We already graded each of the 15 American League teams’ winters, so let’s move to the National League. A number of NL teams were highly active this past offseason, but the same can’t be said for others. With that said, here’s our offseason grades for each of the 15 National League squads.
Related: Ranking Every MLB Team’s 2022-23 Offseason (AL Edition)
NL East
- Braves: B
- Marlins: C+
- Mets: B+
- Phillies: A
- Nationals: C
We start off with the Atlanta Braves, a team that added one of the best all-around catchers in Sean Murphy via trade this past winter. Murphy is set to join a loaded Braves lineup, albeit one without Dansby Swanson. Additionally, Atlanta added relievers Joe Jiménez and Lucas Luetge to its bullpen.
As for Miami, the Marlins did deal from it surplus of pitchers to acquire AL batting champion Luis Arraez. The Marlins also signed Jean Segura to fill out a re-aligned infield for 2023.
The Mets, meanwhile, had a lot of holes to fill this winter. Luckily for the Amazins, Billy Eppler and Steve Cohen did just that. New York re-signed Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz, and brought in reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to replace Jacob deGrom. Kodai Senga and José Quintana should also be beneficial additions.
Next up is the Phillies, who receive the highest rating (A) out of all 30 MLB teams. Dave Dombrowski made a number of big splashes to fortify a deep Phillies team, as Trea Turner, Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto, and Taijuan Walker all join Philadelphia for 2023. With those moves, an already stacked group might have become even more powerful.
Last up is the Nationals, a group knee-deep in a rebuild. Despite staying away from the big moves, Washington did pick up a couple of interesting pieces in Jeimer Candelario, Dominic Smith, and Trevor Williams. All three showed good tools in stretches, and Washington should give those three ample playing time this season.
NL Central
- Cubs: B+
- Reds: C-
- Brewers: B
- Pirates: C
- Cardinals: B
One of the more improved teams in the MLB, the Cubs received reinforcements in a number of different areas. Both the bullpen and rotation have new pieces, as starter Jameson Taillon will join relievers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer at Wrigley. Chicago’s most impactful move was the signing of infielder Dansby Swanson, who’s set to form a formidable double-play combo with Nico Hoerner.
The Reds didn’t do much this winter, but did pick up a couple of players that could be moved come the Trade Deadline. Wil Myers come to Cincinnati after a lengthy stay in San Diego, while Curt Casali is set to tandem with Luke Maile as the two primary catchers for the Reds.
Milwaukee made a couple of notable moves, one of which was to acquire a healthier Jesse Winker from Seattle. The Brewers were also a part of the Sean Murphy trade, a deal that netted Milwaukee a new catcher in 2022 All-Star William Contreras.
Rich Hill and Andrew McCutchen were two of the more notable pickups for the Pirates this winter, an offseason marred by the trade request of All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Former Giant reliever Jarlín García also heads to the Steel City for 2023.
Last is the Cardinals, who replaced franchise pillar Yadier Molina with a talented hitter in Willson Contreras. St. Louis didn’t do much outside of that move, bit it fill the team’s most noticeable hole entering the winter.
NL West
- Diamondbacks: B-
- Rockies: D+
- Dodgers: C+
- Padres: B+
- Giants: C-
The Diamondbacks did trade away one of the team’s best hitters away in Daulton Varsho, but did pick up Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno in the process. Moreno, in particular, could be a key piece of the D-Backs moving forward. Arizona also strengthened its bullpen, as RHP Miguel Castro and LHP Andrew Chafin join the Diamondbacks for this season.
Next up is the Rockies, who are in a peculiar state. Colorado has indicated that it won’t look to rebuild, but it’s hard to envision the Rockies competing in this division. The Rockies didn’t address its rotation this winter, which featured Colorado pickup reliever Pierce Johnson and a toolsy infielder in Nolan Jones.
When we made our picks for the teams that had the worst winters, both the Rockies and Dodgers made the cut. Los Angeles made that list due to its rough offseason, one that saw LA lose two good starters in Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney, an elite shortstop in Trea Turner, and failing to address the outfield. The Dodgers did do that shortly thereafter, as David Peralta will head to Chavez Ravine on a one-year deal. Still, Los Angeles didn’t improve in what will be a competitive NL West.
The Padres made some big splashes in the winter, as Xander Bogaerts will join a stacked San Diego lineup. San Diego wasn’t done there, as the Padres also added pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha and depth for the lineup in Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter. A lot of money has been invested into this Padres team, a strategy that could backfire on San Diego.
Last on our list is the San Francisco Giants. As we wrote about earlier in February, the Giants didn’t have that bad off an offseason. However, the Giants’ failure to lure in a big fish in what was supposed to be pivotal offseason doesn’t help San Francisco’s short-term future given the state of the division.
