Offseason Grades for All 30 MLB Teams After the 1st Month of Moves
The first month of the 2014-15 MLB offseason is nearly in the books, and it has been as busy a November as any in recent memory.
The position-player market in particular has exploded, as Russell Martin, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Adam LaRoche, Billy Butler, Michael Cuddyer, Yasmany Tomas and Victor Martinez have all signed new deals in free agency.
The trade market has also been busy as well, with a pair of blockbuster deals seeing the likes of Jason Heyward, Shelby Miller, Jordan Walden, Josh Donaldson and Brett Lawrie change teams along with a number of top prospects.
Nine-figure extensions were also handed out to Giancarlo Stanton and Kyle Seager, with Stanton inking a record 13-year, $325 million deal with the Miami Marlins.
So, with the winter meetings on the horizon and a crazy month of November wrapping up, what follows are offseason grades for all 30 MLB teams to this point.
Teams were graded strictly on the moves they have made so far, not on how complete their roster is at this point or on whether all of their glaring holes have been filled. Those grades will come later, when the entire offseason's worth of moves can be analyzed.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Notable Additions
OF Yasmany Tomas (FA), SP Jeremy Hellickson (trade, TB), UT Jamie Romak (MiLB FA)
Overview
The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off perhaps the biggest surprise of the offseason thus far when they emerged from a pack of suitors to land Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas with a six-year, $68.5 million deal.
Tomas gives the team a high-upside power bat who will likely be slotted in left field, meaning there is a good chance someone from the group of Mark Trumbo, David Peralta and Cody Ross is moved at some point this offseason.
The team also shipped a pair of prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who has been something of a disappointment since winning AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 but still has plenty of upside at 27 years old.
Grade: A+
There will likely be more wheeling and dealing before the offseason is up as chief baseball officer Tony LaRussa and general manager Dave Stewart work to mold the team around their plans. The two big moves they have made so far both look like wins at this point, though.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Notable Additions
SP Shelby Miller (trade, STL), SP Tyrell Jenkins (trade, STL), RP Arodys Vizcaino (trade, CHC), OF Zoilo Almonte (FA), C Eli Whiteside (MiLB FA), IF Pedro Ciriaco (MiLB FA), SP Chien-Ming Wang (MiLB FA), RP Donnie Veal (MiLB FA)
Overview
After wrapping up the 2014 season with a dismal 7-18 showing in September, it was pretty clear that change was coming for the Atlanta Braves.
The first big move of what could be many this offseason came in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, as the Braves landed Shelby Miller and prospect Tyrell Jenkins in return for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden.
Moving Heyward obviously hurts them both offensively and defensively in the short term. However, flipping a free-agent-to-be for a good, young pitcher in Miller, who is controllable through the 2018 season, makes a lot of sense, especially considering an extension for Heyward seemed unlikely.
The 22-year-old Jenkins also provides the Braves with a high-ceiling arm in the minors, and he is coming off an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League (6 GS, 24.1 IP, 2.22 ERA).
Hard-throwing Arodys Vizcaino was also reacquired from the Chicago Cubs for second baseman Tommy La Stella. Speedy prospect Jose Peraza is the future at second base, and he should take over at some point in 2015, so La Stella was expendable long term. Vizcaino still has closer upside and will likely open the season with a bullpen spot in Atlanta.
Grade: B
It's hard to swallow trading someone like Heyward, as he still has the potential to be a superstar if he puts it all together at the plate, but the Braves got as good a return as they could have hoped for from St. Louis.
With fellow outfielder Justin Upton also likely to be moved, it will be interesting to see what the team does to address an offense that was already the team's biggest weakness before (potentially) moving two of its top hitters.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Notable Additions
IF Rey Navarro (FA), OF Alex Hassan (waivers), RP Scott Barnes (trade, CLE), RP Oliver Drake (FA, re-signed), RP Pat McCoy (waivers), IF Paul Janish (MiLB FA)
Overview
It's been a quiet offseason for the Baltimore Orioles to this point, as their focus remains on trying to retain a pair of their own free agents in Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis.
If one or both of those guys wind up signing elsewhere, this team could be in real trouble offensively, as that would leave the Orioles relying on Chris Davis to bounce back and make up for the production Cruz brought on a one-year deal last season.
Utility infielder Rey Navarro was given a major league deal, despite being a career minor leaguer to this point. The 24-year-old hit .282/.343/.435 with 34 doubles and 12 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in the Cincinnati Reds organization last year, so there is some offensive potential there.
Grade: C
The story of the offseason here remains whether or not Cruz and Markakis come back and what the team does to replace them if they don't.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Notable Additions
LF Hanley Ramirez (FA), 3B Pablo Sandoval (FA), RP Koji Uehara (FA, re-signed)
Overview
With the addition of two of the market's top bats in Pablo Sandoval (five years, $95 million) and Hanley Ramirez (four years, $88 million), the Boston Red Sox figure to once again boast as dangerous an offensive attack as any team in baseball.
It also opens things up for them on the trade market, as Ramirez is slated to play left field, leaving Yoenis Cespedes and Shane Victorino as prime candidates to be moved before the start of the season.
While the bolstered offense is nice, the team has yet to do anything to address a starting rotation that features Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly and a lot of question marks at this point. One has to think that will change between now and Opening Day, but for the moment, the Red Sox simply don't have the arms to contend, no matter how good their offense winds up being.
Grade: B+
How well Ramirez takes to left field and how well Sandoval holds up over the course of his five-year deal will inevitably determine whether or not these were good signings for the Red Sox.
Props to them for being aggressive, though, and using the payroll room they cleared at the trade deadline to put themselves in a position to turn around and contend again in 2015. Now they just need a front-line arm and another veteran starter or two.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Notable Transactions
2B Tommy La Stella (trade, ATL), RP Joseph Ortiz (waivers), RP Donn Roach (waivers)
Overview
It's been a quiet offseason for the Chicago Cubs to this point.
They missed out on one of their top targets, catcher Russell Martin, as they looked like the front-runners to land the 31-year-old right up until he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
While the interest in a catching upgrade makes sense, their biggest focus is still on landing a top-of-the-rotation arm. They have reportedly offered a six-year deal north of $135 million to Jon Lester, according to David Kaplan of CSN Chicago.
They have made a few small-scale moves as well, including picking up infielder Tommy La Stella from the Atlanta Braves in return for hard-throwing prospect Arodys Vizcaino.
They also claimed a pair of relievers off of waivers in Joseph Ortiz (32 G, 4.23 ERA for Texas in 2013) and Donn Roach (16 G, 4.75 ERA for SD in 2014). Both guys will compete for a bullpen spot this spring.
Grade: C-
I don't love trading Vizcaino for La Stella, especially considering the logjam of infielders the team is already dealing with. Roach showed some potential as a starter for the San Diego Padres in the minors, so he could fill the swingman role left vacant by Carlos Villanueva's departure.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Notable Additions
1B Adam LaRoche (FA), RP Zach Duke (FA), OF J.B. Shuck (waivers), OF Tony Campana (MiLB FA), RP Onelki Garcia (waivers)
Overview
Despite a 73-89 finish to the 2014 season, the Chicago White Sox appear to be a team on the rise, and they have only gotten better this offseason.
Their biggest areas of need were filling out the bullpen and finding a second power bat to pair with Jose Abreu in the middle of the lineup, and they have already made a pair of big signings to address those issues.
Adam LaRoche was signed to a two-year, $25 million deal after posting an .817 OPS with 26 home runs and 92 RBI for the Washington Nationals last season. He replaces Adam Dunn at the DH spot and should provide an immediate boost in production.
Their other big addition was left-hander Zach Duke on a three-year, $15 million deal. That came on the heels of a fantastic season in Milwaukee, where he posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.125 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 74 appearances.
Another bullpen arm or two, and perhaps another starting pitcher, remain on the shopping list, but the White Sox have already taken a pair of big steps in solidifying their roster for the upcoming season.
Grade: A+
The White Sox moved quickly to fill their two biggest needs, and they didn't break the bank doing it. The starting rotation is still a question mark behind Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, and that could keep Chicago from contending, but this team is definitely headed in the right direction.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Notable Additions
None
Overview
The Cincinnati Reds have yet to make a significant addition of any sort this offseason, but it's fair to assume their silence won't last until Opening Day, as they are expected to be especially busy on the trade market.
At least one arm from the trio of Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon will likely be dealt this offseason, and the Reds have also been shopping outfielder Jay Bruce, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
"The Reds also have engaged in preliminary discussions on deals involving two-time All-Star right fielder Jay Bruce, according to major-league sources. Though club officials say the team is merely listening on players rather than shopping them, a trade of Bruce for more cost-effective talent would be a major step toward retooling with a lower payroll in 2015.
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Left field will need to be filled with at least a stopgap option until Jesse Winker is ready, and the bullpen needs an arm or two as well if this team hopes to bounce back and contend.
Grade: N/A
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Notable Additions
SP Charles Brewer (trade, ARI), RP Dustin Molleken (MiLB FA), OF Destin Hood (MiLB FA)
Overview
They have yet to add the proven No. 2 starter their rotation needs this offseason, but the Cleveland Indians did find some starting pitching depth with the addition of right-hander Charles Brewer. Acquired in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 26-year-old Brewer went 11-12 with a 4.46 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 169.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season.
The team also signed reliever Dustin Molleken (54 G, 4.84 ERA, 10.8 K/9 in Triple-A) and outfielder Destin Hood (.294/.344/.482, 24 2B, 10 HR, 36 RBI in Triple-A) to minor league deals with spring training invites.
Grade: C
The team has added some organizational depth to this point, but nothing significant enough to earn it anything other than a C.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Jorge Rondon (waivers), SP Shane Carle (trade, PIT)
Overview
The big story out of Colorado Rockies camp this offseason has been the team's willingness to listen to offers on both Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Chances are neither player will be moved, as the team's asking price on both is incredibly high and neither player has managed to stay healthy of late, but it's newsworthy nonetheless.
As far as additions the Rockies have made this offseason, they claimed reliever Jorge Rondon (51 G, 3.03 ERA in Triple-A) off waivers and acquired 23-year-old Shane Carle (23 GS, 4-8, 3.67 ERA in Single-A) in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Grade: C
Nothing much of note here. Rondon will have a chance to crack the Opening Day bullpen, and Carle has some upside as a former 10th-round pick, but neither guy is going to be a real difference-maker.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Notable Additions
DH Victor Martinez (FA, re-signed), CF Anthony Gose (trade, TOR), RP Joel Hanrahan (MiLB FA, re-signed), RP Josh Zeid (waivers), OF Xavier Avery (MiLB FA)
Overview
The Detroit Tigers wasted little time re-signing AL MVP runner-up Victor Martinez, coming to terms on a four-year, $68 million extension with the 35-year-old.
Meanwhile, other notable free agents like Max Scherzer and Torii Hunter appear to be headed elsewhere this offseason, leaving the team with some holes to fill and some money to spend.
Anthony Gose was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for second base prospect Devon Travis, and he will likely get a shot at everyday playing time in center field.
Gose, 24, was ranked as the No. 39 prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2012 season. He has hit .234/.301/.332 with 35 extra-base hits and 34 steals in 552 at-bats over the past three seasons, and he could benefit from expanded playing time.
Grade: A
The back end of the V-Mart contract could be a drain, but there was no way the Tigers could let him walk after the numbers he put up last season. Gose is a nice pickup and a potential breakout candidate if he sees regular at-bats.
The big question here is still the bullpen, and picking up their option on Joakim Soria, re-signing Joel Hanrahan and hoping for a strong return from Bruce Rondon will not cut it.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Notable Additions
C Hank Conger (trade, LAA), RP Will Harris (waivers)
Overview
Despite losing 92 games this past season, the Houston Astros undoubtedly took a huge step forward in their rebuild that went far beyond the 19-win improvement over the previous year. Their young talent's continued development will determine just how soon they can legitimately contend, and in the meantime, the Astros will likely fill in the roster with low-cost veteran pieces.
The team acquired catcher Hank Conger in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, and while he hit just .221/.293/.325 in 231 at-bats last season, the former top prospect is a terrific defensive backstop.
The team also claimed reliever Will Harris off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he should have a good shot at winning a bullpen spot this spring. The 30-year-old had a 4.34 ERA and 10.9 K/9 in 29 appearances last season and a 2.91 ERA and 9.1 K/9 over 61 appearances back in 2013.
Grade: B
They weren't impact additions, but both Conger and Harris should make a positive contribution to the team in 2015. After Jason Castro followed up his breakout 2013 season with a disappointing 2014, it will be interesting to see just how much playing time Conger gets.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Jason Frasor (FA, re-signed), OF Reymond Fuentes (trade, SD), OF Moises Sierra (waivers), IF Ryan Jackson (trade, LAD), SP Brian Flynn (trade, MIA), RP Reid Redman (trade, MIA), IF Ryan Roberts (MiLB FA), RP Joe Paterson (MiLB FA)
Overview
The Kansas City Royals have some retooling to do this offseason, with James Shields and Nori Aoki likely headed elsewhere in free agency and Billy Butler already finding a new home with the Oakland Athletics.
Their biggest move to this point has been re-signing reliever Jason Frasor, who had a 2.66 ERA in 61 appearances last season, including a 1.53 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 23 games with the Royals after being acquired in a July trade.
Reymond Fuentes hit .294/.363/.416 with 15 doubles and 25 stolen bases in the minors last season, and the 23-year-old still has the tools that made him a top prospect in the San Diego Padres system.
Reliever Aaron Crow was traded to the Miami Marlins for 24-year-old starter Brian Flynn (25 GS, 8-10, 4.06 ERA in Triple-A) and 26-year-old reliever Reid Redman (44 G, 2.04 ERA, 9.9 K/9 in Double-A/Triple-A).
Grade: B+
Flynn and Fuentes were both nice buy-low pickups, as they have the potential to be solid big league contributors down the line. Re-signing Frasor was an easy decision after the way he pitched down the stretch, and his $1.8 million salary is a steal.
There is still a hole in right field and in the rotation, but there is a lot to like about the small moves the team has made so far.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Notable Additions
SP Nick Tropeano (trade, HOU), RP Cesar Ramos (trade, TB), C Carlos Perez (trade, HOU), OF Dan Robertson (trade, TEX), RP Jeremy McBryde (FA)
Overview
With no significant free agents outside of relievers Jason Grilli and Joe Thatcher, the Los Angeles Angels could focus on making complementary moves this offseason to shore up a roster that won an MLB-best 98 games this past season.
Starting-pitching depth was a clear area of need, especially with Garrett Richards questionable to start the season, and the Angels added a good, young starting candidate in Nick Tropeano. The 24-year-old went 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA and 0.987 WHIP in Triple-A last season, and he held his own with a 4.57 ERA in four big league starts. He will compete for the No. 5 starter spot but gives the team quality depth wherever he ends up.
The Angels also picked up Cesar Ramos in a trade with the Rays. He has a 3.66 ERA in 167 appearances over the past four seasons. He has also made eight starts during that span, so he's capable of filling a swingman role as well.
In addition, the team signed 27-year-old reliever Jeremy McBryde (51 G, 17 SV, 2.22 ERA, 9.1 K/9) to a major league deal, despite the fact that he has yet to make his big league debut.
Grade: A
Few teams entered the offseason with a more complete roster than the Angels, yet they have done a nice job adding complementary pieces and depth. They still need a proven left-handed reliever in the bullpen, though.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Joel Peralta (trade, TB), SP Juan Nicasio (trade, COL), OF Kyle Jensen (trade, MIA), SP Mike Bolsinger (trade, ARI), RP Adam Liberatore (trade, TB)
Overview
Despite a wealth of returning talent, the Los Angeles Dodgers have some work to do if they hope to keep pace in the National League.
Shortstop is a hole after Hanley Ramirez left for Boston, and they could use a contingency plan at third base for 35-year-old Juan Uribe. There is also a hole at the back of the rotation, and the bullpen could benefit from a handful of new faces after struggling last season.
Setup man Joel Peralta was added in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, and he leads all of baseball with 296 appearances since the start of the 2011 season. The 38-year-old has a 3.58 ERA and 1.054 WHIP over that span.
While the outfield logjam remains, the team got a potential bargain when it acquired Kyle Jensen from the Miami Marlins. The 26-year-old hit .260/.331/.481 with 29 doubles and 27 home runs in Triple-A last season, and his right-handed power is a valuable commodity in today's game.
Grade: C+
Peralta was a nice pickup, but it's worth noting that his 4.41 ERA last season was his highest since 2009, and he's not exactly a spring chicken. The rest of these moves are just organizational depth.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Aaron Crow (trade, KC)
Overview
The Miami Marlins made their first big addition of the offseason Friday, trading starter Brian Flynn and reliever Reid Redman to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Aaron Crow.
The 28-year-old Crow was an All-Star as a rookie back in 2011, and he has posted a solid 3.53 ERA and 8.0 K/9 in 254 appearances over the course of his four-year career. He could actually get a shot at starting, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel, but whatever role he finds himself in, he's a quality arm.
Regardless of what other additions they make, the big move of the offseason will be the 13-year, $325 million extension the Marlins handed Giancarlo Stanton.
Grade: A
Love or hate the Stanton deal, it represents a commitment to building a winner that has not been seen from this Marlins organization before. For a franchise best known for its post-title fire sales, it's a big step in the right direction and gives the team a superstar cornerstone for the foreseeable future.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Notable Additions
1B Adam Lind (trade, TOR), IF Luis Jimenez (waivers), C Juan Centeno (waivers), OF Kyle Wren (trade, ATL)
Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers had only three notable free agents, and all of them were in the bullpen, as Francisco Rodriguez, Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny all hit the open market. Those losses still need to be addressed, though the presence of Jonathan Broxton could keep the team from targeting another closer option should K-Rod opt to sign elsewhere.
The Brewers' only other glaring need was at first base, and they moved quickly to fill that void, acquiring Adam Lind from the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Marco Estrada.
Considering Lind's offensive potential and the fact that Estrada was banished to the bullpen last season after allowing an NL-high 29 home runs, it looks like a steal for the Brewers.
The team will need to find a platoon partner for Lind, though, as he hit just .061/.162/.061 against left-handed pitching last season.
Grade: A
The bullpen will still need to be addressed, even if the Brewers don't go after another closer, but the Lind deal looks like a terrific bargain. Especially considering the two-year, $25 million deal Adam LaRoche landed from the Chicago White Sox and the three-year, $30 million deal that Billy Butler got from the Oakland A's.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Notable Additions
None
Overview
The Minnesota Twins have been quiet so far this offseason, though they did make some notable additions to the 40-man roster in the form of top prospects Miguel Sano and Alex Meyer.
Pitching remains the club's biggest weakness, and it has ranked dead last in the MLB in starters' ERA the past two seasons, posting a 5.06 mark this past year.
The Twins handed out the two biggest free-agent deals in team history last offseason to sign Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes, and they could be targeting similar mid-level starters this winter.
Grade: N/A
New York Mets
18 of 30
Notable Additions
RF Michael Cuddyer (FA), C Johnny Monell (MiLB FA), OF Alex Castellanos (MiLB FA)
Overview
The New York Mets had two clear areas of need entering the offseason: a right-handed corner outfield bat and a proven everyday shortstop.
The first need was filled in the form of Michael Cuddyer, who agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal after rejecting a qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies. The 35-year-old won the NL batting title in 2013 and hit .332/.376/.579 in 190 at-bats this past season. However, he was limited to just 49 games while battling shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Shortstop remains a question mark, though, and at this point it would again be some combination of Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores manning the position. Tejada has the glove to be an asset, but he has been too inconsistent offensively to warrant regular playing time. Meanwhile, Flores has plenty of offensive upside, but his glove could be exposed in an expanded role.
Grade: B+
Keeping Cuddyer and good friend David Wright healthy will be the key to the season for the Mets offensively, and that is far from a sure thing. That being said, it's hard to argue with $21 million over two years for Cuddyer, even if he was tied to draft-pick compensation.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Justin Wilson (trade, PIT), OF Chris Young (FA, re-signed), SP Jose De Paula (FA)
Overview
The New York Yankees have sat on their hands for the most part, while their division rivals, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, have made significant additions to their lineups in the first month of the offseason.
Shortstop, third base, the starting rotation and the bullpen all figure to be addressed before the end of the offseason, though another $500 million spending spree is probably not in the works.
The Yankees' one significant addition to this point has been left-handed reliever Justin Wilson, who was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Francisco Cervelli.
Wilson, 27, had a 2.08 ERA in 58 appearances as a rookie in 2013 but saw that number climb to 4.20 over 70 games this past season. He averaged 95.2 mph on his fastball, according to FanGraphs, and will essentially fill the role that Matt Thornton did prior to being moved in August.
The Yankees also re-signed outfielder Chris Young on a one-year, $2.5 million deal after he hit .282/.354/.521 in 71 at-bats down the stretch.
Grade: C+
Wilson is a nice addition to a bullpen that was without a proven left-hander after moving Thornton to save some money.
Not sure I would have given Young anything more than a minor league deal, though. A strong showing over 71 at-bats doesn't cancel out a .205/.283/.346 line in 254 at-bats with the Mets prior to being released.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Notable Additions
DH Billy Butler (FA), 3B Brett Lawrie (trade, TOR), SP Sean Nolin (trade, TOR), SP Kendall Graveman (trade, TOR), SS Franklin Barreto (trade, TOR), 1B Ike Davis (trade, PIT), C Carson Blair (MiLB FA), RP Taylor Thompson (waivers), RP Brad Mills (MiLB FA), RP Rudy Owens (MiLB FA), RP Kevin Whelan (MiLB FA)
Overview
General manager Billy Beane is not afraid to pull the trigger on a trade, that much is sure, and All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson was the latest casualty of his free-wheeling approach.
"I'm so shocked," Donaldson told the San Francisco Chronicle (via ESPN). "I just got off the phone with Billy Beane, and I guess they got an offer that they couldn't resist. I'm definitely a little emotional about it. Oakland is my home. At the end of the day, it's a business, as much as it hurts emotionally. The guys in that clubhouse are my brothers."
Donaldson ranked second in all of baseball with a 15.4 WAR (subscription required) over the past two seasons, and he was projected to earn only $4.5 million in arbitration, so this can't exactly be justified as a cost-cutting move.
Brett Lawrie gives the A's an immediate replacement at third base. The 24-year-old still has a world of potential, but he has not lived up to the hype to this point. Injuries have limited him to just 177 games the past two seasons.
Prospects Kevin Graveman and Sean Nolin should both contend for a rotation spot this coming season, while 18-year-old shortstop Franklin Barreto has the highest ceiling of anyone in the deal after hitting .311/.384/.481 in Low-A last season.
Outside of the blockbuster deal, the team also signed Billy Butler to a three-year, $30 million deal.
Grade: F
Maybe I'm overvaluing Donaldson, but I would not have pulled the trigger on a deal with the Blue Jays unless it included either Aaron Sanchez or Daniel Norris as the primary prospect heading the other way. The Butler signing was also something of a head-scratcher, considering his numbers were down last season and he limits the team with his DH-only designation. A two-year deal would have looked a lot better.
Beane has made some great moves in his time at the helm in Oakland, but he seems to be trading for the sake of trading at this point.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Elvis Araujo (FA), IF Chris Nelson (MiLB FA), C Rene Garcia (MiLB FA), C John Hester (MiLB FA), C Koyie Hill (MiLB FA), UT Cord Phelps (MiLB FA), OF Chase d'Arnaud (MiLB FA), OF Jeff Francoeur (MiLB FA), OF Xavier Paul (MiLB FA)
Overview
After missing out on Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas in free agency, the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies' offseason action should consist of unloading any and all veteran pieces that can be moved.
Tomas made sense as a target because he's only 24 years old and would have brought some much-needed young blood to the mix, but there is no reason for this team to be bringing in any veteran pieces.
The asking price for Jimmy Rollins was reportedly too high for the Yankees to continue pursuing him, according to Jayson Start of ESPN, and one has to wonder how serious GM Ruben Amaro really is about moving any of his aging stars.
Worst-case scenario, this team stands pat this offseason and hovers around .500 for another season, delaying the rebuilding process another year.
Grade: D
The moves the Phillies have made to this point are of little significance, as they are essentially filling out the Triple-A roster.
However, these other tweets from Stark on the Rollins-Yankees news are troubling, as it looks like Amaro is going to continue to be unreasonable with his asking price on overpriced former stars. That drives the Phillies' grade down, as it could be a sign of things to come (or not come) the rest of the offseason.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Notable Additions
SP A.J. Burnett (FA), C Francisco Cervelli (trade, NYY), RP Radhames Liz (FA), RP Brad Scahill (trade, COL), RP Preston Guilmet (trade, BAL), IF Pedro Florimon (waivers), IF Jake Elmore (waivers), IF Justin Sellers (trade, CLE), SP Brad Lincoln (MiLB FA), SP Jeremy Bleich (MiLB FA), RP John Stinson (MiLB FA), RP Blake Wood (MiLB FA), Deolis Guerra (MiLB FA)
Overview
Losing Russell Martin is a big blow for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and fellow free agents Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez are also likely headed elsewhere this offseason, so they will have some work to do if they hope to make it three straight playoff appearances.
Bringing back A.J. Burnett on a one-year, $8.5 million deal is a solid move, even after he went 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA for the Phillies last season. A return to the city he never really wanted to leave could help him turn things around, though it's worth noting he'll be entering his age-38 season.
Francisco Cervelli was a decent pickup to add depth at the catcher position, but the Pirates should still be searching for a better option to be the primary backstop. The 28-year-old Cervelli hit .301/.370/.432 with 15 extra-base hits in 146 at-bats last year, but he has never seen more than 266 at-bats in any of his seven big league seasons.
Grade: B-
Burnett and Cervelli could both emerge as significant contributors, or they could both wind up being flops—it's hard to tell at this point. Big picture, it cost the team $8.5 million and reliever Justin Wilson to add them, so the cost was reasonable.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Kyle Bartsch
Overview
The San Diego Padres have only made one move of significance this offseason, shipping former top prospect Reymond Fuentes to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Kyle Bartsch. Bartsch, 23, was a seventh-round pick in 2013, and he had a 2.29 ERA, 1.036 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 41 appearances at the High-A level last season.
The big news from the Padres has been their willingness to listen to offers for Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy, according to a tweet from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Any trade of one of those arms would be in an effort to bolster an offense that ranked dead last in team batting average (.226), OPS (.634) and runs per game (3.30).
Grade: C
One way or another, this team has to find a way to improve offensively, but moving its best starting pitchers just creates a new area of weakness. Missing out on Yasmany Tomas hurts, but there are other bats out there given what appears to be a willingness to spend.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Notable Additions
None
Overview
The San Francisco Giants have a lot of work to do this offseason if they hope to have any chance of defending their title.
Losing Pablo Sandoval may not have been the worst thing in the world long term, but it does leave the team with a glaring hole at third base. The options at the position are thinning by the day, with Josh Donaldson and Hanley Ramirez already finding new homes.
Left field needs to be addressed once again, as Michael Morse is likely headed elsewhere in free agency after a productive one-year stint in San Francisco.
Then there is the starting rotation, where Madison Bumgarner is rock solid at the top, but the other four spots are question marks. Tim Hudson will be 40, Yusmeiro Petit is making the full-time move from reliever to starter, Matt Cain is returning from elbow surgery and Tim Lincecum is a shell of the pitcher he once was.
Grade: N/A
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Notable Additions
IF/OF Carlos Rivero (waivers), RP Edgar Olmos (waivers), SP Sam Gaviglio (trade, STL)
Overview
The search for a right-handed power bat continues for the Seattle Mariners, with Nelson Cruz, Justin Upton and Matt Kemp among the most intriguing options in free agency and on the trade market.
As for moves they have made, the big one was the seven-year, $100 million extension they handed All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager.
The 27-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the game's best all-around third basemen, and he took his offensive game to another level last season when he hit .268/.334/.454 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI. His 12.3 WAR (subscription required) since the start of the 2012 season is seventh best among all third basemen.
Grade: A
The offseason won't be a success unless the Mariners find that righty power bat, but grading just on what has been done to this point, the Seager extension is a slam dunk and gets them an easy "A" grade.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Notable Additions
RF Jason Heyward (trade, ATL), RP Jordan Walden (trade, ATL), IF Dean Anna (FA), IF/OF Ty Kelly (trade, SEA), RP Marcus Hatley (MiLB FA), RP Miguel Socolovich (MiLB FA)
Overview
The St. Louis Cardinals had two clear needs heading into the offseason—an upgrade in right field and a replacement for All-Star setup man Pat Neshek. Both were addressed in a blockbuster deal with the Atlanta Braves, as they acquired Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden in exchange for Shelby Miller and prospect Tyrell Jenkins.
Heyward has yet to deliver on his vast offensive potential, but his .351 on-base percentage last season still makes him a weapon at the plate, and he is far and away the best defensive right fielder in the game today.
After serving as the Los Angeles Angels closer as a rookie back in 2011, Walden has turned himself into one of the better right-handed setup men in the game. He had a 2.88 ERA, 1.200 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 in 58 appearances last season.
Losing Miller could put the Cards in the market to add another starting pitcher, but if they don't, Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales give them two solid options to fill the No. 5 slot.
Grade: A
The only thing keeping this from being an A+ for the Cardinals is the fact that Heyward is set to hit free agency after the upcoming season. If they can come to terms on an extension before the offseason is over, it gets bumped up.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Ernesto Frieri (FA), SS Andrew Velazquez (trade, ARI), OF Justin Williams (trade, ARI), SP Greg Harris (trade, LAD), RP Jose Dominguez (trade, LAD)
Overview
The Tampa Bay Rays have been trimming payroll early on this offseason, trading Jeremy Hellickson and Joel Peralta, releasing Jose Molina and designating Sean Rodriguez.
Peralta brought them 20-year-old Greg Harris (7-6, 4.45 ERA, 9.5 K/9 in Single-A) and 24-year-old Jose Dominguez (31 G, 10 SV, 3.63 ERA, 10.6 K/9 in Triple-A), who can dial his fastball up to triple digits. Hellickson netted them 20-year-old shortstop Andrew Velazquez (.290/.367/.428, 42 XBH, 50 SB in Single-A) and 19-year-old outfielder Justin Williams (.351/.403/.467, 4 HR, 46 RBI in RK and Single-A).
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com's Prospect Watch ranked Velazquez ninth and Williams 10th among the team's top prospects, with Dominguez checking in at 14th.
The team also signed Ernesto Frieri to a one-year, $800,000 contract in hopes that he can bounce back to his pre-2014 form and replace Peralta in the eighth inning.
Grade: A
Not a bad prospect haul for a pair of essentially expendable pieces, and that should free up some money for the Rays to make a run at a power DH bat like Michael Morse or Mark Reynolds.
Texas Rangers
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Notable Additions
C Chris Gimenez (MiLB FA), IF Ed Lucas (waivers), SP David Martinez (MiLB FA)
Overview
The Texas Rangers are not in nearly as bad of shape as their 67-95 record last season may lead you to believe, but they do have some holes to fill this offseason. Left field is open after the team declined its option on Alex Rios, and adding a proven No. 3 starter behind Yu Darvish and Derek Holland may be the team's biggest need.
Chris Gimenez hit .262/.331/.355 with 10 doubles in 116 at-bats for the Rangers last season before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in August, and he should have a good chance of winning the backup catcher job.
Ed Lucas should also have a shot at winning a roster spot as a utility man, after he hit .251/.283/.296 in 179 at-bats for the Miami Marlins last season while playing six different positions.
Grade: C
The Rangers have done a great job plucking contributors from the scrap heap the past few seasons, including Neal Cotts and Kevin Kouzmanoff, so it's worth keeping an eye on their non-roster invites.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Notable Additions
3B Josh Donaldson (trade, OAK), C Russell Martin (FA), OF Andy Dirks (waivers), 1B Justin Smoak (waivers), SP/RP Marco Estrada (trade, MIL), 2B Devon Travis (trade, DET), SP Liam Hendricks (trade, KC), RP Bo Schultz (waivers), RP Greg Burke (MiLB FA)
Overview
Adding Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson to a lineup that already featured Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes gives the Toronto Blue Jays an offensive attack that should rival any in the American League this coming season.
Martin should also help a starting rotation that rounded into form in the second half last season as the Blue Jays look for second-year starter Marcus Stroman to take the next step forward and rookies Derek Norris and Aaron Sanchez to emerge as key contributors.
The bullpen still needs to be addressed, and as of now, it would be waiver pickup Andy Dirks manning left field if the team is unable to re-sign Melky Cabrera, but this is already an improved club over a year ago.
Grade: A+
They gave up a lot to get Donaldson, but the fact that they were able to hold onto both Sanchez and Norris makes it a clear win for the Blue Jays.
The trade that sent Anthony Gose to the Detroit Tigers for Devon Travis will be an interesting one to watch unfold. Gose could be a breakout candidate if he sees regular playing time, while Travis could finally be the long-term answer to what has been a revolving door at second base for the Blue Jays.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Notable Additions
RP Eric Fornataro (waivers), SP Bruce Billings (MiLB FA)
Overview
The Washington Nationals' only clear area of need entering the offseason was second base, where Asdrubal Cabrera filled the void after being acquired at the deadline but then hit the open market in free agency.
That being said, the big decision will be what to do with upcoming free agents Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Ian Desmond, and there is a decent chance one of Zimmermann or Fister is dealt this offseason.
Even if one of those guys is moved, the Nationals rotation would still be formidable, and the return on either guy could be huge once the top free-agent starters are off the market and the teams that missed out are scrambling.
Eric Fornataro, claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals, could be a useful arm after posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.179 WHIP in 44 appearances in Triple-A last season before making his big league debut.
Grade: C
The Nationals look like the most complete team in baseball right now on paper, even with Danny Espinosa penciled in at second base, so it will be interesting to see just how busy they are this offseason on the trade market.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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