Wild Hot Stove day

Yesterday was a wild Hot Stove day in offseason baseball.  The Ballball Winter Meetings are less than a week away (Dec 9- 12), but one would think yesterday that all of general managers were meeting in a room trading players like baseball cards.

Dec 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington answers questions from the media during the Major League Baseball winter meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

In a 24 hr span, it was as if the field of players were piled in the middle and each general manager picked through the pile hoping to make his team better.

So what happened yesterday?  Below is a short summary yesterday’s transactions.  (Not in any particular order)

The Miami Marlins signed free agent Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a 3 year deal worth $21 million over 3 years.

Jacoby Ellsbury was signed by the New York Yankees for $153 million over 7 years.  Which is a bargain compared to the Robinson Cano who is reportedly asking for a 9 year contract worth $260 million.

The Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics made a 4 player trade that included Rangers’ outfielder Craig Gentry and right-handed pitcher Josh Lindblom for outfielder Michael Choice and infielder Chris Bostick.  The reaction to this trade so far has been mainly positive.  Many fans love Gentry, but overall it seems the Texas Rangers received the better end of this deal.

A.J. Pierzynski signed a one year deal with the Boston Red Sox worth $8.25 million.  A.J. played well for the Texas Rangers and was pretty well liked.  Well, maybe not by Yu Darvish.

The Colorado Rockies agreed to sign Justin Morneau to a 2 year contract for $13 million.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded catcher Eli Kratz and left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen for right-handed pitcher Brad Lincoln from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Houston Astros have traded outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-hander Jordan Lyles for outfielder Dexter Fowler from the Colorado Rockies.  The Astros will also receive a player to be named.

The Detroit Tigers agree to sign former Texas Ranger closer Joe Nathan to a 2 year deal worth $20 million.  The Tigers reportedly were looking to sign Brian Wilson.

Tampa Bay Rays acquire Heath Bell in a three-way trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Diamondbacks received a minor league pitcher named Justin Choate and a player to be named later and the Cincinnati Reds received David Holmberg from the Diamondbacks.  Also, the Reds sent catcher Ryan Hanigan to the Rays.

After a busy day of offseason baseball, there are still options for the Texas Rangers.  They still need to fill in a spot behind Geovany Soto.  Toronto didn’t tender J.P. Arencibia at the arbitration deadline making him a free-agent target for the Texas Rangers.  Also, the Rangers still need an outfielder.   It was reported that Shin-Soo Choo and the Texas Rangers met.  But Choo is now the target of several other clubs such as the Boston Red Sox.  So besides for a catcher, and an outfielder, the Rangers should target another arm for their starting line up.

The Texas Rangers do have a possible starting rotation that may include Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison,Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Alexi Ogando.  There are still rumors that the Rays could trade David Price.  Jon Daniels has been busy this offseason.  He could make a move to pick him up.

After yesterday’s wild Hot Stove day, what will happen next?  Hopefully Jon Daniels will stay busy.  With the Fielder/Kinsler and Gentry/Choice trade, he’s shown some guts and that he’s reshaping the team for 2014.  With these changes, it will be different, but exciting to watch.