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.)

The MLB Offseason: The Second Most Exciting Part of the Baseball Year.

By: Kai Jones

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

It’s an exciting time in Major League Baseball, as we are in the heart of free agency. Some of the biggest baseball clubs are looking for players to fill their opening day roster, and maybe even be a leader in the push for a World Series.

One of the major prizes, Giancarlo Stanton, in this free agent market has been resigned. Stanton inked a huge 13 years, $325 million dollar deal from the ever criticized Miami Marlins. The deal comes with an opt out after 6 years and $107 million dollars of the deal; but not many players are walking away from 7 years and $218 million dollars, so Stanton is probably a Marlin until they don’t want him to be. Some speculate that it'll be soon, as the Marlins are known to do this, example; (Jose Reyes, Heath Bell, Mark Buehrle, Miguel Cabrera, and the embarrassing list goes on.) However, Stanton wasn’t the only major transaction in the NL East.

The Braves moved big name Jason Heyward to the Cardinals. Heyward’s contract was due to expire, and with the Upton Brothers massive deals, Atlanta wasn’t sure how they were going to pay Heyward. In exchange, the Braves got two promising prospects that could be front-end starters one day in Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. While these two young stars have been moved, there is and was good talent out there.

Russell Martin inked a $82 million dollar deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Billy Butler has departed to the team he (and the Kansas City Royals) beat in the Wild Card round, the Oakland Athletics. Speaking off championship, the former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval is available. He is amongst the massive amount of talent that is available along with Jon Lester, David Robertson, & Nelson Cruz.

Besides the Detroit Tigers who signed DH Victor Martinez to a 4-year/ 68 million dollar deal, the bigger clubs seem to be  quiet on lately. The Red Sox have been active as they offered Lester and Sandoval contracts, but no word on either signing. The New York Yankees and Mets have been pretty quiet other than a few minor signings, similar to the LA and Chicago teams. The Yankees most surprisingly as they have let David Robertson test the market.

Will New York and Chicago be left out of the playoffs again? Thus far the off season has been interesting, but we will see once more names sign and then it really gets crazy as players are like dominoes. Once one falls, they all fall. Who will be the one to start the domino effect? Sandoval, Lester, or Robertson? It will be interesting to watch going forward.