I will keep track of everything happening this month here. Boston smartly extended their closer at bargain prices. Matt Barnes is from New England and was willing to take a hometown discount. Pointless move by Atlanta, but a good one for the Chicago Cubs. Atlanta should just sell, but at least Chicago got something for free agent-to be Joc Pederson.
Read moreThe most recent transactions are at the top of the page here. Solid move by the New York Mets as they locked up SS Francisco Lindor to a 10 year/$341 million contract. Solid move by Texas to pick up Manager Chris Woodward’s option. Potentially solid move by Houston, if SP Lance McCullers Jr. can stay healthy. Debatable move by Kansas
Read moreI‘m focusing on the most important transactions. Weird early move by Houston. Yuli Gurriel is not worth that contract and wouldn’t even come close to it on the open market. Logical move by Boston to fire manager Ron Roenicke, as he was terrible. They never should’ve been that bad this season. The Chicago White Sox surprisingly fired manager Rick Renteria,
Read morePhiladelphia now has a new closer. It’s a move that makes sense for both clubs, though for Philadelphia it depends a lot on them making the playoffs. Brandon Workman is a big upgrade over Hector Neris, but is a free agent at the end of the season. Boston is missing the playoffs, so it made sense for them to move
Read morePhoto courtesy of BostonHerald.com. It finally happened, the Boston Red Sox traded RF Mookie Betts and SP David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Betts is a free agent after this upcoming season and already rejected at least one extension offer and wanted over $400 million to change his mind about testing the free agent market. Betts has shown repeatedly
Read moreBoston Red Sox superstar RF Mookie Betts is a free agent after next season and is so far refusing to sign an extension, it’s risky to let him hit the open market, so could Boston trade Betts? And if so what package could they receive? I’m going to look at teams that I think could be potential matches in a
Read moreThe New York Yankees got their ace. Gerrit Cole is now a New York Yankee. The Bronx Bombers are now the favorites to at least win the pennant next year. The biggest losers are the Los Angeles Angels, who failed to get starting pitching help that they needed yet again. I’m personally glad because I’ve been predicting this signing and
Read moreThe Atlanta Braves signed SP Cole Hamels to a 1 year deal worth $18 million. He’s not the pitcher that he used to be, but it’s a great one year deal as it poses little risk for Atlanta and gives them a solid inning eater. That said, he’s not an ace any more. The Philadelphia Phillies signed SP Zack Wheeler
Read moreCincinnati added a new 2B. Mike Moustakas is a third baseman, but can play second base as well. This is a blow for the Milwaukee Brewers who keep losing bats this offseason. I think that this is a risky signing, as Moustakas may not ultimately last at second base and third base is already spoken for by Eugenio Suarez. Cincinnati
Read moreI’m prioritizing the more important moves and letting MLBTR tell you the details. The Chicago White Sox got a new catcher. This is a solid move, though I think that Yasmani Grandal is overpaid. They then locked up 1B Jose Abreu in a solid but risky move. Great move by Atlanta, they’ve been the most active team so far and
Read moreGreat result for Minnesota as SP Jake Odorizzi accepted his Qualifying Offer. I don’t think that he would’ve made that much on the open market and if he improves in 2020 and proves himself to be consistent and not just a one year fluke, he should command more money, especially without attached draft pick compensation. This also gives Minnesota less
Read moreAtlanta improved their bullpen. Good move for both sides. A good change-of-scenery that could be a bargain for Tampa Bay. Good move for Washington until you look at his peripherals. Good depth move for Oakland and a solid one for Cincinnati. Surprise trade that might help both sides. Atlanta acquired an overachieving relieved who will likely not be worth the
Read moreCincinnati, Cleveland and San Diego just pulled off a blockbuster trade. Cleveland can actually afford to take the hit to their rotation and now suddenly have a loaded lineup. Trevor Bauer wasn’t pitching particularly great this season and would be traded in the offseason anyway. Yasiel Puig is a rental, but they get a nice long-term piece in Franmil Reyes.
Read moreThe New York Mets acquired a replacement for likely soon to be traded SP Noah Syndergaard in SP Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays. My initial reaction is that the Mets are making another pointless trade. They’re not going to be contenders before Stroman hits free agency, so why bother? Toronto are the winners here, selling off a shaky
Read moreThe Minnesota Twins finally acquired some bullpen help in Sergio Romo. This is a great move for both teams. The rebuilding Miami Marlins received a solid prospect for a declining average reliever about to hit free agency and Minnesota received bullpen depth. Minnesota needs far more bullpen help, but it’s a solid start.
Read moreBoston acquired rotation help. Without knowing more, this is a great move for both teams. Boston get a solid starter and Baltimore cut costs in a rebuilding season.
Read moreSeattle trades Edwin Encarnacion to the New York Yankees yesterday. This is a great salary dump trade, that is an odd one for New York. The Bronx Bombers already have Luke Voit at first base and Giancarlo Stanton at DH. They could of course move Stanton to LF, which seems to be their intention, but that means benching Brett Gardner
Read moreAtlanta signed Dallas Keuchel to a most likely one year deal. This is a great signing for a team that needs a stable top of the rotation starter. Keuchel may not be an ace, but he’s capable of being one and did win a Cy Young award only a few years ago. Atlanta now has an edge in the NL
Read moreThe trading deadline promises to have some interesting players available to contending teams, but there are some players who will likely not be moved, but should be. 1. SP MAX SCHERZER, WASHINGTON NATIONALS The Washington Nationals aren’t going to the playoffs this year. They also clearly have significant areas to improve in a competitive division that includes the Atlanta Braves
Read moreThere’s been a lot of talk about this free agent market being unfavorable for free agents. I decided to analyze whether the top free agents have been underpaid based on expectations. I’m not including free agents who didn’t yet sign. 1. SP PATRICK CORBIN Expectation: 6 Years/$129 Million Result: 6 Years/$140 Million Corbin was clearly not affected by the free
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