I like following all the small trades, because you never know when that person might step-up. Every single year there are small moves that make a difference on every team, especially the playoff teams. This is a list of all the small trades and free agent signings so far.
Tommy Kahlne traded to the Chicago White Sox from the Colorado Rockies. In exchange the Rockies will receive Yency Almonte. Tommy Kahlne is 26 years old, throws left handed, and is used in the bullpen. He has played in two major league seasons, and hasn't had a better ERA than 4.19 in those two seasons. He was pitching in a very hitter friendly ballpark. With a new team, and having a fresh start might get him on track. Yency Almonte is 21 years old, right handed starting pitcher, and has a powerful arm. Almonte hasn't made it out of the minors yet, and currently plays in A+. He has time to grow, and we will see if he makes something of himself.
Allen Webster traded to the Pittsburg Pirates from the Arizona Diamondbacks. In exchange the Diamondbacks will receive cash. Allen Webster was involved in the Wade Miley trade last offseason. Webster is 25 years old, and has played in 3 major league seasons. He is a powerful right handed starting pitcher that hasn't found his groove yet. His career ERA is 6.13, because of this Webster hasn't made for than 11 starts in one season. Honestly the Diamondbacks were trying to get anything out of him, because he is looking like a project that they don't have time for, at the moment.
Cameron Maybin traded to the Detroit Tigers from the Atlanta Braves. In exchange the Atlanta Braves will receive Ian Krol, and Gabe Speier. Maybin is 28 years old, and has played in nine major league seasons. He plays centerfield, and has good range defensively in the outfield. Maybin hasn't been much more than a .250 hitter in his career, and has shown little power. He does bring speed on the bases, and has swiped up to 40 bases in a single season. Last season was one of his best seasons, he hit 10 home runs, 59 RBI's, 23 stolen bases, and a .267 average. Gabe Speier was the true player the Atlanta Braves wanted out of this trade. Speier is 20 years old lefty relief pitcher, who is currently in Single A baseball. Speier has improved every year in the minors, because of that his workload has increased each year. He is still a year or two away from the majors, but he isn't a bad looking pitcher out the bullpen. Ian Krol was more of a thrown in piece for this trade. Krol is 24 years old and has played in 3 major league seasons. Krol is also a lefty relief pitcher. He has seriously struggled with throwing strikes, and is BB/9 has gone up each year. This has caused him to have a high ERA, and overall not be very effective.
Chris Ianneta was signed by the Seattle Mariners for one year worth 4.25 million dollars. Ianneta is a veteran catcher who has played in 10 major league seasons. He has been moved to a back up catcher, over the last couple of years. He has shown that he can hit for power, and will hit double digit home runs in a season. He also has shown that he can't hit for average, as he finished with a .188 average last season. Decent back up catchers are hard to find today, so I like the signing by the Mariners.
Geovany Soto was signed by the Los Anglos Angels for one year, worth 2.8 million dollars. Soto is 32 years old, and has played in 11 major league seasons. Soto had some very productive years early in his career with the Chicago Cubs. In 2008 Soto won the Rookie of the year award, and was an All-Star. Soto has always been a offensive catcher, and has hit double digit home runs 5 times in a singe season. Even as a back up catcher he could provide 10 home runs. Like I said earlier, it is tough to find a solid back up catcher, and Soto fits that role very well.
James Russell was signed by the Phillies to a one year minor league contact. Russell is 29 years old, and has pitched in 6 major league seasons. He is a left handed relief specialist that comes out of the bullpen. Russell put up 3 solid seasons in a row, but is coming off one of his worst seasons. I got to watch Russell pitch for the Cubs the last couple of years, and I believe he can recover. He has the make up of a good lefty option out of any teams bullpen.
Ryan Cook was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. Cook is 28 years old, and has played in 5 major league seasons. Cook had 3 productive years for the Oakland Athletics. He was used as a 7th, 8th, and 9th inning pitcher throughout those 3 seasons. Cook made the All-Star team in 2012 for the Oakland Athletics. It is clear that he has talent, but last season was a real struggle for Cook. He dealt with some injuries, just like the entire Oakland bullpen last season. The Cubs made it a point of emphasis that they were going to add to their bullpen, and this was their second move. The first move was Rex Brothers.
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