Hot Stove Transactions

[BosRedSox5]

Brewers traded Norichika Aoki to the Royals for Will Smith. 

That's an absolute heist by KC IMO. Aoki is a 3 WAR player who plays good D, gets on base and is a pretty good baserunner. 

 

[MakMan44]

I don't know. Smith has a pretty great BB/9. If he sticks as a starter (which isn't likely, I'd admit) I like the trade for both sides. 
 
FWIW, Aoki is a FA after this season.
 
http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/2013/07/01/new-information-on-aoki-contract/

 

[YTF]

Brewers traded Norichika Aoki to the Royals for Will Smith. 

That's an absolute heist by KC IMO. Aoki is a 3 WAR player who plays good D, gets on base and is a pretty good baserunner. 

 
 
Wait, what??? When did Smith go to The Brewers?

 

[MakMan44]

Right after After Earth bombed

 

[Ed Hillel]

Brian Wilson gets a 1-year deal with the Dodgers for 10 million, and a Player-only option for 8.5 million for 2015. Pretty nuts.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24350110/report-dodgers-brian-wilson-agree-to-oneyear-10million-deal

 

[MakMan44]

He pitched 13 innings for them. Insanity.

 

[Ed Hillel]

He pitched 13 innings for them. Insanity.

 
What's nuts to me is the player option. So if Wilson blows out his arm again, he gets 8.5 million next year regardless. If he goes out and pitches at the top of his game, the Dodgers don't get the option to bring him back. I mean, LOL at that.

 

[radsoxfan]

 
What's nuts to me is the player option. So if Wilson blows out his arm again, he gets 8.5 million next year regardless. If he goes out and pitches at the top of his game, the Dodgers don't get the option to bring him back. I mean, LOL at that.

 
Yup. Really nice contract for Wilson and a great job by his agent.  Pretty unfriendly terms for the Dodgers.  There is a non-zero chance they end up paying 18.5M for less than a seasons worth of relief work.

 

[glennhoffmania]

Furcal to Miami.
 

Two people familiar with the situation say free-agent infielder Rafael Furcal and the Miami Marlins have agreed to terms on a contract.
 

 

[Corsi]

#Mets have a 4-yr agreement with Curtis Granderson, the Post has learned
 

https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/408998566800011264

 

[Corsi]

Source: Feldman agrees with #Astros, three years, $30 million, pending physical.
 

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/409000632906162176

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

Glad to see one of the Coreys finally getting some work.

 

[B H Kim]

Nate McLouth signed by the Nationals (2 years/$10.75 million).  Probably a reasonable overpay for a 4th outfielder, given how their lack of OF bench depth killed them last year when Harper and Werth went down.
 
WaPo story

 

[Yo La Tengo]

Nate McLouth signed by the Nationals (2 years/$10.75 million).  Probably a reasonable overpay for a 4th outfielder, given how their lack of OF bench depth killed them last year when Harper and Werth went down.
 
WaPo story

Any chance the Nationals are moving an outfielder?  Seems like McLouth could have found a starting job somewhere, although he may value the security and likelihood of playing on a likely contender.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

May have been discussed elsewhere, but it is striking how the M's would have been much better off signing Ellsbury with their existing roster (no quality OFs and a couple of intriguing young middle infielders) and I think the Yankees would also be in a better position moving forward with Cano, even with that huge contract (especially considering Gardner's somewhat redundant skill set as compared to Ellsbury).

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Chad Qualls just got the same contract that Mujica did
 
I repeat...Chad freaking Qualls received the same contract as Mujica! 
 
WOW
 
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/409436398551580672
 
EDIT: Apparently its 9.5 plus incentives ...plus an option. 
 
JEEBUS

 

[Scoots McBoots]

Nope, Rosenthal changed it:
 

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
 
Correction: Value of Qualls deal with #Astros is $6M over two years. Option for third year is $3.5M.

 

[MakMan44]

Garret Jones to the Marlins. 2 years 7.5 MM
 
http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/2013/12/09/jones-deal-finalized-with-miami/

 

[Yaz4Ever]

Take Rajai Davis off your wishlists, folks.  2/$10M with the Tigers.
 
Meanwhile, Omar Infante is looking for $8M+ per year on a long-term contract.

 

[Curll]

Angels get Skaggs, H. Santiago
 
DBacks get Trumbo, 2 PTBNL
 
White Sox get Adam Eaton

 

[Wingack]

Love that deal for the Angels.

 

[MakMan44]

I like what the White Sox are doing too. There's still some risk with guys like Eaton and Garcia but they're making the right moves IMO

 

[NYCSox]

Every GM needs to keep Towers on speed dial. He's like Santa Claus with all his giveaways.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

Man, I know the dude can hit 30 bombs, but thats it. He has one skill.

Great deal for White Sox and Angels.

 

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Eaton is a helluva player. I like what Kenny Williams is doing as well, in addition to getting JD Abreu.
 
I don't know how you give up your #1 and #4 prospects for Trumbo. Power is scarce, and it can work if you assemble enough of them like the A's, but that's his only skill.
 
Yikes, Kevin Towers. He trades Upton/Reynolds as a way of getting rid of high-strikeout/power guys, then does this?
 
edit: Diamondbacks also just gave Joba 1 year/$3. 

 

[dylanmarsh]

Eaton is a helluva player. I like what Kenny Williams is doing as well, in addition to getting JD Abreu.
 
I don't know how you give up your #1 and #4 prospects for Trumbo. Power is scarce, and it can work if you assemble enough of them like the A's, but that's his only skill.
 
Yikes, Kevin Towers. He trades Upton/Reynolds as a way of getting rid of high-strikeout/power guys, then does this?
 
edit: Diamondbacks also just gave Joba 1 year/$3.

Archie Bradley is their number one prospect and they have AJ Pollock to replace Eaton. Skaggs and Eaton were not going to protect Goldschmidt in the lineup and thats what Towers felt he needed.

 

[Corsi]

Source: #Rockies acquire Brett Anderson from #Athletics for Drew Pomeranz and Chris Jensen.
 

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/410521958657589248

 

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Archie Bradley is their number one prospect and they have AJ Pollock to replace Eaton. Skaggs and Eaton were not going to protect Goldschmidt in the lineup and thats what Towers felt he needed.

 
What is basic sabermetric concepts for $200?

 

[smastroyin]

I can't believe the Angels got that much for Trumbo.  I'm literally in complete disbelief.  To the point that I would like to play WMB just on the chance he gets into a power swing and the Sox can flip him for that kind of haul.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Old friend Brandon Jacobs reportedly going to D'Backs as part of trade

 

[Puffy]

I can't believe the Angels got that much for Trumbo.  I'm literally in complete disbelief.  To the point that I would like to play WMB just on the chance he gets into a power swing and the Sox can flip him for that kind of haul.

 
I was thinking the exact same thing when I heard the news.  See if WMB can run into a .250/.295/.460 slash and we get a similar Santiago/Skaggs return?  Count me in!

 

[Sox and Rocks]

Yeah, the Angels made out big in that deal.  The DBacks continue to give away quality, young talent for poor returns.  
 
I like the deal the Rocks made for Anderson.  Pomeranz hasn't impressed me at all, and Anderson, if healthy, will join with De La Rosa and Chacin to make a quality top of the rotation.  

 

[soxfan121]

Willie Bloomquist, the pride of Port Orchard, Washington, has returned to the M's:
 
 
Link
 
Think of Bloomquist as the Pacific Northwest version of Lou Merloni and you'll get the idea.

 
Two years and almost six million dollars for a thirty six year old mediocre-at-best utility infielder. And Bloomquist isn't Lou Merloni - he's Nick Punto. He must give some GREAT clubhouse presence to get that contract at that age. When Lou was 36 he was three years removed from a consistent MLB roster spot and interning for Glenn Ordway. 

 

[Rough Carrigan]

Archie Bradley is their number one prospect and they have AJ Pollock to replace Eaton. Skaggs and Eaton were not going to protect Goldschmidt in the lineup and thats what Towers felt he needed.

Yeah, but there's another way to "protect" a guy in the lineup?  Consistently have men on base in front of him.  It really reduces the incentive to put another guy on base or to think that you can just throw the ball where that hitter can't jack it out of the park but can only line it to the opposite field.  A line single with two men on base is good, too.

 

[dylanmarsh]

I'm not agreeing with Towers' line of thinking; I was just explaining it.

 

[Reverend]

 
What is basic sabermetric concepts for $200?

 
I get what you;re saying, but even Farrell who is clearly open to SABR and other analytics stuff believes in the concept of line-up protection, so that's how it goes.

 

[Reverend]

Yeah, but there's another way to "protect" a guy in the lineup?  Consistently have men on base in front of him.  It really reduces the incentive to put another guy on base or to think that you can just throw the ball where that hitter can't jack it out of the park but can only line it to the opposite field.  A line single with two men on base is good, too.

 
Sounds like somebody watched a few Red Sox games last season... 

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

 
Two years and almost six million dollars for a thirty six year old mediocre-at-best utility infielder. And Bloomquist isn't Lou Merloni - he's Nick Punto. He must give some GREAT clubhouse presence to get that contract at that age. When Lou was 36 he was three years removed from a consistent MLB roster spot and interning for Glenn Ordway. 

 
I was trying to evoke a ballplayer who had local roots and not too much melanin. (Punto would have worked if he'd had Minnesota roots.) And be fair--Bloomquist's mediocrity is not a function of his age. He was lousy at 26. He is the counterexample to the thesis that Scott Boras only represents great players.
 
I wonder if the M's bid against themselves on Bloomquist, too.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

 
And Bloomquist isn't Lou Merloni - he's Nick Punto.

 
This is kind of confusing given Punto has had quite a bit of value in his career given he was a good fielder, but Bloomquist is just a total zero. His career fWAR is 1.4, and they calculate him as being work $5.5 million dollars for his entire career. That he's getting more than that for two seasons is fascinating. 

 

[MakMan44]

Source: #Nationals acquire Jerry Blevins from #Athletics
 

Nationals send Billy Burns, their minor league player of the year, to Oakland for Jerry Blevins.

 
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/410846727567323136

 

[RedOctober3829]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 55s
corey hart is headed for #mariners, according to sources. 1 year deal. will likely bat behind cano
 

 

[SouthernBoSox]

The mariners aren't gonna suck next year.

 

[Scoops Bolling]

 

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 55s
corey hart is headed for #mariners, according to sources. 1 year deal. will likely bat behind cano
 

 

I wonder where they play him. Right field? Try him in left and shift Saunders to right? At 1B over Smoak? A little of all the above?

 

[amfox1]

Big day for the Mariners
 
clarkspencer ‏@clarkspencer2m
Source: #Marlins trading Logan Morrison to Seattle for RHP Carter Capps

 

[MakMan44]

Why? Hart AND Morrison should be playing 1st base or DHing. They already have Smoak to do one of those things, I don't get this. 

 

[Joe D Reid]

So, what then:
 
C: Zunino
1B: Smoak
2B: Cano
SS: Miller
3B: Seager
RF: Ackley/Hart
CF: Saunders
LF: Morrison/Ackley
DH: Hart/Morrison
 
UT: Bloomquist
MI: Franklin
B/C: Sucre
 
The Bloomquist contract is bad just for eating up a 25-man slot--they're going to end up dumping a better player in Ackley or Franklin just because they have nowhere to put them.
 
Also, the OF is going to be hilarious defensively. 

 

[MakMan44]

I forgot, they also have Montero. No clue what they're doing with him either. 

 

[Devizier]

Why? Hart AND Morrison should be playing 1st base or DHing. They already have Smoak to do one of those things, I don't get this. 

 
Smoak will be doing those things in Tacoma, because he sucks.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Source: #Nationals acquire Jerry Blevins from #Athletics
 
 
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/410846727567323136

 
There's the LHRP everyone knew Washington wanted... Interestingly, Blevins had a .741 OPS against LHB last year while RHB had just a .581 OPS against. Over his career Blevins doesn't show that reverse split (.636 OPS vs LHB / .711 OPS vs RHB), but perhaps that was just a blip on the radar.
 
It's worth noting that Burns is hardly a top prospect. He is fast though.

 

[MakMan44]

 
Smoak will be doing those things in Tacoma, because he sucks.

It's not like Morrison has proven much more than Smoak. Hart is the best of the bunch and it's still pretty unsure how he's going to hit in Seattle coming off a lost season.