Yesterday, and more specifically last night, the hot stove bubbled over. It was what everyone hopes will happen at the Winter Meetings: complete free agent/trade/rumor madness. I will now attempt to provide you a comprehensive review of all the movements and general nonsense that went down. My twitter refresh has never seen more clicks.
First, the actual moves. Highlighting the action was the blockbuster Shelby Miller trade. Remember when it was reported that 20 teams were in on Miller? Well, I'm guessing that was right, because Arizona, the chosen receipient, HOOKED ATLANTA UP.
Stunning return for #Braves - Inciarte, pitching prospect Blair and Swanson, No. 1 overall pick in ‘15 draft - and potential long-term SS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2015
Yeah, that is a haul. Ender Inciarte is an elite defender who slashed .303/.338/,408 in 2015. Dansby Swanson, a shortstop, is only six months removed from being the 2015 first overall pick and Aaron Blair is two years removed from the first round and is the 61st ranked prospect from MLB.com. Arizona, with the addition of Miller and Greinke should be in line to compete next year, but Atlanta's future is bright. And, make sure you impress your friends with this one:
LOL, so the Braves have gotten the D'Backs last 3 first-round picks. 2015 - Swanson 2014 - Touki 2013 - Blair
— gondeee (@gondeee) December 9, 2015
After being relatively quiet, the Cubs became the most aggressive team at the meetings, first signing Ben Zobrist to a four year deal worth 56 million. You know Joe Maddon is absolutely giddy about the Zobrist's flexibility. Theo is the ultimate Santa.
Soon after, the team parted ways with Starlin Castro.
Starlin Castro trade is official: He goes to #Yankees for RHP Adam Warren and a player to be named later. #Cubs
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 9, 2015
Add in Brendan Ryan as well for the Cubs. Warren will be a back of the rotation piece while Ryan has the slickest of mitts and the sickest, in a bad way, of bats. With the Cubs fully committed to Addison Russel at short and the signing of Zobrist, Starlin became the odd man out and therefore expendable.
And in late breaking news, the Mariners added Evan Scribner from the A's:
#Mariners have officially announced the acquisition of RHP Evan Scribner from #Athletics. Read more: https://t.co/Frtyd5783p
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 9, 2015
The best part, is we aren't done. Check out the rumor mill.
Old friend Rajai Davis is being courted by the Indians. Feel free to sign outside the division former Tigers.
And some fun tweets:
Two agents I spoke to tonight believe Jason Heyward is looking for a 10-year deal.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 9, 2015
For #Dodgers to land Jose Fernandez from #Marlins hearing it would take Urias, Seager, Pederson and two more. #WinterMeetings
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) December 9, 2015
O's Reportedly Offer "In The Neighborhood" Of $150MM To Chris Davis https://t.co/Ft7OkX8x2H pic.twitter.com/cBxD7VRB5T
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 9, 2015
Even the deals that didn't happen seem awesome:
Hearing that #Marlins had deal working with D-Backs: Jose Fernandez for Corbin, Swanson and 3 others -- until Zona landed Shelby Miller.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 9, 2015
Look forward to more shuffling in the future, and check out SBNation's winter meeting tracker to follow the action.
The curious case of J.D. Martinez
The Sustainable J.D. Martinez - FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball, Scott Strandberg
With such a stark breakout by J.D. Martinez, many have wondered how sustainable his swing mechanics, power and contact rate are. Fangraphs makes the case for continued high level performance by Martinez.
Tigers want to talk long-term deal with J.D. Martinez - Detroit News, Chris McCosky
Not surprisingly, the Tigers believe the production is sustainable and therefore are looking to talk long term with J.D. I'm not sure this deal gets done in the off season, but will be something to watch moving forward.
More Tigers reaction
Detroit's window is open: Jordan Zimmermann fits the 'win-now' timeline - Beyond the Box Score, Steven Martano
The Tigers are looking at probably another two to three years of contention before going into a rebuild. Jordan Zimmermann makes sense for them more so than other teams.
Tigers Upgrade Bullpen with Mark Lowe - FanGraphs Baseball, Eno Sarris
Mark Lowe provides additional bullpen help for the Tigers. Al Avila is trying his best to make his bullpen fool proof. This is a very good idea
Future Tiger movement
Finding lefty reliever might take Detroit Tigers some time - Detroit Free Press, Anthony Fenech
Will the Tigers search for even more bullpen help?
Breakout Candidates for 2016: Detroit Tigers - Minor League Ball, Bobby Glover
Who will breakout in 2016? Everyone. That's not what Bobby said, but I'm going with it.