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Early offseason grades: National League

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This offseason, while slow as molasses, has still seen its fair share of action across the board. No, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado haven't signed, but the likes of Paul Goldschmidt, Yasiel Puig, and Patrick Corbin all have new homes, while the landscape of the National League already looks much different.

Here's our assessment of every NL club's offseason to date:

Arizona Diamondbacks

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Notable additions: OF Abraham Almonte (minor-league deal), C Carson Kelly (trade from STL), SP Merrill Kelly (2 years, $5.5M), OF Kelby Tomlinson (minor-league deal), SP Luke Weaver (trade from STL)

Notable subtractions: SP Patrick Corbin (WSH), RP Randall Delgado (CHW), IF Daniel Descalso (CHC), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (trade to STL), C Jeff Mathis (TEX), SP Shelby Miller (FA), IF/OF Chris Owings (KC), OF A.J. Pollock (FA)

The Diamondbacks waved goodbye to their longtime face of the franchise (Goldschmidt) in exchange for a decent but hardly satisfying return. Meanwhile, with Pollock unlikely to re-sign, Corbin already gone, and rumblings that Robbie Ray and Zack Greinke could eventually follow, Arizona might concede its chances of competing in 2019 before the season even starts. But with its prospect cupboard also relatively thin, this is a franchise with no clear direction.

Grade: C

Atlanta Braves

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Notable additions: 3B Josh Donaldson (1 year, $23M), C Brian McCann (1 year, $2M), RP Jonny Venters (1 year, $2.25M)

Notable subtractions: RP Brad Brach (FA), 1B Lucas Duda (FA), OF Nick Markakis (FA), SP Brandon McCarthy (retired), SP Anibal Sanchez (WSH), C Kurt Suzuki (WSH)

Are the additions of Donaldson and McCann enough to punch a return ticket to the postseason? Maybe, but the Nationals, the Phillies, and even the Mets have all done more to improve their chances in the NL East so far this offseason. Moving forward, the Braves would undoubtedly benefit from upgrading their pitching staff - both the young rotation and the bullpen - as well as their outfield. For the latter, Atlanta hasn't replaced Markakis yet, while Adam Duvall endured such a disastrous 2018 that he probably can't be entrusted with the left-field gig.

Grade: B

Chicago Cubs

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Notable additions: IF Daniel Descalso (2 years, $5M), SP Kendall Graveman (1 year, $575K)

Notable subtractions: RP Jesse Chavez (TEX), IF Tommy La Stella (trade to LAA), 2B Daniel Murphy (COL), SP Drew Smyly (trade TEX), RP Justin Wilson (FA)

Hamstrung by a tight budget, the Cubs have done little to improve a dicey situation. Kyle Hendricks, 29, is the only starter who will enter the regular season under the age of 30, and while Descalso's a solid depth signing, he won't reinvigorate the offense, which was inconsistent in 2018. Management appears to be hoping that Willson Contreras, Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward, and Ian Happ all rebound, and that those in-house improvements will be enough to compete with the Cardinals and Brewers. If not, don't expect manager Joe Maddon to return in 2020.

Grade: F

Cincinnati Reds

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Notable additions: RP Matthew Bowman (waivers), 3B Kyle Farmer (trade from LAD), OF Matt Kemp (trade from LAD), OF Yasiel Puig (trade from LAD), SP Tanner Roark (trade from WSH), SP Alex Wood (trade from LAD)

Notable subtractions: SP Homer Bailey (trade to LAD), OF Billy Hamilton (KC), SP Matt Harvey (LAA)

If you squint hard enough, you might be able to see these Reds challenging for the NL Central title. Puig and Kemp should solidify the outfield, while the lineup is solid from nearly top to bottom (especially with elite prospect Nick Senzel on his way and Taylor Trammell close behind). However, even with the addition of Wood to pitch alongside Luis Castillo, the starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. If the Reds don't add a frontline starter - or, failing that, Dallas Keuchel - it's hard to see them surpassing the Brewers, Cardinals, and Cubs.

Grade: B

Colorado Rockies

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Notable additions: SP Chi Chi Gonzalez (minor-league deal), 2B Daniel Murphy (2 years, $24M), OF Michael Saunders (minor-league deal)

Notable subtractions: OF Carlos Gonzalez (FA), OF Matt Holliday (FA), 2B DJ LeMahieu (FA), RP Adam Ottavino (FA), OF Gerardo Parra (FA)

If the Rockies aren't going to trade Nolan Arenado - and if an extension isn't in the works - shouldn't they be doing more to make the most of 2019? This was a surprise playoff team last year, and while Murphy addresses a big need and is probably an upgrade over LeMahieu, does the current roster instill confidence? The Murphy signing signifies that Colorado isn't mailing it in, but without a corresponding move, the bullpen is worse without Ottavino and it's unclear if the rotation can build on a fantastic season - or if 2018 was all just a fluke.

Grade: C+

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Notable additions: SP Homer Bailey (trade from CIN), IF David Freese (1 year, $4.5M), RP Joe Kelly (3 years, $25M), OF Paulo Orlando (minor-league deal), SP Hyun-Jin Ryu (1 year, $17.9M)

Notable subtractions: 2B Brian Dozier (FA), 3B Kyle Farmer (trade to CIN), C Yasmani Grandal (FA), OF Matt Kemp (trade to CIN), IF Manny Machado (FA), RP Ryan Madson (FA), OF Yasiel Puig (trade to CIN), SP Alex Wood (trade to CIN)

After two straight years of coming up short in the World Series, this offseason feels very underwhelming, especially if the salary dump of sending Puig, Wood, and Kemp to the Reds doesn't yield Harper in free agency. The future is certainly bright with Walker Buehler and Julio Urias set to be fixtures in the rotation, but L.A. needs another top offensive player to get over the hump. With the catcher market drying up, the Dodgers may at least wind up bringing Grandal back at a discount.

Grade: B-

Miami Marlins

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Notable additions: IF Pedro Alvarez (minor-league deal), IF/OF Rosell Herrera (waivers), OF Victor Victor Mesa (minor-league deal), OF Victor Mesa Jr. (minor-league deal)

Notable subtractions: RP Kyle Barraclough (trade to WSH)

Miami didn't have a single player on the roster hit free agency, so there's been very little turnover. However, the biggest issue facing the Marlins as they enter the next phase of a rebuild is that they have zero players who rank among MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects. That could change when the 2019 list is revealed, but it's not a great position to be in a year after trading away Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Marcell Ozuna.

Grade: C-

Milwaukee Brewers

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Notable additions: RP Alex Claudio (trade from TEX), OF Ben Gamel (trade from SEA), IF/OF Cory Spangenberg (1 year, $1.2M)

Notable subtractions: OF Keon Broxton (trade to NYM), RP Xavier Cedeno (FA), SP Gio Gonzalez (FA), OF Curtis Granderson (FA), RP Jordan Lyles (PIT), SP Wade Miley (FA), IF Mike Moustakas (FA), OF Domingo Santana (trade to SEA), 2B Jonathan Schoop (MIN), RP Joakim Soria (OAK)

For the Brewers to bump up their grade, they need to add a strong starting pitcher. And if the rumblings that they're in on Giants southpaw Madison Bumgarner prove to be fruitful, it would address the biggest weakness that cursed this roster in 2018. With a healthy Jimmy Nelson already on board, adding Bumgarner would create a formidable one-two punch in an area that was relatively punchless a season ago. The Brewers could also stand to add a catcher, a second baseman, and outfield depth after trading away Santana and Broxton - but one thing at a time.

Grade: C

New York Mets

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Notable additions: OF Gregor Blanco (minor-league deal), OF Keon Broxton (trade from MIL), 2B Robinson Cano (trade from SEA), OF Rajai Davis (minor-league deal), RP Edwin Diaz (trade from SEA), RP Jeurys Familia (3 years, $30M), OF Jordan Patterson (waivers), C Wilson Ramos (2 years, $19M), RP Hector Santiago (minor-league deal)

Notable subtractions: RP Jerry Blevins (FA), OF Jay Bruce (trade to SEA), RP Jenrry Mejia (FA), C Devin Mesoraco (FA), C Kevin Plawecki (trade to CLE), RP AJ Ramos (FA), RP Anthony Swarzak (trade to SEA)

The best decision the Mets made this offseason was to not trade Noah Syndergaard. At this point, the team possesses - at worst - the second-best rotation in the NL East (if it stays healthy) and made a few bold decisions in other areas. Perhaps Cano won't tip the scales that much, but the trade was worth it to land Diaz.

Grade: A-

Philadelphia Phillies

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Notable additions: RP Jose Alvarez (trade from LAA), OF Andrew McCutchen (3 years, $50M), RP Juan Nicasio (trade from SEA), RP James Pazos (trade from SEA), RP David Robertson (2 years, $23M), SS Jean Segura (trade from SEA)

Notable subtractions: OF Jose Bautista (FA), 1B Justin Bour (LAA), IF Asdrubal Cabrera (FA), IF J.P. Crawford (trade to SEA), RP Luis Garcia (trade to LAA), C Wilson Ramos (NYM), 1B Carlos Santana (trade to SEA)

Change was needed, and it remains ongoing. If Philly whiffs on Machado and Harper, this grade will dip. If the team lands either (or ... both?), it would become the runaway favorite in the division. But the moves already made - bringing in McCutchen and Segura while shoring up the bullpen with Robertson and Co. - were smart, if not as flashy. Meanwhile, offloading Santana's contract a year after inking it so Rhys Hoskins can shift to first base is perhaps the best thing Philadelphia's done to date.

Grade: A-

Pittsburgh Pirates

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Notable additions: OF Lonnie Chisenhall (1 year, $2.75M), IF Erik Gonzalez (trade from CLE), 3B Jung Ho Kang (1 year, $3M), RP Jordan Lyles (1 year, $2.05M)

Notable subtractions: IF Josh Harrison (FA), OF Jordan Luplow (trade to CLE), IF Max Moroff (trade to CLE), SS Jordy Mercer (DET), SP Ivan Nova (trade to CHW)

The Pirates have some talent. In fact, their rotation featuring Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams, and Joe Musgrove is very intriguing. However, the team as a whole doesn't measure up to the class of the division, at least not on paper. Without the financial flexibility to make a big splash, the Pirates are generally forced to find bargains and hope their in-house talent breaks out at the right time. Chisenhall might be a fine piece, but he's not the ideal choice to start in right field. With the Reds pushing hard to return to relevance, the Pirates are in danger of returning to the NL Central basement.

Grade: C-

San Diego Padres

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Notable additions: IF Greg Garcia (1 year, $910K), 2B Ian Kinsler (2 years, $8M), SP Garrett Richards (2 years, $15.5M)

Notable subtractions: SS Freddy Galvis (FA), SP Colin Rea (FA), SP Clayton Richard (trade to TOR), IF Christian Villanueva (FA), IF Cory Spangenberg (MIL)

With incredible prospects on the way very soon (notably Fernando Tatis Jr., Mackenzie Gore, and Luis Urias), the Padres are nearing a period of optimism. Unfortunately, they haven't added much to support the young guns once they arrive. Perhaps general manager AJ Preller has some buyer's remorse after inking Eric Hosmer to an eight-year, $144-million contract last year and is gun-shy about doing something similar. But the inability to get something big done may simply be the slow market. San Diego's reportedly targeted a number of pitchers on the trade block, but nothing's materialized. If the team can snag a Corey Kluber or even a Sonny Gray, this offseason will be deemed a success.

Grade: C

San Francisco Giants

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Notable additions: RP Pat Venditte (1 year)

Notable subtractions: OF Gregor Blanco (NYM), SP Derek Holland (FA), C Nick Hundley (FA), OF Hunter Pence (FA)

It's been a very quiet winter for the Giants, whose most notable acquisition is new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Otherwise, the team has mostly stood pat - which is likely frustrating for fans - but this roster is old, so retooling it won't happen overnight. There's still a minuscule chance that San Fran surprises everyone by signing Harper, but it's more likely that Bumgarner will be traded away. Even if the less-is-more mentality proves to be the right path, it'll be a long grind that's not satisfying in the moment.

Grade: F

St. Louis Cardinals

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Notable additions: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (trade from ARI), RP Andrew Miller (2 years, $25M), IF/OF Drew Robinson (trade from TEX)

Notable subtractions: IF/OF Matt Adams (WSH), IF Greg Garcia (SD), C Carson Kelly (trade to ARI), RP Bud Norris (FA), SP Tyson Ross (DET), SP Luke Weaver (trade to ARI), 3B Patrick Wisdom (trade to TEX)

The Cardinals needed to prioritize two things this offseason. First, they needed to address an inconsistent offense and did so by trading spare parts for a perennial MVP candidate in Goldschmidt. Second, the bullpen was easily their biggest weakness in 2018, so they signed Miller, who isn't far removed from being the most dominant left-handed reliever in the game. St. Louis doesn't have a long to-do list remaining, although finding a trade partner for slugger Jose Martinez wouldn't hurt.

Grade: A

Washington Nationals

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Notable additions: IF/OF Matt Adams (1 year, $4M), RP Kyle Barraclough (trade from MIA), SP Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M), C Yan Gomes (trade from CLE), RP Trevor Rosenthal (1 year, $7M), SP Anibal Sanchez (2 years, $19M), C Kurt Suzuki (2 years, $10M)

Notable subtractions: RP Joaquin Benoit (FA), OF Bryce Harper (FA), SP Jeremy Hellickson (FA), RP Kelvin Herrera (CWS), RP Greg Holland (FA), IF Mark Reynolds (FA), SP Tanner Roark (trade to CIN), C Matt Wieters (FA)

The Nationals served up the longest contract of the offseason to date by locking up Corbin for the next six years. They also filled holes at catcher and the bullpen - the team's biggest areas of deficiency in 2018 - and brought in Adams to platoon with Ryan Zimmerman. If Washington's ongoing talks with Harper ultimately lead to a reunion, bump this grade up to an A+. Otherwise, this is still a more balanced roster than last year's - even without the superstar outfielder.

Grade: A-

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