Post by MxT13 on Jan 11, 2011 23:00:36 GMT -5
I'll just post each division separately, leaving room for more specific debate.
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies: B+
While the Nationals made it impossible for any other team to sign Jayson Werth, Ruben Amaro was able to make it up to the fans by bringing back another familiar face in Cliff Lee. Even though he has assembled arguably/potentially the best rotation in the history of the game, he has failed for the second straight year to bolster the bullpen and the bench. J.C. Romero and Jose Contreras are coming back, and Chad Durbin is in negotiations. But Danys Baez's bad contract and a replacement for the role Clay Condrey played in 2008 still linger on the agenda. Also, I'm sure they would like to be a little deeper than Ross Gload, Wilson Valdez and Ben Francisco off the bench.
Atlanta Braves: A
What can I say? They accomplished everything they needed to do to be competitive again in 2011. Trading for Dan Uggla provides the pop lost in the departure of Derek Lee/Troy Glaus, and then some; and the additions of Scott Linebrink and George Sherrill sure up an already impressive young bullpen anchored by the young Craig Kimbrel. If Larry Jones is able to come back healthy, this team is a force to be reckoned with.
Florida Marlins: C-
Another unimpressive, uneventful offseason from South Florida. Signing John Buck to a 3-year, $18M deal is by far the biggest news aside from the departure of their All-Star second baseman. Will Javier Vazquez and Omar Infante put asses in the seats at Pro Player/Dolphin/Land Shark/Sun Life Stadium? Only if the good people of Miami want to see their Marlins scratch and claw their way to another .500 season. I certainly hope they start spending some money after they open their new stadium.
New York Mets: C
As much as I love seeing the Mets suffer, it's really not fair to be tough on them this offseason. New GM Sandy Alderson put them on a strict budget, and that's what they worked with. Ronny Paulino, Taylor Buchholz and D.J. Carrasco are decent low-risk, mid-reward signings, but the big question is how much longer are they going to allow Luis Castillo stick around.
Washington Nationals: B
An interesting team to watch for come 2012 when Strasburg is healthy. Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth added to a lineup that already has Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and potentially Bryce Harper could win a good amount of games if the starting pitching is consistently decent. You have to question why an extension with Adam Dunn wasn't done last year, however, especially if Mike Rizzo clearly isn't afraid to throw around money.
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies: B+
While the Nationals made it impossible for any other team to sign Jayson Werth, Ruben Amaro was able to make it up to the fans by bringing back another familiar face in Cliff Lee. Even though he has assembled arguably/potentially the best rotation in the history of the game, he has failed for the second straight year to bolster the bullpen and the bench. J.C. Romero and Jose Contreras are coming back, and Chad Durbin is in negotiations. But Danys Baez's bad contract and a replacement for the role Clay Condrey played in 2008 still linger on the agenda. Also, I'm sure they would like to be a little deeper than Ross Gload, Wilson Valdez and Ben Francisco off the bench.
Atlanta Braves: A
What can I say? They accomplished everything they needed to do to be competitive again in 2011. Trading for Dan Uggla provides the pop lost in the departure of Derek Lee/Troy Glaus, and then some; and the additions of Scott Linebrink and George Sherrill sure up an already impressive young bullpen anchored by the young Craig Kimbrel. If Larry Jones is able to come back healthy, this team is a force to be reckoned with.
Florida Marlins: C-
Another unimpressive, uneventful offseason from South Florida. Signing John Buck to a 3-year, $18M deal is by far the biggest news aside from the departure of their All-Star second baseman. Will Javier Vazquez and Omar Infante put asses in the seats at Pro Player/Dolphin/Land Shark/Sun Life Stadium? Only if the good people of Miami want to see their Marlins scratch and claw their way to another .500 season. I certainly hope they start spending some money after they open their new stadium.
New York Mets: C
As much as I love seeing the Mets suffer, it's really not fair to be tough on them this offseason. New GM Sandy Alderson put them on a strict budget, and that's what they worked with. Ronny Paulino, Taylor Buchholz and D.J. Carrasco are decent low-risk, mid-reward signings, but the big question is how much longer are they going to allow Luis Castillo stick around.
Washington Nationals: B
An interesting team to watch for come 2012 when Strasburg is healthy. Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth added to a lineup that already has Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and potentially Bryce Harper could win a good amount of games if the starting pitching is consistently decent. You have to question why an extension with Adam Dunn wasn't done last year, however, especially if Mike Rizzo clearly isn't afraid to throw around money.