MLB offseason grades: National League

In terms of trades, the National League stole the show this winter.

Not only did the Marlins' firesale steal headlines, but two different teams traded away the faces of their franchise to the San Francisco Giants.

With league parity seemingly under threat, the Senior Circuit should boast exciting pennant races in two of the three divisions - one year removed from a trio of teams in the NL West cracking the postseason. Now, all five clubs in the west are poised for a postseason push, though it appears one hasn't kept pace. Meanwhile, the NL Central seems like a three-team race, and even the NL East could be competitive thanks to a pair of clubs making waves over the past few months.

Here's how each National League team has fared since the conclusion of the 2017 season, with grades being assessed relative to their offseason goals.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Notable Additions: Alex Avila (2 years, $8.25M), Brad Boxberger (trade TB), Jarrod Dyson (2 years, $7.5M) Yoshihisa Hirano (2 years, $6M), Steven Souza Jr. (trade TB)

Notable Subtractions: Brandon Drury (trade NYY), Chris Iannetta (COL), J.D. Martinez (BOS)

With over $100 million in payroll commitments from the beginning of the winter, it was unclear how the Diamondbacks were going to manage retaining J.D. Martinez after acquiring him midseason. The team even seemed to humor trading away staff ace Zack Greinke because of his prohibitively large contract. Thankfully for Diamondbacks fans, after Martinez signed for a nine-figure contract, Arizona pivoted to acquiring Souza via trade and signing Dyson on an inexpensive two-year deal; savvy additions that help the team at least tread water after clinching the top wild-card spot last season.

Grade: B+

Atlanta Braves

Notable Additions: Charlie Culberson, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy (trade LAD), Ryan Schimpf (trade TB), Chris Stewart (1 year, $575K), Preston Tucker (trade HOU), Chase Whitley (waivers)

Notable Subtractions: Matt Adams (WSH), R.A. Dickey (FA), Jim Johnson (trade LAA), Matt Kemp (trade LAD)

History will look back on this offseason for the Braves and potentially argue that the biggest move the team made wasn't reflected on the roster at all. After general manager John Coppolella was involved in an international free-agent scandal that had him banned for life, president of baseball operations John Hart stepped down as well and the team hired former Dodgers and Blue Jays executive Alex Anthopoulos to lead the remainder of the rebuild. Despite having 13 prospects removed from their system as a result of the scandal, the Braves made the best of their predicament, ridding themselves of Kemp's contract while making other low-risk deals while the club focuses on long-term success thanks to an elite farm system.

Grade: B+

Chicago Cubs

Notable Additions: Tyler Chatwood (3 years, $38M), Steve Cishek (2 years, $13M), Yu Darvish (6 years, $126M), Brandon Morrow (2 years, $18M), Drew Smyly (2 years, $10M)

Notable Subtractions: Wade Davis (COL), Jon Jay (KC), John Lackey (FA), Leonys Martin (DET), Rene Rivera (LAA), Hector Rondon (HOU), Koji Uehara (Japan)

After winning the 2016 World Series, the Cubs seemed poised to become a dynasty thanks to a young and dominant roster. While the team straightened it out during the second half in time to win the division, the Cubs didn't look nearly as dynastic as some expected they would. Of course, re-stocking the rotation with Darvish and Chatwood and easing the loss of Davis by adding Morrow and Cishek should not only make them division favorites again, but arguably the NL favorite to win the World Series.

Grade: A

Cincinnati Reds

Notable Additions: David Hernandez (2 years, $5M), Jared Hughes (2 years, $4.5M), Cliff Pennington (minor-league deal), Ben Revere (minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Bronson Arroyo (retired), Zack Cozart (LAA), Scott Feldman (FA), Drew Storen (FA)

No amount of movement was going to make the Reds a contender for the upcoming season - even if Cincinnati wasn't hopelessly located in the NL Central. However, even with slim chances, the Reds did little to improve their station moving forward. While the Tigers and Royals in the AL Central know they won't contend, both made low-risk additions for pieces that could be traded midseason. Meanwhile, the Reds sat mostly idle, which is fine. But in a climate where bargains were aplenty this offseason, standing pat was less than ideal.

Grade: C-

Colorado Rockies

Notable Additions: Wade Davis (3 years, $52M), Carlos Gonzalez (re-signed for 1 year, $8M), Chris Iannetta (2 years, $7.75M), Jake McGee (re-signed for 3 years, $25M), Bryan Shaw (3 years, $25M)

Notable Subtractions: Tyler Chatwood (CHC), Greg Holland (FA), Jonathan Lucroy (OAK), Pat Neshek (PHI), Mark Reynolds (FA)

The super bullpen is back, and even though it isn't in Kansas City anymore, it's still led by a former Royals closer. After losing the wild-card game last year, the Rockies had a lot of options on what to do this winter. Instead of bolstering the rotation as some would have expected, the team opted to sign three top-tier relievers for a cumulative payday less than what Darvish commanded from the Cubs on his own. It's an interesting strategy and one that may not pan out, but it's an offseason effort the Rockies have not made in many years.

Grade: B+

Los Angeles Dodgers

Notable Additions: Scott Alexander (trade KC), Matt Kemp (trade ATL), Tom Koehler (1 year, $2M)

Notable Subtractions: Charlie Culberson (ATL), Yu Darvish (CHC), Andre Ethier (FA), Adrian Gonzalez (NYM), Curtis Granderson (TOR), Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy (trade ATL), Brandon Morrow (CHC), Tony Watson (SF)

When you're the best team in the NL, and you've repeatedly made hefty investments to keep it that way, one would likely expect that trend to continue. Curiously, the Dodgers went a different direction, letting Darvish and Morrow walk this offseason - both, incidentally, to the Cubs - while reacquiring Kemp in what seemed like a way to cut salary. While they did cut salary overall in the deal that included Gonzalez, Kazmir, and McCarthy, the $43.5 million remaining on Kemp's deal is significant. The team should likely still be able to cruise to a division title against a set of difficult teams, but if they took a step back would anyone be surprised?

Grade: C+

Miami Marlins

Notable Additions: Sandy Alcantara (trade STL), Lewis Brinson (trade MIL), Starlin Castro (trade NYY), Isan Diaz (trade MIL), Monte Harrison (trade MIL), Cameron Maybin (1 year, $3.25M), Magneuris Sierra (trade STL)

Notable Subtractions: Dee Gordon (trade SEA), Marcell Ozuna (trade STL), Giancarlo Stanton (trade NYY), Christian Yelich (trade MIL), Edinson Volquez (released)

After all the easily movable pieces had gone and the dust had settled, the Marlins may have, ultimately, put themselves in a better position to win in the future. The problem is, it's likely the very distant future and it will take a series of moves that grow in difficulty if the team wants to transform into a contender. The fact will always remain, Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman will forever be known as the executives that traded Stanton to the Bronx for very little return. And, even if all of the prospects acquired in other deals pan out perfectly, chances are slim that any of them win an NL MVP - even Brinson. Miami fans are right to feel jilted by new ownership.

Grade: D

Milwaukee Brewers

Notable Additions: Matt Albers (2 years, $5M), Lorenzo Cain (5 years, $80M), Jhoulys Chacin (2 years, $15.5M), Yovani Gallardo (1 year, $2M), Boone Logan (1 year, $2.5M), Eric Sogard (re-signed for 1 year, $2.4M), Christian Yelich (trade MIA)

Notable Subtractions: Matt Garza (FA), Anthony Swarzak (NYM), Neil Walker (NYY)

Up until trading for Yelich and signing Cain, the Brewers' offseason wasn't going particularly well. The addition of Chacin to the rotation is a good low-risk move, but the starting staff is still a ways away from being reliable. While adding Yelich and Cain makes the team undoubtedly better, one wonders why the Brewers chose to address the outfield - where the team has significant depth - as opposed to the pitching staff, which will be without staff ace Jimmy Nelson to start the season. It's especially vexing with the hindsight of knowing Cain signed for more guaranteed money - over a longer term - than Arrieta got with the Phillies.

Grade: A-

New York Mets

Notable Additions: Jay Bruce (3 years, $39M), Todd Frazier (2 years, $17M), Adrian Gonzalez (1 year, $545k), Jose Reyes (re-signed for 1 year, $2M), Anthony Swarzak (2 years, $14M), Jason Vargas (2 years, $16M)

Notable Subtractions: Matt Reynolds (WSH), Josh Smoker (PIT)

It's probably notable that the Mets needed a free-agent market crash to have a great offseason, but the fact that they pulled it off is still remarkable. A team notorious for pinching every penny and infuriating their fans actually made four meaningful additions - two in the field and two to the pitching staff - without losing anyone. Sure there's that report that suggests the Wilpons - the family who owns the Mets - nixed a deal to acquire Jason Kipnis based on money, but a case can be made that the second baseman, coming off of an injury-shortened year, wouldn't have necessarily made their team that much better. Not to mention, the no-risk addition of A-Gon is a fantastic move in the event he's anything except his 2017 version. If the pitching staff is healthy (a big if), the team has put itself in a spot to contend, which is all Mets fans could expect.

Grade: A

Philadelphia Phillies

Notable Additions: Fernando Abad (minor-league deal), Jake Arrieta (3 years, $75M), Tommy Hunter (2 years, $18M), Pat Neshek (2 years, $15.25M), Carlos Santana (3 years, $60M)

Notable Subtractions: Andres Blanco (SF), Clay Buchholz (FA), Freddy Galvis (SD), Hyun Soo Kim (Korea), Daniel Nava (PIT)

Of all teams, the Phillies had the most puzzling offseason. On one hand, the team almost definitely overspent to sign Hunter. On the other, the team now has a legitimate chance to challenge for a wild-card spot, and signed Arrieta for far less than projections expected. Philadelphia has the benefit of payroll flexibility thanks to an extremely loyal fan base and now, after investing this heavily in the club, anything less than .500 would be considered a failure. But so long as Rhys Hoskins and J.P. Crawford continue to take steps forward, a losing season wouldn't be for naught.

Grade: A-

Pittsburgh Pirates

Notable Additions: Bryce Brentz (trade BOS), Corey Dickerson (trade TB), Michael Feliz, Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove (trade HOU), Daniel Nava (minor-league deal), Josh Smoker (trade NYM), Nik Turley (waivers)

Notable Subtractions: Joaquin Benoit (WSH), Gerrit Cole (HOU), Daniel Hudson (TB), John Jaso (FA), Andrew McCutchen (SF), Chris Stewart (ATL)

Not only did the Pirates trade away the face of their franchise this offseason, they also swapped their staff ace for an underwhelming return. In truth, Pittsburgh has likely put itself in a worse spot than the Marlins going forward, but still have assets left to swap. Alternatively, the team still has exciting players in Josh Harrison, Josh Bell, Jameson Taillon, Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte, Felipe Rivero, and newcomer Dickerson. The Pirates won't be nearly as terrible as some expect them to be, but selling tickets without McCutchen on the field could be tricky. Especially for a team with struggling attendance no matter who's on the field.

Grade: D+

San Diego Padres

Notable Additions: A.J. Ellis (minor-league deal), Freddy Galvis (trade PHI), Chase Headley (trade NYY), Eric Hosmer (8 years, $144M), Jordan Lyles (re-signed for 1 year, $1M), Kazuhisa Makita (2 years, $3.8M), Bryan Mitchell (trade NYY), Tyson Ross (minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Erick Aybar (MIN), Jhoulys Chacin (MIL)

The Padres wound up having a similar offseason to the Phillies except markedly worse. Both teams didn't feel as if they were one or two assets away from contending, so one spent $150 million on three players and the other spent $144 million on Hosmer. San Diego has some interesting players, with young arms Dinelson Lamet and Luis Perdomo leading the rotation and Manuel Margot manning center field. Even further, the team has arguably the best farm system in baseball. Perhaps the roster is a Hosmer away from contention, but just not in 2018.

Grade: C-

San Francisco Giants

Notable Additions: Gregor Blanco (minor-league deal), Nick Hundley (re-signed for 1 year, $2.5M), Austin Jackson (2 years, $6M), Evan Longoria (trade TB), Andrew McCutchen (trade PIT), Tony Watson (2 years, $9M)

Notable Subtractions: Christian Arroyo (TB), Matt Cain (retired), Matt Moore (trade TEX), Michael Morse (FA), Denard Span (TB)

After closing out 2017 as the worst team in the NL and tied with the Tigers for worst in baseball, the Giants made franchise-shattering moves by acquiring the cornerstones of both the Pirates and Rays. While both McCutchen's and Longoria's best seasons are likely behind them, it's hard to imagine San Francisco losing 98 games again with a healthy Madison Bumgarner. Even if their starting rotation lacks depth, they aren't the worst team in the division.

Grade: B-

St. Louis Cardinals

Notable Additions: Luke Gregerson (2 years, $11M), Dominic Leone (trade TOR), Miles Mikolas (2 years, $15.5M), Bud Norris (1 year, $3M), Marcell Ozuna (trade MIA)

Notable Subtractions: Aledmys Diaz (TOR), Zach Duke (MIN), Randal Grichuk (TOR), Lance Lynn (MIN), Juan Nicasio (SEA), Seung Hwan Oh (TOR), Stephen Piscotty (OAK)

In acquiring Ozuna, the Cardinals have assembled what is likely the best outfield in the National League, despite efforts made by the division-rival Brewers. In what is sure to be the most hotly-contested division in the Senior Circuit, St. Louis certainly kept pace with the Cubs and Brewers who both had great winters in their own ways. A lot may ride on their lack of bullpen depth, and what Adam Wainwright and Mikolas end up contributing to the rotation, but they have a roster that looks like it would belong in October if the division doesn't self destruct first.

Grade: A-

Washington Nationals

Notable Additions: Matt Adams (1 year, $4M), Joaquin Benoit (1 year, $1M), Howie Kendrick (2 years, $7M), Brandon Kintzler (re-signed for 2 years, $10M), Miguel Montero (minor-league deal)

Notable Subtractions: Matt Albers (MIL), Stephen Drew (FA), Adam Lind (FA), Jose Lobaton (NYM), Oliver Perez (CIN), Jayson Werth (FA)

For their potential last hurrah with Bryce Harper, the Nationals played it frugal, only spending to bring back Kintzler to maintain the bullpen depth they acquired midseason last year. The team also replaced Lind with Adams to back up Zimmerman at first base, which is a sneakily great signing. To be fair, Washington didn't need to do anything in order to sleepwalk to its third consecutive division title. For a team with aspirations to finally win a postseason series though, making the most of Harper's last year might have been more desirable.

Grade: B+

(Photos courtesy: Getty and Action Images)