2883
by TFIR
Early offseason grades for every American League team: Rangers, Tigers, Mariners on their way to A’s
Jim Bowden Dec 13, 2021 210
Update: The Houston Astros’ grade was changed from “D” to “B” after Justin Verlander’s two-year, $50 million free-agent contract became official.
Nearly two weeks into the lockout, the reality of the MLB pause has set in as those throughout the sport wait and wonder how long this will last. But it wasn’t so long ago that clubs were wheeling and dealing leading up to the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, so it’s a good time to take stock of where each of the 30 teams stand by grading their notable offseason moves.
Of course, this is an incomplete picture. But some teams made significant improvements in the pre-lockout period, while others missed opportunities or don’t have much to show for their efforts. Regardless, every team still has needs to fill, which allows us to discuss what’s next when the work stoppage ends. I graded the National League teams last week, and now it’s the American League’s turn.
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
Grade: D
Free agents: 2B Rougned Odor, one-year deal (Orioles will pay only the major-league minimum); RHP Jordan Lyles, 1 year/$7 million (pending physical)
Waiver claims: LHP Cionel Pérez from Reds; SS Lucius Fox from the Royals; RHP Bryan Baker from Blue Jays
Hires: Matt Borgschulte and Ryan Fuller as co-hitting coaches
The Orioles didn’t really spend nor make any trades to help their team become more competitive. They continue to follow a blueprint of “tanking” and hoping their top prospects like catcher Adley Rutschman will arrive in 2022 to help them win more games. The Orioles did add a couple of veterans, second baseman Rougned Odor and right-hander Jordan Lyles, in free agency. Odor, 27, is a below-average major leaguer. Last season he posted a 0.3 WAR, according to Baseball-Reference, and a 82 OPS+. He slashed just .202/.286/.379 but managed to hit 15 home runs in 361 plate appearances. Lyles, 31, went 10-13 last season with an inflated ERA of 5.15, but he did provide 180 innings, which appealed to Baltimore. The Orioles need to spend significant money to surround their solid, young, big-league core (Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini, John Means, Austin Hays and Anthony Santander) and en-route prospects so they can at least be respectable in 2022. So far it’s been a disappointing offseason for the Angelos family.
Boston Red Sox
Grade: B
Trades: Traded OF Hunter Renfroe to Brewers for CF Jackie Bradley Jr., INF David Hamilton and INF Alex Binelas
Free agents: RHP Michael Wacha, 1 year/$7 million; LHP James Paxton, 1 year/$10 million; LHP Rich Hill, 1 year/$5 million
Waiver claims: OF Tim Locastro from Yankees
I liked the Red Sox side of the trade with the Brewers, as they reunited with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and acquired two solid prospects for Hunter Renfroe. I think returning to Fenway Park and playing under manager Alex Cora will really benefit Bradley as well as the Boston pitching staff, thanks to his Gold-Glove caliber defense. I really like Binelas’ left-handed power bat, and Hamilton impressed scouts at the Arizona Fall League. The Red Sox also added a trio of proven pitchers: Michael Wacha, James Paxton and Rich Hill. All three come with health and decline risk, but if Boston hits on two of them, it will have been worth it. I expect the Red Sox to make one splash signing this offseason, and I’m hoping it’s shortstop Carlos Correa, who has a great relationship with Cora. The Red Sox could move Xander Bogaerts to third base and Rafael Devers to first base to accommodate Correa, or just move Bogaerts to second base. Either way, it would be a game-changer for the Red Sox, and would also protect them if Bogaerts opts-out and leaves in free agency after next season.
New York Yankees
Grade: D
Trades: Traded RHP Nick Nelson and C Donny Sands to Phillies for 1B T.J. Rumfield and LHP Joel Valdez; traded INF Tyler Wade to Angels for cash or a player to be named
Free agents: LHP Joely Rodríguez, 1 year/$2 million
Hires: Hitting coach Dillon Lawson
The Yankees have done nothing except clear roster space and bring back lefty reliever Joely Rodríguez on a one-year, $2 million deal. I thought they’d make a run at free-agent center fielder Starling Marte, who signed with the Mets at just under market value. I thought they’d make a run at Corey Seager, who signed with the Rangers at market value, and I thought they might pursue Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman or Robbie Ray, who all signed deals around where the industry expected, but nada. If the Yankees want to make the playoffs next year, they need to be aggressive as soon as the lockout ends. They need to address first base, shortstop, center field and catcher and add one more starting pitcher if they want to be serious World Series contenders. At first base, Freddie Freeman or Anthony Rizzo makes sense among the free agents, and from the trade market, Matt Olson of the A’s would be a perfect fit. At shortstop, Carlos Correa or Trevor Story would be difference-makers. In center field, Cedric Mullins of the Orioles or Kevin Kiermaier of the Rays would be the best fits, even though it’ll be difficult to make in-division trades. In terms of a starting pitcher, via the trade market, their top two targets should be Luis Castillo of the Reds or Chris Bassitt of the A’s. The Yankees have a lot of work to do if they want to see October in 2022.
Tampa Bay Rays
Grade: B
Trades: Traded INF Mike Brosseau to Brewers for RHP Evan Reifert; traded RHP Louis Head to Marlins for player to be named; traded RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. to A’s for cash; traded OF Jordan Luplow to Diamondbacks for SS Ronny Simon; traded RHP Tobias Myers to Guardians for INF Junior Caminero; traded INF Joey Wendle to Marlins for OF Kameron Misner
Free agents: RHP Corey Kluber, 1 year/$8 million; LHP Brooks Raley, 2 years/$10 million
Extensions: SS Wander Franco, 11 years/$182 million
The Rays’ best move was obviously the 11-year, $182 million extension with Wander Franco, which is well below market value for his talent and potential. But it’s also great for baseball that a small-market, low-revenue team like the Rays can afford to sign one of its players to a contract of that magnitude. I didn’t like their trade of Joey Wendle to the Marlins because Wendle is so valuable due to his versatility and strong make-up. However, I loved their trade of Mike Brosseau to the Brewers because the Rays were able to acquire top pitching prospect Evan Reifert, a legitimate power arm. Signing veteran Corey Kluber is a high-risk, high-reward move, but just having the two-time Cy Young Award winner in the clubhouse should help the development of Tampa Bay’s bevy of young arms. Next up for the Rays: a trade for one more proven starting pitcher. They have the farm system to get it done.
Toronto Blue Jays
Grade: B
Free agents: RHP Kevin Gausman, 5 years/$110 million; RHP Yimi García, 2 years/$11 million
Waiver claims: RHP Shaun Anderson from Padres
Extensions: RHP José Berríos, 7 years/$131 million
The Blue Jays lost Robbie Ray to the Mariners in free agency, but their pivot to right-hander Kevin Gausman should lead to similar production at the top of the rotation. Gausman, 30, went 14-6 for the Giants last season with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.042 WHIP in 33 starts. The seven-year, $131 million extension to right-hander José Berríos was the Blue Jays’ best move of the offseason and it assures them a strong rotation for the next several years. They did lose Marcus Semien to the Rangers in free agency, which is a huge blow on the field and in the clubhouse. The Blue Jays now seek to balance their lineup with a left-handed hitter or a switch hitter, and it will be interesting to see which direction they go to land one. They pursued the left-handed hitting Corey Seager before he signed with the Rangers, and don’t be surprised if they sign his brother Kyle Seager, another left-handed hitter, to play third base.
The Tigers added Javier Báez, Eduardo Rodriguez and Tucker Barnhart. (Rob Leiter / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
Grade: C
Free agents: RHP Kendall Graveman, 3 years/$24 million; INF/OF Leury García, 3 years/$16.5 million
Second base, right field and bullpen depth were the biggest needs for the White Sox this offseason, and they still have work to do. They were unable to land Javier Báez or Marcus Semien to play second base and haven’t acquired a right fielder, although several remain on the free-agent market, including Michael Conforto, Nick Castellanos and Seiya Suzuki. In terms of the bullpen, the Chicago front office deserves credit for signing Kendall Graveman to a three-year deal. His sinker from the right side is exactly the different look this bullpen needed. The White Sox also re-signed the versatile Leury García to a three-year deal, which protects them against injuries in both the infield and outfield. They will be heavy favorites to win the AL Central again in 2022, but to get to the World Series they still need to make at least one more significant move this offseason.
Cleveland Guardians
Grade: F
Trades: Traded RHP J.C. Mejía to Brewers for a player to be named; traded OF Harold Ramirez to Cubs for cash; acquired RHP Tobias Myers from Rays for INF Junior Caminero
Hires: Hitting coach Chris Valaika
The Guardians’ main goal this offseason was to improve the outfield and add more offense to the lineup. They’ve done neither. However, several free-agent outfielders remain on the market, and the Guardians have a strong farm system to deal from. They did add a good backup catcher, Sandy León, whom they signed to a minor-league deal, and they acquired pitching prospect Tobias Myers in a trade with the Rays. But if the Guardians don’t want to watch the Tigers, Royals and Twins pass them in the division standings, they better be more active post-lockout.
Detroit Tigers
Grade: A
Trades: Acquired C Tucker Barnhart from Reds for 3B Nick Quintana
Free agents: SS Javier Báez, 6 years/$140 million; LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, 5 years/$77 million
The Tigers have had a stellar offseason thus far. First, they landed two-time Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart in a trade with the Reds for third baseman Nick Quintana, a fringe prospect. This was a real steal for Detroit: Barnhart will immediately improve the team’s game calling, framing and blocking, while Quintana, 24, hit just .196 with nine home runs last season in Low A. Then, the Tigers signed Eduardo Rodriguez, who was rated the second-best left-handed starter in free agency behind only Robbie Ray. Rodriguez, 28, has tallied double-digit wins for three consecutive seasons, owns a career ERA of 4.16 and posted a career-high 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings last season. The Tigers’ final move was their biggest: landing shortstop Javier Báez on a six-year, $140 million deal. Báez brings energy and enthusiasm to the park every day. He’s a dynamic and passionate player with 30 home run pop but too many strikeouts. Bottom line: With Barnhart and Báez, the Tigers’ defense up the middle got way better, which will help their young pitching staff. This offseason has been a huge step forward for Detroit.
Kansas City Royals
Grade: D
Free agents: RHP Taylor Clarke, 1 year/$975,000
Trades: Acquired RHP Zach Willeman from Dodgers, completing the Danny Duffy trade from July
The Royals’ plan all along has been to promote from within, so I can’t give them an “F” even though I wanted to. I’m surprised they couldn’t do more than signing right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke to a one-year deal. The Royals’ offseason priorities include adding a veteran left-handed reliever, a veteran starter and a bat with positional flexibility. They will need to get busy when the work stoppage ends.
Minnesota Twins
Grade: D
Free agents: RHP Dylan Bundy, 1 year/$5 million
Waiver claims: RHP Trevor Megill from Cubs; RHP Jharel Cotton from Rangers
Extensions: OF Byron Buxton, 7 years/$100 million
Hires: Hitting coach David Popkins
The Twins decided they feel Byron Buxton will be healthy over the next seven years, something he hasn’t been over the past seven years. In his seven-year career with Minnesota, he’s had more than 300 at-bats in a season just once, played 100 games or more just once, never hit 20 home runs, never stolen 30 bases and yet they were willing to give him a new contract worth at least $100 million with massive award bonuses. If this deal works out, I want to go to Las Vegas with their front office afterward. The Twins added veteran right-hander Dylan Bundy, hoping he can bounce back from a rough season and deliver for them on an undervalued contract. They also picked up right-handers Trevor Megill and Jharel Cotton off waivers. Minnesota claimed Megill from the Cubs, non-tendered him, then signed him to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. It’s been a disappointing start to their offseason.
The Mariners landed Robbie Ray, but they’re looking to make another big deal. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today)
AL West
Houston Astros
Grade: B
Trades: Traded C Garrett Stubbs to Phillies for OF Logan Cerny
Free agents: RHP Héctor Neris, 2 years/$17 million; Justin Verlander, 2 years/$50 million
The Astros have made re-signing Carlos Correa their top priority, but they’re not willing to give him a long-term commitment in the realm of what Corey Seager, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Francisco Lindor received. If the Astros don’t change that position, they should start planning the bon voyage party now. But if they lose out on Correa, they could pivot to Trevor Story, or they could move Alex Bregman back to shortstop and sign Kris Bryant to play third base. Either way, the Astros have one big move to come.
The Astros did a tremendous job of re-signing their ace, future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, to a two-year, $50 million deal, though it could be only a one-year commitment because of the player opt-out that Verlander will probably use for 2023, if he regains his pre-Tommy John surgery form. If Verlander, 38, can stay healthy and pitches anywhere close to the level of his 2019 Cy Young Award season, this is a difference-making move. The Astors also landed right-handed reliever Héctor Neris on a two-year deal, which helped soften the blow of losing Kendall Graveman in free agency.
Los Angeles Angels
Grade: B
Trades: Acquired INF Tyler Wade from Yankees for cash or a player to be named
Free agents: RHP Noah Syndergaard, 1 year/$21 million; LHP Aaron Loup, 2 years/$17 million; RHP Raisel Iglesias, 4 years/$58 million; RHP Michael Lorenzen, 1 year/$6.75 million
Waiver claims: Andrew Velazquez from Yankees
The Angels made improving the pitching staff their No. 1 offseason priority and although they didn’t land any of the top starters on the market, they did sign Noah Syndergaard to a one-year, $21 million deal thanks to a late recruiting visit by general manager Perry Minasian. Syndergaard is a high-risk, high-reward signing, but if his right elbow ligament heals and he remains healthy, it could be one of the better moves of the offseason. The Angels also brought back their impact closer, Raisel Iglesias, on a four-year deal and added one of the best left-handed relievers available in free agency, Aaron Loup, whom they signed to a two-year deal. They took another gamble by signing former Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen, hoping that they can resurrect his career. Finally, I thought the waiver claim of shortstop Andrew Velazquez was a solid move because of his defense and intangibles.
Oakland A’s
Grade: D
Trades: Acquired RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. from Rays for cash
The A’s only move so far was acquiring Brent Honeywell Jr. from the Rays for an undisclosed amount of cash. Tampa Bay had a roster-limit problem and the A’s were willing to help them out, hoping that Honeywell, once a top pitching prospect, can stay healthy and perhaps return to form over the next couple of years. The rest of the A’s offseason has been about fielding offers for their veteran players, but no one expects the trade market to really open up until most of the free agents have signed. So the fact that Oakland hasn’t done much shouldn’t surprise anyone. In the meantime, can we please get the A’s a new stadium, regardless of whether it’s in Oakland or Las Vegas? This is getting old; someone needs to step up and solidify their stadium future.
Seattle Mariners
Grade: A
Trades: Acquired 2B/OF Adam Frazier from Padres for LHP Ray Kerr and OF Corey Rosier
Free agents: LHP Robbie Ray, 5 years/$115 million
Extensions: RHP Andrés Muñoz, 4 years/$7.5 million
Hires: Hitting coach and director of hitting strategy Jarret DeHart (promoted); hitting coach Tony Arnerich (promoted)
The Mariners proved last season that they’d arrived as a serious contender in the AL West and they started this offseason with a splash signing, landing AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray on a five-year, $115 million deal. Ray, 30, went 13-7 last season with a 2.84 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 32 starts and 193 1/3 innings, leading the AL in the last four categories. He finally fixed his delivery in 2021 and found a consistent release point, which allowed him to post a career-best and league-leading 1.045 WHIP. The Mariners made another good deal by acquiring second baseman Adam Frazier in a trade with the Padres. Frazier was leading the NL in hits when the Pirates traded him to San Diego at the deadline, but he faded in the second half. When the lockout ends, expect another splash from the Mariners, who are looking to add a second premium free agent such as Trevor Story, Kris Bryant or perhaps Michael Conforto. They are a team to watch the minute the lockout ends.
Texas Rangers
Grade: A
Trades: Acquired OF Billy McKinney and OF Zach Reks from Dodgers for cash considerations
Free agents: SS Corey Seager, 10 years/$325 million; 2B Marcus Semien, 7 years/$175 million; RHP Jon Gray, 4 years/$56 million; Kole Calhoun, 1 year/$5.2 million
Waiver claims: RHP Edwar Colina from Twins
Hires: Hitting coach Tim Hyers; Bench coach Donnie Ecker
The Rangers played checkbook baseball and managed to change their organizational trajectory in a matter of days. They remade the middle of their infield by landing my top-ranked free agent Corey Seager to a 10-year, $325 million contract.
Seager, when healthy, profiles as a .300 hitter with 30 home run power and 100 RBI ability. He’s an average defender at shortstop who has a good first step and takes solid angles. The Rangers’ other blockbuster middle-infield move was adding Marcus Semien, who broke the single-season home run record for second basemen last season with 45. Semien brings leadership qualities to Texas and has been well-respected in every clubhouse he’s joined.
The Rangers also improved their starting pitching by signing former Rockies right-hander Jon Gray to a four-year deal. I think Gray will do well pitching away from Coors Field and learning from a more advanced analytics department. The Rangers’ biggest remaining need, besides starting pitching, is to improve the outfield. They made a solid signing by adding Kole Calhoun to play one of the corners. Now they need to try to land Nick Castellanos, Seiya Suzuki or Michael Conforto to add a “+” to their A grade.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
