Early Grades on Albert Pujols and This Season's Top Signings Thus Far

The 2012 MLB season is almost a month in, and we have gotten a chance to see where teams are strong and where they need to improve. 

Teams attempted to make big improvements last offseason, by signing the top free agents available. Some of these players have played up to their new contracts and some have not. 

Here's a look at the top signings this season and a grade for their performances thus far this season.

CJ Wilson

The other significant addition the Angels made this offseason was for starting pitcher CJ Wilson. They signed Wilson to a five-year, $77.5 million contract.

The addition of Wilson to the Angels rotation, gave them one of the strongest staffs in the league. Wilson has done a solid job since joining the Angels and has played up to his contract.

In 2012, Wilson is 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA. He has yet to give up more than three runs in any of his games.

Grade: A-

Heath Bell

Heath Bell has simply been a disaster since joining the Marlins. Bell has been one of the best closers in baseball over the last couple of seasons but has struggled in 2012.

So far this season, he has two saves, three blown saves and a 9.53 ERA.

Grade: F

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes decided to stay in the NL East but went from the New York Mets to the Miami Marlins. He was the biggest acquisition of the Marlins' busy offseason but has basically failed to do anything so far.

He signed a six-year, $106 million contract and has failed to play up to it.

In 2011, Reyes lead the National League with a .337 batting average. This season he's hitting .205—no home runs, three RBI, four SB's.

Grade: F

Yu Darvish

With the history of inconsistency in Japanese pitchers, the signing of Yu Darvish had its concerns.

The Rangers lost CJ Wilson to the Angels and added Darvish to replace him. So far in 2012, Darvish has done a nice job doing that.

He's 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA. He could potentially be the best Japanese pitcher to ever pitch in the MLB and hasn't needed much time to adjust.

The Rangers could not have asked for much more out of Darvish.

Grade: A

Prince Fielder

The other first baseman to sign a big contract this offseason was Prince Fielder. Fielder signed a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

In 2012, Fielder is hitting .309 with three home runs and 11 RBI. His batting average is where the Tigers want it, but they would like more home runs and RBI.

The Tigers have also gotten off to a slower start than expected. They are 11-11 and aren't running away with the AL Central division just yet.

Grade: B+

Jonathan Papelbon

The Phillies have gotten what they paid for with Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon left the Red Sox and signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Phillies.

He has saved all seven opportunities and has a 1.00 ERA. The Phillies offense has taken a few steps back with the injuries of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

That makes Papelbon's performance and ability to close games more important.

Grade: A

Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran was brought in to help fill the hole in the offense that Albert Pujols left. While Beltran is not necessarily the same caliber player as Pujols, he is still a productive offensive player.

The Cardinals have gotten off to a nice start in 2012 and are 14-8. They currently lead the NL Central and Beltran has helped put them there.

Beltran is batting .256, with five home runs, 11 RBI and five SB. 

Grade: B

Yoenis Cespedes

The Oakland A's made a surprising move by signing Yoenis Cespedes this offseason. The A's needed help in their lineup and Cespedes has done a nice job of producing right away.

He's hitting .253 with five home runs, 19 RBI and four SB.

Grade: B+

Mark Buehrle

The Miami Marlins had a busy offseason and one of the players they added was Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle has done a nice job giving the Marlins a chance to win, but they have failed to capitalize. 

He's 1-3, with a 2.63 ERA in 2012. He hasn't given up more than three runs in any start this season.

Grade: B+

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols has been one of the most consistent players throughout his career. He has been arguably the best player in baseball since his debut in 2001.

The Angels made the biggest splash this offseason and signed him to a 10-year, $240 million contract. The concern with this contract was how would Pujols perform in the last couple of years. The Angels never thought that he would struggle in the first season.

So far in 2012, Pujols is batting .216 with no home runs and four RBI. The home-run drought is a concern, but the fact that he only has four RBI is a bigger concern. If Pujols had 15 RBI and no home runs, you would assume the home runs would eventually come. 

Not only has Pujols struggled but so have the Angels. They are 7-15 and are in last place in the AL West. 

Thus far, Pujols and the Angels have both been a complete disappointment.

Grade: F