MLB Report Cards: Grading Cliff Lee and All of the Major Free Agent Acquisitions
The recent MLB offseason captivated the entire baseball audience.
Where would Cliff Lee go? How about Carl Crawford? Would Jayson Werth stay with Philly?
We're a month into the season, some free agents have fared better than others. We must remember that April may be over, but there's still another five months of baseball to be played.
Paul Konerko Headlines the Free Agent Re-Signings
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Notable Re-Signings: Paul Konerko, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Carl Pavano, Jorge De La Rosa, Aubrey Huff, Hiroki Kuroda, Jake Westbrook
Out of the names above, Pavano has been the most inconsistent. After a solid comeback 2010 campaign with Minnesota, Pavano hasn't been able to transition his success last season into this season.
Jeter hasn't been spectacular, but his veteran presence is more valuable than his play on the field.
Konerko's been the one positive in a struggling White Sox lineup. Konerko is currently second in the AL in home runs (8) and RBI (24).
Orlando Cabrera
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Grade so far: B+
Orlando Cabrera has become that veteran that makes it into the postseason every year. It doesn't matter which team he's playing for.
When he signed with Cleveland, a playoff appearance didn't seem like a reality, but after a month it's the Indians who have the best record in baseball.
He doesn't have the range that he used to in the field, he's moved to second base this season. His bat's been steady early on with a slash line of .294/.324/.382. He's also produced in clutch situations.
Whether or not the Indians can stay in first is a different story, but Cabrera's veteran presence in the dugout should help the young team.
Juan Uribe
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Grade so far: B
Uribe's stock rose with his performance in last year's postseason with the Giants.
His bat does provide pop to a Dodgers lineup that lacks it, although he won't hit for a high average.
He has a solid glove in the field.
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Orlando Hudson
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Grade so far: C-
Hudson is a very solid player, although he's worn four different uniforms the past four seasons.
He has a great glove at second, but his bat hasn't provided anything to the Padres lineup, arguably the worst in baseball.
Jon Garland
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Grade so far: B
Besides Clayton Kershaw, no pitcher stands out in the Dodgers starting rotation, but they're all solid.
Garland is a nice arm to have at the back of the rotation. He won a ring with the White Sox in 2005, and came off a good year with the Padres last season.
He's given the Dodgers innings and is currently sporting a 3.81 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP.
Javier Vazquez
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Grade so far: C
Vazquez pitched extremely well for the Braves in 2009 and was talked about for the Cy Young Award that season.
He flopped as a free-agent last season with the Yankees, and a change of scenery in Florida hasn't helped Vazquez thus far.
He has a 6.39 ERA with a 1.82 WHIP.
Despite the struggles of Vazquez, the Marlins rotation led by Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez have guided the fish to a strong 18-9 start.
If Vazquez can find his stuff, it will only be a plus for the Marlins.
Aaron Harang
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Grade so far: B
The Padres took a flyer on Harang and hoped he would recapture the magic that made him so succussful in 2006 and 2007.
The fly-ball pitcher got off to a quick 4-0 record after four starts, but since has loss his last two games.
Bartolo Colon
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Grade so far: A
Colon may be the diamond out of the "flyer" free-agents.
After Cliff Lee signed with Philadelphia, the Yankees signed a few free agents and had a try-out for the final two spots in the pitching rotation.
Out of all of the contenders for those spots, Colon has been the most pleasant surprise. His ERA currently stands at 3.00 with a 1.09 WHIP.
With Phil Hughes going through a dead-arm period, Colon's success is just that more important.
The 37-year old 2005 Cy Young Award winner hasn't thrown over 100 innings since his Cy Young Award season.
Joaquin Benoit
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Grade so far: D+
Behind Rafael Soriano stood Joaquin Benoit, the second most coveted set-up man in the free agent class.
Benoit had a phenomenal 2010 season with the Rays. He threw 60.1 innings with a 1.34 ERA.
In 11 innings pitched so far this season, Benoit's struggled with an 8.18 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.
There were some skeptics about his signing because his career ERA is just 4.54.
2011 is an important year for Benoit to prove that his dominant 2010 season wasn't a one hit wonder. Will he be able to pick himself up and rebound for the rest of the year?
J.J. Putz
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Grade so far: B+
Putz peaked in 2007 with the Seattle Mariners when he had 40 saves to go along with a 1.38 ERA.
Since then, Putz has dealt with injuries and hasn't been able to return to the dominance he showed in 2007.
However, Putz looks healthy so far this year and has six saves for the Diamondbacks.
Kerry Wood
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Grade so far: A
Out of all the set-up free agent signees, Wood has gotten off to the best start out of the bunch.
As a Yankee last season, Mariano Rivera taught Wood how to throw the cutter.
Wood took what he learned in New York and brought it back to Chicago.
He started his career in a Cubs uniform as a dominant starting pitcher.
In his fifth career game he struck out 20 Astros in a complete game one-hit performance. He starred at the top of the rotation for the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS.
Now he's back in a Cubs uniform to set-up for Carlos Marmol. That cutter has done wonders.
Rafael Soriano
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Grade so far: C
As the set-up man to Rivera, Soriano's struggled early on. In 11.2 innings pitched, Soriano has a 6.57 ERA.
Control has been the main issue with Soriano. In a full season, he walked just 14 last year. He has nine walks in just one month of play this year.
The Yankees decided to spend their money to improve their bullpen, and Soriano hasn't delivered so far. He has time to turn his season around.
Victor Martinez
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Grade so far: B
A groin strain landed Victor Martinez on the disabled list on April 19.
The Tigers plan has been to start the 24-year old Alex Avila behind the plate and have Martinez DH.
Avila's hot start has been an added bonus, he's currently sporting a .309/.344/.593 slash. He's tied for sixth in the AL with 21 RBI. He also has five home runs.
Overall, the Tigers have gotten off to a slow start, just 12-17, but Avila and Miguel Cabrera have helped them stay afloat.
When Martinez comes back, we'll see what type of lift he gives that lineup. He was signed to provide insurance for Miguel Cabrera.
Russell Martin
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Grade so far: A
Martin's hasn't played at this level since 2008. After making a few All-Star teams for the Dodgers as a catcher, Martin's play dipped substantially the last two seasons.
With a fresh start in the Bronx, Martin's currently hitting .291 with six home runs and 19 RBI.
Adam Dunn
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Grade so far: D
The White Sox were a trendy pick to win the NL Central: they were supposed to have a balanced lineup. After a month, they have the second worst record in the American League.
To put it mildly, it's been a collective struggle.
Dunn, the power hitting free agent acquisition is hitting just .171 with 31 strikeouts in 76 at-bats.
Dunn has hit 35-plus home runs in seven consecutive seasons; he has just three thus far.
Carlos Pena
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Grade so far: D-
Pena couldn't hit above .200 last season, and hasn't been able to eclipse that mark yet this season.
His power usually makes up for his average, but he still hasn't hit one out of the park.
He's declined every year since his breakthrough 2007 season where he hit .282 with 46 home runs and 99 RBI.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka
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Grade so far: D-
It's not really Minnesota's fault with the rash of injuries that have spread throughout the club. Joe Mauer, Delmon Young and Tsuyoshi Nishioka are all on the DL. Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan have struggled coming back from injury.
All in all, the Twins sit at 9-18, the worst record in the AL.
Don't count out Ron Gardenhire.
Jeff Francoeur
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Grade so far: A
He's always had talent, it just never transitioned onto the field.
Whether it's the change of scenery to Kansas City, or just being a late bloomer, Francoeur's successful first month brings hope.
The Royals had a fantastic April and Kansas City currently stands second in the AL Central.
Johnny Damon
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Grade so far: A
Sam Fuld's emergence in left field has allowed Johnny Damon to emerge as a threat in the DH spot.
He brings veteran leadership to a young locker room. The Rays got off to a tough 0-6 start, but have since rallied to a 15-13 record. They're currently second in the AL East.
Damon leads baseball with six game-winning hits.
Lance Berkman
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Grade so far: A+
The Cardinals took a chance on Berkman and put him in right field, a position he hasn't played since 2007, and a position he hasn't played full time since 2004.
His bat has provided a spark for St. Louis.
Hitting fifth behind Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, Berkman has flourished.
He currently has a .406/.467/.781 slash line with nine home runs and 27 RBI.
St. Louis currently sits a top the NL Central standings with a 16-13 record.
It's a promising start for a squad that lost a Cy Young quality pitcher in Adam Wainwright.
Manny Ramirez
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Grade so far: F
Nothing needs to be said here.
Vladimir Guerrero
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Grade so far: B
The 36-year old Vladimir Guerrero brings additional pop to an already potent Baltimore lineup.
Guerrero's been in the heat of the postseason the last two seasons, and adds veteran leadership to the young Orioles squad.
Guerrero is currently hitting .274 with four home runs and 13 RBI
Adrian Beltre
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Grade so far: A
Adrian Beltre's reputation has always been that he plays well when the money's on the line, but once he's insured his play drops.
That hasn't been the case so far this season after signing a six year $96 million contract during the offseason.
He's added pop to an already dangerous lineup. He's second in the AL with 22 RBI tied for fourth in home runs with seven.
Of course, the defense is there too.
Hideki Matsui
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Grade so far: C+
Oakland already had an underrated rotation, but the batting lineup isn't exactly the best. It's been a struggle for them to score runs so far.
The A's are counting on Matsui's power from the left side.
Matsui does have three home runs, but his average sits at just .242.
Oakland could contend for the AL West if they could get more production from the lineup. The starting pitching is good enough the carry to lineup.
Matsui has to pick up his game.
Jayson Werth
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Grade so far: B
With Stephen Strasburg out for the season and Bryce Harper developing, the Nationals best days are clearly a few years away.
It's a transition season in Washington, although they're 14-14 record is respectable.
Werth has been so-so with a .233 average with four home runs and just seven RBI. He has scored 15 runs. He can't be fully evaluated until a few years from now.
Carl Crawford
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Grade so far: B-
The struggles of the Red Sox and Carl Crawford early on haven't gone unnoticed.
Some guys are able to handle lofty expectations after signing a monster contract early on, and some struggle.
After a 0-7 and 2-10 start, Boston has played better as of late and got their record back to 12-15.
After three weeks the Boston faithful have gotten on Crawford.
Crawford is hitting just .181 thus far and has struggled to get on base so he can utilize his speed. He's been moved around a lot in the lineup.
You'd think he'll pick up the slack soon. He's too talented.
Cliff Lee
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Grade so far: A-
Let's throw the statistics away so far.
His stikeout to walk ratio is incredible, 44 strikeouts and just six walks. But, when he's failed to locate it's been in the middle of the plate. He's had two bad starts due to what I just referenced.
He's dominated at times, highlighted by a complete game 12-strikeout three hit performance against Washington.
He's in Philadelphia to win a ring. He can't be given a grade until postseason play concludes.
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