MLB Network tabs Blue Jays as owners of best "under-the-radar" offseason

As the MLB offseason continues to roll along, the Toronto Blue Jays did not end up making a big splash with any top-tier free agent signings. The good news for Jays fans is that the team has been active in addressing specific concerns with the roster.

From suspect outfield defense to a thin bullpen and a lineup needing more balance, the team had definite issues that needed to be addressed this offseason, and at least one MLB Network analyst thinks that the Jays have done the job so far.

Mark Feinsand of MLB Network recently appeared on Hot Stove and gave his list of the four teams that have had the most "under-the-radar" offseasons. The Blue Jays topped the list, ahead of the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels.

So, just what is an "under the radar" offseason?

Feinsand's list is comprised of teams "that didn't go to the top of the market and still found a way to really improve themselves going into 2023."

Feinsand calls Chris Bassitt a "tremendous asset to the rotation." The veteran righty, coming in on a three-year deal, indeed looks like a great addition as a third or fourth starter in a now seemingly solid rotation.

Feinsand also references the signing of Kevin Kiermaier as an improvement to the outfield defense. Hopefully, Kiermaier can live up to his contract and lockdown the everyday center field job for the duration of the season.

While Feinsand thinks the Diamondbacks made a great move by acquiring catching prospect Gabriel Moreno, he acknowledges that the Jays needed to make the trade to get Daulton Varsho's left-handed bat into the lineup.

The sneaky addition for the Jays so far, according to Feinsand, is the acquisition of reliever RHP Erik Swanson, who came over along with LHP Adam Macko in the Teoscar Hernández trade with Seattle. Swanson's 2022 ERA of 1.68 and 11.7 K/9 will be a welcome addition to the bullpen.

With a month and a half until Spring Training, there's still plenty of time for the Jays to improve on their already strong offseason and make additional depth moves to bolster the roster for a deep run in 2023.