Chicago Cubs

Key losses- Rich Harden, Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman. Jake Fox

Key additions- Carlos Silva, Marlon Byrd, John Grabow (re-signed)

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Considering the circumstances I think the Cubs have come out okay this off-season. Getting Silva for Bradley hurts, but getting $9 million from Seattle and getting Marlon Byrd to a reasonable contract helps soften the blow. The pitching staff took a hit with the loss of Rich Harden. The Cubs didn’t need a complete overhaul considering the core from the 2008 team is still in place. Marlon Byrd allows Fukudome to go back to right field where he becomes an above average right fielder. This grade could improve if/when they sign a platoon partner for Kosuke and another pitcher.

St Louis Cardinals

Key losses- Joel Piniero, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene

Key additions- Matt Holliday (Re-signed), Brad Penny

Off-season grade- B

Justification- Anytime you can get a player of Holliday’s caliber below market value you have had a good off-season.  There is a slight drop-off from Piniero to Penny. The loss of DeRosa creates a hole at third base. That being said the Cardinals look to be the favorites in the NL Central this season.

Cincinnati Reds

Key losses- Jonny Gomes

Key additions- Scott Rolen (Re-signed) and Aroldis Chapman

Off-season grade- C

Justification- The Scott Rolen deal is a nice pickup for them. He is still a solid defensive third baseman, which should help out their young pitching staff. The Aroldis Chapman signing is a good move for the future, but will probably not provide much for the 2010 season.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key losses- Mike Cameron, JJ Hardy

Key additions- Carlos Gomez, Randy Wolf, LaTroy Hawkins

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Randy Wolf is a solid addition to the Brewers staff. However, the loss of Cameron negates the signing of Wolf. LaTroy Hawkins provides a decent arm for the bullpen even if they did overpay.

Houston Astros

Key losses- Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde

Key additions- Brandon Lyon, Matt Lindstrom, Pedro Feliz

Off-season grade- D

Justification- The acquisition of Lindstrom is a nice low risk/high reward trade. The problem is that they overpaid for Brandon Lyon. An average of $5 million a year for a middle reliever is never a good idea. I also question the logic of spending money on Feliz in a year they are not expected to contend.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Key losses- Matt Capps

Key additions- Bobby Crosby, D.J. Carrasco, Brendan Donnelly, Ryan Church, Akinori Iwamura, Octavio Dotel

Off-season grade- C

Justification- They didn’t make any splashy moves, but I consider these low risk moves. I don’t expect them to contend for a division title in 2010, but this team looks better than it did at the end of 2009. They did a good job of improving the bullpen this off-season. This team should improve enough that more people should start paying attention to the team and I think that should count for something.