranked second among players changing teams in the offseason.
Only one other player who ranked among Box-Toppers’ top 10 for 2022 in league’s pitchers or batters changed teams for 2023. That is Xander Bogaerts, who moves from the Red Sox to the Padres. Bogaerts, with 7.0 Box-Toppers points in 2022, ranked ninth among AL batters. He ranks 18th on Box-Toppers list of players changing teams for 2023, first among all batters.
The list of Box-Toppers’ top 25 players changing teams for 2023 includes 20 pitchers and just five batters. In addition to Bogaerts, the batters include:
Jesus Aguilar, 7.0 points, from the Orioles to the Athletics. He ranks 19th among players changing teams and was 14th among AL batters.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 6.5 points, from the Blue Jays to the Diamondbacks. He ranks 20th among players changing teams and was 16th among AL batters.
Justin Turner, 6.5 points, from the Dodgers to the Red Sox. He ranks 21st among players changing teams and was 14th among NL batters.
Sergio Alcantara, 6.5 points, from the Diamondbacks to the Cubs. He ranks 22nd among players changing teams and was 15th among NL batters.
Remaining free agents
As of March 21, here are the remaining top unsigned free agents, ranked by their 2022 Box-Toppers point total:
Dylan Bundy, starting pitcher, 6.7 points with the Twins in 2022.
Anibal Sanchez, starting pitcher, 5.0 points with the Nationals in 2022.
Gary Sanchez, catcher, 3.5 points with the Twins in 2022.
About Box-Toppers—Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
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Related:
Box-Toppers’ 2022 preseason rankings: Dodgers top Box-Toppers 2022 preseason team rankings; White Sox top AL teams
Box-Toppers’ 2022 end-of-season rankings: Dodgers lead over Astros narrows in final Box-Toppers team rankings report for 2022
A look at Box-Toppers’ offseason team rankings (as of Dec. 15, 2022): Yankees, Mets lead Box-Toppers offseason team rankings, landing biggest free agents