Its been a busy 24 hours at the MLB Winter Meetings with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox making the most noise. However they haven’t been the only ones wheeling and dealing. LWOS is here to recap the latest breaking news, and biggest moves.
Let’s start in Los Angeles where the Dodgers began by making moves at second base, shipping Dee Gordon to the Marlins, while getting Howie Kendrick from the Angels in multi-player moves.
The Dodgers then went out and filled the hole that Hanley Ramirez left them at short stop, picking up former NL MVP Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies. While no official announcement has been made, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philladelphia is saying that it is a done deal pending the approval of the Commissioner’s office due to the money changing hands. The deal is reportedly for two minor league pitchers.
The #Dodgers have their shortstop as the #Phillies breakup begins with acquisition of Jimmy Rollins. http://t.co/xNeQXSRtPT
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2014
Continuing their flurry of deals, the Dodgers would then sign starter Brandon McCarthy to a four-year $48 million contract. The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal, with multiple sites later confirming. McCarthy split last season between the Diamondbacks and Yankees, and was a workhorse, logging over 200 innings. While his numbers may not look great at first glance, they are hurt by an abnormally high BABIP while he was with Arizona.
Sources: #Dodgers close to four-year deal with free-agent RHP Brandon McCarthy.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2014
The Dodgers still weren’t done, as new general manager Andrew Friedman pulled off a blockbuster deal with the San Diego Padres, sending former franchise outfielder Matt Kemp and catcher Tim Ferowicz to the club, in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal, pitcher Joe Wieland and another prospect according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
Our discussion of the Matt Kemp deal on SportsCenter this morning: http://t.co/VGf7DJ4rWh
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2014
The Red Sox have also had a busy day, loading up on pitching.
First, they picked up Wade Miley and a minor leaguer from Arizona for pitchers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster.
#RedSox have agreement in principle for #DBacks’ Miley, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. AZ will get Webster, De La Rosa and a minor leaguer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2014
Next they traded Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Wilson, and minor leaguer Gabe Speier to the Detroit Tigers for Rick Porcello.
The Sox then added a third new arm for the rotation, picking up free agent Justin Masterson on a one-year deal. Masterson split last season between the Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Masterson will get about $9 million from #RedSox
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2014
Following the Cespedes for Porcello trade, Tigers looked to shore up there own starting rotation, and looked to Cincinatti to do it. Detroit acquired Alfredo Simon from the Reds for Eugenio Suarez and Jonathon Crawford.
The #Tigers announced the club has acquired RHP Alfredo Simon from the @Reds in exchange for INF Eugenio Suarez & RHP Jonathon Crawford
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 11, 2014
The Reds weren’t done dealing pitchers though, shipping Mat Latos to the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects Chad Wallach and Anthony DeSclafani. Latos battled injuries last year and pitched just over 100 innings, but was good when healthy. He had thrown over 180 innings in each of the previous three seasons.
mat latos will be going to the marlins in trade. #reds
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2014
With Howie Kendrick moving across town, the Angels had a hole at second base, and moved quickly, making a trade for the Rockies Josh Rutledge, and giving up pitcher Jairo Diaz.
#Angels have acquired IF Josh Rutledge from the Rockies for RHP Jairo Diaz. I guess he competes for 2B job.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) December 11, 2014
The Twins were looking for another starting pitcher, and made the biggest financial commitment in club history, signing Ervin Santana.
Source: Ervin Santana finalizing a four-year deal for around $54 million with Minnesota.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2014
Another team filling a hole was the Kansas City Royals, who had lost Billy Butler in free agency. They added some power in the DH spot by picking up Kendrys Morales as a free agent.
Source: Royals agree with Kendrys Morales on a two-year deal worth $17M. Performance bonuses could take it up to $18.5M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2014
The Houston Astros had some major issues in the bullpen last season and addressed those by adding a pair of arms.
The #Astrosreshape bullpen; Luke Gregerson to 18.5 million deal, close to finalizing 2,year deal with Pat Neshek. http://t.co/jmQb6MJoEB
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2014
Meanwhile the Mets added to the outfield signing John Mayberry Jr. who had been non-tendered by the Blue Jays.
Can confirm @JonHeymanCBS #Mets close to 1-yr major league deal with John Mayberry Jr.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 11, 2014
The Cardinals have added a Right Handed power bat to platoon with Matt Adams when facing Left Handed pitching.
mark reynolds has a deal with cardinals, pending physical
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2014
The Nationals have moved Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers who were in need of starting pitching
Source: Texas gets Ross Detwiler from Washington for two minor leaguers, one an infielder and another a reliever.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2014
Stay tuned to LWOS and we’ll get you more details on moves as they become available.
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