ESPN Insider Jim Bowden Releases MLB Offseason Grades

By Ted Schwerzler |

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As the Minnesota Twins are now just five days away from kicking off Spring Training, the long wait that is baseball’s offseason is quickly coming to an end. With the majority of roster moves having now taken place, ESPN’s Jim Bowden has released his final offseason grades for the entirety of Major League Baseball.

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Obviously being most concerned with where the Twins fall in relation to their AL Central comrades, we’ll take a look at how the Central shook out as a whole. The division should once against remain amongst baseball’s most competitive, and the Twins should be expected to be in the thick of it this season.

Here is how Bowden thought AL Central teams did this season in order of worst to first:

Sep 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (21) hits a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals (MLB Rank 21, Grade C)

Bowden says:

The Royals were a swing of the bat away from bringing a world championship to Kansas City, then proceeded to have a bizarre offseason. They said goodbye to both James Shields and Billy Butler, then spent more than $50 million via free agency that included gambles on the declining Rios and Morales and on health risks Medlen and Madson. They did sign Volquez, which should help lessen the blow of the Shields loss.

We say: This goes along with our thoughts of the Royals in a nutshell. Coming off a World Series performance in which the team got hot at the right time, the Royals took some significant steps backwards this offseason.Losing Shields is going to hurt, and replacing Butler with Morales still seems like such a puzzling decision.

Sep 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ervin Santana (30) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Twins (MLB Rank 20, Grade C+)

Bowden says:

The Twins improved their major league team, with Santana improving their starting rotation and Hunter bringing his leadership and high energy and enthusiasm. But there’s not much else to report here.

We say: Bowden hits it on the head because the Twins improved exactly what they needed to. Their major league roster needed to be supplemented just enough to make the farm system talent have something to pair with. Santana is a solid starting option, and Hunter brings another bat to the lineup. Without going all in just yet, the Twins took steps forward.

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Indians (MLB Rank 15, Grade B-)

Bowden says:

The Indians had a quiet offseason, but their acquisition of Moss could make it loud if he can return to the form he showed in the first half of 2014. Moss’ left-handed power bat should really help lengthen the Indians’ lineup.

We say: Brandon Moss is no doubt a solid addition for the Indians, but which version of him they get still remains a question. Michael Brantley is going to regress, and the addition of Moss should lessen the blow. The Indians still remain a team with a lot of intrigue and their 2015 could swing either way.

Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits balls to infielders during batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers (MLB Rank 13, Grade B)

Bowden says:

The Tigers lost two key components to their starting rotation in Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello and tried to replace them with less expensive answers in Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon in separate trades. They also improved their defense in center with the trade for Gose and added more power and speed in acquiring Cespedes.

We say: It’s easy to get behind the addition of Cespedes as a plus to their lineup even while losing Hunter. The problem for the Tigers is that in losing Scherzer and Porcello, they were replaced by the likes of Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon, nothing about that seems good. That Tigers rotation is not anything close to what it was, and the bullpen remains a massive problem.

Sep 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox (MLB Rank 2, Grade A+)

Bowden says:

GM Rick Hahn made the trade of the offseason when he acquired Samardzija from the A’s without having to give up an above-average prospect. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf then opened his checkbook, committing more than $132 million to free agents, which resulted in the team improving in almost every aspect. When the work was completed, the White Sox went from a fourth-place team to a contender.

We say: There’s no question that the White Sox did the absolute most this offseason amongst AL Central foes. Samardzija gives Chris Sale a legitimate starter to pair with. Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche make what should be a good lineup, even better. This team is not a bottom feeder anymore.

Interestingly enough, Jim Bowden’s grades for the AL Central shake out the exact same way we see the division finishing when the 2015 season comes to a close. Maybe there’s something to that?

Next: 2015 AL Central Predictions

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