MLB Offseason Grades - AL East Division

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

January 26, 2023

MLB went through arguably the busiest offseason in decades. Multiple star players signed lucrative contracts. Star shortstop Carlos Correa stole the show, agreeing to terms with three teams before signing with the Minnesota Twins. With impactful moves from the offseason completed, some of the teams have emerged as winners of the winter.

The American League East Division saw a few teams make splash additions, while others had noticeable subtractions. While it’s a long way until the 2023 MLB season, some teams have already set themselves up for success in the division with some big acquisitions.

New York Yankees: A-

The New York Yankees entered the offseason with a list of priorities, and checked that list twice. The most important task was to re-sign reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, who is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in baseball history. Not only did they re-sign Judge, but they also gave him a nine-year, $360 million contract. Along with the big move, the Yankees also managed to re-sign Anthony Rizzo who is not only a valuable hitter in the lineup, but with a .366 career on-base percentage, he adds much-needed plate discipline to the team.

The New York Yankees today announced that they have re-signed four-time All-Star and 2022 American League Most Valuable Player OF Aaron Judge to a nine-year Major League contract extending through the 2031 season. pic.twitter.com/9tyopgdKbO

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 20, 2022

The fact that the Yankees re-signed the top two players in free agency already made the MLB offseason a success. However, the move that potentially put the team over the top was the addition of starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. Rodon is one of the best pitchers in the league, and gives the Yankees one of the best rotations in major league baseball. They won the division last year, and came eight wins short of a World Series title. After their offseason, they look like one of the favorites to win it all with one of the best rosters in baseball.

Toronto Blue Jays: B+

The Toronto Blue Jays made multiple strong additions to add to their star-studded roster. The first big move was acquiring starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, signing him to a three-year deal. Bassitt is a right-handed starter that is coming off a big year with the New York Mets. He slides into the middle of a rotation that includes Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. The Blue Jays then added to their fielding by signing veteran first baseman Brandon Belt to a one-year contract.

To cap off the strong offseason, they acquired 26-year-old Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade. Varsho is coming off a breakout year, where he slashed .235/.30to.443 with 27 home runs and 235 total bases, making him a powerful addition in the lineup to go along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the rest of the potent batting order. The Blue Jays didn’t make any splash moves like the other MLB juggernauts. Yet, they managed to make enough moves to keep them competitive in the division, and the American League.

Baltimore Orioles: B

The biggest move the Baltimore Orioles made, interestingly enough, was to stay quiet. They are keeping a young core of talented players together and after a promising 2022 season, they look to return better next year. That said, the Orioles are made a significant move by acquiring catcher James McCann from the New York Mets. McCann is a reliable bat in the lineup, but most notably he is a catcher that can split starts with Adley Rutschman, one of best young players in baseball. The Orioles surprisingly didn’t make any splash signings. However, they made the right moves for the roster they have in place. It should allow them to take a big leap from an 83–79 season.

Tampa Bay Rays: C+

The Tampa Bay Rays are the small market team in the division, and tend to make minor moves. This offseason is no different. They extended left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs with a four-year contract, keeping one of their best arms on the roster for both the rotation, and bulk innings out of the bullpen. To add to the pitching staff, the Rays signed Zach Eflin to a three-year contract, strengthening the rotation, which was the cause of their successful 2022 season. They were a wild card team in the American League last year, and didn’t make any notable additions.

Boston Red Sox: D+

The Boston Red Sox had arguably the worst MLB offseason in baseball. They lost star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year deal with the San Diego Padres. They tried to extend Bogaerts ahead of free agency, but he declined their offers. To make matters worse, their hopeful replacement at shortstop, Trevor Story, will have surgery on his elbow, and will miss the 2023 season. Story looked like he’d be a prize addition when the Red Sox signed him in the 2022 offseason. Unfortunately, his health puts into question the decision to sign him, and if he’ll be their shortstop when he returns.

#RedSox infielder Trevor Story yesterday underwent a successful internal bracing procedure of the right ulnar collateral ligament (elbow).

Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute in Arlington, Texas.

— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 10, 2023

The team managed to bring in veteran talent, notably, third baseman Justin Turner and reliever Kenley Jansen. Likewise, the Red Sox acquired shortstop Adalberto Mondesi from the Kansas City Royals, who will hopefully fill the void in the middle of the field. The Red Sox also extended Rafael Devers with an 11-year extension, keeping the best young hitter on their roster.

However, the subtractions have outweighed the additions for the Red Sox. In 2018, they won 108 games, and went 11–3 in the postseason to win the World Series. They were led by a young core of star players that included Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Bogaerts. A few years later and those young players are all making impacts on other MLB rosters. Interestingly, another integral part of that roster was J.D. Martinez, who also left the team this offseason, signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, depleting the Red Sox’ lineup in the process.