By
Nate Kelly[Editors Note: This is the first of three installments breaking down offseason grades division by division. Check back soon for the West and Central grades.]
Key
Acquisitions: Sean Casey, Bobby Kielty
Key
Losses: Eric Gagne, Matt Clement
The loss in the Johan Santana sweepstakes certainly
looks bigger now than it did a few weeks ago. The possibly loss of Curt
Schilling for the 2008 season means the Red Sox will be counting on Jon
Lester and Clay Buchholz to step up this season and show their potential
quickly. Their pitching staff is still very solid and unless injuries
begin to mount, they will not regret missing out on obtaining more arms.
They did pick up a great supporting player in Sean Casey who can give
Kevin Youkilis a blow when needed and can be a solid bat off the bench.
Another positive coming out of this off-season is that they still have
Jacoby Ellsbury whose publicity reminds many of a certain shortstop that
used to call Beantown home. They were unusually calm this off-season,
but then again, they really didn’t need to be active at all.
Grade: B
Key
Acquisitions: LaTroy Hawkins, Morgan Ensberg
Key
Losses: Luis Vizcaino
Have the Yankees changed their ways? No blockbuster
trades or major free agent catches this off-season shows Brian Cashman
and the Stienbrenners have decided to build a team the old fashion way
and let their young players develop. The addition of LaTroy Hawkins
gives their middle relief a small boost, but if Goba Chamberlin does
move to the rotation, the Yankee bullpen could be in big trouble. They
still have the talent to be a contender this season but the still
blaring hole in their pitching staff may cause an earlier start to the
off-season next year.
Grade: C
Key
Acquisitions: Scott Rolen, David Eckstein, Rod Barajas, Marco Scutaro
Key
Losses:
The lone team north of the border must know
something many do not. They picked up a plethora of 30-something players
coming out of lack luster seasons. The move of Troy Glaus to
Grade: C
Key Acquisitions: Luke Scott, Adam Jones, George Sherrill
Key
Losses: Miguel Tejada, Erik Bedard
Any GM who is forced to unload a star player needs
to follow the lead of the Orioles this off-season. The crop of talent
the O’s received in the Tejada and Bedard deals was unbelievable. The
Bedard deal for one, netted the O’s a new starting centerfielder with
perennial all-star potential in Adam Jones, a tremendous lefty
specialist that could step into the closer’s role very easily in George
Sherrill and two tremendous pitching prospects that could become solid
contributors to their pitching staff in a year in Chris Tillman and
Kameron Mickolio. This could become a tough season in terms of
victories, but the Orioles now have a roster with great potential in the
future.
Grade: B+
Key
Acquisitions: Cliff Floyd, Matt Garza,
Key
Losses: Delmon Young, Elijah Dukes
The Rays now have a new name, new look and may be
getting ready to get rid of their old losing mentality as well. They
have quietly built what could be a solid pitching staff throughout. They
decided to use their overload of young outfield talent and trade Delmon
Young to bring in a great young arm in Matt Garza. Now they are left
with an outfield of Carl Crawford (.315 ba, 80 rbis and 50 sb in ’07),
B.J. Upton (.300 ba, 24 hr, 82 rbi and 22 sb in ’07) and Rocco Baldelli
(.280+ ba, and 70+ rbi in his two 130+ game seasons). Look out for the
Rays to become a .500 or better team this season. With Scott Kazmir,
Carlos Pena and uber-prospect Evan Longoria waiting in the wings, the
Rays have refused to completely dump their young talent and have built a
solid foundation and very possibly could become the Brewers of the
American League very soon.
Grade: B
NL EAST
Key
Acquisitions: Brad Lidge, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins
Key
Losses: Aaron Rowand, Michael Bourn
The Phillies had few blaring weaknesses going into
the off-season . The one that was pretty evident was in their starting
rotation. They move Brett Myers back to the rotation and he will be
counted on to put up solid numbers this year. They better hope he does
because they did nothing else to bolster their staff. However they did
add Brad Lidge to their already solid bullpen which could help ease the
pressure off the rotation. The additions of Pedro Feliz and Geoff
Jenkins could help make up for the loss of Aaron Rowand but the lack of
starting depth will definitely hurt the Phillies against the pitching
loaded and division rival Mets
Grade: C+
Key
Acquisitions: Johan Santana, Brian Schneider, Ryan Church
Losses: Tom Glavine, Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Shawn Green
The Mets will put the old adage that pitching wins
championships to the test this season as they are now loaded with
tremendous arms in their rotation and bullpen. The additions of Ryan
Church and Angel Pagan give the Mets great depth in their outfield and
having that deeper bench could be the one thing that pushes them over
the edge and give them the ability to take control of the NL East and
hold onto it. The addition of the best pitcher in the majors, Johan
Santana, might also help their chances.
Grade: A
Key
Acquisitions: Tom Glavine, Mark Kotsay
Key
Losses: Andrew Jones, Edgar Renteria, Ron Mahay
The Braves lost a ton of offense with the
departures of Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria and did very little to
compensate. The only major offensive acquisition was Mark Kotsay who was
only healthy for 56 games last season. Mark Texiera was a great pick up
for the Braves last season but he will not be able to carry the load by
himself. The front office needs to add some more production to the
lineup if they want to keep up with the Phillies and Mets.
Grade: C-
Key Acquisitions: Paul Lo Duca, Johnny Estrada,
Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes
Key
Losses: Brian Schneider, Ryan Church
Lo Duca and Estrada are simply stop-gaps for now,
but the additions of Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes give the
Nationals a much stronger outfield corps this season. They have some
pieces in place, but the young Nationals pitching staff needs more time
to develop into a successful unit. It will be interesting to see how
they develop this season, but with basically no moves made to improve
that part of the roster, it could be a slow progression. There is some
light at the end of the tunnel, but it is a very dim light right now for
the Nationals.
Grade: C
Key
Acquisitions: Andrew Miller, Luis Gonzalez, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo
Key
Losses: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis
Receiving Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin in the
Cabrera/Willis deal gives the Marlins a chance to be competitive this
season even when they lose their marquee names. Now their outfield is
stock full of great young talent and Luis Gonzalez brings a veteran
presence to the club. The question now is whether a now even younger
rotation can compete with more experienced staffs throughout the Eastern
Division. When you look at the circumstances, the Marlins did a solid
job this off-season.
Grade: B