The Chicago Cubs had a sour end to the month of April, losing three straight games, each by one run against the Miami Marlins. However, at 14-13, the Cubs head into May with a better start to the season than most fans around baseball expected. Maybe it’s not that huge of a surprise for the Cubs themselves, who entered the year with playoff expectations.

The Cubs have had many players contribute to their early success, including Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, who were both signed to three-year extensions that both begin in 2024. But, how have the free agents that were signed this past offseason performed? Let’s look back at the five free agent position players that were added over the winter.

Dansby Swanson

Contract: 7 Years, $177 Million. Full no-trade clause.
Grade Through April: A-

Slash line: .286/.412/.347

Dansby Swanson may only have one home run after April, but it is a testament to his plate approach so far this season that the shortstop still has a 120 wRC+. While the home runs haven’t come yet, Swanson is known to be a slow starter and that’s even more encouraging because although he hasn’t slugged the way fans thought so far, he has a .412 OBP, which ranks first on the Cubs and seventh in the National League.

Swanson has already walked 21 times, third most in the National League and his 17.6 walk percentage is the fourth highest in the National League.

He has also been as durable as he was with the Atlanta Braves, starting 26 of the Cubs first 27 games. Swanson has been a plus defender at shortstop with two defensive runs saved and one outs above average.

Cody Bellinger

Contract: 1 Year, $12.5 Million. $25 Million Option for 2024, includes $5 Million Buyout.
Grade Through April: A+

Slash line: .297/.371/.604

The grade is an A+ and you can’t convince me otherwise. I just wrote about how Cody Bellinger is starting the 2023 season like his 2019 MVP year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I didn’t even mention how good his defense has been in center field either. So far, the Cody Bellinger signing has been one of the best in baseball and the best signing by the Cubs from the offseason.

Trey Mancini

Contract: 2 Years, $14 Million. Opt out after 2023.
Grade Through April: C-

slash line: .261/.305/.375

That is a generous C- for Trey Mancini because halfway through April he was the worst hitter on the Cubs. But you can’t ignore his recent hot streak. Ever since he went 0-for-5, with three strikeouts against the Oakland A’s and was given a couple days off, Mancini has been much better at the plate. In his last 10 games, Mancini is 12-for-32 (.375) with two home runs and a double.

Tucker Barnhart

Contract: 2 Years, $6.5 Million. Opt out after 2023.
Grade Through April: A-Grade: D-

slash line: .200/.242/.200

The Cubs signed Tucker Barnhart to come in and be another guiding presence along with Yan Gomes behind the plate. Expectations on offense were almost nonexistent, so I’m not surprised about his low output in 11 games. However, the Cubs have looked significantly worse when Barnhart has started compared to Gomes.

Now, I’m not ready to completely give up on Barnhart because he is learning a new pitching staff, which is something Gomes has been able to do since last year. Let’s just hope that Barnhart does adjust soon because we know his bat won’t be bringing much if any value.

Edwin Ríos

Contract: 1 Years, $1 Million.
Grade Through April: A-Grade: D-

slash line: .111/.304/.333

I almost want to give left-handed slugger Edwin Ríos an incomplete grade simply because he’s barely even played. He has 18 total at-bats and has only started six games so far through April. Maybe the grade is too harsh regardless because he is doing exactly what he’s done throughout his career, strike out a lot and also walk a lot. Ríos just hasn’t played much, but he we do see that he has pop in his bat, both of his hits have gone for extra bases, a home run and a double.

Eric Hosmer

Contract: 1 Year, $720K.
Grade: D+

slash line: .250/.299/.375

Eric Hosmer has put up similar numbers to Trey Mancini, but I’m knocking his grade down a bit because his below average production has mostly come as the team’s designated hitter. We all knew that Hosmer isn’t much of a power hitter, so for him to provide value he has to hit for a high average. Hitting a single every four at-bats isn’t getting it done and Hosmer currently has an 84 wRC+, which is 16% below league average.

And really, this is a D- for the front office for signing Hosmer in the first place and after seeing that he was bad for the last three months of 2022 and is still bad now, is still not getting ready to call up Matt Mervis.

We’ll see how much longer Hosmer sticks around.