LA Dodgers
In the past 24 hours the Dodgers have made the most noise. They have added Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick, Brandon McCarthy, Yasmani Grandal, and a few pitching prospects. There are some things I like about these moves and some things I don't. Jimmy Rollins is a perfect replacement for Hanley Rameriz, because they didn't want to sign someone long term. Top prospect Corey Seager will be coming up in the next couple years. I didn't understand why they traded Dee Gordan for Andrew Heaney until I saw their next move. Howie Kendrick is an under the radar second baseman, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols have stolen his thunder. He is right at a .300 batting average every year, gives you good defense, and is a quiet, well mannered guy. What else I liked was the Dodgers were finally able to get rid of Matt Kemp's contract. I don't like what they got in exchange for Kemp, which was a couple prospects and Yasmani Grandal who has dealt with injuries and PED problems in his career. Again, it was better than nothing because they opened up some more money for themselves in the future. The last thing I didn't like was the Brandon McCarthy contract. Brandon McCarthy has been pretty average the last couple years, but had an amazing second half when he was traded to the Yankees last year. That is not enough in my eyes to sign an at best 4th guy in your starting rotation for 4 years and close to 50 million dollars. Too long and too much money.
Miami Marlins
In my eyes, the Marlins have made the right moves in the past 24 hours with the additions of Mat Latos, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas, and Dee Gordan. I wasn't happy when I heard the Marlins were looking to trade top pitching prospect Andrew Heaney this off season, until I saw what they got in return. Dee Gordan has been hungry to play after being behind Hanely in LA. He got a chance to start this past year at second base and man did he make the most of it by proving he is one of the fastest and most efficient base stealers in baseball. He now has a chance to go play shortstop for a team who is improving rapidly. The smartest thing they have done was the combination of Dan Haren and Mat Latos. They needed to bring a serious veteran presence to their starting rotation and fill a hole until Jose Fernadez comes backs. Latos will be a sufficient replacement until Fernandez's return and will be even better as a number two in the rotation. The only concern is that Dan Haren threatened to retire if he was traded off the Dodgers. He has yet to make a statement.
Detroit Tigers
After Signing Victor Martinez, the Tigers have been quiet until yesterday, adding something that they really needed. Once Prince Fielder left the Tigers, their offense has not been the same. They needed to get another big bat besides Martinez to fill the void of a Prince Fielder, and now they have done that. Cespedes doesn't hit for average or extreme power, but I think it's more of an intimidation factor when he gets in that batters box. I mean have you seen the guy? He is jacked. He will hit you 25 homeruns and 90 RBI's with a .250 average, which when you have Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in front of you those numbers will be just fine. It was rough that they lost out on a good pitcher in Porcello, but did they every find a suitable replacement in Alfredo Simon, who had a break out season last year. It is always tough to gauge how a National League pitcher will adjust to the American League, but I think Simon won't have a problem with it.
Boston Red Sox
I don't really know how to rate the Red Sox in last 24 hours, until I see what they are going to do with the rest of the free agency. They have already signed two big bats with Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, but that will do no help without the pitching. They have had to literally start from scratch with their starting rotation with the exception of Clay Buchholtz. They picked up Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson, and Alex Wilson. I like two of these four pick ups and the other two I am not really sure what they are doing besides building depth. Rick Porcello is by far the best out of those players, but at best he is a number three guy in your starting rotation. I mean the guy pitched lights out last year, but he has also given up more hits than he has pitched innings in a season every single year. Don't get me started with the Wade Miley deal, because I am very confused. Miley was getting rocked in Arizona the last couple of years and I don't see how he is going to do any better in the American League at Fenway Park. Lastly, Justin Masterson has literally been up and down his entire career. I really don't know where he fits on this team, unless they are going to use him as the platoon guy who can start and eat some innings up in the bullpen. Overall, the pitching moves have been average, but this is Boston. I see them signing James Shields to be the ace of that rotation and when you move everyone in that rotation down a spot, it starts to look a lot better, especially when their division has a serious lack of superstar pitching.
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