Premier League Offseason Grades

It’s going to be tight at the top. Let’s take a look at which teams did the best job separating themselves from the herd.

Arizona Thunderbirds (7th Place 58-68)

After narrowly avoiding the relegation series with a hefty payroll, the Thunderbirds need to improve without thinning the wallet even more. Their financial situation seemed to restrict their ability to add. The good news is they didn’t lose any meaningful contributors and getting Max Goodman and Bobby Davilla back from loans should help the Birds. To avoid relegation, Arizona needs Jesus Jaimez to pitch better than his 6.30 ERA as a rookie.

Bottom Line: This was a pretty bland offseason for the Thunderbirds in all honesty. They couldn’t afford any legitimate Premier League players, so it’s probably best that Arizona didn’t do anything drastic this time around. Grade: B

Bay Area Pandas (5th Place 63-63)

Another team that barely missed out on something, Bay Area hopes to lock down a Tournament of Champions spot this time around. The fact of the matter is that the Pandas didn’t add any talent and will have to rely on the continued development of the second youngest major league team in the CBA. The biggest difference could be having Tyler Shinkle back from shoulder inflammation. If he was healthy, the California kids probably would’ve edged out D.C. for 4th place. A modified ballpark should boost Bay Area’s offense this season. Locking in Chris Allen for five years should prove to be wise.

Bottom Line: Two boring offseasons at the top of the alphabet. Bay Area’s grade is hurt by the fact that they had cash to spend and didn’t make any improvements. Time will tell if that money will be better used on contract extensions for their young core. Grade: C+/B-

Cincinnati Royals (1st Place 89-37)

What started with trouble in paradise, ended with a possibly improved Royals team. While losing Adam Jackson and Mario Castillo is not ideal, signing Jose Guzman is a gamechanger for the defending champions. Over the course of the season, it’s probably better to have Jackson and Castillo occupying the rotation, but in tournament play the Royals just made a massive upgrade. Chad Armbruster and Blinky starting four games in a championship series will be insurmountable for opponents. Bobby Santamaria is also a great add with positive Premier League experience.

Bottom Line: A heavy favorite to repeat as champions lost some of their rotational depth and will likely not touch 89 wins as a result. That being said, this team is now built to destroy competitors in the playoffs. Only concern going forward is restocking the somewhat weak farm system. Grade: A

D.C. Eagles (4th Place 65-61)

After the Washington D.C. playoffs curse bit the Eagles in the butt, it appears D.C. has decided to stay on course and hope that boosting the farm system might help cement themselves as a Premier League contender. A few big IFA signings and the six year extension handed to Justin Jordan were the main focuses this time around for the team with taxation without representation. The 27 year old, who was the first ametuer player taken by the Eagles, has posted a career .302/.355/.433 statline with 10.1 WAR over five complete seasons. While Jordan is not an elite Premier League hitter, locking him up 27.6 Million over six years is a massive steal compared to his open market value.

Bottom Line: The Eagles management has done a good job bringing international youngsters to the nation’s capital, so it wouldn’t shock anyone if the this crop of talent helps boost the fourth best farm system in the PL. Keeping Jordan for the next seven years should make fans very happy, while his contract will keep the budget crunchers appeased. Grade: A-

Dallas Devils (2nd Place 74-52)

 

Some around the league are wondering what’s been going on with the Devils this offseason. My best guess at why Dallas hasn’t made any signings is that the next wave of talent from the minors is coming up. Almost all of the top prospects in the organization are able to legally drink, which in the CBA means that it’s getting close to go-time. After winning 74 games two years in a row, it may be time for an infusion of young talent to make a push against Cincinnati’s possible repeat. Yamauchi, Takata and Harbaugh are all free agents at the end of this season, so the time is now for Dallas to win.

Bottom Line: Dallas will likely improve in the near future purely based on their farm system being so strong. Their younger core will need time to develop, so it makes sense Dallas didn’t do anything to restrict future spending. Grade: B+/A-

Detroit Motors (3rd Place 70-56)

I don’t think this was necessarily a terrible offseason for the Motor City, but the team did get significantly worse with the loss of Jose Guzman. Rumors claim Guzman wouldn’t negotiate with Detroit’s front office which helps soften the blow to their grade, but in truth this team will likely continue their four year streak of worsening records. Adding Alex Guzman was a much needed improvement to a struggling ‘pen and signing Alex Ovalle should help the Motors begin to fill the shoes that Blinky left. Craig Meister is not what he once was, but for one more year it makes sense.

Bottom Line: “Swapping” Guzmans with Cincinnati made the rich richer and pushes Detroit into the Tournament of Champions bubble with the likes of the Eagles, Warriors and Pandas. Financially, it was a solid offseason, but the departure of their star player will threaten the franchise history of never finishing outside of the TOC. Grade: C+/B-

Florida Giants (8th Place 54-72)

After a “hard luck” season where the Giants lost five games more than expected based on their run differential, it’s clear that the front office decided to take matters into their own hands by making the biggest splash of any Premier League team. The crown jewel of the offseason is second baseman Damian Blanksby, who many consider to be an MVP candidate fresh off the boat from Australia. While “Looney” is the best addition, Xander Philip will be a big help in pythagorean “luck.” Corey Youngblood will also be a big contributor for a staff that really struggled last season posting a 4.64 team ERA. Trading away Wei-Kang Mok allows a bit of wiggle room that was desperately needed after the December spending spree.

Bottom Line: Florida has certainly lost a good portion of its future assets, but the results should speak for themselves. They may have done just enough to vault themselves into TOC contention if Philip and Blanksby produce as expected. Grade: A

Indianapolis Hawks (2nd Place SL 73-53)

 

Sticking in the Premier League will be an uphill battle for the Hawks, but they should feel a bit better after adding proven starting pitcher Adam Jackson. The former Royal will help break up the previously full southpawed rotation. Indy looks like a really well rounded team that deserves to be in the Premier League, but this year is going to be challenging, especially after the upgrades Florida made. It seems that the Hawks could still afford to make a move, but there’s not a lot left on the market. Catcher Jason Mannie brings a veteran presence and an offensive upgrade over Ricky Ruiz.

Bottom Line: Overall, this was a solid offseason for the Hawks. Adam Jackson will certainly boost Indianapolis chances of sticking in the Premier League. It’s a tough year to be at the top, so a bit more could’ve been done to bolster the bottom of the lineup. Grade: B/B+

Miami Warriors (6th Place 61-65)

 

Coming into the offseason, I thought Miami had the chance to be the biggest riser in the Premier League. That could still happen due to a relatively young roster still developing. The concern for the South Beach squad will be pitching and the Warriors did make a few moves to address the problem. Bill Alcala has shown that he can compete every fifth day in the Premier League, but he’s pretty close to average. Scooping Tyler Cates from Dallas’ reserves team should prove to be wise, as he could be useful as a swingman this season. Righty slugger John Petcoff will help the Warriors against left-handed pitching, but he will likely regress in a transition to the Premier League.

Bottom Line: Miami didn’t make any huge moves, which is probably wise long-term. For now, it means that they will likely once again finish outside looking in on the Tournament of Champions. With John Chrisman and the 2nd pick in the 2029 Draft, the future is bright for Miami. Grade: B

Oklahoma Mammoths (1st Place SL 77-49)

Oklahoma probably has some leftover confidence from eliminating D.C. from the Tournament of Champions. This offseason was crucial for the Mammoths because they have to be prepared to face teams on or higher than D.C.’s caliber in a 126 game season. The front office seems ready to compete by signing two proven Premier League commodities, Andy Mobley and Mario Castillo. Mobley, who began his career with the Mammoths, should staple the middle of their order for next few years health permitting. Castillo is a legitimate Premier League ace who is a true winner. Jury is out on whether Pete Muhlbauer can pitch at age 40, but one year 700k is pretty risk free. The only meaningful subtraction from the Silver League champions is Jason Surface’s departure after a loan. Rumors claim that the Mammoths tried to re-acquire him, but to no avail.

Bottom Line: Oklahoma made two very astute moves by adding proven PL talent. The only knock from me is not landing Jason Surface, who was a big contributor at the end of last season. Grade: A-