Grading Sasaki, Santander, Scott signings as MLB offseason rolls on

Big names continue to come off the board as the MLB offseason chugs along. Here, we look at some recent moves and hand out some quick-hit grades for each.

Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates ➡️ Dodgers

Sasaki grade: A+

Nobody was surprised when Sasaki announced his decision to join the Dodgers. The ability to add a 23-year-old pitcher who posted a 2.10 ERA in Japan for a $6.5-million signing bonus and have him under club control for at least six seasons is an incredible coup for Andrew Friedman and the rest of the Dodgers' front office. Now, Los Angeles must find a way to maximize Sasaki's immense talent and keep him healthy.

Scott grade: B+

The Dodgers were far from finished after adding Sasaki, turning their attention to fortifying the bullpen. Enter Scott. The left-hander's 4.5 fWAR since the start of the 2023 season ranks first among all MLB relievers. Scott posted a 1.75 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 10.5 K/9 with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres in 2024. The Dodgers outbid the Chicago Cubs by offering a four-year, $72-million contract. Even if Scott regresses somewhat, he'd deliver a good return on investment if he can pitch effectively when it matters most: the postseason.

Yates grade: B+

Friedman and the Dodgers must not have felt one proven closer was enough, so they went out and grabbed another. Yates received a one-year, $13-million deal after piling up 33 saves with a 1.17 ERA and 12.41 K/9 for the Texas Rangers in 2024. Yates will give Dodgers manager Dave Roberts another proven option at the back of the bullpen alongside Scott, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, and Evan Phillips.

Anthony Santander, Max Scherzer ➡️ Blue Jays

Santander signing grade: B+

The Blue Jays finally reeled in a big fish after an offseason defined by coming up short. Santander signed a five-year, $92.5-million deal, but the Blue Jays were able to lower his CBT average by deferring a large chunk of money. The 30-year-old will look to fill a huge void in Toronto's lineup after the Blue Jays finished 26th in home runs last season. Santander went deep 44 times in 2024 and ranks sixth in homers since the start of 2022. The switch-hitter's presence should also take pressure off All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Scherzer signing grade: B

The Blue Jays fortified their rotation, reportedly signing Scherzer for $15.5 million. The 40-year-old made just nine starts in 2024 as he dealt with injuries. However, Scherzer showed he still has a little juice left, posting a 3.95 ERA with almost one strikeout per inning. Scherzer's slider is still an elite weapon, inducing a whiff from opposing hitters almost 44% of the time last season. The Blue Jays likely aren't expecting 150 innings, but something in the range of 20-25 starts of quality production would make the signing look good. Scherzer's addition also pushes right-hander Yariel Rodríguez to a relief role, helping to strengthen Toronto's bullpen.

A.J. Minter, Jesse Winker, Ryne Stanek ➡️ Mets

Minter grade: B-

The Mets guaranteed Minter at least $11 million after signing the former Braves reliever to a two-year, $22-million contract with an opt-out after the first season. Minter completed just 34 1/3 innings in 2024 as a result of a hip injury that eventually required surgery. He's a proven performer when healthy and owns a career 3.28 ERA with 10.89 K/9 across eight MLB seasons. The Mets are hoping Minter is ready for the start of the season and can solidify the eighth inning ahead of Edwin Diáz.

Winker grade: B

Winker emerged as a fan favorite in Queen's after the Mets acquired him from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old posted a 1.167 OPS in 22 at-bats during New York's stirring NLCS run. The Mets rewarded him with a $7.5-million contract for this season. Winker's role for 2025 depends on what happens with Pete Alonso. If Alonso doesn't return, Winker will likely get some at-bats at first base, DH, and the outfield. The Mets will find ways to get him in the lineup against right-handed pitching with the damage he's done throughout his career.

Stanek grade: B

Stanek found another gear in October, emerging as a trusted relief option for Mets manager Carlos Mendoza after an uneven regular season. The 33-year-old ranked in the 94th percentile in whiff rate last season and can still pile up strikeouts at a high clip. A $4.5 million guarantee for a proven strikeout artist is very reasonable.

Jurickson Profar ➡️ Braves

Grade: A-

The Braves bided their time for the first few months of the offseason before striking to land Profar on a three-year, $42-million deal. The 31-year-old enjoyed a career season at the plate with the Padres in 2024 after struggling mightily in 2023, amassing minus-1.6 fWAR in 125 games. The deal is a slam dunk if Profar can produce anything approaching the 24 home runs and 4.3 fWAR he accrued in 2024. Things get a little bit dicier if last season ends up as more of an outlier. It's still a very worthwhile swing by the Braves.

Ryan Pressly ➡️ Cubs

Grade: B

The Cubs acquired Pressly from the Astros after the veteran reliever waived his no-trade clause. Pressly hasn't been quite as sharp over the past few seasons but is a proven commodity in the ninth inning, and he racked up 90 saves from 2021-23. The 36-year-old should immediately slide into the ninth inning to lead a Cubs bullpen that lacked proven arms at the back end.

Carlos Estévez ➡️ Royals

Grade: B

The Royals waited out the market and were able to secure Estévez with a two-year, $22-million pact. The 32-year-old has 57 saves over the last two seasons and should form a strong duo at the back of Kansas City's bullpen alongside 2024 breakout Lucas Erceg. Estévez struggled with home runs at times throughout his career. Moving to a more pitcher-friendly home park like Kauffman Stadium should help.

Jorge Polanco ➡️ Mariners

Grade: C+

Mariners fans have been clamoring for the team to do something after a disappointing 2024 campaign. A reunion with Polanco likely isn't what they were looking for. The switch-hitter spent last season in Seattle, struggling with a .651 OPS with 16 home runs in 118 games. Polanco admitted hitting at T-Mobile Park wasn't to his liking, making it somewhat puzzling that he'd sign up for another 81 games of it. Even if Polanco performs closer to his career averages, the addition doesn't do enough to significantly raise Seattle's ceiling in 2025.

Tommy Kahnle ➡️ Tigers

Grade: B

The Tigers inked Kahnle for $7.75 million after the veteran right-hander posted a 2.11 ERA in 50 appearances for the New York Yankees last season. Kahnle is a unique pitcher as he relies heavily on a devastating changeup - throwing it more than 73% of the time last season - to get hitters out. The pitch generated a nearly 39% whiff rate, while opponents hit just .157 against it. The 35-year-old looks like a perfect fit in Detroit's bullpen.

Paul Sewald ➡️ Guardians

Grade: C+

Sewald secured a one-year, $7-million deal despite struggling in 2024. The 34-year-old posted 4.31 ERA and lost his job as Arizona's closer. Sewald had trouble keeping the ball in the park, allowing 1.36 HR/9. The Guardians will likely task pitching coach Carl Willis with putting together a plan to get Sewald back to the form he showcased from 2021-23 that saw him rack up 65 saves with a 2.95 ERA and 12.17 K/9.

Taylor Rogers ➡️ Reds

Grade: A-

The Reds acquired Rogers in a trade from the Giants for a pitching prospect. The left-hander is a proven commodity with a lifetime 3.34 ERA, 83 saves, and 10.51 K/9. Rogers enjoyed another productive campaign in 2024, and his ability to avoid hard contact should serve him well in pitching half of his games at Great American Ballpark. Rogers will likely serve as an eighth-inning option but could slide into the closer's role if Alexis Díaz struggles again in 2025.