- Chicago Cubs sign SP Jon Lester
While we had heard that this was a done deal several days before it was confirmed on MLB.com, this is an impactful enough move that it bears highlighting despite the fact that we all new it was coming. Pundits everywhere claimed that Lester's signing would jump start the pitching market, and in a sense they were right: since news broke that the former Boston ace came off the books, we've seen such "tier 2" guys such as A.J. Burnett, Ervin Santana, Brandon McCarthy, Edinson Volquez, Justin Masterson, and Brett Anderson sign with new teams, while Francisco Liriano and Jake Peavy re-upped with their 2014 clubs. True, the other two top free agent targets - Max Scherzer and James Shields - are still available, but their respective agents (Scott Boras and PSI Sports Management) will likely drag out their sagas for as long as possible.
In addition to reuniting Lester with his former employer in Boston (Theo Epstein), this signing also emphasizes a change in organizational philosophy for the Cubs, who are making some big moves with an eye to contend relatively soon. This is an easy shift to make, with such impact players as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Arismendy Alcantara already in the majors and top prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell waiting in the wings. We'll just have to see if they can contend with the continuation of Pittsburgh's feel-good story and Cardinals continuing to play baseball "the right way."
While we had heard that this was a done deal several days before it was confirmed on MLB.com, this is an impactful enough move that it bears highlighting despite the fact that we all new it was coming. Pundits everywhere claimed that Lester's signing would jump start the pitching market, and in a sense they were right: since news broke that the former Boston ace came off the books, we've seen such "tier 2" guys such as A.J. Burnett, Ervin Santana, Brandon McCarthy, Edinson Volquez, Justin Masterson, and Brett Anderson sign with new teams, while Francisco Liriano and Jake Peavy re-upped with their 2014 clubs. True, the other two top free agent targets - Max Scherzer and James Shields - are still available, but their respective agents (Scott Boras and PSI Sports Management) will likely drag out their sagas for as long as possible.
In addition to reuniting Lester with his former employer in Boston (Theo Epstein), this signing also emphasizes a change in organizational philosophy for the Cubs, who are making some big moves with an eye to contend relatively soon. This is an easy shift to make, with such impact players as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Arismendy Alcantara already in the majors and top prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell waiting in the wings. We'll just have to see if they can contend with the continuation of Pittsburgh's feel-good story and Cardinals continuing to play baseball "the right way."
Honorable Mentions: Arguably the top two infield options came off the board on the same day the Lester signing was announced. Chase Headley will return to the Yankees, the team with which he ended his 2014 campaign, pushing the highest paid steroid taker in baseball Alex Rodriguez to the full time DH role. And Jed Lowrie will return to the Astros, the team from which he was traded to the Athletics prior to 2013 (only now they're in a different league).
Tuesday 12/16/14
- Chicago White Sox sign LF Melky Cabrera
In the wake of big news from the north side of Chicago, the White Sox made yet another big splash, pulling in the top free agent outfielder left on the market. Melky's veteran switch-hitting bat will play well beside former Arizona prospect Adam Eaton and former Detroit prospect Avisail Garcia, and should push Dayan Viciedo into the same reserve role that he had to start 2014. His time with the Blue Jays has pretty much washed away any questions about his steroid-enhanced production, as it did with Nelson Cruz, but while I would still be a little worried, even midrange power will play better in US Cellular Field than whatever Toronto is calling their stadium these days. I don't know if this signing pushes Chicago ahead of the Tigers as AL Central favorites, but they're certainly better with Cabrera than without him.
In the wake of big news from the north side of Chicago, the White Sox made yet another big splash, pulling in the top free agent outfielder left on the market. Melky's veteran switch-hitting bat will play well beside former Arizona prospect Adam Eaton and former Detroit prospect Avisail Garcia, and should push Dayan Viciedo into the same reserve role that he had to start 2014. His time with the Blue Jays has pretty much washed away any questions about his steroid-enhanced production, as it did with Nelson Cruz, but while I would still be a little worried, even midrange power will play better in US Cellular Field than whatever Toronto is calling their stadium these days. I don't know if this signing pushes Chicago ahead of the Tigers as AL Central favorites, but they're certainly better with Cabrera than without him.
Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers bolstered their rotation behind Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu by signing Brandon McCarthy, who pumped up his value with a big second half of 2014 with the Yankees. The Royals replaced Billy Butler's production at DH with free agent Kendrys Morales, who will be able to play a full season thanks to his lack of qualifying offer stigma. And the Angels acquired OF/DH option Matt Joyce from the Rays for relief pitcher and former Olympian Kevin Jepsen.
Wednesday 12/17/14
- Miami Marlins sign LF/1B Michael Morse
For a team looking to surround its start player with strong win-now pieces, Garrett Jones is not your ideal first baseman. And for Florida native Michael Morse, fresh off a World Series title, going back to play in his home state seems like a good fit. Since the Marlins have three quality outfielders already, Morse's defensive range in the outfield is unlikely to be tested. He's shown that he's a fierce competitor who can benefit a club not only with his powerful bat but also with his infectious personality. Call me old fashioned, but intangibles are important, and I'll bet if the clubhouse in Miami is a fun place to play, the team will perform all the better.
For a team looking to surround its start player with strong win-now pieces, Garrett Jones is not your ideal first baseman. And for Florida native Michael Morse, fresh off a World Series title, going back to play in his home state seems like a good fit. Since the Marlins have three quality outfielders already, Morse's defensive range in the outfield is unlikely to be tested. He's shown that he's a fierce competitor who can benefit a club not only with his powerful bat but also with his infectious personality. Call me old fashioned, but intangibles are important, and I'll bet if the clubhouse in Miami is a fun place to play, the team will perform all the better.
Thursday 12/18/14
- Los Angeles Dodgers trade OF Matt Kemp and C Tim Federowicz to San Diego Padres for C Yasmani Grandal, P Joe Wieland, and P Zach Eflin
If you thought this trade looked out of place when it was first reported, I don't blame you. Of the five good outfielders the Dodgers could have inserted into their starting lineup, I'd say Kemp was not the first or even second most likely to be traded, given his monster salary and fan-favorite status in Los Angeles. And at the time he didn't look anything like the one piece San Diego needed to jump from the middle of the division into contention. Little did we know that new GM A.J. Preller was not even close to finished overhauling his roster.
Honorable Mentions: Both the A's and the Padres continued their fervent offseason activity with a swap of All-Star catcher Derek Norris (the last vestige of the Gio Gonzalez trade with the Nationals) for promising young righty pitchers Jesse Hahn (who made his debut last year in his only season with San Diego after being acquired from the Rays last offseason) and R.J. Alvarez (who was ranked six slots higher than his trade partner on his former team's organizational prospect list at #7).
Friday 12/19/14
- Tampa Bay Rays traded RF Wil Myers, C Ryan Hanigan, P Jose Castillo, and P Gerardo Reyes to San Diego Padres for C Rene Rivera, P Burch Smith, and IF Jake Bauers
- Washington Nationals traded OF Steven Souza Jr. and P Travis Ott to Tampa Bay Rays
- San Diego Padres trade P Joe Ross and PTBNL (IF Trea Turner) to Washington Nationals
I saw one pair of comments on the MLB Trade Rumors page for one of San Diego's myriad crazy deals that best describes how this offseason is going (and of course I now wish that I had taken a screen shot):
New Padres GM A.J. Preller has indeed led a 300-esque charge into the trade market this season, taking an unheralded mediocre team team and turning it into something relevant, at least for the headlines if not the actual baseball season. I wouldn't be surprised if the former Rangers executive and Cornell graduate conducts all his trades while wearing nothing but a loincloth and red cape. As you will see in the following paragraphs, there was a lot of activity to end this transactional week, but I picked this deal to highlight because of the convoluted nature of all the moving parts involved. The most interesting aspect of this deal might not even be the former Rookie of the Year changing hands, but that the majority of the commentary I've read about it names the Nationals as the biggest winners. That's because shortstop prospect Trea Turner won't even become eligible to be traded until June, hence the Player To Be Named Later tag. At first glance, this trade looks like a head-scratcher for the Rays, but I wouldn't blame them for scratching their heads a little after their entire front office jumped ship.
Honorable Mentions: Because acquiring two All-Star caliber outfielders in two days isn't enough, San Diego also orchestrated a blockbuster deal to acquire one year of Justin Upton's services from the Braves. All it cost them was two of their top 10 prospects going into 2014: middle infielder Jace Peterson (who could slot into second base next to Andrelton Simmons rather quickly) and injured pitcher Max Fried (who also was named a top 50 prospect by MLB.com last offseason). Because what use is it hiring a new general manager if he's not going to empty your farm system for a shot to win now? Because it worked so well for Billy Beane last year...
Also, the Phillies decided to part ways with their face of the franchise shortstop Jimmy Rollins, shipping him to Los Angeles to complete the Dodgers' middle infield makeover. This deal was on the table for more than a week because the key piece that Philadelphia would to get in return - pitching prospect Zach Eflin - had yet to be acquired in the previous day's Matt Kemp trade. This marks the second time this offseason that the Dodgers have acquired a high ceiling young pitcher and then immediately traded him away for a middle infielder.
If you thought this trade looked out of place when it was first reported, I don't blame you. Of the five good outfielders the Dodgers could have inserted into their starting lineup, I'd say Kemp was not the first or even second most likely to be traded, given his monster salary and fan-favorite status in Los Angeles. And at the time he didn't look anything like the one piece San Diego needed to jump from the middle of the division into contention. Little did we know that new GM A.J. Preller was not even close to finished overhauling his roster.
Honorable Mentions: Both the A's and the Padres continued their fervent offseason activity with a swap of All-Star catcher Derek Norris (the last vestige of the Gio Gonzalez trade with the Nationals) for promising young righty pitchers Jesse Hahn (who made his debut last year in his only season with San Diego after being acquired from the Rays last offseason) and R.J. Alvarez (who was ranked six slots higher than his trade partner on his former team's organizational prospect list at #7).
Friday 12/19/14
- Tampa Bay Rays traded RF Wil Myers, C Ryan Hanigan, P Jose Castillo, and P Gerardo Reyes to San Diego Padres for C Rene Rivera, P Burch Smith, and IF Jake Bauers
- Washington Nationals traded OF Steven Souza Jr. and P Travis Ott to Tampa Bay Rays
- San Diego Padres trade P Joe Ross and PTBNL (IF Trea Turner) to Washington Nationals
I saw one pair of comments on the MLB Trade Rumors page for one of San Diego's myriad crazy deals that best describes how this offseason is going (and of course I now wish that I had taken a screen shot):
Commenter 1: This is madness.
Commenter 2: THIS IS PRELLER!
New Padres GM A.J. Preller has indeed led a 300-esque charge into the trade market this season, taking an unheralded mediocre team team and turning it into something relevant, at least for the headlines if not the actual baseball season. I wouldn't be surprised if the former Rangers executive and Cornell graduate conducts all his trades while wearing nothing but a loincloth and red cape. As you will see in the following paragraphs, there was a lot of activity to end this transactional week, but I picked this deal to highlight because of the convoluted nature of all the moving parts involved. The most interesting aspect of this deal might not even be the former Rookie of the Year changing hands, but that the majority of the commentary I've read about it names the Nationals as the biggest winners. That's because shortstop prospect Trea Turner won't even become eligible to be traded until June, hence the Player To Be Named Later tag. At first glance, this trade looks like a head-scratcher for the Rays, but I wouldn't blame them for scratching their heads a little after their entire front office jumped ship.
Honorable Mentions: Because acquiring two All-Star caliber outfielders in two days isn't enough, San Diego also orchestrated a blockbuster deal to acquire one year of Justin Upton's services from the Braves. All it cost them was two of their top 10 prospects going into 2014: middle infielder Jace Peterson (who could slot into second base next to Andrelton Simmons rather quickly) and injured pitcher Max Fried (who also was named a top 50 prospect by MLB.com last offseason). Because what use is it hiring a new general manager if he's not going to empty your farm system for a shot to win now? Because it worked so well for Billy Beane last year...
Also, the Phillies decided to part ways with their face of the franchise shortstop Jimmy Rollins, shipping him to Los Angeles to complete the Dodgers' middle infield makeover. This deal was on the table for more than a week because the key piece that Philadelphia would to get in return - pitching prospect Zach Eflin - had yet to be acquired in the previous day's Matt Kemp trade. This marks the second time this offseason that the Dodgers have acquired a high ceiling young pitcher and then immediately traded him away for a middle infielder.
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