The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top-ranked team in Box-Toppers’ 2021 preseason rankings. They also ended 2020 as Box-Toppers’ top-ranked team and World Series champions.
Meanwhile, the New York Mets made the biggest offseason improvement in players’ accumulated Box-Toppers points, while the Chicago Cubs saw the biggest decline.
Box-Toppers 2021 preseason team rankings
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top-ranked preseason team in Box-Toppers rankings. Players on their preseason roster accumulated 60.1 Box-Toppers points in the pandemic-shortened, 60-game 2020 season. Shown below in the 2021 column is the accumulated 2020 Box-Toppers point total for each player on that team’s current roster (as of Feb. 25). Also shown in the 2020 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.| Teams | 2020 | 2021 | +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers | 52.8 | 60.1 | +7.3 |
| 2 | Padres | 48.0 | 51.4 | +3.4 |
| 3 | White Sox | 43.7 | 49.1 | +5.4 |
| 4 | Blue Jays | 41.7 | 44.1 | +2.4 |
| 5 | Mets | 30.2 | 42.4 | +12.2 |
| 6 | Indians | 45.0 | 40.5 | -4.5 |
| 7 | Marlins | 35.5 | 40.5 | +5.0 |
| 8 | Athletics | 45.2 | 40.0 | -5.2 |
| 9 | Yankees | 39.9 | 38.9 | -1.0 |
| 10 | Angels | 30.9 | 38.6 | +7.7 |
| 11 | Twins | 43.8 | 38.3 | -5.5 |
| 12 | Brewers | 34.7 | 38.2 | +3.5 |
| 13 | Braves | 44.0 | 36.8 | -7.2 |
| 14 | Rays | 43.4 | 35.0 | -8.4 |
| 15 | Red Sox | 26.2 | 34.9 | +8.7 |
| 16 | Astros | 34.4 | 32.4 | -2.0 |
| 17 | Cubs | 46.5 | 32.1 | -14.4 |
| 18 | Phillies | 35.1 | 31.4 | -3.7 |
| 19 | Giants | 30.1 | 31.4 | +1.3 |
| 20 | Diamondbacks | 26.5 | 31.0 | +4.5 |
| 21 | Nationals | 30.2 | 30.4 | +0.2 |
| 22 | Cardinals | 35.8 | 30.1 | -5.7 |
| 23 | Royals | 26.7 | 29.4 | +2.7 |
| 24 | Tigers | 25.7 | 28.7 | +3.0 |
| 25 | Reds | 40.9 | 27.2 | -13.7 |
| 26 | Mariners | 28.8 | 26.8 | -2.0 |
| 27 | Rockies | 27.0 | 23.5 | -3.5 |
| 28 | Orioles | 25.4 | 20.9 | -4.5 |
| 29 | Pirates | 20.0 | 20.7 | +0.7 |
| 30 | Rangers | 25.8 | 20.2 | -5.6 |
Players on the Dodgers current 2021 preseason roster accumulated 60.1 Box-Toppers points during the 2020 season, most of any team.
The top American League team, the Chicago White Sox, rank third overall—players on the current 2021 preseason roster accumulated 49.1 Box-Toppers points during the 2020 season. The White Sox rank behind the San Diego Padres, second overall with 51.4 Box-Toppers points.
The 2020 season was shortened from 162 to 60 games because of the coronavirus pandemic. With the season cut to 37 percent of its normal length, the teams’ preseason Box-Toppers point totals are also drastically reduced. For example, last year’s top-ranked preseason team, the New York Yankees, had 144.9 Box-Toppers points. The 60.1 points the leading Dodgers have this preseason would have ranked behind 27 teams in the 2020 preseason rankings.
Dodgers rank first
The Dodgers, who led all teams at the end of 2020, maintained their lead in the 2021 preseason rankings by having the fourth-biggest offseason gain among all teams in Box-Toppers points, picking up 7.3 points.
The Dodgers ended 2020 with 52.8 points and have 60.1 points in the 2021 preseason.
The Dodgers made the offseason’s most prominent acquisition, signing pitcher Trevor Bauer. With the Reds in 2020, Bauer earned 10.0 Box-Toppers points, second among all players (behind the 11.4 by Indians pitcher Shane Bieber) and first among all NL players. Bauer had the most Box-Toppers points among all players who changed teams for 2021.
The Dodgers also picked up designated hitter/third baseman Matt Davidson from the Reds, who earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points in 2020. The Dodgers’ biggest loss was second baseman/outfielder Enrique Hernandez (2.0 points in 2020), who went to the Red Sox, relief pitcher Jake McGee (2.0 points), who went to the Giants and outfielder Joc Pederson (1.7), who went to the Cubs.
Among top-ranked players returning to the Dodgers in 2021 are pitchers Clayton Kershaw (whose 7.7 Box-Toppers points in 2020 ranked ninth overall and fifth among NL pitchers) and Walker Buehler (5.7 points, 13th among NL pitchers) and shortstop Corey Seager (3.5 points, 13th among NL batters).
White Sox rank third, lead AL teams
Players on the White Sox’ 2021 preseason roster accumulated 49.1 Box-Toppers points in 2020, third-most among all teams but first among AL teams, ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays with 44.1 Box-Toppers points, fourth overall.
The White Sox finished 2020 in eighth among all teams with 43.7 Box-Toppers points, fourth among AL teams. They had an increase of 5.4 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2020 to their current preseason total, the fifth-biggest gain among all teams.
The biggest addition to the White Sox in 2021 is pitcher Lance Lynn, who had 9.1 points in 2020 with the Rangers, fourth among all players in 2020. Lynn ranks third in 2020 Box-Toppers points among players who are on a new team for 2021.
The White Sox also picked up closer Liam Hendriks (4.0 points in 2020) from the Athletics. The White Sox most notable loss was pitcher Dane Dunning (3.0 points in 2020), who went to the Rangers.
Key returners to the White Sox in 2021 are pitcher Lucas Giolito (7.0, sixth among AL pitchers), outfielder Eloy Jimenez (5.5, second among AL batters), first baseman Jose Abreu (4.5, sixth among AL batters), shortstop Tim Anderson (4.5, seventh among AL batters) and pitcher Matt Foster (4.0, second among AL middle relievers).
Padres, Blue Jays round out top 4
Rounding out the top four teams in Box-Toppers’ 2021 preseason rankings are the San Diego Padres (ranked second with 51.4 Box-Toppers points) and the Toronto Blue Jays (ranked fourth with 44.1).
The Padres maintain their second-place ranking they finished with in 2020, picking up a net of 3.4 points in the offseason. Main acquisitions: Pitcher Yu Darvish (9.7) from the Cubs, pitcher Blake Snell (3.7) from the Rays, pitcher Joe Musgrove (2.0) from the Pirates. Key losses: Closer Trevor Rosenthal (4.0) to the Athletics, pitcher Garrett Richards (3.0) to the Red Sox, first baseman Mitch Moreland (2.0) to the Athletics, pitcher Zach Davies (2.0) to the Cubs. Key returners: Pitcher Dinelson Lamet (9.0, fifth overall in 2020), outfielder Trent Grisham (4.5, third among NL batters in 2020), pitcher Chris Paddack (3.0), shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (3.0) and third baseman Manny Machado (3.0).
The fourth-ranked Blue Jays were 10th at the end of 2020 with 41.7 Box-Toppers points. They had a net gain of 2.4 points in the offseason but rose six spots to fourth in the 2021 preseason rankings with 44.1 points.
The Blue Jays most notably picked up pitcher Tyler Chatwood from the Cubs in the offseason. Chatwood had 3.7 Box-Toppers points in 2020, which was 26th among NL pitchers, but he ranked 13th among players who shifted teams in the offseason. Other key acquisitions: Pitcher Tommy Malone (2.7, who was with the Orioles and Braves in 2020), shortstop Marcus Semien (2.0) from the Athletics and outfielder George Springer (2.0) from the Astros. Key loss: Pitcher Taijaun Walker (6.0) to the Mets. Key returners: Pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu (6.0, ninth among AL pitchers), second baseman Cavan Biggio (3.5), outfielder Randal Grichuk (3.0), first baseman Rowdy Tellez (3.0), closer Rafael Dolis (3.0, fifth among AL closers) and catcher Danny Jansen (2.5).
Biggest team gains & drops
The New York Mets picked up the most Box-Toppers points on its roster in the offseason (+12.2) while the Chicago Cubs lost the most (-14.4). The Mets notably gained pitchers Taijuan Walker (6.0 Box-Toppers points in 2020), Carlos Carrasco (5.0 points) and Trevor May (2.0). The Cubs notably lost pitchers Yu Darvish (9.7 Box-Toppers points), Jon Lester (3.7 points) and Tyler Chatwood (3.7).| Biggest gains | ||||
| Teams | 2020 | 2021 | +/- | |
| 1 | Mets | 30.2 | 42.4 | +12.2 |
| 2 | Red Sox | 26.2 | 34.9 | +8.7 |
| 3 | Angels | 30.9 | 38.6 | +7.7 |
| 4 | Dodgers | 52.8 | 60.1 | +7.3 |
| 5 | White Sox | 43.7 | 49.1 | +5.4 |
| Biggest drops | ||||
| Teams | 2020 | 2021 | +/- | |
| 1 | Cubs | 46.5 | 32.1 | -14.4 |
| 2 | Reds | 40.9 | 27.2 | -13.7 |
| 3 | Rays | 43.4 | 35.0 | -8.4 |
| 4 | Braves | 44.0 | 36.8 | -7.2 |
| 5 | Cardinals | 35.8 | 30.1 | -5.7 |
Mets have biggest offseason gain
The New York Mets had the largest offseason gain, picking up a net of 12.2 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2020 to the 2021 preseason. The Mets finished 2020 with 30.2 Box-Toppers points, 20th among all teams. They open 2021 with players on the preseason roster having accumulated 42.4 points in 2020, fifth among all teams. The Mets’ move of 15 spots in team rankings (from 20th to fifth) is also most of any team.
The Mets had two of the five biggest acquisitions among all teams as measured by 2020 Box-Toppers points, picking up pitchers Taijuan Walker from the Blue Jays and Carlos Carrasco from the Indians.
Walker had 6.0 Box-Toppers points in 2020, 12th among AL pitchers. He had the fourth-most 2020 Box-Toppers points among players who switched teams in the offseason. Carrasco had 5.0 points in 2020, 14th among AL pitchers. He had the fifth-most 2020 Box-Toppers points among players who switched teams in the offseason.
The Mets also picked up pitcher Trevor May (2.0) from the Twins. The Mets lost no players who earned 2.0 or more Box-Toppers points in 2020. Key returners: Pitcher Jacob deGrom (8.7 points, sixth overall and fourth among NL pitchers), outfielder J.D. Davis (3.5) and pitcher Seth Lugo (3.0).
Red Sox, Angels also make gains
The Boston Red Sox made the second biggest gain in offseason Box-Toppers points and the Los Angeles Angels had the third-biggest gain.
The Red Sox had a net gain of 8.7 points, increasing from 26.2 at the end of 2020 (26th overall) to 34.9 in 2021 preseason (15th overall). The Red Sox notably picked up pitcher Garrett Richards (3.0) from the Padres, utility player Marwin Gonzalez (2.5) from the Twins, second baseman Enrique Hernandez (2.0) from the Dodgers and closer Matt Andriese (2.0) from the Angels.
The Angels had a net gain of 7.7 points, increasing from 30.9 at the end of 2020 (18th overall) to 38.6 in the 2021 preseason (10th overall). The Angels notably picked up second baseman Phil Gosselin (2.7) from the Phillies, outfielder Dexter Fowler (1.5) from the Cardinals and shortstop Jose Iglesias (1.5) from the Orioles.
Cubs have biggest offseason decline
The Chicago Cubs had the largest offseason decline, losing a net of 14.4 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2020 to the 2021 preseason. The Cubs finished 2020 with 46.5 Box-Toppers points, ranked third. But they open 2021 with players on the preseason roster having accumulated 32.1 Box-Toppers points during 2020, falling to 17th place. The Cubs decline of 14 spots (from third to 17th) is tied for the largest with the Cincinnati Reds, who also fell 14 spots (from 11th to 25th).
The Cubs notably lost pitcher Yu Darvish (9.7 points) to the Padres. Darvish ranks second in Box-Toppers points among players shifting teams in the offseason. The Cubs also lost pitcher Jon Lester (3.7) to the Nationals, pitcher Tyler Chatwood (3.7) to the Blue Jays and outfielder Kyle Schwarber (1.5) to the Nationals. The Cubs’ biggest acquisitions are pitcher Zach Davies (2.0) from the Padres, pitcher Jake Arrieta (2.0) from the Phillies and outfielder Joc Pederson (1.7) from the Dodgers. Key returners for the Cubs: Pitcher Kyle Hendricks (6.0, ninth among NL pitchers in 2020), pitcher Alec Mills (4.0) and outfielder Jason Heyward (3.7, seventh among NL batters in 2020).
Other teams making biggest declines for 2021
The Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals round out the top five teams making the biggest Box-Toppers point decline from the end of 2020 to the 2021 preseason.
The Reds had a net loss of 13.7 points, second-most, decreasing from 40.9 at the end of 2020 (ranked 11th) to 27.2 in the 2021 preseason (ranked 25th). Key losses: Pitcher Trevor Bauer (10.0) to the Dodgers, pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (2.7) to the Giants, designated hitter/third baseman Matt Davidson (2.0) to the Dodgers.
The Rays had a net loss of 8.4 points, third-most, decreasing from 43.4 at the end of 2020 (ranked ninth) to 35.0 in the 2021 preseason (ranked 14th). Key losses: Pitcher Blake Snell (3.7) to the Padres, pitcher Charlie Morton (2.0) to the Braves, pitcher John Curtiss (2.0) to the Marlins, outfielder Hunter Renfroe (1.7) to the Red Sox.
The Braves had a net loss of 7.2 points, fourth-most, decreasing from 44.0 at the end of 2020 (ranked sixth) to 36.8 in the 2021 preseason (ranked 13th). Key losses: Outfielder Adam Duvall (4.0, fourth among NL batters) to the Marlins and outfielder Nick Markakis (2.5) to free agency.
The Cardinals had a net loss of 5.7 points, fifth-most, decreasing from 35.8 at the end of 2020 (ranked 13th) to 30.1 in the 2021 preseason (ranked 22nd). Key losses: Designated hitter Rangel Ravelo (1.7) to free agency, outfielder Dexter Fowler (1.5) to the Angels and second baseman Kolten Wong (1.5) to the Brewers.
Prominent player changes from 2020
Here are the most prominent player changes since 2020—the 15 players with the most 2020 Box-Toppers points who are not on the same team as they were last season. Trevor Bauer had the most 2020 points of any player to change teams. He was on the Reds in 2020 and signed with the Dodgers for 2021. (Bauer also led all National League players in 2020 Box-Toppers points, ranking second overall.) Players are ranked on the list by their 2020 Box-Toppers point (BTP) totals.| Player | Pos | 20 BTP | ’20 team | ’21 team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trevor Bauer | pi sp | 10.0 | Reds | Dodgers |
| 2 | Yu Darvish | pi sp | 9.7 | Cubs | Padres |
| 3 | Lance Lynn | pi sp | 9.1 | Rangers | White Sox |
| 4 | Taijuan Walker | pi sp | 6.0 | Blue Jays | Mets |
| 5 | Carlos Carrasco | pi sp | 5.0 | Indians | Mets |
| 6 | Asdrubal Cabrera | 1b dh | 4.5 | Nationals | Diamondbacks |
| 7 | J.A. Happ | pi sp | 4.0 | Yankees | Twins |
| 8 | Liam Hendriks | pi cp | 4.0 | Athletics | White Sox |
| 9 | Adam Duvall | lf dh rf | 4.0 | Braves | Marlins |
| 10 | Trevor Rosenthal | pi cp | 4.0 | Padres | Athletics |
| 11 | Blake Snell | pi sp | 3.7 | Rays | Padres |
| 12 | Jon Lester | pi sp | 3.7 | Cubs | Nationals |
| 13 | Tyler Chatwood | pi sp cp | 3.7 | Cubs | Blue Jays |
| 14 | Garrett Richards | pi sp mr | 3.0 | Padres | Red Sox |
| 15 | Dane Dunning | pi sp | 3.0 | White Sox | Rangers |
Prominent player changes
Trevor Bauer had the most 2020 Box-Toppers points of any player who moved to a new team for 2021.
Bauer’s 10.0 Box-Toppers points in 2020 ranked second overall and first among NL players.
Three of Box-Toppers’ overall top four-ranked players changed teams in the offseason. In addition to Bauer:
Pitcher Yu Darvish (9.7 points, ranked third, second among NL pitchers) moved from the Cubs to the Padres.
Pitcher Lance Lynn (9.1 points, ranked fourth, second among AL pitchers) moved from the Rangers to the White Sox.
The top batter to change teams in 2021 is Asdrubal Cabrera, who had 4.5 Box-Toppers points in 2020 with the Nationals (second among NL batters) and moved to the Diamondbacks for 2021.
Among the top 15 players from 2020 to change teams in the offseason (see the chart on this page Prominent player changes from 2020), only two are batters. In addition to Cabrera, outfielder Adam Duvall ranks ninth on the list. He had 4.0 Box-Toppers points in 2020 with the Braves, fourth among NL batters and moved to the Marlins for 2021.
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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