This time of the year is what baseball fans enjoy! THE WINTER MEETINGS! Baseball fans love seeing the trades and signings of their favorite teams along with every other team in the MLB.
This year the Winter Meetings were held in beautiful San Diego California, it has been three decades since it was held here again. In 2014 we saw some huge signings and trades! Both teams in Chicago made some signings and trades that will make Cubs and White Sox fans anxious to begin the season, while Oakland A’s fans are at home scratching their heads wondering if Billy Beane has gone insane.
Here is a day by day recap of what happened for the four days in San Diego
Day 1
- Oakland Athletics traded 1B/OF Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians for minor league 2nd baseman Joey Wendle.
- Toronto Blue Jays claim 1B/OF Chris Colabello off waivers from the Minnesota Twins
- Chicago Cubs re-sgined SP Jason Hammel to a two-year contract worth $18 million
- Chicago White Sox sign RP David Robertson for four years, $46 million
Day 1 wasn’t filled with jaw dropping trades or signings. Only news worth noting was the trade of Brandon Moss from the A’s to the Indians. Many fans were wondering why the A’s would trade a potent bat in Moss (51 homers since 2012) but not many people remember that he was hurt all of last season and just had hip surgery so he may take some time to get back to full health. If he returns to full health (which he will) he is capable of hitting 30-35 homers while playing his home games in Cleveland. The White Sox also made a huge move by signing closer David Robertson. The money may seem like a lot but he has gotten it done for many years now and is considered one of the top closers in all of baseball, he is worth the money.
Day 2
- Chicago Cubs acquire C Miguel Montero from Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for SP Jeferson Mejia and RP Zach Godley
- Los Angeles Angels acquire C Drew Butera from Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for player to be named or cash
- Pittsburgh Pirates re-sign SP Francisco Liriano for three years, $39 million
- Chicago White Sox acquire SP Jeff Samardzija, RP Michael Ynoa from Oakland Athletics in exchange for SS Marcus Semien, SP Chris Bassitt, C Josh Phegley and 1B Rangel Ravelo
- Chicago Cubs sign SP Jon Lester for six years, $155 million with a $15 million vesting option in 2021
Day 2 had a little more heat to it than day 1 thanks to two trades and the Jon Lester signing. The Chicago Cubs first signed Jon Lester late into the night during day 2 then traded for Montero during the early mornings. Lester is a bulldog of a pitcher and is a true ace that the Cubs and their fans have been missing. He will put the team on his back and carry them as far as he can. He has no history of any arm injuries and has 2 World Series Rings along with 2 no-hitters under his belt. The Montero trade truly helps this pitching rotation and the bullpen as well as help this young lineup by bringing in a former All-Star that can hit for average as well as swing for the fences. The White Sox made 2 great moves but trading for Samardzija had to be the biggest. Behind Chris Sale they didn’t have much else, they do have some decent pitchers in the rotation but now having a solid number 2 pitcher will help.
Day 3
- Miami Marlins acquire 2B Dee Gordon and SP Dan Haren from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for SP Andrew Heaney, RP Chris Hatcher, OF Kike Hernandez and C Austin Barnes
- Pittsburgh Pirates acquire RP Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for SP Joely Rodriguez
- Houston Astros sign RP Pat Neshek for two years, $12.5 million
- Houston Astros sign RP Luke Gregerson for three years, $18.5 million
- Dodgers: Set to acquire SS Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies for two undisclosed minor leaguers
- Red Sox: Acquired LHP Wade Miley from the Diamondbacks for RHP Allen Webster, RHPRubby De La Rosa and a minor leaguer
Day 3 had a lot of signings and trades that helped fill holes for many ball clubs. The Dodgers surprised many people when they traded Dee Gordon to the Marlins. They were just dangling his name around to see what his value was, and it seemed like they liked what they were offered and pulled the trigger. They received a great young pitching prospect in Andrew Heaney and a reliever they truly needed in Chris Hatcher. Soon after they traded for Jimmy Rollins to replace Hanley at shortstop. The trade doesn’t seem to make sense since Rollins will be 35 this coming season, but he is still one of the best defensive shortstops in the league and is a great veteran presence. The Astros bolstered their bullpen by signing Gregerson and Neshek. They both got lucrative money but they are on the up-and-up and need veterans for their young but yet talented ball club.
Day 4
- Los Angeles Dodgers acquire 2B Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for LHP Andrew Heaney
- Los Angeles Angels acquire 2B/SS Josh Rutledge from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for RHP Jairo Diaz
- San Diego Padres acquire OF Matt Kemp and C Tim Federowicz from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for C Yasmani Grandal, RHP Joe Wieland and RHP Zach Eflin
- Detroit Tigers acquire OF Yoenis Cespedes, RHP Alex Wilson and LHP Gabe Speier from the Boston Red Sox for RHP Rick Porcello
- Detroit Tigers acquire RHP Alfredo Simon from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for SS Eugenio Suarez and prospect RHP Jonathan Crawford
- Miami Marlins acquire RHP Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for prospects RHP Anthony DeSclafini and C Chad Wallach
- Kansas City Royals agree to sign DH Kendrys Morales to a two-year, $17 million contract
- St. Louis Cardinals agree to sign 1B Mark Reynolds
- Boston Red Sox agree to sign RHP Justin Masterson to a one-year, $9 million deal
- Minnesota Twins and free agent RHP Ervin Santana agree on a four-year, $54 million deal
- Texas Rangers acquire LHP Ross Detwiler from the Washington Nationals for two TBD prospects
Day 4 had the most action out of any days in San Diego. The Angels traded Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers for Andrew Heaney (who was a Dodger for less than a day). Angels needed more pitching to add to their rotation and got one in the talented Heaney. Tigers traded for Cespedes from the Red Sox for Porcello (best traded in my opinion), that Tigers lineup is going to be scary now! The Marlins busted out a huge trade by getting Mat Latos from the Reds, he was needed to help that rotation since Fernandez is still covering from Tommy John. Royals needed to replace Billy Butler and signed Morales to be the everyday DH, if he stays healthy he can be deadly in the middle of that lineup by driving in runs. Cardinals signed a much needed power bat in Mark Reynolds. Twins signed a much needed ace in Ervin Santana to a 4-year deal.
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