Much like Sportsnaut did over the MLB trade deadline in July, we are going to make things a bit easier for our readers. While still reporting and analyzing on the news around the hot stove, we will have all major signings and trades wrapped up in this cut little article for the remainder of the offseason.
| Player | Position | 2014 Team | 2015 Team | Contract |
| Max Scherzer | SP | Tigers | ||
| Jon Lester | SP | Athletics | Cubs | 6Y-$155M |
| James Shields | SP | Royals | ||
| Pablo Sandoval | 3B | Giants | Red Sox | 5Y-$95M |
| Hanley Ramirez | INF | Dodgers | Red Sox | 4Y-$88M |
| Victor Martinez | DH | Tigers | Tigers | 4Y-$68M |
| Russell Martin | C | Pirates | Blue Jays | 5Y-$82M |
| Nelson Cruz | OF | Orioles | Mariners | 4Y-$57M |
| Ervin Santana | SP | Braves | Twins | 4Y-$54M |
| Francisco Liriano | SP | Pirates | Pirates | 3Y-$39M |
| Melky Cabrera | OF | Blue Jays | White Sox | 3Y-$42M |
| Adam LaRoche | 1B | Nationals | White Sox | 2Y-$25M |
| David Robertson | CL | Yankees | White Sox | 4Y-$46M |
| Chase Headley | 3B | Yankees | Yankees | 4Y-$52M |
| Andrew Miller | RP | Orioles | Yankees | 4Y-$36M |
| Brandon McCarthy | SP | Yankees | Dodgers | 4Y-$48M |
| Aramis Ramirez | 3B | Brewers | ||
| Colby Rasmus | OF | Blue Jays | ||
| Jason Hammel | SP | Athletics | Cubs | 2Y-$18M |
| Alex Rios | OF | Rangers | ||
| Nick Markakis | OF | Orioles | Braves | 4Y-$44M |
| Michael Cuddyer | OF | Rockies | Mets | 2Y-$21M |
| Torii Hunter | OF | Tigers | Twins | 1Y-$10.5M |
| Jake Peavy | SP | Giants | ||
| Asdrubal Cabrera | INF | Nationals | ||
| Norichika Aoki | OF | Royals | ||
| Edinson Volquez | SP | Pirates | ||
| Luke Gregerson | RP | Athletics | Astros | 3Y-$18.5M |
| Sergio Romo | RP | Giants | ||
| Jed Lowrie | SS | Athletics | Astros | 3Y-$23M |
| Francisco Rodriguez | RP | Brewers | ||
| Justin Masterson | SP | Cardinals | Red Sox | 1Y-$9M |
| A.J. Burnett | SP | Phillies | Pirates | 1Y-$8.5M |
| Zach Duke | RP | Brewers | White Sox | 3Y-$15M |
| Jason Grilli | RP | Angels | ||
| Stephen Drew | INF | Yankees | ||
| Kendrys Morales | 1B/DH | Mariners | Royals | 2Y-$17M |
| Billy Butler | 1B/DH | Royals | Athletics | 3Y-$30M |
| Pat Neshek | RP | Cardinals | Astros | 2Y-$12.5M |
| Ryan Vogelsong | SP | Giants | ||
| Rickie Weeks | INF | Brewers | ||
| Mike Morse | OF | Giants | ||
| Yasmany Tomas | OF | Cuba | Diamondback | 6Y-$68.5M |
| Jose Fernandez | 2B | Cuba | ||
| Hector Olivera | INF | Cuba | ||
| Rafael Soriano | RP | Nationals | ||
| Aaron Harang | SP | Braves | ||
| Brett Anderson | SP | Rockies | Dodgers | 1Y-$10M |
| Luke Hochevar | RP | Royals | Royals | 2Y-$10M |
| Kyle Kendrick | SP | Phillies |
Trades
| Red Sox Get | Tigers Get |
| SP- Rick Porcello | OF- Yoenis Cespedes |
So Cespedes has now been traded for the second time in six months. It surely does make us think if there is an issue with his personality at play here. The two-time defending Home-Run Derby Champion is a five-tool player, but his numbers simply haven’t suggested that type of production on the diamond. He hit just .260 with 22 homers and a solid 100 RBI last year. But Cespedes posted a low .301 on-base percentage and struck out 128 times.
In terms of Boston’s haul in this deal, Porcello has front of the rotation stuff. He has won 10-plus game in each of his six seasons and put up a career-best 3.43 ERA this past year. Adding Porcello to a completely revamped rotation will only help the Red Sox moving forward.
| Tigers Get | Reds Get |
| SP- Alfredo Simon | SS- Eugenio Suarez |
| SP- Jonathan Crawford |
It sure looks like Cincinnati got the best of this deal. It acquired a good young shortstop prospect and one of the best pitching arms in Detroit’s organization for a journeyman starter with one year of success under his belt. And while Alfredo Simon pitched well last year, there is no history to suggest that he will repeat the 15 wins and 3.44 ERA he put up in Cincinnati last year.
In Jonathan Crawford, the Reds acquire Cincinnati’s first-round pick in the 2013 draft and someone that could very well be fast-tracked to the Majors. He put up a 2.85 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 23 starts in Single-A ball last year. Eugenio Suarez, on the other hand, had a cup of team with the Tigers and held his own at the plate. He can play both short and second.
| Marlins Get | Reds Get |
| Mat Latos | SP- Anthony DeSclafani |
| C- Chad Wallach |
It’s highly unlikely that the Reds are in fire-sale mode right now, but Latos represents the second veteran arm they have traded during the winter meetings. The reliable starter, still only 27, missed substantial time due to injury for the first time in his career last year. He netted a 3.25 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 5-5 record in 16 starts last year. Latos is still yet to put up an ERA of more than 3.48 in any of his five full seasons in the majors, posting a career 3.34 mark. He will be a solid addition to a Marlins rotation that already added Dan Haren to the mix from the Dodgers.
Looking to find a happy medium between contention and preparing for the future, Cincinnati received two young players back in the deal. Anthony DeSclafani was acquired by Miami from the Blue Jays in the deal that sent Jose Reyes north of the boarder a few years back. The 24-year-old starter put up a 6-7 record with a 3.78 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He’s seen as a power arm with an ability to be a No. 3 starter at the Major League level. Chad Wallach is a big further from the big leagues. He’s only played in 140 professional games after being taken in the fifth round of the 2013 draft. But Wallach has tallied a career .293 average with a splendid .392 on-base percentage in the minors. He’s a solid young addition for the Reds.
| Red Sox Get | Diamondbacks Get |
| SP- Wade Miley | SP- Rubby De La Rosa |
| SP- Allen Webster |
It’s apparent that new Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart wants to send as many arms out there possible to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. That’s the only reasonable explanation for him sending Miley packing for two young starters who struggled a great deal with the Red Sox last season. Miley, an All-Star back in 2012 has failed to finish over .500 in each of the past two seasons but did put up 200-plus innings both years and is seen as a front-line starter by some scouts around baseball. He fits Boston’s mold of finding younger talent to fill in at specific spots in the rotation. In reality, Miley is probably a No. 3 starter in a good rotation.
As it relates to what the Diamondbacks received, it’s hard to be terrible impressed. De La Rosa, 25, put up a 4.43 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 19 games (18 starts) last season. He wasn’t considered among the top young players in Boston’s organization prior to the deal. On the other hand, Webster found himself on many top-10 lists prior to a disappointing stint with the big league club this past year. He will likely start the season in the rotation and is the centerpiece of this deal for Arizona.
| Padres Get | Dodgers Get |
| OF- Matt Kemp | C- Yasmani Grandal |
| C- Tim Federowicz | SP- Joe Wieland |
| $31 Million Cash | SP- Zach Eflin |
This is a nice little switch. San Diego nabs the former high-price All-Star while the Dodgers take on some young talent. In a deal that’s been in the works for some time now, Los Angeles rids itself of $70 million in salary over the next five years. As it relates to the Padres, they get that one power hitter that the team has been missing for some time now. And while Kemp’s numbers have decreased recently, he still hit nearly .290 with 25 homers this past season.
Coming back to the Dodgers in this deal as the centerpiece is young catcher Yasmani Grandal, who should be a significant upgrade as a hitting catcher over A.J. Ellis. The Dodgers were also able to nab a young prospect in Zach Eflin and a potential long reliever in the form of Joe Wieland.
| Dodgers Get | Angels Get |
| 2B- Howie Kendrick | SP- Andrew Heaney |
This could be seen as an extension of the Dee Gordon trade. The Dodgers ended up flipping Andrew Heaney to the Angels in exchange for All-Star second baseman Howie Kendrick, who will now form a great double-play combo with shortstop Jimmy Rollins. For the Angels, this deal was about netting a young arm for an infielder they have had on the market for some time. Check out our full analysis of this deal here.
| Dodgers Get | Marlins Get |
| SP- Andrew Heaney | 2B- Dee Gordon |
| RP- Chris Hatcher | SP- Dan Haren |
| INF- Austin Barnes | INF- Miguel Rojas |
| UT- Enrique Hernandez |
A lot to sift through here, but you can make it easy on yourself and check out our full breakdown of this deal here. The first thing you need to know is that Andrew Heaney (Miami’s top prospect) lasted about five hours with the Dodgers before being moved to the Angels in a separate deal. The second important note is that veteran starter Dan Haren may end up retiring instead of joining the Marlins. If so, Los Angeles will give Miami some cash in this deal.
As it is, Miami gets a lead-off hitter in Gordon who led baseball in stolen bases with 64 last year. It also potentially nets a solid veteran arm in Haren. On the other hand, the Dodgers found a way to add a solid bullpen arm in Hatcher as well as a few other pieces, one of which has already been moved.
| Pirates Get | Phillies Get |
| RP- Antonio Bastardo | SP- Joely Rodriguez |
Philadelphia may now be in full fire-sale mode. After sending Rollins to the Dodgers in a reported three-player deal, it has moved veteran lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo to the Pirates. The southpaw finished last season with a 5-7 record and a 3.94 ERA in 67 appearances. He also struck out a whopping 81 batters in 64 innings.
In return, Philadelphia nets a young starting pitcher in the form of the 23-year-old Joely Rodriguez, who is still quite a bit away from the Majors. He put up a 6-11 record with a 4.84 ERA in 30 appearances (21 starts) for Double-A Altoona last season.
| Dodgers Get | Phillies Get |
| SS- Jimmy Rollins | Unnamed Prospects |
We aren’t exactly too sure what the Phillies received in this deal, but it is said to be two young pitching prospects. Once that is hashed out, we will focus on what is heading Philadelphia’s way.
On the other hand, the Dodgers found a replacement for recently departed shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the form of this 15-year veteran. Rollins has seen his offensive production decline as of late, but he’s still a viable top of the order bat who can provide speed and a higher on-base percentage.
| Cubs Get | Diamondbacks Get |
| C- Miguel Montero | RP- Zack Godley |
| SP/RP- Jeferson Mejia |
Seen as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, Montero will also upgrade a catching position in Chicago that was less-than-stellar at the plate last season.
Montero hit just .243 this past season, but earned an All-Star appearance based in his stellar defense and an ability to handle Arizona’s pitching staff. His best season came in 2012 when he hit .280 and drove in 88 runs.
Godley, 24, posted a 3.09 ERA in 40 appearances (all in relief) at two different Single-A stops last season. He is a reliever by trade and figures to be a couple years from the majors.
On the other hand, Mejia is a bit further from the Big League club. The 20-year-old Dominican product put up a 2.48 ERA in 12 appearances for Chicago’s rookie league club this past year.
| White Sox Get | Athletics Get |
| SP- Jeff Samardzija | INF- Marcus Semien |
| SP/RP- Michael Ynoa | SP- Chris Bassitt |
| C- Josh Phegley | |
| 1B- Rangel Ravelo |
Potential franchise-altering move for both teams. Chicago gets a pitcher in Jeff Samardzija who can act as a dominant force atop to the teams rotation with Chris Sale. And while it’s not yet known when the White Sox will be able to retain Samardzija beyond the 2015 season, we can rest assured that extension negotiations will take place at some point in the not-so-distant future. The former Chicago Cubs draft pick may have finished six games under .500 this past season, but he did post an ERA under three and struck out over 200 batters in a career-high 219.2 innings.
Oakland nets four prospects in this deal, including a major-league ready Marcus Semien who will compete for the team’s starting shortstop job. Semien, a San Francisco native, hit .234 with six homers for the White Sox last season. Based on consensus rankings, Semien was Chicago’s fourth-ranked prospect heading into the 2014 season. Bassitt posted a 3.94 ERA in six games (five starts) last season. He was a 16th-round pick back in 2011, and is said to have bottom of the rotation upside. Both Phegley and Ravelo are said to have pop at the plate as well. Phegley has seven homers in 241 career MLB at-bats and hit 23 homers at Triple-A last season. Meanwhile, Ravelo put up a .309 average in Double-A last year.
| Indians Get | Athletics Get |
| 1B/OF/DH- Brandon Moss | INF- Joey Wendle |
As with most of Oakland’s recent trades, this is a head-scratcher. Why trade your only remaining hitter capable of knocking 30-plus homers out of the park for a Double-A middle infielder? Oh how fun it would be to exist in Billy Bean’s mind for a second. As it is, Cleveland gets a middle of the lineup hitter that’s coming off three consecutive 20-plus homer seasons.
On the other hand, Oakland nabs a player in Wendle who was nowhere to be found among the Indians top prospects heading into the season. The second baseman by trade hit .253 with eight homers and 50 RBI at Double-A Akron in 2014.
| Yankees Get | Diamondbacks Get | Tigers Get |
| SS- Didi Gregorius | SP- Robbie Ray | SP- Shane Greene |
The name recognition might not be there in this three-team trade, but this is a rather significant move for all three teams involved. The Yankees acquire an heir-apparent to Derek Jeter in Gregorius, who is among the best fielding shortstops in baseball. The soon-to-be 25-year-old middle infielder hit just .226 with six homers and 27 RBI last season. He’s strictly going to be a platoon player early on, especially considering the new Yankee hit just .137 against left-handed pitching last season.
As it relates to the Diamondbacks, they get a young rotation arm in Ray who was Detroit’s consensus No. 2 prospect heading into the 2014 season. After struggling to an extent at Triple-A Toledo, Ray was promoted to the Majors where he didn’t necessarily fair too well. The 23-year-old lefty put up an 8.16 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in nine appearances (six starts). He’ll be given an opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation in Spring Training.
This move is somewhat surprising for the Tigers, who traded a higher-upside pitcher in exchange for someone in Shane Greene who will likely top out as a No. 5 starter in a good rotation. The 26-year-old recorded a solid 3.78 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) this past season.
| Mariners Get | Blue Jays Get |
| SP- J.A. Happ | OF- Michael Saunders |
Here’s a deal involving so much more than the two players going to different cities. By sending Michael Saunders to Canada, the Mariners may in fact be on the verge of acquiring another power-hitting outfielder to go with newly signed Nelson Cruz. Saunders, a former top prospect, has not panned out thus far in his career. But it’s safe to say that a change in cities may do the 28-year-old outfielder some good. He hit .273 with eight homers in 2014.
One would think that Seattle might have been able to acquire more than a marginal veteran starter in J.A. Happ for Saunders. Happ finished last season with a 11-11 record and simple hasn’t been more than a back-end rotation option over the years. Either way, this could signify more moves for both Seattle and Toronto moving forward.
| Blue Jays Get | Athletics Get |
| Josh Donaldson | Brett Lawrie |
| Kendall Graveman | |
| Sean Nolin | |
| Franklin Barreto |
Massive trade with some wide-ranging ramifications. It appears that A’s general manager Billy Beane is prepared to blow this thing up in Oakland. By trading Donaldson, Oakland sent its best hitter packing for an injury-plagued veteran third baseman and three prospects.
For the Blue Jays, this is all about win now. They gave up three valuable young players in order to nab an up-and-coming star who is coming off his best season. Donaldson hit 29 homers, drove in 98 runs and played a Gold Glove caliber third base last season. Now teaming up with Jose Batista, the Blue Jays have one heck of a duo to build around moving forward. And now rumors persist that this won’t be the only big move Toronto makes.
Oakland’s at a clear crossroads. Shortly after giving up the farm to acquire Jeff Samardzija, Oakland reverses field to acquire young prospects in exchange for a proven veteran. Brett Lawrie will immediately take over for Donaldson at third. He’s a career .265 hitter with 43 homers in what amounts to about two full seasons at the Major League level. Oakland acquired Toronto’s fifth-ranked prospect heading into the season. Sean Nolin, a sixth-round pick back in 2010, put up a 3.50 ERA and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 17 starts last season in Triple-A. Oakland also picked up lefty starter Kendall Graveman and 18-year-old shortstop prospect Franklin Barreto in the deal. Barreto was a top-10 Jays prospect heading into 2014, while Graveman posted a 2.23 ERA for Single-A ball in 2014.
| Athletics Get | Pirates Get |
| 1B- Ike Davis | International Slot Money |
Oakland attempts to continue adding bats to a lineup that struggled a great deal down the stretch this past season. Davis, who hit 11 homers and drove in over 50 runs last year, will provide depth at both first base and designated hitter. It is, however, a rather odd move considering that he’s likely going to earn nearly $5 million as an arbitration-eligible player in 2015. Davis’ best season came back in 2012 when he hit 32 homers and drove in 90 for the New York Mets. Here’s our full analysis of the deal.
| Braves Get | Cardinals Get |
| SP- Shelby Miller | Jason Heyward |
| SP- Tyler Jenkins | Jordan Walden |
In Jason Heyward, the Cardinals get a potential five-tool player who is coming off a downturn in a career that started out with high expectations. He is going to be called on to make up for the loss of top Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras, who tragically died in a car accident earlier in November. Heyward hit .271 with just 11 homers this past season. He’s under team control through next season.
St. Louis also acquired a late-inning receiver in the form of Jordan Walden here. The veteran righty put up a 2.88 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning in 58 appearances last season. He saved 32 games and was an All-Star for the Los Angeles Angels back in 2011.
Shelby Miller provides the Braves with a solid young arm that is one year removed from putting up 15 wins with an ERA just over three. He struggled to the tune of a 10-9 record this past season, but has the upside to be a frontline starter. It also helps that Miller is under team control through the 2018 campaign.
Tyler Jenkins was considered one of the top Cardinals prospects. The 21-year-old starter spent this past season in Single-A ball and is said to have electric stuff. He’s still far away from being a contributor for the big league club.
| Diamondbacks Get | Rays Get |
| SP- Jeremy Hellickson | OF- Justin Williams |
| INF- Andrew Velazquez |
Arizona nabs a middle of the rotation arm in former AL Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson. He doesn’t do a whole lot as it relates to bringing consistency to the top of the rotation, but the veteran will give Arizona the necessary innings that it needs from a No. 3 or No. 4 starter. The 27-year-old starter went 1-5 with a 4.52 ERA in an injury-shortened 2014 campaign. Prior to that Hellickson had put up three consecutive double-digit win seasons.
As they have done throughout their history, the Rays found a way to replenish their farm system in this deal. Justin Williams was a consensus top-10 prospect for the Diamondbacks heading into 2014. He hit .351 between rookie and Single-A ball this past season. Andrew Velazquez, a shortstop by trade, stole a whopping 50 bases and compiled 15 triples in Single-A in 2014.
| Blue Jays Get | Tigers Get |
| OF- Devon Travis | OF- Anthony Gose |
Not much to look at here. Some figured Toronto was expecting Gose to be a regular outfielder at some point, but he struggled big time at the plate in 2014, hitting just .226 and striking out 74 times in 239 at-bats. Travis was a 13th-round pick of the Tigers in 2012 and put up some pretty good numbers for Double-A Erie this past season. He hit .298 with 10 homers and 52 RBI.
| Blue Jays Get | Brewers Get |
| SP- Marco Estrada | INF/OF- Adam Lind |
In the first move of the offseason, Toronto and Milwaukee swapped disappointing veterans. Years removed from hitting .305 with 45 homers and 114 RBI back in 2009, Lind found himself in a platoon position this past season. Lind hit .321 this past season, but only .061 against left-handed pitchers. Meanwhile, Estrada split time between the rotation and bullpen for Milwaukee. He put up a 7-6 record with a 4.36 ERA in 39 games (18 starts). He figures to compete for a spot in Toronto’s rotation or will be used as a long man.