Weekend Digest: 2014 Winter Meetings Roundup

TRADES

Dodgers-Padres

Padres get: OF Matt Kemp, C Tim Federowicz
Dodgers get: C Yasmani Grandal, SP Joe Wieland, SP Zach Eflin (minors)

Arguably the biggest trade of the Winter Meetings, Matt Kemp is sent south to San Diego along with a backup catcher in return for Yasmani Grandal and two pitchers, one of whom (Eflin) would be later flipped to the Phillies as part of a package for Jimmy Rollins.

Dodgers-Marlins

Marlins get: 2B Dee Gordon, SP Dan Haren, INF Miguel Rojas
Dodgers get: SP Andrew Heaney, INF Enrique Hernandez, RP Chris Hatcher, 2B/C Austin Barnes (minors)

This trade was interesting in that Haren has stated that he would likely retire if traded away from SoCal. The Dodgers also acquired pitching prospect Andrew Heaney in the deal, but since they traded away Dee Gordon, they needed a second baseman. So...

Dodgers-Angels

Dodgers get: 2B Howie Kendrick
Angels get: SP Andrew Heaney

Heaney was a Dodger for five hours before being flipped across town to the Angels. Afterwards, he joked about his tenure with the club.

Well, @Dodgers we had a good run! Great to be a part of such a storied franchise. #thanksforthememories

— Andrew Heaney (@Heandog8) December 11, 2014

Dodgers-Phillies

Dodgers get: SS Jimmy Rollins
Phillies get: SP Zach Eflin (minors), SP Tom Windle (minors)

The names of the two pitchers going to the Phillies weren't revealed until Friday; the Dodgers had acquired Eflin earlier in the Matt Kemp trade. Rollins waived his 10/5 rights and accepted the deal. The Phillies will also send money to the Dodgers, who needed a proven shortstop with Hanley Ramirez gone and Erisbel Arruebarrena not proving to be much of a hitter.

A's-White Sox

White Sox get: SP Jeff Samardzija, RP Michael Ynoa (minors)
A's get: INF Marcus Semien, C Josh Phegley, 1B Rangel Ravelo (minors), SP Chris Bassitt (minors)

The first big trade of the Winter Meetings saw the South Siders catch a shark. Samardzija returns to the Windy City in different colors and will form a 1-2 punch in the rotation with Chris Sale.

A's-Indians

Indians get: 1B/OF Brandon Moss
A's get: INF Joey Wendle (minors)

Cubs-Diamondbacks

Cubs get: C Miguel Montero
Diamondbacks get: RP Jeferson Mejia (minors), RP Zack Godley (minors)

Angels-Rockies

Angels get: INF Josh Rutledge
Rockies get: RP Jairo Diaz (minors)

Since they traded away Howie Kendrick, the Angels needed a new second baseman. Rutledge has been worth negative WAR in his three years, and isn't the best with the glove.

Reds-Marlins

Marlins get: SP Mat Latos
Reds get: SP Anthony DeSclafani, C Chad Wallach (minors)

Jose Fernandez is set to come back around the All-Star Break, and with Cosart and now Latos in the rotation, the Marlins appear to be legitimate threats in the NL East.

Red Sox-Tigers

Red Sox get: SP Rick Porcello
Tigers get: OF Yoenis Cespedes, RP Alex Wilson, SP Gabe Speier (minors)

Detroit sacrificed pitching to grab a big bat in Cespedes. Brad Ausmus now has the option of putting him in between Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the lineup - a pitcher's worst nightmare.

Tigers-Reds

Tigers get: SP Alfredo Simon
Reds get: SS Eugenio Suarez, SP Jonathon Crawford (minors)

Red Sox-Diamondbacks

Red Sox get: SP Wade Miley
Diamondbacks get: SP Rubby de la Rosa, SP Allen Webster, PTBNL (minors)

Rangers-Nationals

Rangers get: SP/RP Ross Detwiler
Nationals get: RP Abel de los Santos (minors), INF Chris Bostick (minors)

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

Cubs: Jon Lester

Terms: 6 years, $155 million with vesting option for seventh year worth $25 million if he pitches at least 200 innings in 2020 or 400 total innings between 2019-2020

Lester had no shortage of potential suitors, including his beloved Red Sox, but he ultimately chose the Cubs late Tuesday. His average annual salary of $25.8 million is second only to Clayton Kershaw; the signing now improves the team's odds of winning the World Series to 12-1.

White Sox: David Robertson

Terms: 4 years, $46 million

Should a closer really be worth that much? In his first year as closer, Robertson notched 39 saves and struck out 96 batters in 64.1 innings for the Yankees. His job is to solidify the back end of a bullpen that was horrible in 2014; its 4.38 relief ERA ranking 28th in the Majors. In addition, the White Sox traded starter Andre Rienzo to the Marlins for lefty reliever Dan Jennings.

Pirates: Francisco Liriano

Terms: 3 years, $39 million

The Pirates gave Liriano a significant raise, bringing back the lefty for $13 million per year after a $6 million one-year contract. Liriano has a 3.20 ERA in two seasons with Pittsburgh, but has a 4.07 ERA overall in nine seasons.

Astros: Pat Neshek, Luke Gregerson

Neshek terms: 2 years, $12.5 million with $500,000 buyout and club option for third year between $6.5-9 million

Gregerson terms: 3 years, $18.5 million; $21 million if he's the closer

Twins: Ervin Santana

Terms: 4 years, $55 million with vesting option for fifth year worth $13 million if he throws 200 innings in 2018

Hope you took your long sleeves and thermal underwear, Ervin. It gets so cold up there that snowmen get goosebumps.

Cardinals: Mark Reynolds

Terms: 1 year, $2 million

The all-or-nothing Reynolds is most likely to serve as a right-handed complement to Matt Adams at first base.

Dodgers: Brandon McCarthy

Terms: 4 years, $48 million

Royals: Kendrys Morales

Terms: 2 years, $17 million with $750,000 per year in incentives plus mutual option for third year

Morales had a horrible 2014 and has yet to repeat his 2009 performance when he hit 34 homers with 108 RBI and a .924 OPS.

Red Sox: Justin Masterson

Terms: 1 year, $9.5 million with $2.5 million in total incentives; $500,000 for 185 innings, $500,000 for every five additional innings up to 205 innings