2014 Winter Meetings: Recapping the 12 completed trades

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Sep 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) doubles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

MLB’s Winter Meetings have long been considered a free agent free-for-all, as signings are historically the underlying theme of news throughout the week. This year’s Winter Meetings, however, saw a shift towards the trade market with a significant up tick in trade activity. In all twelve deals were completed during the four days of meetings in San Diego.

There were four additional deals agreed upon, but none have yet been finalized. A deal between the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks that will send Wade Miley to Boston is expected to be completed by Saturday, as the two sides are still discussing who the third player heading to the D’backs will be. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are still discussing compensation in return for Jimmy Rollins. Deals between the San Diego Padres and Dodgers for Matt Kemp and between the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals for Ross Detwiler are both pending physicals.

This also excludes a quartet of small deals that were agreed upon during the Rule 5 Draft. Four players were selected but immediately traded for cash considerations.

Let’s take a look at each deal completed during the Winter Meetings.

Mar 31, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of an opening day baseball game at PNC Park. The Pirates won 1-0 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland set out to add a left-handed power bat to their lineup and a willing Billy Beane helped pave the way for this deal to come together relatively quickly. Moss brings some defensive versatility – he can handle both right field and first base – along with him to the Indians, giving Terry Francona another solid bat to work into the heart of the team’s lineup. Over his past three seasons, Moss has averaged 21 doubles, 25 home runs, and 73 RBI while batting .254/.340/.504.

Wendle has some question marks, but he’s a middle infield option that the A’s have reportedly been high on for some time. It’s believed that they specifically targeted him as discussions with Cleveland began.

For more on the deal:

Next: Indians acquire Brandon Moss

While much of the baseball world waited to learn where Jon Lester was going to sign, the White Sox opted not to wait around and acted swiftly in addressing the biggest need on their pitching staff – a veteran right-handed arm. Enter Samardzija, who will step in the middle of a solid rotation that is flush with left-handers (Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, John Danks, and eventually Carlos Rodon). The lanky rightie is coming off the best single season of his career, but also entering his last year under contract before he’ll reach free agency. Samardzija made 33 starts in 2014 between the Chicago Cubs and A’s, posting a 2.99 ERA and 1.065 WHIP in 219 IP.

Oakland’s return was generally underwhelming, according to most. Semien is expected to step into the starting lineup immediately, but roles for the other players involved remain unclear.

For more on the deal:

Next: ChiSox land Samardzija

Picking up Butera was simply a depth move by the Angels, after the team had traded their incumbent backup catcher earlier in the offseason. Butera will provide leadership and experience behind the plate for the Mike Scioscia led team, but he brings little else to the table. The 31 year old is a .183/.239/.268 hitter for his career.

The player to be named later that will head to the Dodgers is not expected to be anyone of significance.

For more on the deal:

Next: Angels pickup Butera

Jul 22, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona’s willingness to listen to offers for Montero first became known weeks ago, but there were few rumblings about potential suitors. The Cubs, meanwhile, had been known to be looking for an upgrade behind the plate following their failed pursuit of Russell Martin. The match between the two sides – given Chicago’s known interest – was inevitable. Other (unnamed) teams were reportedly in the mix as the Winter Meetings began. The Cubs will reportedly pay all of Montero’s remaining salary – roughly $40 million over the next three years.

For more on the deal:

Next: Cubs trade for Montero

Bastardo unsurprisingly became the first – and unlikely the last – member of the Phillies to be on the move this offseason. The left-hander has quietly been one of the better southpaw relievers in the game over the past few seasons and was drawing interest from multiple teams before this deal with the Pirates (who were known to be seeking a lefty reliever) was completed. The 26 year old has a 3.36 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, and 11.6 K/9 over the past four seasons.

For more on the deal:

Next: Bucs acquire Bastardo

Even before they dealt away their starting second baseman in a separate deal (we’ll get to that shortly) the Angels were on the lookout for help in the middle infield, ultimately picking up Rutledge from the Rockies. The 25 year old has experience at both second and shortstop and hit .269/.323/.405 this past season.

More on the deal from Halo Hangout:

Next: Angels acquire Rutledge

Aug 20, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (21) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Within hours of reports first circulating that the Dodgers would listen to offers for Gordon, the speedster found himself on the move to Miami. Gordon instantly gives the Marlins an upgrade at second base and at the top of the lineup, but his acquisition is still somewhat of a cautionary tale given his limited track record. Miami also acquired Haren, giving the team a veteran right-hander to work into the rotation, but it remains to be seen if he will end up joining the team. Haren has stated on more than one occasion that his preference was to remain with a team based in the LA area otherwise he may simply retire.

The package of players sent back to the Dodgers has been viewed as a clear overpay by most accounts (even considering the fact that the Dodgers are paying the full salaries of those players sent to Miami), particularly with the inclusion of Heaney – who was arguably the Marlins’ top prospect.

For more on the deal:

Next: Marlins pay high price to land Gordon

Kendrick was a player the Angels were expected to listen to offers for, but few expected them to move him. That was until the Dodgers came calling with a willingness to move Heaney (a player the Angels have long coveted). Kendrick steps into the void left by Los Angeles’ trade of Gordon and gives the Dodgers an instant upgrade both defensively and offensively. During his nine year tenure with the Angels he was a .292/.332/.424 hitter.

Heaney gives the Angels yet another young, cost-controlled starting option with high upside. The left-handed struggled in his debut this past season with the Marlins, but has produced exceptional results during his minor league career. Acquiring him with six years of team control made it easy for the Angels to part with Kendrick, who’ll be a free agent at season’s end.

For more on the deal:

Next: Kendrick traded to the Dodgers

Another deal that allowed two teams to address a need. Cespedes seemed to be without a position in Boston, given the club’s abundance of outfield options. While Cespedes is certainly a valuable addition to any team, he doesn’t come without questions. Detroit will be counting on the Cuban slugger’s bat in the heart of their lineup and on his arm holding down one of the outfield corners.

Porcello, meanwhile, gives Boston one of the two high-quality arms that they needed to pickup this offseason. The 25 year old has blossomed over the past few seasons with the Tigers but is one year away from free agency (like Cespedes).