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Home Baseball Grading the rec ent Hot Stove moves in MLB

Grading the recent Hot Stove moves inMLB

by DJ Rallo - Dec ember 4, 2013

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So, to say that Major League Baseball’s Hot Stove-season “heated up” onDecember 3, would be a tremendous understatement.

As a matter of fact, it’s a scorching white-hot right now—as a series of teamsmade major acquisitions just days before the MLB Winter Meetings are set tobegin in Orlando, Fla.

Well, let’s dive right into all the transactions and analyze what went down inone of the wildest days in MLB offseason history.

New York Yankees, Jacoby Ellsbury reach 7-year agreement worth $153million

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Somewhere, right now, you have to think Johnny Damon is smiling andmuttering, “Here we go again.” Jacoby Ellsbury joins the likes of Damon, BabeRuth, Roger Clemens, among others, as notable Red Sox stars switching sidesto the “evil empire.” This is the Yankees’ biggest splash of the winter thus far,as they have gained an elite outfielder with speed and a chance to regainsome power numbers in Yankee Stadium. The risk is legitimate, however, asthis long-term contract may come back to hurt the Yankees. Historically,these lucrative contracts end up backfiring—but the first three years of thisdeal just may be worth the risk. He is a game changer when on the field, soRed Sox Nation will be hoping his injury-prone ways continue in the Bronx. Itwas no surprise he was departing Boston, but this will absolutely reestablisha flame in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

Grade: B+

Boston Red Sox, A.J. Pierzynski reach 1-year agreement worth $8.25 million

The catching market had been depleting in recent weeks, and it was time forthe Red Sox to pursue a replacement for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. In tune, theyset their eyes on A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year, low risk contract. With thedepth Boston has at the position throughout their organization, Pierzynski isan excellent placeholder with power and great game-calling ability. For a full-depth analysis, see my analysis on the Pierzynski signing.

Grade: A-

Miami Marlins, Jarrod Saltalamacchia reach 3-year agreement worth $21million

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In the same day the Red Sox move on Pierzynski, Jarrod Saltalamacchia gothis multi-year contract he had been seeking, with the Miami Marlins. AsMiami continues to rebuild around José Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton,Saltalamacchia will provide a bit of pop in their lineup, as well as anexperienced game-caller at backstop to work with the young pitching.Saltalamacchia may also prove to be valuable trade bait if the Marlinsstruggle heading into the All-Star Break in 2014. To boot, Salty is a Floridanative with property nearby.

Grade: B

New York Yankees, Kelly Johnson reach 1-year agreement worth $3-4 million

Otherwise known as the relatively irrelevant deal of the day, the Yankeeshave signed Kelly Johnson as insurance in the infield. With Robinson’s Cano’sstatus currently unknown, Johnson may serve most of his time at second basein 2014. He is a versatile option that can play infield and has experience in

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left as well. Johnson’s bat is not much to write home about, as he has a.226/.307/.395 slash line over the past three seasons.

Grade: B

Detroit Tigers, Joe Nathan reach 2-year agreement worth $20 million

It appears the Tigers freed up cap space by trading Doug Fister to theWashington Nationals, because the ended up pursuing the expensive JoeNathan. Nathan has been one of baseball’s best closers over the years andhas shown no glimpses of slowing down. In 2013, Nathan had a 1.39 ERA andcollected 43 saves as a member of the Texas Rangers. The Tigers struggledmightily finding a closer in recent years, but the 39-year old may just bewhat the Detroit bullpen needed. His remarkable consistency will paydividends for the Tigers, despite his hefty price tag.

Grade: B+

Philadelphia Phillies, Wil Nieves agree to 1-year agreement for anunspecified amount

Presumably, Nieves will not be a costly acquisition for the Phillies; the 36-year old backstop was the backup for the Arizona Diamondbacks this pastseason, in which he hit .297/.320/.369 in 209 plate appearances. He is a 10-year veteran and a career .242 hitter. He’s not a difference maker by anymeans, but he is a nice option to have when Carlos Ruiz has the day off.

Grade: C

Colorado Rockies, Justin Morneau reach 2-year agreement worth $13 million

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Since Justin Morneau’s concussion in 2011, his production has decreasedgreatly since his early years in Minnesota. His power numbers have taken ahit as well—not hitting a single home run in 25 games with the PittsburghPirates after being traded earlier in the season, as he had 17 in Minnesota in125 games. He did have a .259/.323/.411 slash line in 2013. Morneauprovides adequate defensive ability and a consistent bat in the bottom end ofthe order, despite his great power loss. Giving two years to Morneau is a bitperplexing, but the selection of first basemen this winter is anything but inabundance.

Grade: C

Official: New York Yankees, Brian McCann agree to 5-year contract worth $85million

The deal was made official today: Brian McCann is now a New York Yankee. AsI mentioned in my Red Sox Free Agent Possibilities piece, I believed McCannwould be worth a potential 5-7 year investment. Since the retirement of JorgéPosada, the Yankees haven’t exactly had an adequate replacement until now.Despite the price tag (they are the Yankees; they don’t care), McCann has alot of pop in his bat and was the best available catcher on the free agentmarket. He will fit in very well at the new Yankee Stadium in the middle oftheir lineup. As a matter of fact, the McCann signing just may be the mostvaluable acquisition the Yankees will make in the long run. When no longerable to catch on an everyday basis, he can easily transition to DH.

Grade: A-

Official: Minnesota Twins, Ricky Nolasco agree to 4-year contract worth $49

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million

The Twins have made it clear this winter they want to be playoff contenders.Being absent from the playoffs since being swept in ALDS in 2010, the Twinswant to establish a surplus of starting pitching. They have done so with theacquisition of Phil Hughes as well as former Dodger, Ricky Nolasco. Signinghim to a deal of this value over four years seems a bit expensive, but No. 3starters earning this sort of money has become a trend throughout MajorLeague Baseball. Between the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers,Nolasco had a 13-11 record with a 3.70 ERA and 1.209 WHIP. While he is noace, Nolasco should provide consistency as the number two starter in arebuilding Twins’ rotation.

Grade: B

Oakland Athletics acquire Luke Gregerson from San Diego Padres, inexchange for Seth Smith

If the Athletics’ bullpen wasn’t already stacked, Billy Beane added LukeGregerson to the mix. Gregerson, 29, was an asset for the Padres in 2013—

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sporting a 2.71 ERA with an 8.7 K/9 and a 2.4 BB/9. He is a ground-ballpitcher who has been consistent throughout his five-year career in SanDiego. Holding a career 2.88 ERA and a 1.092 WHIP, Gregerson helpsestablish the Oakland bullpen as the best in baseball. As for Seth Smith, he is31-years old and batted .253/.329/.391 in 2013. Smith is strong againstright-handed pitching, although entering Petco Park will not help himoffensively by any means. Defensively, Smith can play either corner outfieldposition and provides depth to the Padres roster. Both will be free agents atthe end of next season.

Athletics’ Grade: A- // Padres’ Grade: B

Baltimore Orioles acquire Jemile Weeks, PTBNL from Oakland Athletics, inexchange for Jim Johnson

Okay, If there was still any doubt about the Oakland bullpen after acquiringLuke Gregerson, it all disappeared when Jim Johnson was acquired later thesame day. Johnson has been one of the premier closers in baseball over thepast two seasons, saving 101 combined games with Baltimore. He didstruggle early in the 2013 season, but was dominant for the majority of theseason. As for Jemile Weeks, he has struggled recapturing his 2011 magic.Known for his ability to steal bases, Weeks’ offensive numbers have beenlackluster in recent seasons. Although he did improve a bit in Triple-A thisseason, Weeks’ has yet to prove he is an everyday starting infielder; however,he does have many years of control left for Baltimore, which makes him astrong option to have.

Athletics’ Grade: A // Orioles’ Grade: B-

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Toronto Blue Jays acquire Erik Kratz, Rob Rasmussen from PhiladelphiaPhillies, in exchange for Brad Lincoln:

The Phillies acquired RHP Brad Lincoln, who possesses a 4.66 career ERA infour major league seasons. In 22 appearances with Toronto in 2013, Lincolnheld a 3.98 ERA; Lincoln is 28-years old and is under control until after the2018 season. As for Erik Kratz, he is a 33-year old catcher who hit.213/.280/.386 in 218 MLB at-bats in 2013. He will likely compete to be theBlue Jays’ backup catcher in Spring Training. Ramussen, 24, held a 4.11 ERAbetween Triple-A and Double-A affiliates this past season. This is a veryminor deal, in which the Phillies acquired some bullpen depth in exchangefor a backup catcher and a mediocre relief pitcher. Neither lost, but neithergained much, either.

Phillies’ Grade: C- // Blue Jays’ Grade: C-

Houston Astros acquire Dexter Fowler, PTBNL from Colorado Rockies, inexchange for Brandon Barnes and Jordan Lyles

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The Astros walk out the winner of this deal, acquiring CF Dexter Fowler fromthe Colorado Rockies. Fowler will be 28 years old in the spring, and hit.263/.369/.407 at Coors Field in 2013. The switch-hitter is best known for hisremarkable 2012 campaign, in which he hit 13 home runs and 53 RBIs with a.863 OPS. Entering the prime of his career, Fowler may be one of the mostunderrated acquisitions this winter. As for what the Rockies received inreturn, RHP Jordan Lyles is one of the MLB’s youngest players, but has beenunspectacular, posting a 5.63 ERA in 2013. CF Brandon Barnes is renownedfor his glove, but has a very underwhelming bat. Both remain under teamcontrol through 2017 and 2018, respectively. However, it’s quite easy to seethat the Astros are the clear winners of this head-scratching deal.

Astros’ Grade: B+ // Rockies’ Grade: C-

Tampa Bay Rays acquire Ryan Hanigan, Heath Bell; Cincinnati Reds acquireprospect David Holmberg; Arizona Diamondbacks acquire Justin Choate,PTBNL in three team deal

There was a three-team deal yesterday, and the Tampa Bay Rays acquired avery underrated catcher as well as a veteran closer to replace FernandoRodney. Hanigan is coming off of the worst season of his career, unable to hitabove .200 with only two home runs on the season. However, this new startin Tampa Bay may be exactly what Hanigan’s career needs. After all, severalplayers coming off of down years have thrived in Tampa Bay. Heath Bell, 36,is also coming off a down year with a 4.11 ERA. However, Joe Madden and theRays will hope he can be as effective (maybe better) than Rodney was—atleast in 2013. The Reds’ acquired Holmberg, a southpaw who is viewed as apotentially effective number three or four starting pitcher. He is only 22

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years old and is valued as one of Arizona’s top prospects. Choate just cameoff his first season of professional baseball in Single-A, in which he pitched a2.88 ERA and had a 7.7/K9 and 2.0/K9 in 42 innings pitched.

Rays’ Grade: B // Reds’ Grade: B- // Diamondbacks’ Grade: C+

Oakland Athletics acquire Craig Gentry, Josh Lindblom from Texas Rangers, inexchange for Michael Choice and Chris Bostick

In one more minor move of the day, the Athletics acquired RHP JoshLindblom, who was primarily a relief pitcher in Texas; however, he will likelybecome a starter for Oakland in 2014. CF Craig Gentry is coming off a solidseason in Texas, posting a .280/.373/.386 slash line, with strength particularagainst right-handed pitching. Gentry, 30, is highly regarded throughoutbaseball as being one of the most technically sound outfielders in the game,today. As for the Rangers’ return, RF Michael Choice is a native of Arlington,Texas—and was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. He has powerwith his bat, although he does strike out quite a bit. 2B Bostick, 21, has aprojected ceiling of being a contributing utility-man at the MLB level. He wasranked as the No. 20 prospect in Oakland’s system prior to this season.

Athletics’ Grade: B // Rangers’ Grade: B

Yes, this all happened in a day. Stay tuned for more Hot Stove coverage hereat The Foul Language.

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DJ RalloSeasoned syndicated sportswriter. Fifth year ofcovering New England sports. Read by thousandsof sports fans on Bleacher Report, variousmagazines and newspapers, including the LATimes. First and foremost a baseball fan,specifically the Red Sox. Pride myself on elitecoverage of all things regarding Major LeagueBaseball.

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