Cincinnati Reds trade P Mat Latos and SS Zack Cozart to the Los Angeles Dodgers for OF Andre Ethier, INF Justin Turner, and P Zach Lee: Dodgers are looking to surpass the Giants and find success in the NL West and make a playoff push. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke can't do it all themselves, and the rotation could use a boost with Mat Latos. Dodgers have been rumored to be in the running for Jon Lester and looking at trades to land Cole Hamels, but a trade with Cincinnati can be a nice piece in return to that rotation in Mat Latos. Reds look to be in a small rebuild, and the Dodgers need to unload outfielders. Dodgers don't look willing to play Ethier every day and his demand will force him out of Los Angeles. A decent left fielder who has some left in the tank may feel motivated and provide a surprise for the Reds. Turner had a solid year off the bench for the Dodgers and Zack Cozart hasn't lived up to expectation in Cincinnati and a new change of scenery may be the solution. Turner would immediately start at shortstop and provide a bat in the lineup. Win-win situation for the Reds and Dodgers.
3B Chase Headley signs with San Francisco for 5 years/$68 Million: Currently, Headley has a deal set on the table by a mystery team for 4 years/$65 million. The team has not been identified yet, and it was rumored for a little while it was the Miami Marlins. Marlins recently have been reported to have dropped out on offering Headley. Could this offer be the Giants? $16 million a year for a player who has not seen consistent success since his almost MVP-worthy 2012 season, that seems a substantial amount for an average player. If the offer happens to not be the Giants who are aggressive in finding a Pablo Sandoval replacement, I could seem them upping the ante in money or throwing in an extra year. Look for Chase Headley to sign with the World Series Champs and pursue another playoff run in 2015.
Boston Red Sox trade OF Yoenis Cespedes to the Seattle Mariners for P Roenis Elias & OF Dustin Ackley: Boston Red Sox once again are big spenders in the offseason signing Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, and seem to be pressing hard for Jon Lester. Mariners were one game removed from making the playoffs in 2014 and it seems they are trying to make a stance in improving the offense and jolting them into the 2015 playoffs and beyond. Already signing Nelson Cruz, who looks to be their big bat at DH, the Mariners need another corner outfielder with power. Matt Kemp and Justin Upton have contracts that are unfavorable, and Yoenis Cespedes has one year left who will most likely still be cheaper with a new contract. Cespedes defense cannot be ignored, and provides a powerful bat who drove in a lot of runs between Oakland and Boston. Boston wants Hisashi Iwakuma but he is more valuable than just Yoenis Cespedes. Dustin Ackley has had a hard time proving his worth after being a top 5 draft pick in his class. Ackley may need to find a new home and would be nice piece for Boston to use since he can play multiple positions.
New York Yankees trade OF Mason Williams, P Manny Banuelos, & C Austin Romine to the Atlanta Braves for OF Justin Upton: This I think is a move out of desperation both by Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees. Yankees are in desperation due to watching Toronto and Boston spend and trade their way to the top. Yankees have already made moves with Andrew Miller and Didi Gregorius and look to kick off their offseason here in San Diego. While Upton has been mulled with Baltimore, Oakland, and Seattle, his age, upside, and the chance for an extension is intriguing. With age and injuries getting to Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, and Carlos Beltran, the Yankees need a new young slugger in their lineup to bring in the runs. Driving in over 100 runs in 2014, Justin Upton would be a great fit for the New York Yankees. Yankees system is always slim every year, but they do have three prospects who could help the Braves in their look to rebuild to get ready for 2016 in their new ballpark.
San Francisco loses out on Jon Lester and signs P Ervin Santana for 5 Years/$62 Million: For the past three days, Giants growing interest for starting pitching has grown. With Jon Lester being at the top of the list and being reported as "all-in", the Giants are going to fall short. I think they truly want Jon Lester but at terms where they feel comfortable, and ultimately the Cubs, Red Sox, and the Dodgers are willing to risk a lot for him. Giants just came off another championship season and I don't think they want to risk a lot. By also reporting that they are looking at Santana and others, I think that is realistically their target. Ervin Santana signed a quick contract with the Braves in 2014 after losing Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy to season-ending injuries. Then, the Braves became pitcher-hungry. Looking for a longer contract now to finish the remainder of his career, Giants would be a great fit for him. Santana pitched well in the National League, and would thrive in a pitchers park like AT&T park. While Lester would be fun and exciting to have in San Francisco, Santana is a nice fall back option and who could help the Giants.
P Jon Lester signs with... the Chicago Cubs: Chicago has it all going for them right now. They recently signed Joe Maddon to be their new manager, a plethora of young talent who look to be very good players in this league, and new ballpark renovations. Most importantly, they have hope. Cubs have been struggling for years and they deserve a championship. Theo Epstein has been scrutinized for his plan with the Cubs, but all those miserable seasons look to be coming together. Hiring a manager in Joe Maddon who knows how to build young talent into good ball players, he needs a good leader at the top like he had in David Price in Tampa Bay. Theo Epstein has money to spend, and safe to say, he misses Jon Lester. Personally, I think Lester had a better relationship with Jon Lester than the Boston organization itself. Boston and Chicago look to be the top choices, and Theo Epstein is looking more and more likely to land Lester. With young talent, Lester can guide them.
Chicago Cubs trade SS Starlin Castro to the New York Mets for P Rafael Montero & Jonathon Niese: The New York Mets are looking to move pitching between Bartolo Colon, Jonathon Niese, and Dillon Gee. Cubs have the youth right now but need the veteran leadership. If the Cubs are probably on to Jon Lester, adding another vet in Jonathon Niese would be good. Mets have a gaping hole at shortstop as well too, and upgrading with a proven shortstop in Starlin Castro who's still young would be a nice target. Mets seem to like Syndergaard, and they can part with Rafael Montero.
Baltimore Orioles trade P Wei-Yin Chen and P Tommy Hunter to Colorado Rockies for OF Charlie Blackmon: Rockies continually field solid offensive teams, but lack pitching. Generally finishing last in the majors in pitching, Rockies could finally see some hope in receiving a starting pitcher. Orioles need to find an outfield replacement for Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis, and Charlie Blackmon would be a nice addition who had a breakout year in 2014. Wei-Yin Chen had 16 wins for the Orioles in 2014, and pitched in a hitter-friendly park. Coors Field is a hitter-friendly park, but he does not have to throw to a DH now.
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