MLB offseason grades: American League

The American League certainly looks different this season as a number of faces have changed places.

Evan Longoria, Carlos Santana, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain have all moved to the National League, while Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Cozart are among the most notable names heading over from the Senior Circuit.

A year removed from the Minnesota Twins claiming the second wild-card spot with just 85 wins, the AL should be more competitive this summer as the Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners have all improved their rosters following losing seasons.

Here's how each AL team has fared this winter, with grades being assessed relative to each team's offseason goals.

Baltimore Orioles

Notable Additions: Jaycob Brugman (trade OAK), Andrew Cashner (2 years, $16M), Colby Rasmus (minor-league deal), Chris Tillman (re-signed for 1 year, $3M), Danny Valencia (minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Welington Castillo (CWS), J.J. Hardy (FA), Jeremy Hellickson (FA), Ubaldo Jimenez (FA), Wade Miley (MIL), Seth Smith (FA)

The Orioles' offseason was a case of wanting more. The front office wanted more in trade talks for Manny Machado - ultimately deciding to hang onto the impending free agent. The players and fan base wanted more pitching, only to see the club reunite with Tillman, while also inking Cashner to a multi-year deal. Baltimore is at a crossroads. Machado, Adam Jones, Zach Britton, and Brad Brach are all destined for free agency after this season, but the club doesn't appear good enough to win the division. There could be a fire sale coming in July following an underwhelming winter.

Grade: C

Boston Red Sox

Notable Additions: J.D. Martinez (5 years, $110M), Mitch Moreland (re-signed for 2 years, $13M), Eduardo Nunez (re-signed for 1 year, $4M)

Notable Subtractions: Fernando Abad (PHI), Doug Fister (TEX), Addison Reed (MIN), Chris Young (LAA)

Once again, Dave Dombrowski got his man. The Red Sox president of baseball operations landed the much-needed middle-of-the-order bat in Martinez, which should boost an offense that ranked last in the AL in homers a season ago. Boston returns almost the same team that won 93 games in 2017 and should be further boosted by a full season of Nunez, Rafael Devers, and David Price. Dombrowski could have added a veteran reliever or back-end starter to help with team's depth, but not outbidding himself on Martinez deserves hearty praise.

Grade: A

Chicago White Sox

Notable Additions: Luis Avilan (trade LAD), Welington Castillo (2 years, $14.5M), Xavier Cedeno (minor-league deal), Miguel Gonzalez (1 year, $4.75M), Rob Scahill (minor-league deal), Hector Santiago (minor-league deal), Joakim Soria (trade KC)

Notable Subtractions: Mike Pelfrey (retired), Zach Putnam (FA), Geovany Soto (FA)

There were rumblings about a possible big move for Mike Moustakas or Hosmer, but the White Sox opted to save their money for next offseason where they could make a significant signing. Chicago will have a better idea of how close they are to competing after allowing their top prospects to play out this year, and it's best that they stick with the process. They did add Castillo, who is coming off a career year and adds a veteran presence behind the plate which will be beneficial for a young pitching staff that will need help adjusting to MLB life.

Grade: B

Cleveland Indians

Notable Additions: Yonder Alonso (2 years, $15M); Matt Belisle (minor-league deal), Mike Napoli (minor-league deal), Rob Refsnyder (waivers)

Notable Subtractions: Jay Bruce (NYM), Austin Jackson (SF), Boone Logan (MIL), Carlos Santana (PHI), Bryan Shaw (COL), Joe Smith (HOU)

The Indians remain one of the top teams in the AL but they dealt with a number of significant losses this winter without really replacing them. Bruce gave the offense a jolt after coming over at the non-waiver deadline, while Santana was an integral part of the offense and is a significant loss on the field and in the clubhouse. Alonso is coming off a 28-homer season, though he could be hard pressed to replicate that production considering he's never hit double-digit homers in his previous seven seasons. Shaw's and Smith's departure form a significant loss in the pen that the club plans on replacing internally. The duo combined for 94 innings and 93 strikeouts last season. Cleveland's window to win a World Series is closing. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are one year away from free agency, the prospect cupboard isn't as deep, and the Twins have made significant improvements. The Indians would have been wise to capitalize on a slow-developing free-agent market and added more.

Grade: C

Detroit Tigers

Notable Additions: Mike Fiers (1 year, $6M), Francisco Liriano (1 year, $4M), Leonys Martin (1 year, $1.75M), Derek Norris (minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Ian Kinsler (trade LAA), Anibal Sanchez (FA)

The Tigers are coming off a 98-loss season and things will only get worse for Detroit in 2018. The rebuild is in full force as the club has parted with J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Justin Verlander, and Kinsler over the last 12 months and more departures could come if Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Jose Iglesias can play well enough to attract suitors. The front office spent the winter adding Fiers and Liriano to help eat some innings, and Martin to patrol center field. Not very exciting. The subtractions are going to continue to outweigh the additions for the next several years.

Grade: C

Houston Astros

Notable Additions: Gerrit Cole (trade PIT), Joe Smith (2 years, $15M), Hector Rondon (2 years, $8.5M)

Notable Subtractions: Carlos Beltran (retired), Tyler Clippard (TOR), Michael Feliz (trade PIT), Francisco Liriano (DET), Cameron Maybin (MIA), Colin Moran (trade PIT), Joe Musgrove (trade PIT), Preston Tucker (trade ATL)

The reigning World Series champions who rattled off 101 wins last season spent the winter celebrating and getting better. The addition of Cole gives the Astros four legitimate starters while also extending the depth in the rotation - all without parting with any of the organization's elite prospects. Smith is coming off an excellent year and helps fill the void in the pen left after trading Musgrove. Houston could have made a play for a veteran bat to help fill Beltran's role, or added some infield depth, but with enough talent in the minor leagues they can afford to leave those spots open.

Grade: A

Kansas City Royals

Notable Additions: Blaine Boyer (minor-league contract), Lucas Duda (1 year, $3.5M), Alcides Escobar (1 year, $2.5M) Ryan Goins (minor-league contract) Jon Jay (1 year, $3M), Mike Moustakas (re-signed for 1 year, $6.5M), Wily Peralta (1 year, $1.5M)

Notable Subtractions: Melky Cabrera (FA), Trevor Cahill (FA), Lorenzo Cain (MIL), Eric Hosmer (SD), Mike Minor (TEX), Jason Vargas (NYM)

Three years removed from a World Series title and the Royals enter year one of a rebuild. Facing enormous losses to its core, Kansas City didn't fair too badly this winter. Not only does the club receive compensation picks for Cain and Hosmer signing elsewhere, but it also did a good job being patient and signing free agents at a major discount. Both Jay and Duda are coming off solid seasons and could be flipped at the deadline. Moustakas returned on a one-year deal after his market collapsed and will likely be shopped heavily at the deadline as he can't be issued another qualifying offer. The Royals ended up getting those three - who combined for 4.9 WAR last season - for $13 million. While the Royals won't be competitive in 2018, they certainly helped their long-term outlook by adding pieces that can be dealt for younger assets without committing much salary.

Grade: B+

Los Angeles Angels

Notable Additions: Chris Carter (minor-league deal), Zack Cozart (3 years, $38M), Jim Johnson (trade ATL), Ian Kinsler (trade DET), Shohei Ohtani (minor-league deal), Rene Rivera (1 year, $2.8M), Justin Upton (re-signed for 5 years, $106M), Chris Young (1 year, $2M)

Notable Subtractions: Jesse Chavez (TEX), Yunel Escobar (FA), Ricky Nolasco (KC), Bud Norris (STL), Cliff Pennington (CIN), Yusmeiro Petit (OAK), Brandon Phillips (FA), Ben Revere (CIN), Huston Street (FA)

It's refreshing to see the Angels not waste Mike Trout. The best player in the majors hasn't appeared in the postseason since 2014, but a strong offseason shopping spree has Los Angeles poised to at least contend for a wild-card spot. Winning the Ohtani sweepstakes was certainly a bonus, though the offseason could have already been considered a success after extending Upton, and solidifying the infield with Kinsler and Cozart. The Angels should have added at least another reliever, but it's hard to complain looking at how much GM Billy Eppler improved the roster.

Grade: A

Minnesota Twins

Notable Additions: Zach Duke (1 year, $2M), Lance Lynn (1 year, $12M), Logan Morrison (1 year, $6.5M), Jake Odorizzi (trade TB), Michael Pineda (2 years, $10M), Addison Reed (2 years, $16.75M), Fernando Rodney (1 year, $4.25M),

Notable Subtractions: Matt Belisle (CLE), Bartolo Colon (TEX), Chris Gimenez (CHC), Glen Perkins (retired), Hector Santiago (CWS)

Coming off a surprising wild-card berth, the Twins believe they are a legit playoff team and a strong offseason helped them close the gap between them and the Indians in the AL Central. Minnesota did well to drastically improve the rotation and can now roll out four quality arms as opposed to last season when it was Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios or bust. The bullpen is deeper following the additions of Rodney and Reed, but an even bigger impact might be Morrison to the middle of the lineup. He led AL first basemen with 38 homers last season and cost the Twins just $6.5 million.

Grade: A

New York Yankees

Notable Additions: Brandon Drury (trade ARI), CC Sabathia (re-signed for 1 year, $10M), Giancarlo Stanton (trade MIA), Neil Walker (1 year, $5M)

Notable Subtractions: Starlin Castro (MIA), Jaime Garcia (TOR), Chase Headley (SD), Matt Holliday (FA), Todd Frazier (NYM), Bryan Mitchell (SD), Michael Pineda (MIN)

Brian Cashman continues to perform magic with the Yankees' roster. Not only did he add the reigning NL MVP by flexing his financial muscle, but he also pieced together a solid infield with two under-the-radar acquisitions. Drury is just 25 years old and under team control through the 2021 season. Walker, meanwhile, has averaged 19 homers over the past four seasons and has the ability to play multiple positions. The one-year, $5-million deal also ensures that Walker doesn't block any of the club's top prospects long term, while giving New York nine potential 20-homer bats in the lineup.

Grade: A+

Oakland Athletics

Notable Additions: Jonathan Lucroy (1 year, $6.5M), Yusmeiro Petit (2 years, $9M), Stephen Piscotty (trade STL)

Notable Subtractions: Jaycob Brugman (trade BAL), Ryon Healy (trade SEA), Joey Wendle (trade TB)

The Athletics return almost the same team from last season that finished 75-87 so expect another year spent in the AL West basement. Adding Lucroy at a discount was a nice piece of patience and he could be flipped at the deadline for future help. His veteran presence behind the plate should also help a young pitching staff that struggled with consistency last year. Not expected to be a playoff contender, it's difficult to criticize Oakland for not spending, and they did address their biggest need behind the plate.

Grade: B-

Seattle Mariners

Notable Additions: Dee Gordon (trade MIA), Ryon Healy (trade OAK), Hisashi Iwakuma (re-signed to minor-league deal), Juan Nicasio (2 years, $17M), Andrew Romine (waivers), Ichiro Suzuki (1 year, $750K)

Notable Subtractions: Yonder Alonso (CLE), Jarrod Dyson (ARI), Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Carlos Ruiz (FA), Drew Smyly (CHC), Danny Valencia (BAL)

Jerry Dipoto once again kicked off the winter with a flurry of moves, but it's been quiet for the most part since the new year for the Mariners - other than bringing Ichiro back to the Pacific Northwest - and the team still doesn't seem good enough to compete for the division. The Gordon move and subsequent transition from second base to center field was a shocker, but early indications are positive. From an offensive standpoint, the Mariners should score plenty, but the rotation will once again be the team's biggest question mark. Seattle's rotation was ravaged by injuries in 2017 and Dipoto should have added at least one top-tier starter to protect them this time around.

Grade: B

Tampa Bay Rays

Notable Additions: Christian Arroyo (trade SF), C.J. Cron (trade LAA), Carlos Gomez (1 year, $4M), Daniel Hudson (trade PIT), Micah Johnson (waivers), Sergio Romo (re-signed for 1 year, $2.5M), Denard Span (trade SF), Joey Wendle (trade OAK)

Notable Subtractions: Peter Bourjos (CHC), Brad Boxberger (ARI), Steve Cishek (CHC), Alex Cobb (FA), Corey Dickerson (PIT), Lucas Duda (KC), Tommy Hunter (PHI), Evan Longoria (SF), Logan Morrison (MIN), Steven Souza Jr. (ARI)

It was certainly an uncomfortable winter for the Rays. Not only did they trade away a franchise icon in Longoria, but they also dealt Dickerson, Souza Jr., and Odorizzi while receiving little in return. With Morrison and Duda also departing through free agency, Tampa Bay lost 128 home runs from last season's lineup. The Rays opted not to add a starter and will enter the season with a four-man rotation, but that plan is already showing signs of backfiring as two of the club's top pitching prospects have undergone Tommy John surgery this spring. Expect a fifth straight losing season at The Trop.

Grade: D

Texas Rangers

Notable Additions: Tony Barnette (re-signed for 1 year, $1.5M), Darwin Barney (minor-league deal), Juan Centeno (waivers), Jesse Chavez (1 year, $1M), Doug Fister (1 year, $4M), Tim Lincecum (1 year, $1M), Mike Minor (3 years, $28M), Matt Moore (trade SF), Edinson Volquez (2-year, minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Andrew Cashner (BAL), Carlos Gomez (TB), A.J. Griffin (NYM), Jason Grilli (FA), Mike Napoli (CLE)

The Rangers have ambitions of returning to the postseason but they'll be hard pressed to survive in the AL West with their current rotation. Rather than attempt to re-sign Yu Darvish or even Andrew Cashner, the club instead added a bunch of back-of-the-rotation arms that are projected to receive a lot of innings. Moore and Fister both fashioned ERA's north of 4.80, and are the team's No. 2 and No. 3 starters. Minor was excellent out of the pen last season, but was signed to slide into the rotation despite having not started a game since 2014. If the rotation wasn't bad enough, the Rangers also did little to upgrade a bullpen that finished third-last in the majors with a 4.76 ERA in 2017. As good as it is to have Lincecum back in the majors, relying on him to potentially be your closer is not an ideal scenario for a team hoping to play October baseball.

Grade: C-

Toronto Blue Jays

Notable Additions: John Axford (minor-league deal), Tyler Clippard (minor-league deal), Aledmys Diaz (trade STL), Jaime Garcia (1-year, $10M), Curtis Granderson (1 year, $5M), Randal Grichuk (trade STL), Gift Ngoepe (trade PIT), Seung Hwan Oh (1 year, $1.75M), Yangervis Solarte (trade SD)

Notable Subtractions: Brett Anderson (FA), Darwin Barney (TEX), Jose Bautista (FA), Ezequiel Carrera (ATL), Ryan Goins (KC), Tom Koehler (LAD), Miguel Montero (WSH)

The Blue Jays are much better equipped to deal with injuries this season as the front office spent the winter addressing the team's depth - especially in the middle infield where it was needed most. While there wasn't a major splash, the Blue Jays did well to land Solarte, Grichuk, and Diaz without sacrificing much, while Axford, Clippard, and Oh are solid veteran pieces in the bullpen that were acquired with little risk or cost. Though Bautista has yet to sign elsewhere, it appears that his career in Toronto has ended. The six-time All-Star clubbed 288 homers with the Blue Jays, and the team will head into the season without either him or Edwin Encarnacion on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 2009.

Grade: B+