MLB offseason moves 12/1 – 12/15 (National League)

The Winter Meetings have come and gone and brought significant change to baseball’s landscape. After an eventful two weeks let’s review what has happened in the National League.

NL East

Miami Marlins:

1. The Marlins acquired RHP Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds for RHP Anthony DeSclafani and C Chad Wallach (High A – Jupiter). Latos is now in the final year of his contract and thanks to the Reds lack of funds, Miami is the benefactor. Latos will drastically aid a rotation that is missing Jose Fernandez who is healing after Tommy John surgery. DeSclafani is the big piece in the deal for the Reds and can contribute right away.
2. The Marlins acquired 2B Dee Gordon, RHP Dan Haren, INF Miguel Rojas and a player to be named later from the Los Angeles Dodgers for LHP Andrew Heaney, INF Enrique Hernandez, RP Chris Hatcher and C Austin Barnes (AA – Jacksonville). The speedy Gordon and the talented Heaney are the two big pieces in this deal as the Dodgers used Heaney to get Howie Kendrick and Gordon solidifies the 2B position for Miami. Haren is another interesting piece because if he decides to not retire, he could impact the rotation as a needed fifth starter.
3. The Marlins acquired RHP Andre Rienzo from the Chicago White Sox for RP Dan Jennings. Rienzo helps to replenish the pitching depth the Marlins used to get Latos and Gordon. All it took was veteran reliever Jennings, who joins a vastly upgraded bullpen in Chicago.

New York Mets

1. The Mets signed OF John Mayberry Jr. to a one- year, $1.45 million deal. Mayberry Jr. gives the Mets a better bench and could be a nice buy low option for the Mets, who already invested in Michael Cuddyer.

NOTE: There is a reported trade of Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins going to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It has not been made official yet.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs:

1. The Cubs signed LHP Jon Lester to a six-year, $155 million deal. Lester is a true ace and instantly kick starts the Cubs from “promising team” to “playoff contender”. Lester allows Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel to slide into a more natural position in the rotation.
2. The Cubs acquired C Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for RP Zack Godley (High A – Daytona) and Jeferson Mejia (Arizona – Rookie League). The Cubs get an upgrade at catcher but could still platoon him with incumbent Welington Castillo. The Diamondbacks get two young promising pitchers who have plenty of time to develop.
3. The Cubs signed RHP Jason Hammel to a two-year, $20 million deal. Hammel returns to Chicago after they traded him to the Athletics in the Addison Russell deal. Hammel will likely be the third starter behind Lester and Arrieta and had success there before the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates:

1. The Pirates re signed LHP Francisco Liriano to a three-year, $39 million deal. Liriano is a key signing for the Pirates who are finally able to keep talent in town long term. He will join Gerrit Cole and AJ Burnett at the top of the rotation.
2. The Pirates acquired RP Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies for LHP Joely Rodriguez (AA – Altoona). Bastardo will try and aid a bullpen that could use some help in Pittsburgh while the Phillies can begin their rebuild.

St. Louis Cardinals:

1. The Cardinals signed 1B Mark Reynolds to a one-year, $2 million deal. Reynolds could platoon with Matt Adams at first base and represents a possible positive addition to the bench.

NL West

San Diego Padres:

1. The Padres acquired OF Matt Kemp, C Tim Federowicz and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for C Yasmani Grandal, RHP Joe Wieland and RHP Zach Elfin (High A – Lake Elsinore). Kemp is a significant upgrade in the outfield for the Padres and in return they give up Grandal and Elfin who are both significant gets for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

1. The Dodgers signed LHP Brett Anderson to a one-year, $10 million deal. Anderson provides more starting pitching depth and while it remains to be seen how well he will pitch when not in altitude, he could be a nice buy low option.
2. The Dodgers signed RHP Brandon McCarthy to a four-year, $48 million deal. McCarthy was traded to the Yankees from the Diamondbacks and not much was expected of him. Instead he was solid and now the Dodgers showed him the money. McCarthy will slide behind Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke and Hyun Jin Ryu in the rotation.
3. The Dodgers acquired 2B Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels for LHP Andrew Heaney. After the Dodgers got Heaney in the Dee Gordon trade, they flipped him to the Angels to replace Gordon. Kendrick is a strong replacement and the Angels get another young pitcher to develop.

Colorado Rockies:

1. The Rockies acquired RP Jairo Diaz from the Angels for INF Josh Rutledge. The Rockies get some bullpen help, while the Angels get a needed utility player. The trade works out well for both teams.