Tomorrow marks the big day. March 20th, to be exact. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are gearing up for a thrilling two-game series in Seoul, South Korea. Meanwhile, the rest of the MLB teams are patiently waiting to start their seasons on March 28th. It’s the beginning of a grueling six-month journey that we all know as the MLB regular season.
Today, though, we’re taking a step back. It’s our last chance to mull over the offseason moves. And boy, have we at CBS Sports been busy doing just that. We’ve been grading every team’s winter performance. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s not finger painting either. We’re looking at a bunch of factors here. Like, did the team make smart moves? How do they stack up in the win curve? Can they actually get better with what they’ve done?
Not every team needs to make a splash in the trade pool to score a high grade. Conversely, just because a team was busy doesn’t mean they aced the test. Context is king here, folks.
With the pleasantries out of the way, let’s dive into those grades. (And hey, if you’re curious, you can check out our midpoint offseason grades too.)
The National League champs? They had a pretty sweet offseason. Didn’t break the bank, but they made some smart moves. Eduardo Rodriguez? Solid mid-rotation guy. Eugenio Suárez at third base? An upgrade for sure, even if there’s a bit of a swing-and-miss in his game. And let’s not forget the potential Joc Pederson-Randal Grichuk DH combo. Pederson’s better than his last season’s stats suggest, and Grichuk can seriously hit lefties. The Diamondbacks might not replicate last year’s success, but it won’t be for lack of trying this offseason. Grade: A
Now, onto the Braves. Winning 100-plus games back-to-back? Impressive. GM Alex Anthopoulos wasn’t just sitting back. He made some clever trades before landing Chris Sale. If Sale stays healthy (and that’s a big if), he could be a game-changer. Plus, Jarred Kelenic could be an upgrade in the outfield. The Braves look scary good, folks. Grade: A
The Orioles made a bold move trading for Corbin Burnes. That, along with signing Craig Kimbrel, were their headline acts this winter. It’s a strong pair of moves that could really pay off. Still, we’re left wanting a bit more, especially considering their financial flexibility. But for now, adding a top-tier pitcher? That’s a win. Grade: A
The Red Sox, oh, the Red Sox. We gave them a “B” in January, but things have looked a bit shaky since. Giolito’s out for the season, Grissom’s missing Opening Day, and O’Neill’s battling a calf issue. They did sign Liam Hendriks, but he’s also out for the year. It’s tough, but we’re sticking with the B, mostly out of respect for the unpredictability of player health. Grade: B
The Cubs turned things around after we gave them a “D.” They took a chance on Cody Bellinger, and it could pay off. Shota Imanaga from Japan looks promising, and Michael Busch could be a solid addition. They’ve made some moves that could see them competing in the NL Central. Grade: A
The White Sox? Busy offseason, but it feels like they’re still not in the race. Trading Dylan Cease made sense, and they got a decent return from the Padres. It’s a good effort, but will it be enough? Grade: B
Rumors had the Reds making big moves, but they opted for a more measured approach. Nick Martinez and Frankie Montas are interesting additions to the rotation. Jeimer Candelario’s signing makes more sense now, given Noelvi Marte’s suspension. We wanted a bit more impact, but it’s a solid effort. Grade: B
The Guardians? Well, they didn’t do much. Shane Bieber’s still around, which is good. But their offseason has been pretty quiet. It’s a bit disappointing, especially considering their needs. Grade: F
The Rockies made some sensible, low-key additions. Jacob Stallings and Sam Hilliard could surprise us. Dakota Hudson and Cal Quantrill are decent pitching bets. They’re not making headlines, but they’re making progress. Grade: D
The Tigers’ offseason was all about sensible additions. Canha, Urshela, Maeda, Flaherty, Chafin, and Miller could all play crucial roles. But it’s really going to come down to health and the development of their young talent. Grade: C
The Astros kept things steady, adding Josh Hader and Victor Caratini. Extending Altuve was a smart move. They’re still looking strong, but the future’s a bit uncertain with potential free agency losses. For now, though, they’re still contenders. Grade: B
Kansas City Royals
The Royals were busy, adding Wacha, Lugo, Renfroe, Smith, Stratton, Frazier, and Hampson. They’ve got ambition, but is it enough to contend? Time will tell, but we appreciate the effort. Grade: B
The Angels? It’s been a quiet offseason, and losing key players doesn’t help. It’s hard to see them making a significant impact this year. Grade: F
The Dodgers, on the other hand, went all out. Signing Ohtani and Yamamoto, plus adding Glasnow, Hernández, and Paxton to an already strong team? They’re in it to win it. Grade: A
The Marlins focused on their front office this winter. It’s a long-term play, but it means their on-field moves were limited. Signing Tim Anderson and picking up players the Rays didn’t have room for are highlights, but it’s not enough for a high grade. Grade: F
The Brewers traded Burnes, which was a big move. Adding Hoskins, Sánchez, Miley, Rea, and Junis, plus signing prospect Chourio, shows they’re still trying to compete. It’s a decent effort. Grade: C
The Twins’ quiet winter can be attributed to broadcast rights uncertainty. They made some smart, low-cost bullpen additions and trades. It’s not flashy, but it’s solid. Grade: C
New York Mets
David Stearns’ first offseason with the Mets was about upside plays. Bader, Choi, Severino, Manaea, Houser, Diekman, Fujinami, and López could all pay off. It’s a wait-and-see approach. Grade: C
The Yankees had a strong winter, adding Soto and Grisham, plus Stroman, Verdugo, and some intriguing relievers. They’re looking good. Grade: A
The A’s offseason? Not so great. Davis and Toro are interesting, but overall, it’s been underwhelming. It’s a tough spot for the franchise. Grade: F
The Phillies made big commitments to Nola and Wheeler. It’s a gamble, but if it pays off with a World Series title, it’ll be worth it. Grade: A
The Pirates added some veteran presence to help their young core. Pérez, Gonzales, Chapman, Taylor, Tellez, and Grandal could all contribute. It’s a step in the right direction. Grade: C
The Padres’ offseason was a mixed bag. The Cease trade was a highlight, but losing Soto, Hader, and others hurts. It’s an interesting dynamic. Grade: C
The Giants are a wildcard. Their offseason moves come with a lot of uncertainty. Snell, Lee, Chapman, Soler, and Hicks all have question marks. But if things click, they could surprise us. Grade: B
The Mariners made some smart, if not headline-grabbing, moves. Health is a big if, but Garver, Polanco, and Haniger could be key. We just wish they aimed a bit higher. Grade: C
The Cardinals focused on pitching this winter, adding Gray, Lynn, and Gibson. It’s a solid approach that should help them compete. Grade: B
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays’ offseason was about smart, low-cost moves. Rosario, Caballero, and Maton are all interesting additions. But we’d like to see a bit more ambition from a 99-win team. Grade: B
Texas Rangers
The Rangers’ quiet offseason can be chalked up to TV deal uncertainty. Mahle and Jankowski are decent adds, but it feels like they could’ve done more. Grade: C
The Blue Jays’ winter feels a bit lacking, especially after missing out on Ohtani. Turner, Kiner-Falefa, and a returning Kiermaier are fine, but it’s not the splash they needed. Grade: D
The Nationals went for a mix of bats this winter. Gallo, Senzel, Rosario, and Winker could all contribute, but it’s not the star signing we were hoping for. Grade: D
