That time of year has arrived for Major League Baseball. Its the time of year in Baseball when you can expect the unexpected For the 113th time, all the baseball big wigs get together in San Diego. When that happens, anything goes, leading to some major rule changes, or in this case, major deals being made around the game. Not every move that happens comes without warning. We'll likely get some sort of resolution when it comes to free-agent ace Jon Lester, while some trades involving heavily shopped players will likely come to fruition.
But then there are the blockbusters that nobody can predict. A casual conversation between general managers can lead to something that shakes up the entire landscape of the respective teams involved. That's just the sort of thing that has taken place over the last few days out on the West Coast.
Trust us there has been a fair amount of player movement at the winter meetings. We know its hard to keep up with it but thankfully we're here to help.
Jon Lester Signs With Cubs
There was a lot of speculation floating around as to where he was going to end up. Now we know its the North side of the Windy City. The deal is for six years and $155 million. The reported average annual value of $25.8 million would be the second highest for a pitcher behind Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Bold move here by the Cubs, a team who hasn't made the playoffs since 2008 and have had five straight losing seasons. IN his career, Lester sits at a record of 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in nine seasons. Lester now joins a starting rotation that includes the likes of Jake Arrieta, Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, Tsuyoshi Wada and Kyle Hendricks. It's going to make for a very interesting pitching staff for the Cubs in a tough National League Central
Boston Trades Cespodes to Detroit
I called this that it was going to happen. It seemed as if after the acquisition of Handley Ramriez, that the Red Sox had plenty of outfielders to choose from.
Sadly Cespodes was the odd man out and has been traded to the Tigers along with Gabe Speier, and Alex Wilson. In exchange the Red Sox get back Rick Porcello. This helps the Tigers out but it also kind of hurts them in that yes they get another good bat into the middle of that already stacked lineup, but at the same time it shortens thier starting pitching. BY trading Porcello it makes their starting rotation just a little bit weaker.
Oakland Trades Brandon Moss to Cleveland
What is with Billy Beane? Oakland's mastermind GM, who is known for picking up decent talent at a low cost is now letting some of his better players head for other cities? I guess the price tag for moss was too high, since he is projected to make about $7.1 million next season. Oakland has done it in a cost cutting move I guess, as they were able to get infielder Joey Wendle in return. Wendle is a soon-to-be 25-year-old prospect who has yet to advance beyond Double-A. He also hit just .253 with a .311 OBP at that level in 2014. The only way this could work for the A's is if this kid can pan out at this level.
This isn't a highway robbery, though. Moss is 31 and coming off surgery to repair a hip injury that crippled his power down the stretch in 2014. If he's damaged goods, he'll be dead weight for two years. Moss has proven that he can hit at the big league level, so its just another piece to the
puzzle for Cleveland. This could work out well for both teams depending on players health and productivity.
White Sox land Jeff Samardzija in exchange for INF Marcus Semien, C Josh Phegley, RHP Chris Bassit and 1B Rangel Ravelo
Much like trading Moss to Cleveland, this is leaving a few wondering about Billy Beane. It looks to many like Beane is trying to dismantle the A's but after the season Oakland had last year, it could be a rebuilding process. For the White Sox, they get a pretty good pitcher in Samardzija. He was already a good strikeout and ground-ball pitcher, but he added above-average control to the mix in 2014. Him pitching to a 2.99 ERA was no fluke. The White Sox aren't getting him for cheap thought. Sure Samardzija has a year left on his contract, but the deal is worth about $10 million for the one season. So the price tag is a tad high. At the same time the White Sox are getting a pretty good 30 year old pitcher to add to the top of a rotation that already includes Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.
For Oakland, just like the Moss trade, it means getting an expensive contract off the books, as its another $10 million that are now out the door and free and clear. Plus they get a solid hitting middle infielder in Semien, who has decent pop and comes relatively cheap. Phegley is a pretty good hitter, at Triple-A the last two seasons. Bassit had a 3.08 ERA across two levels in 2013 before injuries wrecked his 2014. Lastly, Ravelo is a 22-year-old who posted a solid .859 OPS at Double-A in 2014. So Oakland got a good deal as well, losing a big contract and getting some good young talent back in return.
Closer Dave Robertson leaves the Bronx for Chicago
It's a four year deal worth $46 million that could work out well for both the White Sox and Yankees.
Now the Yanks didn't get a player in return as Robertson signed a contract straight up, but with Andrew Miller having just been signed and with Betances waiting in the wings to take over as possible closer, things look OK in the Bronx without Robertson there. Would it have been nice to see him stick around with the Yankees? Yes it would have, but his asking price was just too high so he headed to the Windy City.
For Chicago this was a pretty good move. Sure the contract was a tad high, especially for a closer. But at the same time, an argument can be made that the White Sox were in desperate need. With how tough the AL Central is going to be this year, Chicago needs all the pitching help they can get. Chicago had the worst bullpen in baseball a season ago, so this will bolster it a little. It really turns out to be a decent move for both parties.
Jimmy Rollins Shipped to Dodgers
Rollins used to drive me crazy as a Mets fan, since he used to regularly tourture my club in Philly so it's nice to see him leave. Rollins is getting up there in age, at 36, and his $11 million contract is going to be a nice relief for the Phillies to get off their payroll. Plus the two prospects they are getting in return, Zach Eflin and Tom Windle, have some upside to them, as both are young and have bright futures. So Philly is trying a youth movement to help get back to their winning ways.
As for the Dodgers, Rollins was brought in to replace Hanley Ramirez, who left for Boston earlier this winter. Rollins fits in pretty well in LA right now at 36 years old. He takes over for Hanley, who had become a defensive liability, as Rollins can still be servicable in the field. Plus he's under contract for one more season. Sure the money is a bit much to add for the team with the highest payroll in baseball, but at the same time, he can help bridge the gap to up and coming shortstop Corey Seage. The trade really works out for both teams.
Dee Gordon Shipped To Marlins for Andrew Heaney
Not only are the Marlins getting Gordon but they also get Dan Haren in the trade as well. Miami is hoping that they can get a repeat season from Gordon, who had a resurgance in 2014. Gordon fell off a little bit at the end of the season, it was in On Base Percentage mostly, but still Miami is hoping he pans out like he did last year. It also helps that the Marlins are getting about $ 10 million in the form of the Hasren contract, so even if he retires, they still have that to work with. But for the trade to work out Miami has to get the same Gordon who started the 2014 season.
As for Los Angeles this turns into a decent move. This trade essentially boils down to the Dodgers selling high on Gordon and getting Haren out of their rotation. Those were two good ideas, and L.A. did well in acting on them. Of course, it initially looked like Heaney was the upside guy. He was Miami's top prospect, so he could have served the Dodgers as a rotation piece or a trade chip. To that end, we all know what happened. Still this looks like a good move for the Dodgers.
Heaney Flipped To Angels for Howie Kendrick
Almost as
soon as Heaney was acquired, he was flipped to the Angels for 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick. Heaney had potential to be a good prospect, which he is trust me. But they were able to bolster their roster by adding a guy the talent of Kendrick. He can hit, get on base and make plays. Sure it looks like they gave up a long term arm for a short term impact player, but with their win-now window wide open, you can't fault them for thinking short-term.
As for the Angels, with Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs bot injured and rehabbing from major surgeries, plus with Jared Weaver and C.J. Wilson both getting old, it was in the Angels' interest to find a controllable starter. That's where Heaney comes into play. The upside is the Angels got a great young arm who has the talent to be a number two starter on this ballclub. But there is a downside to the deal. The Angels just lost a top second baseman and don't have a clear replacement for him. Not ideal for a team that's in win-now mode.
Brandon McCarthy Signs With Dodgers
Four years and $48 million for McCarthy to leave New York and head back out West . He put up decent numbers in his brief time in the Bronx, something that the Dodgers are hoping he can produce again out West. LA is bringing aboard a guy who just plain knows how to pitch. But with the assorted question marks at play, four years at nearly $50 million is an overpay.
Matt Kemp Leaves Los Angeles for San Diego
It wasn't like he had a choice in the matter. Kemp was traded, along with Tim Federowicz and $32 million, while in return the Dodgers get Yasmani Grandal, RHP Joe Wieland and RHP Zach Eflin. San Diego needed to find a way to score more runs, and by adding Kemp, they have that now. Kemp is coming off an .852 OPS with 25 home runs in 2014 and could do better than that going forward after looking like his old self in a scorching-hot second half. And though he comes with defense, age and injury red flags, the Padres are only on the hook for $75 million of the $107 million he's owed over the next five seasons.
The Dodgers didn't rid themselves of all of Kemp's $107 million, but for a team that loves to spend, getting $75 million off its hands is a pretty big deal.
With that much money off the books, the addition of Grandal feels like the cherry on top. He's better than you probably think, as he gets on base, hits for power and is a terrific strike framer behind the dish.
Also keep in mind that Eflin helped the Dodgers land Rollins.
