Skip to content

American League offseason report cards

Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

We're less than two months into the offseason, but with most of the top free agents off the board and the winter meetings behind us, it's a good opportunity to reflect on what teams have done so far. 

Think of this as a progress report - there's still plenty of time for clubs to address needs and improve their rosters.

Below are offseason grades for all 15 National League teams. Click here for the National League.

AL East

Boston Red Sox: A

The Red Sox entered the offseason with plenty of holes, but in less than two months have acquired a good third baseman, a great hitter and three potential starters. Boston would like to bring in a top arm before Opening Day, and there's a pretty good chance that will happen.

Toronto Blue Jays: A-

The Blue Jays still have time to add upgrades to their outfield and pitching staff, but it's doubtful the resources are there to do so in a meaningful way. Good thing Alex Anthopoulos traded for the best third baseman in the league (Josh Donaldson) and signed defensive stalwart Russell Martin behind the plate.

New York Yankees: B

Brian Cashman was smart to let David Robertson walk and replace him with the slightly cheaper and left-handed Andrew Miller. Adding Didi Gregorius and Chris Young fills holes, even if they're underwhelming pickups. Cashman is hamstrung by a high-priced roster and depleted farm system, but a Max Scherzer-type splash could quickly make it an honor roll winter for the Yankees general manager. UPDATE: The Yankees have reportedly agreed to terms with third baseman Chase Headley. It's a solid move but one they had to make - grade stays a B.

Tampa Bay Rays: C

The Rays' biggest losses have come off the field. Kevin Cash is an intriguing managerial choice, but there's no denying losing Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman stings. New GM Matt Silverman still must address an offense that suffered miserably in 2014.

Baltimore Orioles: D

The Orioles are down two-thirds of their outfield and lost out on a pair of potential replacements in Matt Kemp and Yoenis Cespedes. One might argue all four players weren't worth the price of acquisition, but that doesn't change the fact there are two gaping holes in Baltimore's lineup.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox: A+

Top arm? Check. Elite reliever? Check. Left fielder and No. 2 hitter? Check. Slugger? Check. White Sox GM Rick Hahn has many holes still to fill, but no team has improved its roster more so far than the South Siders.

Detroit Tigers: B-

Dave Dombrowski has proved resourceful this offseason by replacing Torii Hunter and Rick Porcello with Cespedes and Alfredo Simon, turning Devon Travis into outfield depth, and keeping slugger Victor Martinez. Simon and Shane Greene, however, are nowhere close to sufficient for a rotation missing Scherzer and Porcello. Still work to do.

Cleveland Indians: B-

The Indians have themselves a nice roster core so this winter is more about subtle improvement. In that regard, Brandon Moss is a perfect start. Moss is a cost-effective upgrade over what they have, but moving Nick Swisher will be the hard part. How the Indians clear their outfield/DH logjam figures to impact how their offseason proceeds.

Minnesota Twins: C+

Ervin Santana is a good signing. Hunter? Not so much. Spending $10.5 million on one year of Hunter feels like wasted money for a club out of contention, but it's possible the Twins are just at peace with their expectations and simply looking to make next year worth watching.

Kansas City Royals: C

The AL champs get the benefit of the doubt that moves are coming because otherwise this team is headed for a failing grade. Dayton Moore's group is on the verge of losing key cogs James Shields, Nori Aoki, and Billy Butler, and not even the Royals' vaunted bullpen is good enough to compensate for what's left of the offense and rotation.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels: C+

The Howie Kendrick-Andrew Heaney swap hurts the club's chances for next year, but it's a nice move for the future. A new third baseman and a veteran rotation arm would suit the Angels just fine.

Seattle Mariners: C+

When it's not your money, it shouldn't matter, right? The Mariners improved in the short term with the addition of Nelson Cruz, but the club paid dearly for it. Kemp and Cabrera both seemed like better fits than Cruz, while the Michael Saunders-J.A. Happ trade feels like there's another shoe waiting to drop. Hopefully for the Mariners' sake, it does.

Houston Astros: C+

Miller saved the Astros from themselves by signing with the Yankees, sparing baseball's thrift team from the worst signing of the offseason. For a club with so many positions to upgrade and the resources to help do it, it's a bit of a surprise the Astros are earmarking their cash for the bullpen. Houston can only improve after posting the worst record in the league last year, so expect this grade to experience incremental growth this winter. UPDATE: The Astros are already improving. Houston reportedly signed Jed Lowrie to a reasonable three-year, $23-million contract Monday. Solid bat at an offensively challenged position.

Oakland Athletics: C

All things considered, it hasn't been the worst offseason for a team that lost its three best players. Billy Beane has reloaded the Athletics with cheap infield talent and added controllable pitching depth to the roster.

Texas Rangers: C-

Jon Daniels is in a tough spot after his club was decimated by injury last season. If the Rangers' core returns to good health, it might be worth it to simply slow-play the offseason and not force a major rebuild. Still, it's tough to reconcile the lack of urgency with a team full of expectations and losses.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox