Final 2013 Report Card Grades for MLB's 25 Biggest Offseason Moves
Like any baseball season, the 2013 season had its ups, downs, surprises and “I told you sos."
While it’s always exciting to watch rookies like Michael Wacha emerge from the depths of the minor leagues to start games in the World Series, it’s equally as exhilarating to witness offseason acquisitions prove their value.
For instance, the Los Angeles Dodgers inked a relatively unknown South Korean pitcher named Hyun-jin Ryu who quickly became a rotation fixture and helped the team advance to the NLCS. On the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Angels were hoping to boast a slugging tandem of Albert Pujols and acquisition Josh Hamilton. But Hamilton, whom the Angels signed to a five-year, $125 million deal, came up short.
Read on to see all the final 2013 report card grades for MLB’s 25 biggest offseason moves.
*All statistics sourced from Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.com.
Justin Upton
1 of 25
One of the biggest offseason acquisitions was the trade that sent Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves. The Braves acquired Upton and Chris Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Martin Prado, Randall Delgado and a slew of mid-level prospects.
Right off the bat, Upton was red hot for the Braves. The outfielder collected 12 home runs, 19 RBI and posted a 1.136 OPS in April. Despite just hitting four home runs over the next three months, he heated up again in August, propelling the Braves to their first divisional crown since 2005.
Even though Upton was the trade's main piece, general manager Frank Wren deserves a lot of credit for also acquiring third baseman Chris Johnson too. Johnson took over the hot corner for Chipper Jones and posted a .321 batting average and 12 home runs in the process.
Grade: A-
Rafael Soriano
2 of 25
The Washington Nationals made a variety of big moves in the offseason, including adding both Denard Span and Dan Haren. But perhaps the most significant acquisition was signing closer Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28 million deal (with a $14 million club option for 2015).
The signing came as a bit of a surprise, as the Nationals had enjoyed a fruitful season from Tyler Clippard as their stopper in 2012. Clippard posted a 3.72 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 108 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 2.90 K/BB and 32 saves. But, apparently, the Nats preferred Clippard in the setup role.
The 33-year-old Soriano pitched well for the Nationals in 2013, tossing a 3.11 ERA (versus a 122 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, 3.00 K/BB and saving 43 games. Even though Soriano’s price tag was a bit high, he came as advertised.
Grade: B
Ben Revere
3 of 25
After trading Shane Victorino to the Dodgers during 2012, the Philadelphia Phillies were in dire need of a center fielder for 2013. Instead of exploring the free-agent pool (which included Victorino), the team acquired the speedy Ben Revere from the Minnesota Twins.
Revere had essentially been a one-beat player for the Twins, accumulating 74 stolen bases from 2011 to 2012 with a mere 5.3 percent walk rate and zero home runs.
The 25-year-old didn’t change much in 2013. Over 336 plate appearances, he swiped 22 bases with a career-best .305 batting average. But the outfielder was below average in the field, gloving a minus-3.6 UZR/150. Revere also broke his foot in July and sat on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.
Given Victorino’s mammoth season in Boston, the Phillies likely regret dealing for Revere instead of inking the former Phillie.
Grade: C+
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Zack Greinke
4 of 25
The Dodgers spent a lot of money in the offseason. Despite already boasting Clayton Kershaw (among others), the Dodgers still signed Zack Greinke to a six-year, $147 million contract.
The 2009 Cy Young Award winner dazzled in blue and white, tossing a 2.63 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 135 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP and 3.22 K/BB over 177.2 innings in 2013. He also pitched well in three postseason starts, surrendering just six earned runs over 21 innings.
Greinke will earn about $24 million per season through 2018, but it appears as though the 30-year-old can handle the big spotlight.
Grade: A-
Josh Hamilton
5 of 25
Going into the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels wanted to find some lineup protection for Albert Pujols. Considering Josh Hamilton collected 43 home runs and 128 RBI in 2012, the slugging outfielder seemed like the perfect candidate.
The Angels inked Hamiton to a lofty five-year, $125 million deal, hoping to ride a Pujols/Hamilton tandem deep into the playoffs. But the former first overall pick instead endured his worst season in recent memory.
The 32-year-old posted a .250 batting average, 21 home runs and a park-adjusted 108 OPS+ over 636 plate appearances. If not for a stellar second half (a .287 batting average in the second half compared to a .224 average in the first half), Hamilton’s season could have looked a lot uglier.
Grade: C-
Anibal Sanchez
6 of 25
With Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer already on the team, there was little need for the Detroit Tigers to add a third ace. But that didn’t stop them from re-signing Anibal Sanchez.
Sanchez, who was traded to the Tigers midseason in 2012, signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the team in the offseason. Despite owning a career 3.75 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 111 ERA+), he far surpassed expectations in 2013. The right-hander posted a league-leading 2.57 ERA and 163 ERA+, as well as a 3.74 K/BB.
Even though Sanchez only posted a 4.41 ERA during the playoffs, the Tigers still have to be pleased with their signing.
Grade: A
B.J. Upton
7 of 25
The Braves wasted little time addressing their glaring center field hole. On November 29, 2012, the team signed B.J. Upton to a five-year, $75.25 million contract.
The 29-year-old Upton had long been a power/speed threat for the Tampa Bay Rays. And it just so happened that the Virginia native boasted his best power (28 home runs) and speed (31 stolen bases) in 2012.
Upton, however, had trouble duplicating his past success in Atlanta. The outfielder posted a .184 batting average, park-adjusted 53 OPS+, nine home runs and 12 stolen bases in 446 plate appearances.
With another four years on his contract, he has an uphill battle to prove he’ll be worth his salary.
Grade: F
Nick Swisher
8 of 25
Despite trading top hitter Shin-Soo Choo, the Cleveland Indians didn’t wave the white flag in 2013. One of the team’s biggest acquisitions was signing Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56 million contract.
Swisher brought his as-promised home run power, collecting 22 dingers—and marking his ninth straight season of hitting 20 or more home runs. But the 32-year-old did little else, posting a mere .246 batting average and a park-adjusted 117 OPS+. His walk rate was also down, decreasing from a career 13.3 percent rate to a 12.1 percent rate.
It’s possible that 2014 will be the first season Swisher hits less than 20 home runs. If that’s the case, the former first-round pick will need to compensate elsewhere.
Grade: B-/C+
Edwin Jackson
9 of 25
One of the more surprising contracts handed out during the offseason was Edwin Jackson’s. The Chicago Cubs signed him to a four-year, $52 million contract, despite being in rebuilding mode.
In all fairness to Jackson, the pitcher had just come off a stellar 2012 season in which he tossed a 4.03 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 99 ERA+), a 1.21 WHIP and a 2.90 K/BB for the Nationals.
But the 29-year-old was unable to channel his 2012 self in 2013. Jackson pitched to the tune of a 4.98 ERA (versus a 79 ERA+), 1.46 WHIP and 2.29 K/BB over 175.1 innings. Given his mediocre career averages (4.47 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 1.99 K/BB), it’s possible he has simply regressed at this point in his career.
If Jackson enjoys a good first half in 2014, looks for the Cubs to dangle the starter to what would be his ninth organization in 12 years.
Grade: F
Michael Bourn
10 of 25
Like Nick Swisher, the Michael Bourn signing was a surprising one for the Cleveland Indians. Most potential suitors were fearful of losing a draft pick in exchange for signing Bourn, who had rejected his qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves.
But with a protected first-round pick—and having already forfeited a second-round pick to sign Swisher—the Indians inked Bourn to a four-year, $48 million deal.
Despite being the gold standard of health in the past, Bourn had some trouble staying on the field in 2013. As a result, his production suffered. The 30-year-old only stole 23 bases with a mere 65.7 percent stolen-base rate. Bourn’s sterling defense also took a hit, as his his dWAR dropped from 3.0 to 0.8.
Unless he can rediscover his speed and defense in 2014, Bourn will be a relatively worthless player over the course of his contract.
Grade: C-/D+
Angel Pagan
11 of 25
After winning the World Series in 2012, the San Francisco Giants couldn’t help but re-sign one of their more dynamic offensive stars, Angel Pagan. The Giants handed Pagan a four-year, $40 million contract in a generally weak center field free-agent market.
Even though the 32-year-old accumulated 659 plate appearances in 2012, the biggest knock on Pagan has always been his inability to stay healthy. Unfortunately, he reverted back to his injury-prone self in 2013, succumbing to a severe hamstring strain. The injury forced him to miss 84 games.
Injury aside, Pagan did play well in the 71 games he was active for. The center fielder posted a .282 batting average, a park-adjusted 116 OPS+, five home runs and swiped nine stolen bases.
Assuming he can collect 600 plate appearances again, the Giants’ four-year investment could turn out to be a wise one.
Grade: B
Shane Victorino
12 of 25
Shane Victorino picked a bad time to have a down season in 2012. Between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, he combined for a .255 batting average, a park-adjusted 91 OPS+, 11 home runs and 39 stolen bases.
The Boston Red Sox still saw potential in the 32-year-old, however, and inked Victorino to a three-year, $39 million deal.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian rewarded the Red Sox with a 6.1 bWAR season, by far his best career year. Over 532 plate appearances, he posted a .294 batting average, a park-adjusted 119 OPS+, 15 home runs, 21 stolen bases and a league-leading 35.3 UZR/150.
Even if Victorino is two-thirds the player he was in 2013 next season, the Red Sox will come out on top.
Grade: A
Brandon League
13 of 25
Kenley Jansen posted a dominant 2.35 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 162 ERA+), 0.84 WHIP, 4.50 K/BB and 25 saves in 2012. Despite this, the Dodgers still went out and signed Brandon League to a three-year, $22.5 million contract.
League started off the season as the Dodgers’ closer, but quickly lost his job in June after tossing a 5.14 ERA in the role. The demotion to setup man didn’t help either, as League posted a 5.47 ERA the rest of the way. In fact, the Dodgers even left the reliever off their roster for the playoffs.
League’s contract was critically panned at the time and looks even worse now. Considering Jansen has emerged as one of the better closers in baseball, League now projects to be a payroll albatross.
Grade: F
Dan Haren
14 of 25
The Nationals’ decision to sign Dan Haren to a one-year, $13 million seemed like a brilliant one. Despite posting a career worst 4.33 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 88 ERA+) in 2012, a move back to the National League should have done wonders for the 33-year-old starter.
But the reunion tour started off a bit rocky. Haren tossed a 5.61 ERA in the first half, putting into question whether the veteran right-hander had truly lost a step.
Even though the Nationals were more or less out of the playoff picture by the second half, Haren quietly rebounded. He spun a 3.52 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 5.00 K/BB after the All-Star break.
On the season, the Dan Haren experiment didn’t work out—but he did give the Nationals a stellar second half (though it was little too late).
Grade: B+/C-
Kyle Lohse
15 of 25
It took until March 25, 2013, for a team to sign Kyle Lohse (due to his rejected qualifying offer status), but the Milwaukee Brewers have to be pleased with their last-minute decision.
Lohse dazzled for the otherwise disappointing Brew Crew, posting a 3.35 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 117 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP and 3.47 K/BB. The 35-year-old provided the Brewers with 198.2 quality innings too, including a complete-game shutout in his final start of the season against the Atlanta Braves.
Considering he will make just $22 million over the next two seasons, the Brewers could potentially spin the veteran for a decent prospect.
Grade: A-
Jose Reyes
16 of 25
As the main piece in the Miami Marlins/Toronto Blue Jays offseason blockbuster, the Blue Jays had high hopes for Jose Reyes. But as Reyes’ career injuries list suggests, the shortstop has a knack for hanging out on the disabled list.
The 2013 season was no different. Reyes spent 74 days on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle, forcing him to miss 66 games.
Still, when the 30-year-old was healthy enough to play, he produced. Reyes posted a .296 batting average, park-adjusted 113 OPS+, 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 419 plate appearances.
Even though the Blue Jays were forced to fork over Jake Marisnick and Justin Nicolino in the trade, a healthy Jose Reyes is well worth the price.
Grade: A-/B+
James Shields
17 of 25
The Kansas City Royals wanted to compete in 2013. Looking to add a legitimate ace to their rotation, the Royals dealt top prospect Wil Myers to the Tampa Bay Rays for James Shields in the offseason.
Shields did his part in 2013. The right-hander posted a posted a 3.15 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 131 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP and 2.88 K/BB over 228.2 innings. And while the Royals didn’t advance to the playoffs, the team did finish 10 games above .500 and enjoyed its first winning season since 2003.
Not that it was any fault of Shields, but the Royals decision to “win now” was a bit premature. In many ways, the team would have been better off keeping Myers and instead overpaying for then free agent pitcher Anibal Sanchez.
Grade: B+
Torii Hunter
18 of 25
The Angels ended the five-year Torii Hunter era by signing Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million deal. Perhaps they should have stuck with Hunter.
Even though he no longer has 20-plus-home run pop, the 38-year-old proved to still be a dangerous hitter. The right-handed batter posted a .304 average, a park-adjusted 114 OPS+ and 17 home runs for the Tigers in 2013.
Signed to a mere two-year, $26 million contract, it’s hard to knock the Tigers for inking one of the better veteran hitters in the game to a minimal deal.
Grade: B+
Shin-Soo Choo
19 of 25
While playing for the Cleveland Indians, Shin-Soo Choo quietly emerged as one of the more dynamic offensive players in the major leagues. But as a member of the win-now Cincinnati Reds, his talents were finally in the national spotlight.
Choo hit to the tune of a .285 batting average, a park-adjusted 143 OPS+, a 15.7 percent walk rate, 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Even though he was statistically the worst defensive starting center fielder (minus-17.0 UZR/150), the hitter’s offense was enough to boast a 4.2 bWAR.
Considering the Reds essentially just surrendered Didi Gregorius in exchange for Choo, the trade was a steal.
Grade: A
Josh Johnson
20 of 25
After being the Miami Marlins' ace since 2006, the rapidly rebuilding organization included the starting pitcher in its November blockbuster with the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays hoped Johnson would be able to sit atop their rotation and mow down hitters like he had in the National League. Unfortunately, that was not the case in 2013.
The 29-year-old battled injuries for most the season and underperformed when he was on the mound. He pitched to the tune of a 6.20 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 66 ERA+), a 1.66 WHIP and a 2.77 K/BB over 81.1 innings.
Johnson pitched so poorly in 2013, that, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays might not even extend a qualifying offer to the once-dominant pitcher.
Grade: D
Ervin Santana
21 of 25
Ervin Santana has been an incredibly inconsistent pitcher throughout his career. Almost season to season, he has proven to be a different pitcher, sporting a 5.00-plus ERA one season (in 2007, 2009 and 2012) and around a 3.50 ERA pitcher the next (in 2008, 2010 and 2011).
Luckily for the Kansas City Royals, they bought low at a perfect time.
Traded by the Angels for a non-rated minor leaguer, Santana emerged as a surprising ace for the Royals in 2013. He posted a 3.24 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 127 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP and 3.16 K/BB over 211 innings.
Given the right-hander’s history, the acquisition could just have easily been a “F.”
Grade: A
David Ortiz
22 of 25
When the Boston Red Sox decided to grant David Ortiz a two-year, $26 million deal before the season, it seemed like a contract that could backfire. Ortiz was reportedly set to miss an unknown amount of games in 2013 due to a nagging Achilles injury.
But once he made his debut on April 20, it was apparent that the slugger wouldn’t be slowed by anything.
The 37-year-old posted a .309 batting average, a park-adjusted 160 OPS+ and 30 home runs this past season. And as expected, Big Papi performed like a stud in the postseason, boasting a .353 batting average, a 1.206 OPS, five home runs and 13 RBI.
Set to earn just $13 million next season, he continues to be one of the biggest financial steals in baseball.
Grade: A+
R.A. Dickey
23 of 25
R.A. Dickey’s success in 2012 made for one of the greatest baseball stories of all time. An unsuccessful journeyman for most of his career, Dickey finally honed his recently discovered knuckleball and won the coveted Cy Young Award for his incredible production.
But despite hurling a 2.73 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 139 ERA+) in 2012, he had trouble dominating American League hitters upon his trade to the Blue Jays.
The 39-year-old posted a 4.21 ERA (versus a 97 ERA+), a 1.23 WHIP and 2.49 K/BB over 224.2 innings. And while he shaved over a point off his ERA in the second half, it still wasn’t enough to propel the playoff hopeful Blue Jays.
Considering the team surrendered top prospects Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud to the New York Mets, it’s already quite obvious which team got the better end of the deal.
Grade: C-
Hyun-jin Ryu
24 of 25
Critics and fans alike ribbed the Dodgers for adding what seemed to be unnecessary rotation depth in the offseason. But in retrospect, signing Hyun-jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract was one of the smartest moves executed prior to the 2013 season.
Ryu proved to not only be a workhorse (192 innings), but also a consistently productive pitcher too. The South Korean native owned a 3.00 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 119 ERA+), a 1.20 WHIP and a 3.14 K/BB, with two complete games and a shutout.
At age 26, it’s possible Ryu’s finest years are ahead. And considering the Dodgers will be paying under $6 million per season for his services, general manager Ned Colletti deserves a lot of credit for pulling the trigger.
Grade: A+
Jeremy Guthrie
25 of 25
The Royals acquired Jeremy Guthrie in mid-2012, exchanging an equally struggling Jonathan Sanchez for the former Colorado Rockies pitcher. Even though Guthrie posted a 6.35 ERA with the Rockies, the right-hander instantly became a dependable starter for the Royals, tossing a 3.16 ERA over his final 91 innings.
The Royals felt confident enough in his second half-performance to reward him with a three-year, $25 million deal in the offseason. Predictably, Guthrie wasn’t nearly as good as his first go-around with the Royals. The 34-year-old pitched to the tune of a 4.04 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 102 ERA+), 1.39 WHIP and 1.88 K/BB.
Guthrie’s contract was an obvious overpay, but then again, the continuously losing Royals have had difficulty attracting decent free agents.
Grade: C/C-
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