Hey there, baseball fans! Let's dive into the MLB offseason grades and see how your favorite teams fared. The off-season is a crucial time for teams to shape their future, and some have certainly made their mark, while others... not so much.
As of January 29, 2026, with only one of the top 10 free agents still on the market and some big trades already finalized, it's time to hand out some grades. USA TODAY Sports has graded all 30 teams, and here's a breakdown of the American League:
Athletics: C+
The A's locked down their core, signing Tyler Soderstrom and acquiring Jeff McNeil. However, it seems like they're still a few pieces away from being serious contenders in the next few years.
Baltimore Orioles: B+
A strong off-season for the Orioles, especially if they can land left-hander Framber Valdez in free agency. Trades for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward, along with signing Pete Alonso, have improved their pitching and offense. A solid winter for Baltimore!
Boston Red Sox: C
Smart moves by picking up Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, but missing out on Alex Bregman might come back to haunt them. The Red Sox have some potential holes in their lineup and a history of injuries to consider.
Chicago White Sox: C-
Some movement for the White Sox, but a lot rides on their faith in Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami. It's a risky strategy, but one that could pay off if he performs.
Cleveland Guardians: C
A fairly standard off-season for the Guardians, with a Jose Ramírez extension and some young players getting a chance. Steven Kwan's presence is a bright spot.
Detroit Tigers: C
Holding onto Tarik Skubal was crucial, and they've strengthened their late-inning relief with Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen. A strong team, but the off-season activity didn't quite match the opportunity presented by Skubal's final year.
Houston Astros: B-
The Astros finished strong, swapping Framber Valdez for Tatsuya Imai and adding Mike Burrows. Carlos Correa's acquisition crowded the roster, but they've got some depth with Isaac Paredes and Zach Cole.
Kansas City Royals: B
Moving the fences in at Kauffman Stadium might count as an improvement! The Royals also extended Maikel Garcia and acquired Isaac Collins and Nick Mears. A solid off-season, but not a game-changer.
Los Angeles Angels: C-
Small moves for the Angels, including signing Grayson Rodriguez and reuniting with Yoan Moncada. Not a lot of excitement here.
Minnesota Twins: D+
A quiet off-season for the Twins, who added Josh Bell and the Rogers relief twin. At least they still have Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.
New York Yankees: C
Not a dynamic off-season for the Yankees, but they've got Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger back, and Ryan Weathers is ready to step up. A solid, if unspectacular, winter for the Bronx Bombers.
Seattle Mariners: B+
The Mariners have had a nice off-season so far, locking down Josh Naylor early on. They might not be done yet, but they've improved their team. Still, they could use another infielder.
Tampa Bay Rays: C+
A classic Rays off-season, with some trades and signings. They received a good return for Shane Baz, but it's hard to gauge their overall improvement for 2026.
Texas Rangers: A-
The Rangers needed a reset, and they've certainly achieved that. Trading for Brandon Nimmo and MacKenzie Gore has made them contenders again. The key will be unlocking Gore's full potential.
Toronto Blue Jays: A
Despite losing Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays have solidified their rotation beyond 2026 with Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. They might miss Bichette and Kyle Tucker's depth, but they've set themselves up well for the future.
Now, let's shift our focus to the National League and see how these teams are shaping up:
Arizona Diamondbacks: C-
The D-backs made some moves, re-signing Merrill Kelly and acquiring Nolan Arenado. However, they still need to address their bullpen, which is a concern.
Atlanta: C
Some under-the-radar signings for Atlanta, but they need a front-line starter to return to the top of the division. It's a big question mark going into the season.
Chicago Cubs: A-
What a difference a year makes! The Cubs, after making the playoffs, went all out to get Alex Bregman. They've also rebuilt their bullpen. A strong off-season, and they might just challenge the Dodgers.
Cincinnati Reds: F
The Reds tried hard to bring Kyle Schwarber back, but it didn't work out. They've made some moves, but nothing significant to improve their offense. A disappointing off-season for Cincinnati.
Colorado Rockies: F
Three consecutive 100-loss seasons, and no signs of improvement. The Rockies have a long road ahead to become competitive again.
Los Angeles Dodgers: A
The Dodgers are the team to beat! After winning back-to-back World Series, they've improved even more, positioning themselves for a three-peat. A dominant off-season, and they're the team to watch out for.
Miami Marlins: D
The Marlins want to contend, but trading away starters and signing only Pete Fairbanks as a free agent doesn't inspire confidence. They might have to rely on Sandy Alcantara as a trade chip.
Milwaukee Brewers: D
The Brewers kept Brandon Woodruff, but lost Freddy Peralta and Rhys Hoskins. A tough off-season, and they might struggle to make the playoffs again.
New York Mets: B
The Mets have taken some big gambles, signing Bo Bichette and trading for Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr. A risky move, but one that could pay off. We'll soon find out if they've improved enough.
Philadelphia Phillies: D+
The Phillies wanted to shake things up, but the Mets snatched Bichette away. It's mostly the same team, but a year older. A disappointing off-season for Philly.
Pittsburgh Pirates: B-
The Pirates recognized their need for offense and opened their wallets. They've brought in some solid players, including Brandon Lowe and Jhostynxon Garcia. A promising off-season, but can they challenge the Dodgers?
San Diego Padres: F
The Padres have spent a lot in the past, but now their money is drying up, and so are their hopes of beating the Dodgers. A flat-lined off-season for San Diego.
San Francisco Giants: C-
The Giants had a decent off-season, signing Harrison Bader and adding some starters. But it might not be enough to challenge the Dodgers.
St. Louis Cardinals: D-
The Cardinals are in full-scale rebuild mode, dumping veterans and acquiring prospects. A tough time for the passionate Cardinals' fanbase.
Washington Nationals: F
The Nationals were on the path to contention, but now they're rebuilding. A disappointing turn of events for a team that was so close.
And there you have it, folks! The MLB off-season grades are in, and it's clear that some teams are ready to dominate, while others are still finding their footing. What do you think? Are these grades fair? Who do you think will surprise us this season? Let's discuss in the comments and keep the baseball talk going!
