If hindsight is 20/20, the success rate of offseason transactions is far less spectacular. What looks great on paper in December can look terrible on the field in June. And we’re not just picking on front-office personnel; we also publish those offseason grades and rank the trades/signings, after all.
Generally, we aren’t going to criticize teams for moves that backfired because of injuries (Drew Smyly to Mariners) or focus on moves that teams failed to make (the Giants opting not to add a proven left fielder). But it’s worth noting the Nationals fell into both categories with the injured Adam Eaton and their closer void.