During the lockout, we gave the Orioles a "D" grade on the grounds that they had signed Jordan Lyles and Rougned Odor in what amounted to a spending spree under Mike Elias. The Orioles have since added just one other player on a big-league deal, in catcher Robinson Chirinos. So much for Mike Elias abandoning his nihilism to give the Orioles faithful a product worth watching. The upside here is that even Elias can only manipulate Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez's service time for so long. Grade: F
The Red Sox saved their splashiest move, signing Trevor Story to play second base, until it represented their last. Story's arm strength has deteriorated in the last couple of years, and he'll have to prove that he can hit outside of Coors Field, but we think Boston made a reasonable bet on him becoming a top second baseman.
Elsewhere, the Red Sox took the portfolio approach to restocking their rotation, inking James Paxton, Rich Hill, and Michael Wacha -- all risky, be it because of their age, their injury history, or their performance track record.
Boston also reacquired outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and added two interesting left-handed relievers, in Matt Strahm and Jake Diekman.
It wasn't the sexiest offseason ever, but there's enough to like, in the Story deal and elsewhere, to give the Red Sox the highest grade. GRADE: A
The Yankees' offseason was fine. Josh Donaldson will mash if he stays healthy (no given); Isiah Kiner-Falefa is an outstanding defender; and Anthony Rizzo's ball-tracking data suggests he might have one more big season left in him. Still, it's disappointing to see franchises like the Twins, the Rockies, and the Rangers throwing around coin at top free agents while the Yankees settle for downmarket alternatives. Function over form often goes a long way, but we miss the old Yankees and we suspect so do their fans. GRADE: B
The Rays' offseason started hot by extending Wander Franco and signing Corey Kluber and Brooks Raley to cheap deals. Tampa Bay didn't do much after the lockout ended, not even trading Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Meadows, or Tyler Glasnow, as expected. The Rays also whiffed on their every pursuit of a big bat, including Freddie Freeman and Seiya Suzuki. We'll give them an A anyway, because it's hard to feel too bad with the Franco extension (and the Kluber and Raley signings) in hand, but we do wonder if in six months' time they'll be kicking themselves over wasted opportunities. GRADE: A
The Blue Jays' offseason consisted of four notable moves: signing Kevin Gausmann and Yusei Kikuchi to beef up the rotation; trading for Matt Chapman to serve as their new third baseman; and adding Yimi García for bullpen depth purposes. There's certainly risk in Chapman's game, and it's to be seen if they can unlock a higher level of performance with Kikuchi. That said, it was a good winter overall, and we expect the Blue Jays to be highly competitive within the American League East. GRADE: A
