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 each team's offseason moves. It's also a reminder that in baseball, as in life, sometimes the most important decisions are the ones you don't make. Now, let's dive into the grades, starting with the American League East.
American League East
Baltimore Orioles: C
The Orioles had a solid offseason, with key gains in hitters like Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, and pitchers like Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt. However, the new pitchers have been largely ineffective, with Baz and Kittredge struggling, and Bassitt and Eflin on the injured list. In my opinion, this grade reflects the mixed results of their moves. The Orioles needed to strengthen their pitching, but the new pitchers have yet to deliver.
Boston Red Sox: B
The Red Sox had a busy offseason, with key gains in players like Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. However, the trade for Durbin and the loss of Bregman are raising questions. Personally, I think the Red Sox made some solid moves, but the Harrison-for-Durbin trade is a blunder. The additions of Contreras, Suárez, and Gray are solid, but the loss of Bregman is aging poorly.
New York Yankees: B
The Yankees had a 'run it back' campaign, with key gains in players like Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt. However, they might have thought too small over the winter. In my opinion, the Yankees could have benefited from adding another offensive star to protect against Aaron Judge's injury. Despite the positive impacts of Bellinger, Grisham, and Goldschmidt, the team is missing Weaver from a leaky bullpen.
Tampa Bay Rays: C
The Rays had a busy offseason, with key gains in players like Nick Martinez, Gavin Lux, and Jake Fraley. However, they traded away Lowe and Baz, and are missing Lowe from an offense that could use his homers. Personally, I think the Rays had a solid offseason, but the trades of Lowe and Baz are raising questions. The addition of Martinez is a bright spot, but Matz has been disappointing.
Toronto Blue Jays: A
The Blue Jays had a strong offseason, with key gains in players like Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, and Max Scherzer. The losses of Bichette and Bassitt are offset by the gains of Okamoto and Cease. In my opinion, the Blue Jays made some fantastic moves, with Cease and Rogers shining brightly. The team is in a strong position, with a solid rotation and offense.
American League Central
Chicago White Sox: A
The White Sox had a strong offseason, with key gains in players like Murakami, Peters, and Acuña. Murakami alone is worth an A grade, and the team has a solid bullpen. Personally, I think the White Sox made some fantastic moves, with Murakami and Peters standing out. The team is in a strong position, with a solid offense and rotation.
Cleveland Guardians: D
The Guardians had a poor offseason, with key losses in players like Lane Thomas and Sam Hentges. The additions of Armstrong and Holderman are bright spots, but the team is still struggling. In my opinion, the Guardians' offseason was a disappointment, with the team missing key players and struggling to replace them.
Detroit Tigers: D
The Tigers had a busy offseason, with key gains in players like Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, and Gleyber Torres. However, the team is struggling, with Valdez and Verlander on the injured list, and Torres not living up to expectations. Personally, I think the Tigers' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
Kansas City Royals: F
The Royals had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in players like Mike Yastrzemski and Adam Frazier. The team didn't do much during the offseason, and it looks like a misfire. In my opinion, the Royals' offseason was a failure, with the team regressing and missing key players.
Minnesota Twins: D
The Twins had a busy offseason, with key gains in players like Josh Bell and Victor Caratini. However, both have been largely non-factors so far in 2026. Personally, I think the Twins' offseason was a disappointment, with the team missing key players and struggling to replace them.
American League West
Athletics: F
The A's had a poor offseason, with key losses in players like JJ Bleday and Sean Newcomb. The new additions are not making it feel better, with McNeil and the three arms doing more harm than good. In my opinion, the A's' offseason was a disaster, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
Houston Astros: F
The Astros had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in players like Framber Valdez and Mauricio Dubón. The additions of Imai, Burrows, and Allen are not making up for the losses. Personally, I think the Astros' offseason was a failure, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
Los Angeles Angels: F
The Angels had a busy offseason, with key gains in players like Josh Lowe and Grayson Rodriguez. However, the team is in last place, with the new additions being replacement level or worse. In my opinion, the Angels' offseason was a disaster, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
Seattle Mariners: B
The Mariners had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Josh Naylor, Brendan Donovan, and Jose A. Ferrer. The team is not feeling the losses, with Polanco and Suárez struggling. Personally, I think the Mariners made some solid moves, with Naylor and Donovan standing out. The team is in a strong position, with a solid offense and rotation.
Texas Rangers: B
The Rangers had a strong offseason, with key gains in players like MacKenzie Gore and Brandon Nimmo. The team's bullpen is the fifth-best in the majors, with Junis and Alexander shining brightly. In my opinion, the Rangers made some fantastic moves, with Gore and Nimmo justifying the trades. The team is in a strong position, with a solid rotation and offense.
National League East
Atlanta Braves: A
The Braves had a strong offseason, with key gains in players like Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, and Ha-Seong Kim. The team is winning the Allen-for-Dubón trade, and Smith and Mateo are above-average hitters. In my opinion, the Braves made some fantastic moves, with Suarez and Iglesias standing out. The team is in a strong position, with a solid rotation and offense.
Miami Marlins: F
The Marlins had a poor offseason, with key losses in players like Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers. The additions of Caissie and Fairbanks are not making up for the losses. In my opinion, the Marlins' offseason was a disaster, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
New York Mets: F
The Mets had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in players like Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. The additions of Bichette, Polanco, and Semien are replacement-level or worse. In my opinion, the Mets' offseason was a failure, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
Philadelphia Phillies: C
The Phillies had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Kyle Schwarber and C.T. Realmuto. The team is missing Suárez, as their rotation has been bad outside of Cristopher Sánchez. In my opinion, the Phillies made some solid moves, with Schwarber standing out. The team is in a strong position, with a solid offense and rotation.
Washington Nationals: C
The Nationals had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Harry Ford and Foster Griffin. The team seems to have scored wins on Griffin and Mead. In my opinion, the Nationals' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs: D
The Cubs had a poor offseason, with key losses in players like Kyle Tucker and Andrew Kittredge. The additions of Bregman and Imanaga are not making up for the losses. In my opinion, the Cubs' offseason was a disappointment, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
Cincinnati Reds: C
The Reds had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe. The team is feeling the loss of Martinez, but Bleday and Lowe are an unexpected godsend. In my opinion, the Reds' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
Milwaukee Brewers: C
The Brewers had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Brandon Woodruff and Jett Williams. The team is not yet winning the Peralta trade, and Sánchez is the only addition apart from Harrison who has been solid. In my opinion, the Brewers' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
Pittsburgh Pirates: B
The Pirates had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn. The team is feeling the loss of Burrows and Oviedo, but Lowe and O'Hearn are solid wins. In my opinion, the Pirates' offseason was a success, with the team adding solid talent and replacing key players.
St. Louis Cardinals: C
The Cardinals had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Hunter Dobbins and Dustin May. The team is struggling, with May being the best compliment. In my opinion, the Cardinals' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks: B
The D-backs chose to bring back Gallen and Kelly, and it's backfiring. However, the additions of Arenado, Soroka, and Sewald are redeeming the offseason. In my opinion, the Diamondbacks' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
Colorado Rockies: C
The Rockies had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like José Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano. The team is struggling, but Sugano and Bernardino have been solid by Rockies standards. In my opinion, the Rockies' offseason was a solid effort, with the team adding solid talent and replacing key players.
Los Angeles Dodgers: F
The Dodgers had a disappointing offseason, with key losses in players like Michael Conforto and Anthony Banda. The additions of Tucker and Díaz are not making up for the losses. In my opinion, the Dodgers' offseason was a failure, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
San Diego Padres: D
The Padres had a poor offseason, with key losses in players like Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez. The additions of King and France are bright spots, but the team is struggling. In my opinion, the Padres' offseason was a disappointment, with the team struggling to replace key players and add solid talent.
San Francisco Giants: C
The Giants had a solid offseason, with key gains in players like Luis Arraez and Tyler Mahle. The team is struggling, but Arraez is a bright spot. In my opinion, the Giants' offseason was a mixed bag, with some solid moves and some disappointing results.
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