Atlanta Braves

Key losses- Javier Vasquez, Kelly Johnson, Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Garrett Anderson, Adam LaRoche

Key additions- Billy Wagner, Melky Cabrera, Troy Glaus, Takashi Saito

Off-season grade- B

Justification- I feel they upgraded the bullpen with the addition of Wagner and Saito. The Vasquez deal seems like a salary dump, but they got a nice defensive center fielder out of it in Melky Cabrera. They lost some good players, but they were able to replace them with equal or better players.

Philadelphia Phillies

Key losses- Cliff Lee, Scott Eyre, Pedro Martinez, Pedro Feliz, Brett Myers

Key additions- Roy Halladay, Placido Polanco

Off-season grade- A

Justification- They acquired the best pitcher in the game and they were able to sign him to a reasonable extension for a pitcher they were most likely going to lose after this season. Placido Polanco should be an upgrade over Pedro Feliz. They have positioned themselves to make another run in 2010.

New York Mets

Key losses- J.J. Putz, Carlos Delgado,

Key additions- Jason Bay, Kelvim Escobar, Gary Matthews Jr.

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Jason Bay gives them the power bat the Mets need even though they probably overpaid for him. I also have concerns about his defense.  Putting a staff around Johan Santana has been a problem and Omar Minaya has failed to address it. Even though the Angels are paying most of the salary, I fail to see the value Matthews brings to the team.

Florida Marlins

Key losses- Matt Lindstrom

Key additions- Dan Uggla (re-signed), Josh Johnson(re-signed)

Off-season grade- B

Justification- I know it seems odd to give a team a “B” for their off-season when they didn’t sign any free agents, but I think them re-signing Johnson and Uggla are great moves. It can be a sign that maybe the Marlins will start keeping some of their young guys and it’s a good PR move.

Washington Nationals

Key losses- None

Key additions- Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Marquis, Matt Capps, Scott Olsen

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Nothing spectacular, but solid moves nonetheless. Ivan Rodriguez should provide some leadership for this young team. He’s not quite the player he used to be, but he may be able to get some people into the ballpark. Jason Marquis can be a mentor for their young staff. He also eats a lot of innings, which should lower the pitch count for their younger pitchers.