Early Spring Training Grades for MLB Offseason's 20 Biggest Acquisitions

It's not easy to get a bad grade just yet.

After breaking out the red pen and grading the MLB offseason's 20 biggest acquisitions, there is a startling number of high marks. Simply put, just over a week's worth of games isn't much time for a lot to go wrong.

For big-money free-agent signings and prominent trade additions, spring training is all about staying healthy. As a result, ending up on the injury report is the surest way for a player to see his grade take a hit.

In the process of ranking the top 20 acquisitions, two primary criteria were taken into consideration:

1. 2014 stats
2. Predicted 2015 impact

As for the grading criteria, stats are just a small part of the equation since most players have appeared in just five games. The far more important concerns are how the players are fitting in with their new teams and whether they're managing to stay healthy.

There is one star on the list who sees his grade drop not because of a health problem that he is dealing with, but rather because of an injury sustained by a teammate.

20. Ben Zobrist, UTL, Oakland Athletics

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

The Progress Report

The Oakland Athletics are already putting Ben Zobrist's renowned versatility to use.

Entering the spring, the 33-year-old was slated to line up at second base on Opening Day. With a strained oblique potentially sending Josh Reddick to the disabled list, Zobrist could now be ticketed for right field, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. The switch-hitter is good with whatever.

“That’s second nature to me," Zobrist told Shea, when asked about the possibility of shifting to the outfield. Piling up extra-base hits has also been second nature for Zobrist this spring. In his first six games, he has collected three doubles and is hitting .385 (5-for-13).

The Grade: A

19. Chase Headley, 3B, New York Yankees

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Progress Report

After a 1-for-10 start in the Grapefruit League, Chase Headley is beginning to wake up. In the past two games, the 30-year-old has totaled four hits, bringing his spring average to .313 (5-for-16).

As Headley pointed out to Ryan Hatch of NJ.com, the switch-hitter isn't worried about his stat line so much as seeing as many pitches as possible so that his timing is down when Opening Day arrives.

The Grade: B

18. Marlon Byrd, LF, Cincinnati Reds

John Locher/Associated Press

The Progress Report

Added in the offseason in a swap with the Philadelphia Phillies, Marlon Byrd has the potential to be a shrewd addition for the Cincinnati Reds.

While he doesn't generate much buzz, Byrd connected on 25 home runs for the Phillies in 2014. So far, that pop hasn't been on display in his first week with the Reds. In nine at-bats, the 37-year-old has collected just a pair of singles.

The Grade: B-

17. Howie Kendrick, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Progress Report

After spending nine seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Howie Kendrick is beginning to settle in with his new team.

In 2015, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expects the second baseman to bat right in the middle of the club's revamped lineup, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group. In his first week with the National League West squad, Kendrick is already rounding  into form as he's posted a .286 average (4-for-14) with a couple of doubles.

The Grade: B

16. Andrew Miller, RP, New York Yankees

The Progress Report

In 73 outings in 2014, Andrew Miller allowed a grand total of three home runs.

The lefty already served up his first homer of 2015 in just his third outing of the spring. On March 11, in a game against the Boston Red Sox, first baseman Travis Shaw took Miller yard on the very first pitch he threw.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Miller is likely set to work as a setup man for the New York Yankees with Dellin Betances locking down the ninth inning.

The Grade: B

15. David Robertson, CL, Chicago White Sox

Rich Pilling/Getty Images

The Progress Report

David Robertson is low maintenance.

As the closer explained via Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, he knows how to go about his business: "I don't need much help. I've been playing this game a while now and I've kind of figured out what works for me and how to best approach it. I'll know when I’m ready." 

Robertson didn't run into any trouble in his first outing with the Chicago White Sox on March 9. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single and then proceeded to retire the next three batters in order. However, in his second appearance on March 12, Robertson was tagged for three runs while recording just two outs.

The Grade: C+

14. Jason Heyward, RF, St. Louis Cardinals

John Bazemore/Associated Press

The Progress Report

Jason Heyward can cover all sorts of ground. He's already been putting his Glove Glove fielding on display this spring. On March 8, in a game against the Miami Marlins, the 25-year-old stormed into foul territory and dove into the bullpen to make a catch.

The left-handed hitter has also been producing highlights with the bat. In five games, Heyward has posted a .455 average (5-for-11). Jesse Spector of Sporting News predicts a big season for the five-year veteran, pointing out that Heyward will be facing less pressure now that he'll be a part of a talented St. Louis Cardinals' lineup.

The Grade: A

13. James Shields, SP, San Diego Padres

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The Progress Report

James Shields has yet to give up a run as a San Diego Padre.

Of course, the right-hander has only worked four innings across two outings. On March 12, the starter faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers and reeled off five punchouts in three scoreless frames. To end the first, Shields absolutely froze Yasiel Puig, as you can see from the MLB Twitter account.

The Grade: A

12. Jeff Samardzija, SP, Chicago White Sox

The Progress Report

There hasn't been a lot to grade Jeff Samardzija on just yet.

The right-hander has only taken the mound for one start with the Chicago White Sox, allowing two earned runs in three innings on March 8.

The most noteworthy headline surrounding the 30-year-old is the news that there have been no talks between the starter and the club about a potential contract extension, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. If Samardzija matches his 2014 numbers (2.99 ERA and 202 strikeouts) in the upcoming campaign, the free-agent to-be will set himself up to cash in next winter.

The Grade: B

11. Yasmany Tomas, 3B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Progress Report

Yasmany Tomas' power is real—very real.

As you can see in the video above, the Cuban nearly hit an opposite-field home run on a swing where he didn't even appear to make particularly good contact. At the same time, Tomas isn't exactly torching the Cactus League, as he checks in with a .200 average (5-for-25).

On defense, the 24-year-old is showing signs that he just might stick at third base. One MLB scout told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN that he believes Tomas should patrol the hot corner for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015: "If he were playing for a contender, you may not want to risk him at third base. But I would give him a chance with this team."

Between proving he can pick it at third and transitioning to big league pitching, Tomas has a lot on his plate this spring.

The Grade: B

10. Justin Upton, LF, San Diego Padres

The Progress Report

Justin Upton tagged a home run in just his third at-bat as a San Diego Padre, and he's been racking up extra-base hits ever since. Through four games, the 27-year-old has collected two doubles and two home runs.

Already it appears that Upton is ready for the season. At this point, he should be saving those extra-base hits for when the real games arrive.

The Grade: A-

9. Matt Kemp, RF, San Diego Padres

The Progress Report

Matt Kemp is rolling along after his first week with the San Diego Padres.

In five games, the right-handed hitter owns a .429 average (6-for-14) and has connected on a home run. As the Padres embark upon the season, the 30-year-old is feeling awfully confident about the composition of their outfield.

"It's right here," said Kemp when asked which team has the best outfield, per Lyle Spencer of MLB.com. "Right here in San Diego. You can write it down—and print it."

The trio of Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers provides all sorts of pop, but defense remains a significant question mark.

The Grade: A-

8. Victor Martinez, DH, Detroit Tigers

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Progress Report

Everyone knows that Victor Martinez is a monster at the plate.

The big question after the Detroit Tigers re-signed the 36-year-old to a four-year, $68 million deal in the offseason was whether he would be able to stay healthy. The answer to that question is already a resounding "no."

Over the winter, Martinez tore the meniscus in his left knee and had to undergo surgery in February. Fortunately for the Tigers, Martinez is healing quickly. Per Jason Beck of MLB.com, the four-time All-Star "isn't close to game action yet," but he still could make the Opening Day lineup after taking batting practice his week.

It's encouraging that Martinez is recovering so rapidly, but it's far from encouraging that a health problem has already sidelined the switch-hitter even before his new deal officially kicks in.

The Grade: C-

7. Nelson Cruz, DH, Seattle Mariners

The Progress Report

Nelson Cruz did a little yard work in his first game with the Seattle Mariners.

On March 5, the veteran designated hitter hammered a home run to left field off a breaking ball that never broke from Ian Kennedy of the San Diego Padres. As Cruz explained via Greg Johns of MLB.com, he was just looking out for Felix Hernandez: "Felix asked me for a homer."

Inked to a three-year, $57 million deal, Cruz is going to have to keep hitting towering home runs if the the M's are going to return to the postseason for the first time since 2001.

The Grade: B+

6. Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Progress Report

Apparently Pablo Sandoval doesn't have any regrets about leaving the San Francisco Giants.

"Not hard at all," explained Sandoval, when asked by Bleacher Report's Scott Miller if it was a challenging decision to end his tenure with the Giants. The Venezuelan told Miller that he's been going fishing with the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli and that he doesn't miss his old teammates.

"Only Bochy," said Sandoval. "I love Boch. He's like my dad. He's the only guy that I miss. And Hunter Pence. Just those guys."

While it's generally considered bad form to bash an old employer, Sandoval's grade doesn't take too big of a hit because it's refreshing to hear a pro athlete actually speak his mind. Plus, his bashing of the Giants has no bearing on his ability to rake for the Red Sox.

The Grade: B-

5. Hanley Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Progress Report

It seems like Hanley Ramirez has had a smile plastered on his face ever since joining up with the Boston Red Sox. The veteran is all in on the move to left field.

"I just want to have a freakin' trophy in my hand," said the 31-year-old via Paul White of USA Today. "I can't wait. So if I have to catch or pitch, whatever it takes to win. That's why I'm here with this organization, so I can play left field."

At the plate, it's been a strong start for Ramirez, who has already clubbed a pair of doubles in his first four games.

The Grade: A-

4. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

The Progress Report

It's been a weird start for Josh Donaldson with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The third baseman clocked his first home run with the club on March 7, but he was also involved in an unfortunate incident with teammate Marcus Stroman just three days later. According to Scott MacArthur of TSN, Donaldson "called off" the pitcher during a bunt drill and then Stroman ended up injuring his knee. As it turns out, the rising star tore his ACL and will be out for the year.

Stroman put no blame on Donaldson, explaining via Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star that the injury was a fluke.

“It’s a normal play, and I know everyone is reaching for something there, but it was just a normal play. I planted the wrong way and the knee popped. No one is to blame. It’s not Josh (Donaldson, the third baseman who also took part in the drill). It’s not the field. It’s just something that happened.”

Even if it was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Donaldson gets a major downgrade on this progress report.

The Grade: C+

3. Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Progress Report

Russell Martin is going to be a tripe threat for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015.

The 32-year-old is a highly regarded game-caller and defender, and he's a force at the plate. In 2014, he posted an .832 OPS. Martin is also wasting no time setting out to build a winning culture with the Blue Jays. As Richard Justice of MLB.com explains, the backstop learned to lead from Derek Jeter.

This spring, the right-handed hitter checks in with a .273 average (3-for-11), as he continues to search for his first extra-base hit with the AL East squad.

The Grade: A-

2. Jon Lester, SP, Chicago Cubs

Morry Gash/Associated Press

The Progress Report

So far, it's all good on the Jon Lester front.

The Chicago Cubs lefty ace has cruised through five scoreless frames in his first two appearances. As Jon Heyman of CBS Sports noted, the 31-year-old "looked terrific" in his second start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 11. Lester was flat-out locked in, as he reeled off first-pitch strikes to 10 of the 11 batters he faced, per Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.

The Grade: A

1. Max Scherzer, SP, Washington Nationals

The Progress Report

Max Scherzer is fitting in perfectly as the newest member of the Washington Nationals' rotation of aces.

On March 11, during an in-game interview, Gio Gonzalez said the word "meow" 10 times, as inspired by the movie Super Troopers. As you can see in the video above, Scherzer was certainly in on the prank. The right-hander sat right in front of Gonzalez and kept track. The lefty even admitted that Scherzer has taken over as the leader in the "clubhouse clown category."

On the mound, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner is making a smooth transition with his new employer. In two spring outings, Scherzer has allowed two runs in five innings of work.

The Grade: A-

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.