The Money Grab Continues: MLB Offseason

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The MLB off-season always involves money being thrown around like no other major league sport. This year has been no different, with Giancarlo Stanton being the biggest signing with his 300 million dollar contract. As the off-season goes on we continue to see other smaller, yet still rather big signings and trades. We're also at a point where baseball clubs are trying to trade players because of their other acquisitions; the Boston Red Sox trading Yoenis Cespedes for Rick Porcello, because their outfield is now crowded after the Hanley Ramirez signing.

The Red Sox have been very busy this off-season with acquiring Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, these moves bolstered their lineup, but what about their rotation? The Red Sox traded for Porecello and Wade Miley, as well as the Justin Masterson signing, a former Red Sox. The Sox were also in the running for Jon Lester, but were beaten by their former GM and the Chicago Cubs. Lester gets a 6 year, 155 million dollar deal. After losing Russell Martin to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cubs have acquired Lester, Jason Hammels, and replaced Martin with Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs aren’t the only Chicago team that have been making serious moves made this year so far, as the White Sox have added Jeff Samardjiza, David Robertson, Zach Duke, and Dan Jennings. While the Miami Marlins are not to be trusted, they have made huge moves such as adding Dee Gordon, Mat Latos, and Andre Rienzo. No one has been more eager to put together a better club than the Dodgers, as they shook up their entire infield by trading Matt Kemp to the Padres. The Dodgers acquired Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick, Enrique Hernandez, Chris Hatcher, and Brandon McCarthy. Ervin Santana also found a new home with the Minnesota Twins for four years. The AL Champion Kansas City Royals acquired Kendrys Morales. The big question is, why have the New York Yankees been so quiet? 

Considering the Bombers have lost Robertson and Jeter retired, why has their only big off-season move been to add Didi Gregorious? Could the answer be that they have a Max deal in mind? Pun aside, Max Scherzer to the Yankees makes sense because the Yankees could use a top of the rotation starter with CC Sabathia getting older. Their lineup is questionable since their big off-season move, Gregorious, is more of a defensive player. Also consider that A Rod is reportedly out of shape, so they could use a pitcher that can keep the game close.

This year’s Winter Meetings could be one of the most memorable with all these deals so far. Normally there are a few deals that happen, but not this year. Ultimately, we still have a good three months until Spring Training starts, so while major dominoes have fallen, there are still moves to be made before Spring Training.

By: Kai Jones

Edited by: Dana P. (E.I.C.)