Here are the top stories from a week dominated by the Winter Meetings:
White Sox land huge bounties in Sale, Eaton trades. Usually, it’s the teams acquiring veterans who receive the most attention and praise in the offseason, but that wasn’t the case this week. First, the White Sox turned down a remarkable package of Victor Robles, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez for Chris Sale so they could take a deal that was arguably even better from the Red Sox, nabbing Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech. Sale will join Rick Porcello and David Price in a loaded Boston rotation.
Then, the White Sox got Giolito and Lopez (plus another pitching prospect, Dane Dunning) anyway when they sent Adam Eaton to DC to fill the Nationals’ center field vacancy. “The weird part for me is that we walk around here, you have a lot of people congratulating you — kindly, with well-intentioned congratulations — whether it’s scouts, or executives from other clubs,” White Sox GM Rick Hahn told a group of reporters, including MLBTR’s Steve Adams. “It’s a little awkward, because we traded Chris Sale. That’s not something you feel great about. That’s not a feather in your cap, so to speak, but this is where we are.”
Yankees agree to sign Chapman to the largest reliever contract ever. The Yankees agreed to terms with flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman on a record-shattering five-year, $86MM deal that includes a no-trade clause for the first three years and an opt-out after the third year. The Marlins’ heavy involvement in the closer market reportedly drove Chapman’s price upward, and there are questions about whether it makes sense for the Yankees to sign an expensive reliever who can opt out just as the team’s strong core of young talent begins to make an impact.
Closer carousel keeps spinning. Kenley Jansen remains a free agent and will be the next to grab headlines when he signs, but several other closers picked new teams this week. Before Chapman’s deal, Mark Melancon was briefly the highest paid reliever ever, thanks to a $62MM deal from the Giants. The Cubs acquired Wade Davis from Kansas City for blocked outfielder Jorge Soler. And the Diamondbacks signed Fernando Rodney. MLBTR’s Jason Martinez recently examined the closer market in the wake of all those moves.
Rockies agree to sign Desmond. The Rockies agreed to sign infielder/outfielder Ian Desmond to a surprising five-year, $70MM deal, giving up the 11th overall pick in next year’s draft in the process. Desmond appears slated to be the Rockies’ first baseman, but that could be subject to change, as the team has been closely connected to free agent Mark Trumbo, the signing of whom could bump Desmond to the outfield. If Desmond were to head to the outfield, they could trade an outfielder such as Charlie Blackmon.
Cardinals sign Fowler. The Cardinals took decisive action to address their center field vacancy this week, landing Dexter Fowler to a five-year, $82.5MM contract with a full no-trade clause. The Cards might not be done making big moves, either — they could pursue another big-name free agent, like Trumbo or Edwin Encarnacion.
These were, of course, far from the only significant moves this week. For many more, check out our Newsstand, which contains notes about Rich Hill to the Dodgers, Wilson Ramos to the Rays, Carlos Beltran to the Astros, Carlos Gomez to the Rangers, Matt Holliday to the Yankees, Tyler Thornburg and Mitch Moreland to the Red Sox, Steve Pearce to the Blue Jays, Joaquin Benoit to the Phillies, and more.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Want to bet that Cashman was unhappy with the Marlins’ driving up the price (using revenue sharing money) when Loria probably had no intention of actually signing Chapman, just doing one of his periodic “see, I’m not pocketing the cash, I really want to be competitive” routines?
No one need cry for the Yankees–they have the scratch. I still think this was a deal they should have passed on.
No White Sox fan needs my opinion but keep doing what you’re doing… Braves rebuild looks solid but yours could be done before the season even starts… To me, that’s unbelievably amazing!
Just incredible restock by White Sox. At this rate, they will have all number 1’s with leverage. Never seen it done better. They should teach classes on it. Bravo, White Sox.
Not often do I feel the majority of deals were home runs for all teams involved. Minus the Eaton deal which the Nationals probably lost, the White Sox, Cubs, Royals, Red Sox and Brewers all improved with the deals made with the White Sox and Red Sox as the clear winners at the meetings.
Congrats to all teams involved. Even the Nats filled a need, even if they vastly overpaid to do it. It’s hard to doubt Rizzo as his reputation speaks for itself.
And just wait and see what they get back for Quintana. Probably equivalent to what they got for Eaton. Then you have David Robertson, Jose Abreu, Todd Frazier, and Melky Cabrera to deal, which could net a hand full of really good prospects, if not 2 or 3 blue chip prospects. Future will be here sooner than anticipated for the White Sox
Totally agree. With the haul the should get back for the remaining trade candidates, they could have a 30% success rate on the prospects they bring back and still field a competitive, young, controllable team ready to contend by 2019-2020. That’s an incredibly fast overhaul! I mean, even Theo asked for 5 years when he took his position on the other side of town. Talking about a 2-4 year transition for a team like the White Sox is incredibly impressive.
Lets also see if the White Sox can find some one year rentals to flip by the AS break as the Cubs front office did. I think what people are forgetting a bit is while it is good the Sox are getting these pieces back, it does not address the development, or lack thereof, of their draft picks over the past 10 seasons. Pitchers, yes, but very few position players up until Anderson, and this past draft where it looks like the Sox got a decent OF. I want to see the Sox develop these guys, that is I think the bigger question no one is asking.
Totally agree, but 2 things to remember that should give some comfort. First, these players were scouted and developed at the lower levels by the Boston Red Sox who have a very good track record in the area of scouting and player development. Second, the White Sox haven’t really brought in prospects of this magnitude, scouted by a team like Boston who went out and ate $60 million (half of which was in penalties) just to bring Moncada in,
Moncada is pretty much ready to go. As Rick Renteria pointed out today, you can’t read too far into his 12 strikeouts in 20 PAs. This kid has never seen this level of pitching that understands how to exploit weakness. He will learn, and his abilities will make that curve very quick. Its pretty hard for even the worst of development systems to hurt Moncada’s chances.=
And this is coming from a Boston fan. I am sick to my stomach losing those 2. I just understand you don’t get Chris Sale without giving up those 2 if you aren’t willing to part with Betts or Bogaerts, Combined, those two could be worth more than Betts or Bogy in the long term, which is crazy considering Betts is already a MVP runner up and Bogy was on pace to compete for the batting title for a good part of 2016.
Do you think the cards will Pursue EE or Trumbo? (I hope so)
I could see them landing EE or Trumbo if the market fails to improve for the players. Cardinals already forfeited their first pick when they signed Dex, so losing the next pick wouldn’t sting as much.
I think if the Cardinals go get another player it will be Edwin or Turner. I don’t see Mo getting involved in the Trumbo sweepstakes unless it drops to an incredibly low number.
I honestly doubt they are serious about either.
I was thinking to myself what a ridiculous farm system the white Sox would have if they sold off everyone, and they still have more to give. It’s ridiculous.
Yeah, but had to build it with a bunch of guys from other team systems. I want to see the White Sox ‘right the ship’ in terms of getting draft and FA minor leaguers developed.
I would rather see the Sox keep Quintana, but if they could get a landslide deal for him then I can see why he goes.
Yeah of their current top 10 prospects (according MLB.com), 6 were acquired this week. I’m sure there are more to come from Quintana, Frazier, and Robertson. I’m not sold they’ll trade Abreu this offseason.
I think it is more likely Quintana sticks around than Abreu (but would like to see them both stay)
I’m not sold on them trading Abreu either. I think he could be a big asset in the development of Moncada.
That being said, if they get a really good offer, I’m all for it.
I was thinking this when Moncada went to Chicago. Wouldn’t it be something if Abreu and Moncada turned into the Cuban edition of Ortiz / Ramirez? I mean, we are talking obviously if they both reach their ceiling, but I don’t want to face those two back to back. Throw in Anderson in front of them and that beginning/middle of the lineup is looking mighty strong. If just a few others work out and round out the back end of that lineup, watch out Central. Here come the White Sox.
I’m not a Chicago fan, but I’m glad to see them make these moves before its too late and they don’t get what they want (as the Phillies did for example). I also think the wait clearly paid off, as both the Nationals and Red Sox took huge leaps of faith in dumping all that talent. The White Sox would not have convinced either team to make this move 365 days ago.
the story about the cardinals signing edwin or trumbo wasn’t even a rumor. it was a figment of a writers imagination. “fake news” story
They could become more aggressive than previously believed, turning toward free-agent sluggers Mark Trumbo and Edwin Encarnacion as possible pursuits.
stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal…
Idk I think people are being a little too high on what the white sox are doing. Prospects are prospects and even most ones that you hit on take a while to hit stride at the major league level. You lost an elite pitchers with 3 years at 12 per and a valuable outfielder making pennies on the dollar for 5 years. What you’ve got is the likelihood that out of giolito, kopech, Lopez. That maybe one of them becomes an equal to sale (maybe) and if so only for 3 or 4 years control by the time he hits his stride. Then you got moncada who projects to hit you 10 more home runs than eaton a year, steal 40 more bags, but play worst d and seems to have a different attitude. Also moncadas clock is already ticking for free agency, he will not be ready to produce at a high level this year. I’d say you get 3 and a half years of moncada hitting 300 25hr and 45sb. That’s if he proves he can hit a major league breaking ball. People try to downplay what he did in the big leagues last year. The dude looked worse against breaking balls than I’ve ever seen anyone look in my life. Ran the bases horribly and played bad defense. also I believe your really hoping kopech and Lopez (who both still have serious control issues) become sale, because everything I’ve read about giolito has concerned me, don’t think he’s the guy anymore, nats were ready to sell high on him as a prospect and I believe the redsox did so with moncada. I’m just saying you traded two proven and high caliper players that were under team control similar to rookies for the hope that some of those prospects are even major league stays. My opinion is the white sox are over reacting to underperforming in 2016. But when you actually look at what they had there was no reason to think they shouldn’t have been buyers this off season. Chris sale at 3 years and 12 mil per. Quintana at 4 years 8 mil per. At the top of the rotation. Abreu, Frazier, eaton I the line up. You could have easily went the other direction with this.
All I’m saying is you lost an elite pitcher that you had control of and gained pitching prospects kopech, Lopez. Giolito. You’re lucky if one of them even becomes an ace let alone elite. Just look at the diamondbacks as an example of what high rated pitching prospects are for you. You may very likely have traded an elite pitcher so that in 2 years you are in last place and have, Shipley, Archie Bradley, and mark Appel in your rotation just to name a few electric pitching prospects.
And really the only reason I’m saying this is until all these trades I didn’t realize how good of players Chicago had. When you have chris sale for 3 years 12 and Quintana for 4. And eaton for 5. All at huge bargains. You should be retooling around them for a run. Those are 3 players you’re trying to trade??? The white sox should really have just signed encarnacion and gutted the rest of their farm for sonny gray. They would have had a great chance next season.