With the 2026 MLB season creeping up on the halfway mark, at least one thing is clear: What we thought we knew about last offseason no longer applies. So, there's no time like the present for fresh grades for what all 30 teams did during the hot stove season. This mostly involves looking at trades and free-agent signings that teams actually made, but moves that weren't made obviously can't be ignored. Sometimes, the moves teams don't make can be their best decisions…or their worst. We'll do division by division, starting in the American League East and ending in the National League West. Personally, I think this exercise is fascinating, and it's a great way to reflect on the strategies and outcomes of the offseason. It's also a chance to see how the teams have adapted and evolved, and it's an opportunity to learn from the successes and failures of the past year. Now, let's dive in and take a closer look at each team's performance.
American League East
Baltimore Orioles: C
The Orioles had a solid offseason, with key gains in the form of Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Zach Eflin, Ryan Helsley, Leody Taveras, Andrew Kittredge, and Blaze Alexander. However, the new pitchers have been largely ineffective, with Bassitt, Eflin, and Helsley on the injured list, and Baz and Kittredge struggling with high ERAs. In my opinion, this grade reflects the team's mixed results and the challenges they face with their pitching staff.
Boston Red Sox: B
The Red Sox made some solid additions, including Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andrew Monasterio, Danny Coulombe, and Johan Oviedo. However, the trade for Durbin and the loss of Bregman are raising some concerns. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
New York Yankees: B
The Yankees had a decent offseason, with key gains in the form of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario, and Ryan Weathers. However, they might have thought too small, and they're missing Weaver from a leaky bullpen. Personally, I think this grade is a bit low, as the team has some strong pieces, but they need to make some strategic moves to improve their chances of winning.
Tampa Bay Rays: C
The Rays had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Nick Martinez, Gavin Lux, Jacob Melton, Cedric Mullins, Jake Fraley, Steven Matz, and Ben Williamson. However, they lost Brandon Lowe and Shane Baz, and they're missing Lowe from an offense that could use his homers. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Toronto Blue Jays: A
The Blue Jays had a strong offseason, with key gains in the form of Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Tyler Rogers, Cody Ponce, Jesús Sánchez, and Max Scherzer. However, they lost Bo Bichette, Chris Bassitt, and Joey Loperfido. In my opinion, this grade reflects the team's impressive additions and their ability to address their needs effectively.
American League Central
Chicago White Sox: A
The White Sox had a great offseason, with key gains in the form of Munetaka Murakami, Tristan Peters, Luisangel Acuña, Austin Hays, Anthony Kay, Seranthony Domínguez, Sean Newcomb, and Erick Fedde. However, they lost Luis Robert Jr. and Mike Tauchman. I think this grade is well-deserved, as the team made some smart moves and addressed their needs effectively.
Cleveland Guardians: D
The Guardians had a poor offseason, with key losses in the form of Lane Thomas, Sam Hentges, and Jakob Junis. However, they gained Shawn Armstrong, Austin Hedges, Rhys Hoskins, and Colin Holderman. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Detroit Tigers: D
The Tigers had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Gleyber Torres, Drew Anderson, Kenley Jansen, and Kyle Finnegan. However, they lost Tommy Kahnle, Paul Sewald, Chris Paddack, and Rafael Montero. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Kansas City Royals: F
The Royals had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in the form of Mike Yastrzemski, Angel Zerpa, Adam Frazier, Michael Lorenzen, and Taylor Clarke. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Minnesota Twins: D
The Twins had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, Taylor Rogers, and Anthony Banda. However, they lost Christian Vázquez. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
American League West
Athletics: F
The A's had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in the form of JJ Bleday, Sean Newcomb. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Houston Astros: F
The Astros had a poor offseason, with key losses in the form of Framber Valdez, Mauricio Dubón, Jacob Melton, Victor Caratini, and Jesús Sánchez. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Los Angeles Angels: F
The Angels had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in the form of Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Kenley Jansen, Kyle Hendricks, and Luis Rengifo. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Seattle Mariners: B
The Mariners had a decent offseason, with key gains in the form of Josh Naylor, Brendan Donovan, Jose A. Ferrer, Rob Refsnyder, and Mitch Garver. However, they lost Jorge Polanco, Eugenio Suárez, Harry Ford, and Jurrangelo Cijntje. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Texas Rangers: B
The Rangers had a solid offseason, with key gains in the form of Mackenzie Gore, Brandon Nimmo, Danny Jansen, Jakob Junis, Chris Martin, and Tyler Alexander. However, they lost Marcus Semien, Adolis García, Jonah Heim, Tyler Mahle, Merrill Kelly, Patrick Corbin, Shawn Armstrong, Hoby Milner, and Jon Gray. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some strong pieces, but they need to make some strategic moves to improve their chances of winning.
National League East
Atlanta Braves: A
The Braves had a strong offseason, with key gains in the form of Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, Ha-Seong Kim, Mauricio Dubón, Mike Yastrzemski, Jorge Mateo, and Dominic Smith. However, they lost Marcell Ozuna, Nick Allen, and Pierce Johnson. I think this grade reflects the team's impressive additions and their ability to address their needs effectively.
Miami Marlins: F
The Marlins had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in the form of Edward Cabrera, Ryan Weathers, and Dane Myers. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
New York Mets: F
The Mets had a poor offseason, with key losses in the form of Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Sproat, Starling Marte, Luisangel Acuña, Griffin Canning, Ryne Stanek, and Tyler Rogers. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
Philadelphia Phillies: C
The Phillies had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Brad Keller, and Adolis García. However, they lost Ranger Suárez, Matt Strahm, Nick Castellanos, and Harrison Bader. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Washington Nationals: C
The Nationals had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Harry Ford, Foster Griffin, Miles Mikolas, Zack Littell, and Curtis Mead. However, they lost MacKenzie Gore, Jose A. Ferrer, and Josh Bell. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs: D
The Cubs had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Alex Bregman, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, and Hunter Harvey. However, they lost Kyle Tucker, Owen Caissie, Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Kittredge, Justin Turner, and Michael Soroka. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Cincinnati Reds: C
The Reds had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of JJ Bleday, Nathaniel Lowe, Eugenio Suárez, Emilio Pagán, Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, and Dane Myers. However, they lost Nick Martinez, Austin Hays, Gavin Lux, Zack Littell, Taylor Rogers, and Brent Suter. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Milwaukee Brewers: C
The Brewers had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Brandon Woodruff, Jett Williams, Brandon Sproat, Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, Angel Zerpa, Gary Sánchez, and David Hamilton. However, they lost Freddy Peralta, Caleb Durbin, Isaac Collins, José Quintana, Rhys Hoskins, Nick Mears, and Andruw Monasterio. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Pittsburgh Pirates: B
The Pirates had a solid offseason, with key gains in the form of Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O'Hearn, Mike Montgomery, Jake Mangum, Gregory Soto, and Jhostynxon Garcia. However, they lost Mike Burrows, Johan Oviedo, Andrew McCutchen, and Colin Holderman. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some strong pieces, but they need to make some strategic moves to improve their chances of winning.
St. Louis Cardinals: C
The Cardinals had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Hunter Dobbins, Dustin May, Richard Fitts, Ryne Stanek, and Jurrangelo Cijntje. However, they lost Sonny Gray, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Miles Mikolas, and John King. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks: B
The D-backs had a solid offseason, with key gains in the form of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Nolan Arenado, Carlos Santana, Michael Soroka, Paul Sewald, Taylor Clarke, and Jonathan Loáisiga. However, they lost Jake McCarthy and Blaze Alexander. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some strong pieces, but they need to make some strategic moves to improve their chances of winning.
Colorado Rockies: C
The Rockies had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of José Quintana, Tomoyuki Sugano, Willi Castro, Michael Lorenzen, Edouard Julien, Jake McCarthy, and Brennan Bernardino. However, they lost Germán Márquez, Michael Toglia, and Thairo Estrada. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
Los Angeles Dodgers: F
The Dodgers had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in the form of Michael Conforto, Anthony Banda, and Kirby Yates. I think this grade reflects the team's struggles and their inability to address their needs effectively.
San Diego Padres: D
The Padres had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Michael King, Lucas Giolito, Miguel Andujar, Sung-Mun Song, Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning, and Germán Márquez. However, they lost Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, Luis Arraez, and Ryan O'Hearn. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
San Francisco Giants: C
The Giants had a mixed offseason, with key gains in the form of Luis Arraez, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, Harrison Bader, and Sam Hentges. However, they lost Justin Verlander and Wilmer Flores. I think this grade is fair, as the team has some promising pieces, but they need to address some weaknesses to improve their chances of success.
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