This MLB off-season has been filled with moves all around the league. Some clubs got better, some got worse. We’re here to go over each team’s off-season and what they did. Around The Diamond Media is made up of four members. Each member gave their grades for each club, here was the result!
New York Yankees - A+
Notable additions-
•Juan Soto
•Marcus Stroman
•Alex Verdugo
The Yankees did exactly what they had to this off-season. They added a true second superstar to their lineup to pair with captain Aaron Judge. Soto instantly makes this lineup better and gives them the left-handed power bat they have been desperately needing. Verdugo’s contact first bat gives them a boost in the OBP department with more left handed bats.
Marcus Stroman was a need for the Yankees. With the uncertainty in their pitching staff, Gerrit Cole can use all the help he can get. Stroman has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career. His impact in the Bronx will be felt.
Boston Red Sox - D
Notable additions-
•Lucas Giolito
•Tyler O’Neill
•Liam Hendriks
The Boston Red Sox made some good moves this off-season. However, being one of the big market teams in the league, their fanbase has grown frustrated in their off-season. The Red Sox should be spending, there’s no doubt about that. Giolito will be in a rotation that lost Chris Sale. It’s unclear the Lucas Giolito will get, his uncertainty is worrisome.
O’Neill has proven to be a big bat before. However, like Giolito, his uncertainty is too high. Liam Hendriks will be pitching in Beantown, but won’t make his first appearance until later in the season. The Red Sox have great potential, but is that the Boston club we will see?
Baltimore Orioles - A-
Notable additions-
•Corbin Burnes
•Craig Kimbrel
The young talent on this club is phenomenal and has one of the highest potentials in the league. Adding Corbin Burnes was addressing their biggest weakness that was shown in the 2023 postseason. Adding Burnes gives them a true ace to go along with their young rotation. That was enough for them to skyrocket through our rankings.
Tampa Bay Rays - C
Notable additions-
•Jose Caballero
•Ryan Pepiot
•Amed Rosario
•Jonny DeLuca
The Tampa Bay Rays, commonly, did not have a flashy off-season. In fact, some would say they had a down off-season. They traded Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot to the Dodgers in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca.
However, the one fact that remains about the Rays is they seemingly always figure it out. Their additions may not be flashy, but they are players who will likely make some noise for Tampa Bay. Their development system continues to be one of the best in baseball.
Toronto Blue Jays - C-
Notable additions-
•Justin Turner
•Yariel Rodriguez
•Isiah Kiner-Falefa
The Toronto Blue Jays have been a crazy story over the last few seasons. The young core they have has not been able to translate their success to the postseason. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette leading the way, they have yet to get over the hump.
With connections to the top free agents this off-season and ending up with none of them has been a big part of the grading system. Their additions have not been the worst, but they seemingly failed their off-season for ATD.
Detroit Tigers - C+
Notable additions-
•Kenta Maeda
•Jack Flaherty
•Keston Hiura
The Tigers are a similar club to the Orioles. A young club with loads of potential. The addition of some veteran arms to complement their young pitching staff was positive. Residing in the AL Central, the Tigers have the chance to take this division by storm.
Minnesota Twins - C-
Notable additions-
•Manuel Margot
•Carlos Santana
•Anthony DeSclafani
•Justin Topa
The Minnesota Twins had one of the more active off-seasons. Trading away longtime second baseman, Jorge Polanco, to the Mariners got them even more depth to an already impressive rotation.
Margot gives them depth in the outfield with Santana seemingly taking over first base. The Twins are going to ride on their rotation led by Pablo Lopez. In a division that’s up for grabs, their core can easily take over.
Cleveland Guardians - D
Notable additions-
•Carlos Carrasco
•Estevan Florial
The Guardians had high expectations heading into the 2023 season. After finishing with a 76-86 record, many expected a much better off-season. The Guardians seemingly got worse.
With two additions on their resume, neither of which are expected to have much of an impact. The story for the Guardians in the first season of new manager Stephen Vogt, is that the rest of the AL Central got better.
Chicago White Sox - D-
Notable additions-
•Martin Maldonado
•Paul DeJong
•Mike Soroka
•Nicky Lopez
The Chicago White Sox have close to no expectations for the 2024 season. Their off-season additions, could prove to be a positive with a good mix of veterans.
However, they finally committed to the full on rebuild. With Luis Robert being one of their last key pieces left, he very well could be on the move any minute now.
Kansas City Royals - B+
Notable additions-
•John Schreiber
•Kyle Wright
•Nick Anderson
•Michael Wacha
•Hunter Renfroe
•Will Smith
The Royals had arguably the most active off-season. They made additions to each and every position that needed to be made. The Royals are in a position to make a run for the wide open AL Central.
Their successful off-season was capped off by extending their young superstar Bobby Witt Jr. to an 11-year contract. The Royals are without a doubt forming one of the most exciting young clubs and they are ready to make their presence known.
Seattle Mariners - C
Notable additions-
•Jorge Polanco
•Mitch Haniger
•Mitch Garver
The Mariners easily had one of the strangest off-seasons. They seemingly retooled their entire club. The Mariners had a real chance in 2023 to give the Astros and Rangers a run for their money. However, after a disappointing 2023, they felt the time to retool was now.
Their departures of Eugenio Suarez, Jarred Kelenic, Evan White, and Marco Gonzalez could prove costly. Their off-season was middle of the road for ATD.
Houston Astros - B+
Notable additions-
•Josh Hader
The Houston Astros didn’t have a particularly busy off-season, but they made moves that counted. Headlined with signing all-star closer, Josh Hader, they also extended longtime second baseman, Jose Altuve to a 5-year contract.
The Astros remain one of the top powerhouses in the league with their core. The club is consistently in the running for the World Series each year, and 2024 seems no different.
Texas Rangers - C
Notable additions-
•Kirby Yates
•Danny Duffy
•Chasen Shreve
•Jonathan Holder
The Texas Rangers are coming off their franchise’s first World Series win. Coming off the biggest accomplishment in the sport, their off-season was one of the worst.
The Rangers are still a top club in baseball. They are the defending World Series champions after all. However, this club seen some departures from Aroldis Chapman and Mitch Garver, being the biggest. The Rangers are heading into 2024 with seemingly the same club.
Los Angeles Angels - D
Notable additions-
•Aaron Hicks
•Matt Moore
•Robert Stephenson
•Zach Plesac
•Willie Calhoun
Heading into the 2024 season, this will be the first year without generational superstar Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim. The Angels made some notable additions to the bullpen, headlined by Robert Stephenson.
With Ron Washington now at the helm, Angel fans can go into the season with more confidence. Washington is one of the most respected managers in the game and is the right man for the job. However, the loss of Ohtani will loom large for the Angels and is why ATD graded them with a D.
Oakland Athletics - F
Notable additions-
•Abraham Toro
•Ross Stripling
It’s the Athletics. Look forward to Las Vegas!
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