One of the best parts about Opening Day is seeing players make their debuts in new uniforms. While it counts as just one game in the standings, that first impression is typically an exciting sign of things to come.
How did the big MLB offseason acquisitions fare in their debuts?
Yoenis Cespedes was one of many players who excelled in their debuts with new teams on Opening Day.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Monday saw a bevy of players play their first game with a new club. Some wasted little time in making their talent and ability known to a new group of fans. Others didn’t fare quite so well. Still, given its 162-game schedule, no sport affords players further opportunity to get things right next time out than baseball.
Here is how Monday’s set of notable fresh faces fared with their new teams.
The high-priced arms
Scherzer's day started well, with the righthander holding the New York Mets hitless through five innings. However, a walk, an error and a single from Lucas Duda gave the Mets two runs and a lead they would never relinquish against the Washington Nationals on Monday.
Although Scherzer took the loss, the righthander couldn’t have pitched much better, allowing four hits and striking out eight batters over 7 2/3 innings. The Mets scratched another unearned run across the plate, though, sending Scherzer and the Nationals to a 3-1 loss.
Shields didn't earn nearly as much money as Scherzer in free agency, but he comes to San Diego with much fanfare and a long track record of success. Although he pitched well, Shields' new team came up short Monday, though the Padres were leading when the righty exited the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 33-year-old hurler lasted six innings, giving up six hits and two runs, while striking out eight. That didn’t stop a leaky San Diego bullpen from coughing up the lead, with the Dodgers plating four runs in the final three innings to earn a 6-3 win. Still, Padres fans should expect plenty more steady, dependable starts from Shields.
The trade acquisitions
Cespedes impressed both in the field and at the plate in his first game for the Detroit Tigers. The Cuban native robbed Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki of a home run and then belted two extra-base hits (a double and a triple) off starter Phil Hughes, while also scoring two runs. Detroit gave up a hefty price in Rick Porcello to land Cespedes, but more contributions like Monday's will go a long way in making Cespedes well worth the cost for the Tigers.
Two of this offseason’s more unheralded acquisitions, Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick both showed why the Dodgers’ middle-infield production should be vastly improved in 2015. Rollins led off for the Dodgers and went 2-for-4, belting a game-winning, three-run home run in the eighth inning to give Los Angeles an Opening Day victory.
Kendrick, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple from the cleanup spot, driving in a run and scoring one as well.
Zobrist didn't take long to make an impression in an Oakland Athletics uniform. The switch-hitting leftfielder (at least that was his position Monday) hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat of the season, giving Oakland an early lead against the Texas Rangers. He added a double later in the game and finished 2-for-5 with two RBI.
The free-agent bats
It was a homecoming of sorts for Ramirez, who played in two games for Boston back in 2005 before being traded to the Miami Marlins. In his first game since signing a contract with the Boston Red Sox this past winter, Ramirez did not disappoint, belting two home runs in Boston's 8-0 demolition of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ramirez finished with five RBI in five plate appearances, and more importantly, finally gave Red Sox fans a good look at the player they heard so much about when he rose through the ranks in Boston’s minor league system a decade ago.
A Canadian native, Martin signed the biggest free-agent contract in Blue Jays history this offseason. The veteran catcher went 1-for-4 in his debut with Toronto, and he made that hit count, driving in two runs on a single to right field in the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the New York Yankees.
Martin also helped coax Toronto starter Drew Hutchison through six innings of one-run ball. His framing prowess behind the plate and ability to handle a pitching staff were big factors in the Blue Jays' decision to sign Martin to a five-year deal, after all.
Signed to provide further punch to the Seattle Mariners' offense, Nelson Cruz was held hitless at the plate Monday. Cruz went 0-for-4 in his Seattle debut, but Felix Hernandez's dominance helped lift the Mariners to a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Some may doubt Cruz’s ability to succeed in Safeco Field, but at least he’ll have 161 more games to make a contribution on offense in Seattle.
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