MLB Report Card Grades for All of the Major Trade Acquisitions
Last year, the MLB offseason was one for the ages. Marquee free agents signed huge contracts with new teams, while some opted to stay with their old teams. Yet, despite all the free-agency craziness, the offseason had some major trades as well.
In all honesty, I can't remember the last time an MLB offseason was laden with so many key trades. In one instance, a former Cy Young Award-winner was basically forced off his team. In another, a top power hitter was traded for what turned out to be salary reasons.
That being said, it's analysis time. Here are the grades (in no particular order) for all of the major trade acquisitions that occurred during the most recent offseason.
Los Angeles Angels Trade Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera for Vernon Wells
1 of 6
On January 21st, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pulled off what seemed to be a good trade for both teams. The Toronto Blue Jays received power-hitting catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera, and at the same time dumped salary by sending Vernon Wells to the Angels. The All-Star outfielder had (and still does have) three years remaining on the seven-year, $126 million deal he signed in 2007.
Yet, while this trade may appear good on paper, it has done virtually nothing for both teams. Napoli never played a game for Toronto (more on that later), and Rivera has not been the power threat Blue Jays management thought he would be. As of now, he is batting just .243 with four homers and 18 RBI as a designated hitter/first baseman.
Even worse, Wells has been a non-factor for the Angels. Before going on the 15-Day-DL on May 10, he was batting a horrendous .183 with four homers and 13 RBI. Keep in mind, he hit .273 with 31 homers and 88 RBI last year for Toronto.
With neither team really benefiting from this transaction, I have no choice but to drop the hammer on this one.
Grade: F
Toronto Blue Jays Trade Mike Napoli for Frank Francisco
2 of 6
Four days after receiving him from the Angels, the Blue Jays went and traded Mike Napoli to the Texas Rangers for Frank Francisco. The reason for this move was for the 'Jays to receive bullpen help and a potential closer. While the Rangers have received a valuable renaissance man in Napoli, the Blue Jays have not gotten what they hoped for out of Francisco.
Napoli has worn many hats in Texas. He has seen time at catcher, first base and DH. His batting average is a less than average (.229), but he has 10 home runs and 25 RBI.
Francisco, on the other hand, has been atrocious. He started the season on the disabled list and has never really gotten into a groove. As of now, he has a 6.59 ERA with just five saves and a 1.61 WHIP. He has blown three saves.
Given how this type of trade happens all the time, in not just baseball but all sports (one team benefiting while another doesn't), I'm going to label this one as average.
Grade: C
Baltimore Orioles Acquire Mark Reynolds
3 of 6
Going into the offseason, the Baltimore Orioles' front office knew that a big bat was needed for the offense. Thus, they traded young pitcher David Hernandez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for heavy-hitting third baseman Mark Reynolds. At the time, it seemed like a good idea.
At first blush, this does not seem like a bad trade at all. In 2009, Reynolds broke out as he hit an average .260, but mashed 44 home runs and had 102 RBI to go with 24 steals. Keep in mind that up until that point, Reynolds had a reputation for being a relatively average hitter with a tendency to strike out. In his breakout season, he was fanned 223 times.
In 2010, Reynolds hit 32 homers with 85 RBI, but his amazing 2009 was labeled a fluke. He hit just .198 and struck out 211 times.
Thus far, Reynolds has not improved much in Baltimore. He is hitting just .198 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. Hernandez, on the other hand, has a 1.85 ERA as an effective member of Arizona's bullpen.
Long story short, the Orioles gambled on this one and lost in a big way.
Grade: D
.png?w=256)
Kansas City Royals Trade Zack Greinke to Milwaukee Brewers
4 of 6
In December, Zack Greinke asked the Kansas City Royals to trade him, saying he didn't want to pitch on a rebuilding team. His wish was granted as the team traded him, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and a minor leaguer to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and another minor leaguer. Overall, this trade has helped both teams.
On Kansas City's end, Escobar has batted just .220 with no home runs and 13 RBI. Yet, his defense has been a welcome addition to a Royals team that looks like it has a bright future despite its current record of 23-30 (9 GB in the AL Central).
In Milwaukee, Betancourt is batting .225 with three home runs and 18 RBI, but that was expected of him. Greinke, on the other hand, is a different story.
The 2009 AL Cy Young winner missed the first month of the season with a broken rib, but came back on May 4. Since then, he has gone 3-1 with an inflated 5.79 ERA. Still, he has an incredible 1.14 WHIP and has struck out 39 in 28 innings.
Given how the Brewers essentially got what they paid for out of Greinke and that his ERA is bound to drop, this trade isn't bad at all.
Grade: B- as of now
Boston Red Sox Trade Prospects to San Diego Padres for Adrian Gonzalez
5 of 6
After third baseman Mike Lowell retired at the close of the 2010 season, the Red Sox decided to shift Kevin Youkilis to third base. To fill the void on the other side of the infield, they pulled off a trade that will go down in Red Sox history as one of the best. On December 6, Boston traded prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and minor leaguer Reymond Fuentes to San Diego for power-hitting first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Overall, this trade has worked out for both teams. Kelly, a pitcher, has spent most of the season at Double-A San Antonio and has a 4-1 record with a 3.82 ERA. Rizzo, a left-handed first baseman, has cleaned house at Triple-A Tuscon, batting .370 with 15 homers and 60 RBI in just 48 games.
Now let's talk about the man of the hour, Adrian Gonzalez. Since coming to Boston, he has had an MVP-caliber season with a .332 batting average, 10 homers and an MLB-leading 46 RBI. On top of that, he agreed to a seven-year extension worth $154 million.
Long story short, this was a great trade for both teams. San Diego might not be benefiting from it just yet, but just wait until both Kelly and Rizzo are promoted.
Grade: A
Toronto Blue Jays Trade Shaun Marcum to Milwaukee
6 of 6
The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their offseason with what I think is one of the best trades in baseball history. On the same day that the Boston Red Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez, Toronto traded pitcher Shaun Marcum to the Milwaukee Brewers for infield prospect Brett Lawrie. Let's analyze this trade.
Marcum broke out in 2010 (after missing all of 2009) with a 13-8 record and 3.68 ERA. His WHIP was an impeccable 1.14. As of now, Marcum has brought his success from 2010 with him to Milwaukee.
Currently, Marcum is 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA and an amazing 1.05 WHIP. Opposing hitters are batting just .218 off of him.
Now let's get to know Brett Lawrie. In two years in Milwaukee's minor league system, the second baseman hit .279 with 21 homers and 128 RBI. Yet, in Toronto's system, he has broken out and found a new home at third base.
This year, Lawrie is batting .354 with 15 homers, 49 RBI and 11 steals in 51 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. With rumors swirling about him being called up to the majors soon, this trade could ultimately prove to be amazing for both teams.
Grade: A+
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
