The baseball off-season had started off a bit slow, but right after the Tigers sent Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler the wheels finally started to turn. Here are a few notable moves that MLB teams have made this off season:
New York Yankees: It was announced earlier this week that the New York Yankees have signed top free agent catcher and former Atlanta Braver Brian McCann to a five-year $85 million deal. After the Yankees weren’t able to extend Russell Martin following the 2012 season, they tried to get their offense from catchers such as Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and Autine Romine. It didn’t work out as they had hoped, so by signing McCann they add a guy who is good at the plate as well as behind it.
LA Dodgers: The Dodgers have added another starting pitcher to their rotation in Dan Haren. It’s been announced that he has signed a one-year deal at $10 million with an option for 2015. A healthy Haren makes this Dodger rotation even more powerful, with players like Chad Billingsley (if he’s healthy) Zach Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and this year’s NL Cy Young winner, Clayton Kershaw. This could be the Dodgers year if all goes well health-wise.
Cleveland Indians: Former Texas Rangers outfield David Murphy has signed a two-year 12 million dollar contract with an option. The deal was reported early this month when his daughter told her teacher and classmates that her dad was going to be an Indian. Of course after hearing this, the teacher decided to tell people about it before the deal was finalized. Now that the deal is official no one has to worry about breaking any rules or codes and it’s now just a cute story that will be brought up for years to come. Oh yeah, and this deal solidifies the tribes outfield that already has Michael Brantley and Michael Bourn.
St Louis Cardinals: The Cards went looking for a better hitting shortstop and they believe they got it in free agent SS Jhonny Peralta. Yes, the same former Tigers shortstop who was suspended for 50 games this season because of his links to the Biogenesis scandal. It is a four-year deal worth $53 million. A lot of backlash has come out of this signing, even from some players such as pitchers Brad Ziegler and David Aardsma.
“It pays to cheat… Thanks, owners, for encouraging PED use,” Arizona pitcher Brad Ziegler tweeted.
“Apparently getting suspended for PED’s means you get a raise. What’s stopping anyone from doing it? (hashtag)weneedtomakeachange,” free agent pitcher David Aardsma tweeted.
These players are rightfully angry, with all the stuff that has gone on with PEDs and the fact the MLB is trying to clean up its act, giving out a contract like this makes them look very bad. It’s hard to say what the 31-year-old’s numbers will be like this season and there will be a lot of people waiting for him to slip up and call the deal a bust. The question is will this risk be a reward, or a bust kind of like Melky Cabrera in Toronto?
LA Angels and Cardinals: Finally, another trade, this one was a big one too. The Cardinals sent 2011 World Series MVP and hero David Freese to the LA Angels for Peter Bourjos and outfielding prospect Randal Grichuk. The Cardinals also sent pitcher Fernando Salas to the Angels. After a so-so season with the Cardinals and a pretty disappointing playoff run the Cardinals decided to part ways with Freese and bolster their outfield. With Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig manning the corners, Freese became expendable. He goes to LA to reunite with former Card Albert Pujols. It’s hard to say who won a trade early, but I think this one is even.
These are just some of the moves that have been made and this also sets up what could be very interesting Winter Meetings in December. All of these teams that have made moves so far are all post-season contenders and look to get further than they did last season, but these aren’t the only moves that will be made. Players like Phil Hughes, Justin Morneau, Rajai Davis, Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza, Ervin Santana, Mike Napoli, Carlos Beltran, Curtis Granderson and many more players are looking for homes. With these moves already made and these players waiting, the market might finally start up in full gear and get exciting for baseball fans.
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