MLB Offseason Report Card: Spring Training and Opening Day Preview
With spring training in full swing and Opening Day just three weeks away, the MLB offseason has come to a close. This report card evaluates the major moves, trades, and signings for all 30 teams, along with their grades, best moves, under-the-radar moves, key storylines, and predictions for the upcoming season.
NL East: Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Cardinals
The Atlanta Braves earned a C grade after losing key pitchers Max Fried and Charlie Morton but signing Jurickson Profar to bolster their outfield. The Miami Marlins received a B-minus by acquiring shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd in a trade. However, they lacked signings of veteran position players to support their young lineup. The New York Mets secured an A-minus grade for signing Juan Soto, the "Ted Williams of this generation," but their rotation depth remained a concern. The Philadelphia Phillies graded B after strengthening their rotation with Jesús Luzardo but failing to improve their outfield offense. The Washington Nationals earned a C-plus for acquiring Nathaniel Lowe and extending Kyle Finnegan but lacked significant offseason spending. Finally, the St. Louis Cardinals received an F for their inactivity in free agency and trades, leaving them with no major moves to improve their roster.
NL Central: Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals
The Chicago Cubs earned an A-minus for trading for Kyle Tucker, a potential 30-homer/30-stolen base talent, and strengthening their bullpen with Ryan Pressly. However, the risk of losing Tucker in free agency looms. The Cincinnati Reds graded B after acquiring Brady Singer and Jose Trevino but missed out on adding a proven power bat. The *Milwaukee Brewers received a C for trading for Nestor Cortes but losing Devin Williams and Willy Adames hurt their grade. The *Pittsburgh Pirates earned a C-plus for acquiring Spencer Horwitz but failing to invest in offense.
NL West: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Giants
The Arizona Diamondbacks earned an A-minus for signing ace Corbin Burnes and acquiring Josh Naylor, making them NL wild-card favorites. The Colorado Rockies graded D after failing to make significant signings or trades,頼 wing on their farm system. The Los Angeles Dodgers secured an A-plus* for signing Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Hyeseong Kim, solidifying their roster and rotation. The *San Diego Padres received a C for extending Nick Pivetta but lacking funds to improve further. The San Francisco Giants graded B* for signing Willy Adames and Justin Verlander but failing to bolster their lineup adequately.
AL East: Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays
The Baltimore Orioles earned a B for signing Tomoyuki Sugano but losing Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander in free agency. The Boston Red Sox received an A for trading for Garrett Crochet and signing Alex Bregman, positioning them as playoff contenders. The New York Yankees graded A* for signing Max Fried and trading for Devin Williams, building the deepest rotation in the division. The *Tampa Bay Rays earned a C-plus for signing Ha-Seong Kim and Danny Jansen but lacking free-agent market resources. The Toronto Blue Jays received a B-plus* for signing Anthony Santander but failing to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
AL Central: White Sox, Guardians, Tigers, Royals, Twins
The Chicago White Sox earned a B-minus for trading Garrett Crochet and acquiring Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, and other prospects but failing to trade Luis Robert Jr. The Cleveland Guardians received a B-minus* for re-signing Shane Bieber but lacking replacements for Josh Naylor’s production. The *Detroit Tigers graded B for signing Jack Flaherty and Gleyber Torres but missing out on Alex Bregman. The Kansas City Royals earned a B* for acquiring Jonathan India and rebuilding their bullpen. The *Minnesota Twins received a D-plus for failing to make significant offseason moves to improve their offense.
AL West: Astros, Angels, Athletics, Mariners, Rangers
The Houston Astros earned a C-plus for signing Christian Walker but losing Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. The Los Angeles Angels received a C-plus for signing Yusei Kikuchi and Travis d’Arnaud but failing to improve their win-loss potential. The Oakland Athletics graded B for extending Brent Rooker and acquiring Luis Severino but facing uncertainty in their new Sacramento venue. The Seattle Mariners received a D for failing to address their offensive struggles. Finally, the *Texas Rangers earned a B-plus for trading for Jake Burger and Joc Pederson, with a strong lineup poised to win the division if healthy.
Conclusion: Key Storylines and Predictions
The MLB season is shaping up to be highly competitive, with teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Phillies leading the charge. The Mets’ reliance on their rotation and the Braves’ stars returning from injury will be critical in the NL East. The Cubs’ trade for Kyle Tucker and the Reds’ young pitching are stories to watch in the NL Central. In the AL, the Red Sox and Yankees are set for a fierce division battle, while the Rangers and Astros could contend in the AL West. With spring training underway, all eyes are on Opening Day and the journey to the 2025 World Series.
