The offseason is over, spring training is in full swing, and despite a few notable names still available on the market, most if not all teams have called it quits in terms of signings and trades. So it’s time to look back on just what every squad did this winter and hand out grades for the moves made—or, in some cases, for those they failed to make. Next up: the National League Central.
Players with an asterisk next to their name were re-signed as free agents.
Chicago Cubs
2017 Record: 92–70, first place in NL Central
Key Additions: RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow
Key Departures: RHP Jake Arrieta, C Alex Avila, RHP Wade Davis, OF Jon Jay, RHP John Lackey, RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Koji Uehara
The Cubs were one of the few teams this winter to make a splash, replacing Arrieta with Darvish in the rotation in their bid to maintain NL Central supremacy.