MLB Rumors: Ranking the Winners and Losers of the 2010 Winter Meetings
There are MLB rumors swirling all around as the winter meetings draw to a close. Teams are taking stock of where they stand, what they need to do and what they actually can do in the months ahead.
While there are plenty of big name players still to be signed (there's this Lee guy many of you may have heard of), there was a flurry of activity during baseball's winter meetings. With the dust settled, who improved their chances in 2011?
We're bringing you the 10 winners and 10 losers from the 2010 winter meetings.
Loser 10: St. Louis Cardinals
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The Cardinals made some good moves, re-signing veteran starter Jake Westbrook and grabbing veteran bat Lance Berkman off the free agent wire, but they didn't accomplish their primary objective at the meetings: re-signing Albert Pujols.
You know, the best player in baseball, who's due to be a free agent after next season? The elephant keeps getting bigger in the Cards' front office, and by not giving Pujols the contract he deserves, the Cardinals dropped the ball.
Their other offseason moves have been nice, but in order for the meetings to have been a success, they needed to sign Pujols.
Winner 10: Minnesota Twins
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The Twins had one objective heading into this year's summit: restock a bullpen that lost several great arms to free agency this season.
By sending shortstop J.J. Hardy and utility infielder Brendan Harris to the Orioles, the Twins did just that.
They managed to send a 30-year-old minor league infielder (Harris) and a shortstop who couldn't hit consistently for them last season (Hardy) and get a pair of live arms for their bullpen next season.
It's not a huge accomplishment, but for the Twins to nab anything of value for a pair of players who were more or less expendable is impressive. Both Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson are going to prove valuable to the Twins in middle relief.
Loser 9: Los Angeles Dodgers
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This had nothing to do with players acquired and everything to do with the court ruling during the meetings.
When a judge decided that Jamie McCourt was co-owner of the Dodgers alongside ex-husband Frank as part of the divorce proceedings, it meant the team's ownership situation would continue to be in flux as the pair continue with their ugly divorce.
Until things get settled between these two and they can sell the team or put a bit more cash in, the Dodgers will have their hands tied on the big name free agents and will be forced to settle for guys like Vicente Padilla.
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Winner 9: Milwaukee Brewers
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The Brewers were in dire need of some starting pitchers (or pitchers in general, for that matter), so they pulled the trigger on a pair of deals that nabbed them a promising young starter from the Blue Jays in Shaun Marcum.
Marcum's got a good arm and went 13-8 with a 3.62 ERA last season, which would rank him behind only Yovani Gallardo in the Brewers rotation.
Sure, they gave up promising infield prospect Brett Lawrie to get him, but they have a second baseman in Rickie Weeks. That made Lawrie expendable, while Marcum is definitely a boon to the Brewers rotation.
Loser 8: New York Mets
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I realize that the Mets have serious budget constraints right now, but seriously?
The Mets entered the meetings with one of baseball's most unstable rotations and a lineup that has major holes at several positions.
However, the Mets largely stood pat, opting not to chase many free agent pitchers or trade for much of anything.
Sounds like another year in the cellar of the NL East to me.
Winner 8: Cincinnati Reds
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The Reds didn't have much retooling to do this offseason, but they took care of what needed to be done. They re-signed veteran pitcher Bronson Arroyo at a much more affordable rate, while letting struggling righty Aaron Harang walk to San Diego.
Then they signed arbitration-eligible slugger Jay Bruce to a long-term deal, keeping the talented youngster in Cincinnati for six more years at a price much more reasonable than, say, Jayson Werth.
In short, by not doing much to mess with the chemistry this team had last season, the Reds were definitely one of the winners of this year's meetings.
Loser 7: Arizona Diamondbacks
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I realize the D-Backs are trying to cut payroll, but jeez! Talk about a disaster of an offseason.
First, you trade your best power hitter (Mark Reynolds) and can't get much more than two middling relievers for him.
Then you fail to sign any competent relief pitchers (if J.J. Putz could stay healthy, he'd fit the bill), opting instead to bring in Melvin Mora, who is old enough to remember the last time the Orioles had a winning record.
Finally, you shop your best player (outfielder Justin Upton) around, essentially telling your fans, "The next few years are going to stink out loud."
How does any of that make sense? At least you got Zach Duke out of all your wheelings and dealings.
Winner 7: Baltimore Orioles
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The Orioles needed to make some upgrades to their lineup this offseason. Their outfield was solid, as was the right side of the infield, but they could use a bopper or two to help Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts score runs.
So GM Andy McPhail snagged one of the game's best power hitters, former Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, and a shortstop in J.J. Hardy who has hit for power before, even if he didn't last season.
The price tag? Just a few minor league relievers. To score a hitter like Reynolds for that instantly makes the Oreos a winner.
Loser 6: Washington Nationals
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This one can be summed up in two words: Jayson. Werth. The 32-year-old outfielder signed a seven year, $126 million contract with the Nationals during the winter meetings.
While it's great that the Nats wanted to make a statement, signing a guy who's at the tail end of his prime to a seven-year contract, even if he is a late bloomer, is a bit absurd and foolish.
Hey, who knows? It could work out great. But history's against the Nationals on this one.
Winner 6: Kansas City Royals
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The Royals didn't sign a big ticket free agent. But they added outfield depth in Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera and appear to be close to trading ace Zack Greinke for enough young talent that they could stock their major league team with one trade.
In short, there might actually be hope in Kansas City after a solid offseason.
Loser 5: Toronto Blue Jays
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Sure, they might still be in the Zack Greinke sweepstakes, and sure, they got a good second base prospect for Shaun Marcum.
But the Blue Jays have a second baseman in Aaron Hill. If they can swing Brett Lawrie into the Greinke deal, then great. But if they can't, suddenly they have more position player prospects than positions to play them in.
In other words, things could turn out great if the Jays make the trade with the Royals we've all been hearing about.
If not, this is where they'll stay.
Winner 5: Texas Rangers
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The Rangers haven't signed a big-ticket free agent pitcher like they want to. But you know why they're here? They've pushed the Yankees so far into the Cliff Lee sweepstakes that the Yankees are blowing by the parameters they set for the max they'd give Lee like signs on the Jersey Turnpike.
If they win, they'll have beaten the Yanks at their own game.
In the end, when that happens, don't we all kind of win?
Loser 4: Tampa Bay Rays
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OK. We knew the Rays were losing Carl Crawford, although taking the hit from a division rival is kind of an issue. We also knew that they'd probably lose Carlos Pena.
But now the Rays are talking about trading Matt Garza to the Cubs?
Suddenly, this is less about two guys they couldn't afford to sign and more about the Rays turning into the Florida Marlins. Yeah, they've got plenty of arms. But losing three core guys like that and failing to turn Jason Bartlett into anything worthwhile is going to be pretty damaging to your team.
Winner 4: Chicago Cubs
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This is a potential spot for the Cubs. I mean, Carlos Pena's great and all (when he gets on base), but he's only one cog, and the Cubs need a bit more than that.
Then you realize they're trying to trade for Matt Garza, who gives the Cubbies a 1-2-3 punch in their rotation that's pretty formidable.
Pena's left-handed pop makes this offseason a success, but it's Garza who could push the Cubs over the top when all is said and done.
Loser 3: New York Yankees
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Right now, it's been a tough offseason for the Yanks.
They angered their captain in their contract negotiations with him, lost out on one of their primary targets to the Red Sox (Carl Crawford) and could still lose out on their real target, Cliff Lee, for the first time in the history of the Steinbrenners owning the team.
Everything will be fine for the Yanks if they get Lee in the end and Andy Pettitte comes back.
But if the Rangers steal Cliff and Andy calls it quits, they could be in trouble next season.
Winner 3: Chicago White Sox
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The White Sox's needs were pretty simple coming into the winter meetings: Sign first baseman Paul Konerko and catcher A.J. Pierzynski, two of your team's rocks.
They pulled it off, and while they don't have cash to splash, you can bet there's some sort of Kenny Williams blockbuster coming down the pipe should they need something down the stretch.
Loser 2: Philadelphia Phillies
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We knew the Phillies wouldn't get Jayson Werth back given the cash they have at the front end of their rotation.
But they haven't signed anyone to fill the void in right field. Sure, they've got hot prospect Domonic Brown. But if he struggles, there is no one on this team who can fill that void.
For not getting a safety net (Matt Diaz was one name being bandied about), the Phils are losers this offseason.
Winner 2: San Diego Padres
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How can a team that lost its best player be considered a winner? Easy: The Padres filled needs and got plenty of talent from trading Adrian Gonzalez.
They got a cheap, talented shortstop in Jason Bartlett, big-time potential in former hot prospect Cameron Maybin, nabbed a trio of talented minor leaguers, including pitching to add to their deep rotation, and could sign a replacement for Gonzalez in Derrek Lee.
No, they didn't replace Gonzalez. But they may have made themselves better in his absence.
Loser 1: Los Angeles Angels
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More than anyone else, the Angels dropped the ball during winter meetings. Their primary target was Carl Crawford. They had the means to sign him, and he wanted to play for them. Plus, he was a perfect fit. But they somehow missed out on him.
Now, they want Cliff Lee. But they find themselves a distant third behind the Yanks and Rangers on Lee's wish list.
Sure, they could still get some pop in an Adrian Beltre. But Crawford was the golden boy for the Angels, and by missing out on him, they finish top of the losers list.
Winner 1: Boston Red Sox
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Let's be honest here: Did you really think anyone would be a bigger winner out of winter meetings than the Red Sox?
They got both of their guys (Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford), didn't give up too much for either one and are in the running to pick up two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove catcher Russell Martin on top of everything else.
The Sox filled their needs perfectly and are going back to get some icing on that cake. For that, they win the winter meetings.
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