MLB Trade News: Grading Both Sides of Every Offseason Deal

Free-agency rumors generally rule the MLB offseason's hot stove, but this winter featured a good number of blockbuster trades as well that could change the landscape of the game in a few years.

While it is those mega-deals that rule the headlines, there have also been a number of other smaller-scale trades that have helped contenders add missing pieces to fill out their rosters and allowed rebuilding teams to acquire much-needed prospects.

Here's a look at all 40 trades that have taken place to this point in the offseason, with a grade for each team.

Derek Lowe and Cash to Cleveland, Chris Jones to Atlanta

Date: October 31st, 2011

Cleveland Got: SP Derek Lowe, $10 Million

Looking to bolster a young and inexperienced rotation, the Indians dealt for the 38-year-old sinker-baller in the first move of the offseason.

Coming off a 9-17, 5.05 ERA, 137 Ks season, the Indians are counting on him bouncing back, but the fact that the Braves will take on all but $5 million of what he's due this coming season makes it a little less of a risk. He'll likely fill the third starter role, and he could be pitching for one last contract at the end of the season.

Grade: C-

Atlanta Got: RP Chris Jones

A 23-year-old left-handed reliever, Jones has never pitched above Single-A, but he's coming off a solid season last year in which he appeared in 43 games and posted a 3.36 ERA over 72.1 innings of work.

More importantly though, the Braves free up both payroll room and a rotation spot for one of their young starters with the move.

Grade: B+

Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City, Melky Cabrera to San Francisco

Date: November 7th, 2011

Kansas City Got: SP Jonathan Sanchez, SP Ryan Verdugo

With so many promising young offensive players, the Royals needed to turn their attention to the rotation moving forward if they hoped to take the next steps towards contention, and they did that this offseason in acquiring left-hander Jonathan Sanchez.

Sanchez saw his ERA spike from 3.07 to 4.26 last season, and his walk rate jump from 4.5 to 5.9, but he's still just 29 and showed what he's capable of in 2010 with a 13-9, 3.07 ERA, 205 Ks season. 

Verdugo, a 24-year-old left-hander, made the move to the starting rotation for the first time last year and had mixed success in his first action at Double-A, going 8-6, 4.35 ERA, 9.2 K/9.

Grade: B

San Francisco Got: LF Melky Cabrera

After struggling mightily on offense last year, the Giants looked to bolster the top of their lineup by adding Cabrera, who is coming off by far the best season of his career as he hit .305 BA, 18 HR, 87 RBI, 20 SB in his first season in Kansas City.

He's a free agent at season's end, and at just 27 years old, he's right in the middle of his prime. His addition should be an immediate spark to the Giants lineup—something they sorely needed.

Grade: A-

Ty Wigginton and Cash to Philadelphia

Date: November 20th, 2011

Philadelphia Got: 3B Ty Wigginton, $2 Million

With an aging infield and an injured Ryan Howard to open the season, the Phillies dealt for versatile infielder Ty Wigginton, who can play first, second, third and corner outfield.

An All-Star in 2010, his numbers dropped a bit last season as he hit .242 BA, 15 HR, 47 RBI, but for what the Phillies need, he will be a welcome addition. Not only that, but the Rockies will take on half of his $4 million salary, making him an incredibly cost-effective option.

Grade: B+

Colorado Got: Player to be named or cash

The trade has yet to be completed, but it will likely be little more than a low-level prospect or $100,000 that the Rockies wind up with, as the $2 million salary relief was the real reward.

Grade: Incomplete

Wade LeBlanc to Miami, John Baker to San Diego

Date: November 22nd, 2011

Miami Got: SP Wade LeBlanc

A solid left-handed starter, the 27-year-old LeBlanc will battle for a roster spot this spring and will provide rotational depth for the team moving forward.

He's coming off a season in which he made 14 starts and went 5-6, 4.63 ERA, 51 Ks, and while it seems unlikely he will make the team this spring, he could be first in line if someone goes down with an injury.

Grade: C-

San Diego Got: C John Baker

In Baker, the Padres got a solid backup catcher and a left-handed bat off the bench to fill in behind Nick Hundley until Yasmani Grandal is ready for the majors.

He's tallied just 91 at-bats over the past two seasons, but back in 2009, he hit .271 BA, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 59 R as the Marlins' primary catcher.

Grade: C+

John Jaso to Seattle, Josh Lueke to Tampa Bay

Date: November 27th, 2011

Seattle Got: C John Jaso

Jaso enjoyed an impressive rookie season in 2010, as he hit .263 BA, 5 HR, 44 RBI and posted an impressive .372 on-base percentage to finish fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

However, last season, he was unable to take at-bats from Kelly Shoppach (.176 BA), and now with Jose Molina around, he became expendable. He'll serve as Miguel Olivo's backup and as a decent bat off the bench.

Grade: C

Tampa Bay Got: RP Josh Lueke, player to be named or cash

Originally drafted by the Rangers, Lueke wound up in Seattle as part of the Cliff Lee trade at the deadline in 2010.

He enjoyed a dominant season over three minor league levels that year, posting a 1.86 ERA in 63 innings of work, but struggled in his big-league debut with a 6.06 ERA over 32.2 innings last year. He'll be 27 this coming season, so he doesn't have a ton of upside, but he does have a track record of success, so he could turn things around with a big second season. It is a low-risk, high-upside acquisition for the Rays.

Grade: B

Tyler Chatwood to Colorado, Chris Iannetta to Los Angeles Angels

Date: November 30th, 2011

Colorado Got: SP Tyler Chatwood

A second-round selection in 2008, Chatwood made his big-league debut last season at the age of 21 and appeared in 27 games for the Angels, 25 of which were starts. He posted a 6-11, 4.75 ERA, 74 Ks line, and there's no doubt he has plenty of upside.

While the Rockies were in need of starting pitching at the time of the trade, they have since added Jeremy Guthrie, Guillermo Moscoso, Josh Outman and Jamie Moyer, and it looks as though Chatwood will be ticketed for Triple-A to open the season.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Got: C Chris Iannetta

Iannetta looked to be the catcher of the future for the Rockies and a future All-Star after a .264 BA, 18 HR, 65 RBI season in 2008 at the age of 25. However, he has hit just .225 over the past three seasons combined, and the team chose to deal him and sign Ramon Hernandez instead.

That said, he represents an upgrade for the Angels, who had Jeff Mathis (.174 BA) and Hank Conger (.209 BA) do the bulk of the catching last season. Iannetta may not hit for a high average, but he has hit 39 home runs over the past three years, and he's a solid backstop.

Grade: C+

Taylor Teagarden to Baltimore for Prospects

Date: December 1st, 2011

Baltimore Got: C Taylor Teagarden

Twice a Baseball America Top 100 prospect, Teagarden has never seen regular playing time in four big-league seasons, but he has shown some pop with 16 HR and 49 RBI in 350 career at-bats.

He'll serve as Matt Wieters' backup this coming season, which likely means he again won't see many at-bats, but he appears to have a clear-cut, big league job if nothing else.

Grade: B

Texas Got: RP Randy Henry, 2B/SS Greg Miclat

Henry is a 22-year-old right-hander who was a fourth-round pick back in 2009. He spent last season between Single-A and High Single-A and posted a 2.22 ERA over 52.2 innings with 6.8 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 ratios.

Miclat is a 24-year-old middle infielder who was a fifth-round pick in 2008. A shortstop leading up to last year, he shifted to second base, and in a full season at Double-A, he hit .280 BA, 2 HR, 24 RBI while going 50-of-53 on stolen base attempts. 

Grade: B-

Brad Mills to Los Angeles Angels, Jeff Mathis to Toronto

Date: December 3rd, 2011

Los Angeles Got: SP Brad Mills

Mills, a 27-year-old left-hander, has spent most of the past three seasons in Triple-A, making a total of 14 big-league appearances (nine starts) during that span and posting a 2-3 record and 8.57 ERA.

He's little more than depth in the starting rotation, and it would take an inspired performance at Triple-A or a rash of injuries for him to see time with the Angels this season.

Grade: D

Toronto Got: C Jeff Mathis

Once regarded as one of the top catching prospects in the game, Mathis has been among the worst hitters in the entire league since debuting in 2005. 

In his time in the league, he has put together a career line of .194 BA, 26 HR, 139 RBI over 1,201 at-bats, and last season he hit just .174 over 247 at-bats. He'll back up J.P. Arencibia this coming season and somehow earn $1.5 million.

Grade: F

Sergio Santos to Toronto, Nestor Molina to Chicago White Sox

Date: December 6th, 2011

Toronto Got: RP Sergio Santos

After non-tendering Bobby Jenks last offseason, the White Sox hoped either Matt Thornton or Chris Sale would emerge as the team's closer. Instead, it was 27-year-old right-hander Sergio Santos.

A former top prospect with the Diamondbacks as a shortstop, he debuted in the White Sox bullpen in 2010 with a 2.96 ERA over 51.2 innings. Then last season, he went 30-of-36 on save opportunities, and that was enough for the Blue Jays to acquire him to be their closer, and for the low price of $1 million this coming season.

Grade: B

Chicago Got: SP Nestor Molina

In return for Santos, the rebuilding White Sox landed starting pitching prospect Nestor Molina, who immediately becomes the best starting prospect in their farm system.

Last season, he went 12-3, 2.21 ERA, 148 Ks, 130.1 IP between High Single-A and Double-A as a 22-year-old. This trade will take a couple years to see who really won it, but there's certainly a lot to like about what the Sox acquired in Molina.

Grade: A

Kevin Slowey to Colorado, Daniel Turpen to Minnesota

Date: December 6th, 2011

Colorado Got: SP Kevin Slowey

After a 13-6 season in 2010, Slowey lost his rotation spot last spring and spent most of the season in the minors. The Rockies acquired him in an effort to add some depth to their starting rotation.

However, they wound up flipping him to the Indians two weeks later for relief pitching prospect Zach Putnam. So, in essence, it was Turpen for Putnam—a move that breaks clearly in the Rockies' favor.

Grade: B

Minnesota Got: RP Daniel Turpen

As a 24-year-old last season at Double-A, Turpen had a 4.83 ERA and 11 saves in 59.2 innings of work. However, with low strikeout numbers (5.0 K/9) and high walk numbers (5.3 BB/9), he looks like little more than a career minor leaguer at this point.

Grade: D-

Huston Street and Cash to San Diego, Nick Schmidt to Colorado

Date: December 7th, 2011

San Diego Got: RP Huston Street, $500,000

With the departure of All-Star closer Heath Bell in free agency, the Padres used the trade market to acquire Street. In seven big-league seasons, he has tallied 178 saves and has never had an ERA over 4.00 (3.11 career mark).

He's set to make $7.5 million this coming season, and the Padres will be responsible for all but $500,000 of that money. He also has a $9 million option next season with a $500,000 buyout that would be paid by Colorado. This begs the question, will the Padres be contenders in the next two years, and if not, how much sense does this move make?

Grade: C-

Colorado Got: SP Nick Schmidt

Make no mistake about it—the Rockies got $7 million of payroll flexibility in the deal above all else, and Schmidt will likely never see the big leagues at this point in his career.

As a 25-year-old last season, he split the year between rookie ball and High Single-A, going 4-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 14 starts.

Grade: B+

Yamaico Navarro to Pittsburgh for Prospects

Date: December 7th, 2011

Pittsburgh Got: UT Yamaico Navarro

Signed out of the Dominican, Navarro put up adequate numbers in the minors before making his debut in 2010. He has a .206 BA, 1 HR, 14 RBI line in 102 big-league at-bats and will be organizational depth.

Grade: D

Kansas City Got: RP Brooks Pounders, IF Diego Goris

Pounders, a second-round pick out of high school in 2009, moved to the bullpen full-time last year and had a 3.68 ERA in 66 innings of work, along with 9.8 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 ratios.

Goris was signed out of the Dominican as a 17-year-old and has yet to play above rookie league in four professional seasons. He has no true position at this point, but after hitting .350 BA, 5 HR, 46 RBI with 15 steals last year as a 20-year-old he could have a big-league future.

Grade: A

Angel Pagan to San Francisco, Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez to New York Mets

Date: December 7th, 2011

San Francisco Got: OF Angel Pagan

After enjoying a breakout season in 2010 in which he hit .290 BA, 11 HR, 69 RBI and stole 37 bases, Pagan saw his numbers fall off last season across the board, as his average dropped to .262.

A change of scenery could do him well, and he will likely start in center field and hit leadoff for the Giants this coming season in what will be a contract year.

Grade: C-

New York Got: OF Andres Torres, RP Ramon Ramirez

Much like Pagan, Torres also enjoyed a breakout season in 2010 when he saw his first prolonged big-league action at the age of 32 and hit .268 BA, 16 HR, 63 RBI with 26 steals. And like Pagan, those numbers dipped last season, as he hit just .221 and was held to 348 at-bats due to injury.

While Pagan is likely the more valuable of the two, the Giants included another huge piece in the trade by throwing in Ramirez, who over the past four seasons has averaged 69 games and a 2.77 ERA over 70 innings of work. He'll slide in as the Mets' eighth-inning guy.

Grade: B

Ian Stewart to Chicago Cubs, Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu to Colorado

Date: December 8th, 2011

Chicago Got: 3B Ian Stewart, RP Casey Weathers

Once viewed as a top prospect and the Rockies' third baseman of the future, Stewart struggled mightily last season en route to a demotion and a line of .156 BA, 0 HR, 6 RBI when all was said and done. He can certainly be viewed as a bounce-back candidate, but relying on him as the everyday third baseman is certainly a risk.

Weathers, the eighth overall pick in the 2007 draft, is a career minor leaguer coming off a game in which he posted a 5.32 ERA in 45.2 innings of work at Double-A.

Grade: C-

Colorado Got: OF Tyler Colvin, IF DJ LeMahieu

The Cubs' first-round pick in 2006, Colvin enjoyed a solid rookie year in 2010 as he hit .254 BA, 20 HR, 56 RBI and looked ready to step in as the everyday right fielder. However, he hit just .150 BA, 6 HR, 20 RBI last season and spent much of the year in the minors.

LeMahieu made his big-league debut last season, and while he does not profile as an impact player, he should carve out a big-league spot as a versatile infielder with plus offensive skills.

Grade: C+

Dana Eveland to Baltimore for Prospects

Date: December 8th, 2011

Baltimore Got: SP Dana Eveland

After spending time in Milwaukee and Arizona, Eveland landed in Oakland as part of the Dan Haren deal and looked to have a bright future as he joined the rotation and went 9-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 29 starts.

However, his career appears to have peaked that season, and after being traded to the Orioles this offseason, he will be joining his seventh team in eight big-league seasons. He will provide rotational depth should injury strike.

Grade: C

Los Angeles Got: SP Jarret Martin, 3B/OF Tyler Henson

Still young at 22 years old, Martin has been average at best in two pro seasons, going 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA last season at Single-A.

Henson saw Triple-A action for the first time last season, and the 24-year-old was overmatched as he hit just .247 BA, 3 HR, 36 RBI over 449 at-bats.

Grade: D

Trevor Cahill and Cash to Arizona, Jarrod Parker and Prospects to Oakland

Date: December 9th, 2011

Arizona Got: SP Trevor Cahill, RP Craig Breslow

After debuting at the age of 21 with mixed results in 2009, Cahill had a phenomenal sophomore season, going 18-8, 2.97 ERA, 118 Ks to make the All-Star Game and finish ninth in AL Cy Young voting. He came back to earth a bit last season with a 12-14, 4.16 ERA, 147 Ks line, but his future is bright, and he will be the team's No. 2 starter.

Breslow has been among the A's most reliable relievers over the past three seasons, appearing in 202 games and posting a 3.14 ERA. He'll be a valuable middle reliever in the Diamondbacks 'pen.

Grade: A-

Oakland Got: SP Jarrod Parker, RP Ryan Cook, OF Collin Cowgill

While Cook and Cowgill should be contributors at the big-league level, likely sooner rather than later, the true prize of the trade for Oakland was Parker.

The ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft out of high school, Parker made his big-league debut at the end of last season after an 11-8, 3.79 ERA, 112 Ks season at Double-A, and he has the inside track on the fifth-starter job in Oakland this spring.

Grade: B+

Ryan Perry to Washington, Collin Balester to Detroit

Date: December 9th, 2011

Washington Got: RP Ryan Perry

A first-round pick in 2008, Perry throws hard, and at 25 years old there's still time for him to take a big step forward. He was impressive in his first two seasons but fell off a bit last year in posting a 5.35 ERA, so the Nationals will be hoping he bounces back and emerges as a reliable setup man.

Grade: C+

Detroit Got: RP Collin Balester

A former top prospect as a starter, Balester was moved to the bullpen, and he has yet to spend a full season in the majors, making a career-high 23 appearances last season. It will take a strong spring, but he has a shot at a bullpen spot out of spring training in Detroit.

Grade: C-

Ben Francisco to Toronto, Frank Gailey to Philadelphia

Date: December 12th, 2011

Toronto Got: OF Ben Francisco

Francisco joined the Phillies in the trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Phillies for the first time, and he has been the team's fifth outfielder over the past two seasons. 

Set to make over $1.5 million in arbitration, he was a non-tender candidate, but the Phillies found a taker in the Blue Jays, who will use him and Rajai Davis as outfielders off the bench.

Grade: C

Philadelphia Got: RP Frank Gailey

Gailey is a 26-year-old former 23rd-round selection who saw his first action at Double-A last season and looked overmatched with a 5.70 ERA in 30 innings of work.

That was the first time he has really struggled in the minors, so he could adjust quickly this season, but given his advanced age, chances are he is a career minor leaguer.

Grade: D

Burke Badenhop to Tampa Bay, Jake Jefferies to Miami

Date: December 12th, 2011

Tampa Bay Got: RP Burke Badenhop

A starter in the minors and early in his big-league career, Badenhop moved to the bullpen permanently in 2010, and he has been one of the Marlins' most frequently used and effective relievers with 103 appearances and a 4.04 ERA in 131.1 innings of work over the past two seasons.

Grade: B-

Miami Got: C Jake Jefferies

The 24-year-old Jefferies was a third-round pick in 2008 but simply hasn't shown enough offensively (.238 BA, 2 HR, 32 RBI in 2011) or defensively (24 percent caught stealing for career) to be anything more than organizational filler.

Grade: D

Casey McGehee to Pittsburgh, Jose Veras to Milwaukee

Date: December 12th, 2011

Pittsburgh Got: 1B/3B Casey McGehee

A waiver pickup from the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2009 season, McGehee finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in his first season in Milwaukee and followed that up with a 23 HR, 104 RBI season.

However, he fell off to .223 BA, 13 HR, 67 RBI last year, and with the signing of Aramis Ramirez and promotion of Mat Gamel he no longer had a job in Milwaukee. With the Pirates he will provide insurance if Pedro Alvarez struggles again this year and serve as a platoon partner with Garrett Jones at first. 

Grade: B-

Milwaukee Got: RP Jose Veras

Signed as a free agent before last season, Veras appeared in 79 games for the Pirates last season and had a 3.80 ERA and 10.0 K/9 in 71 innings of work.

He was no doubt a valuable arm, but the Pirates have the bullpen depth to part with someone like him in order to acquire another bat, and the move was a no-brainer from the Brewers' standpoint.

Grade: B

Mark Melancon to Boston, Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland to Houston

Date: December 14th, 2011

Boston Got: RP Mark Melancon

With the departure of Jonathan Papelbon in free agency and setup man Daniel Bard moving to the rotation, the back of the Red Sox bullpen was overhauled this season, and it started with trading for Melancon to fill the eighth-inning role.

Acquired from the Yankees for Lance Berkman in 2010, he posted a 2.78 ERA while nailing down 20 of 25 save opportunities, and he could thrive in a lower-pressure setup role.

Grade: B

Houston Got: SS Jed Lowrie, SP Kyle Weiland

Never able to lock down the starting shortstop job in Boston, Lowrie will now get a chance to do just that as part of the rebuilding efforts in Houston. 

Weiland, a 25-year-old former third-round pick, will compete for a rotation spot this spring. He went 8-10, 3.58 ERA, 126 Ks, 128.1 IP last season in his first year at Triple-A, and he is exactly the type of player the Astros need to build up their young core.

Grade: B+

Aaron Cunningham to Cleveland, Cory Burns to San Diego

Date: December 16th, 2011

Cleveland Got: OF Aaron Cunningham

A former top prospect, Cunningham has never really gotten a chance at the big-league level, and after a .329 BA, 9 HR, 63 RBI season at Triple-A last year, the Indians traded for him in an effort to add some outfield depth.

It was a wise move, as Grady Sizemore is already set to miss the start of the season with a back injury, and now it looks as though Cunningham could be the Opening Day left fielder.

Grade: C+

San Diego Got: RP Cory Burns

An eighth-round pick in 2009, Burns has posted ERAs of 1.93, 1.96 and 2.11 in his three pro seasons, and he reached Double-A last season, where he also had a 10.6 K/9 ratio.

He has yet to see big-league action, but he has done nothing but succeed thus far, so he could see San Diego at some point in 2012 and wind up being a significant contributor.

Grade: B

Mat Latos to Cincinnati, Yonder Alonso and Three Others to San Diego

Date: December 17th, 2011

Cincinnati Got: SP Mat Latos

With a stacked offense, the Reds' biggest priority was to add a starting pitcher who they could rely on towards the top of their rotation, and they paid a steep price to get their guy.

That said, Latos is still just 24 years old and has gone 23-24, 3.21 ERA, 374 Ks, 379 IP over the past two seasons. He's under team control through 2015, and while his numbers may spike a bit with a move away from Petco Park, he's a solid young arm and exactly what the Reds needed.

Grade: B

San Diego Got: 1B Yonder Alonso, SP Edinson Volquez, C Yasmani Grandal and RP Brad Boxberger

In moving Latos, the Padres got a starting first baseman and starting pitcher who will open the season with the big-league team, as well as their catcher of the future and a potential future closer.

Finally out from behind Joey Votto, Alonso won't be a 40-HR guy, but something along the lines of .280 BA, 20 HR, 75 RBI should be doable right off the bat. Volquez struggled last year but could bounce back and should at least fill Latos' spot in the rotation.

As for the guys who will open the season in the minors, Grandal is one of the five best catching prospects in baseball; he just happened to be the second-best prospect at the position on his own team, so he was expendable, but he's a future All-Star.

Boxberger could be in the bullpen at some point in 2012 and should be a solid setup man at the very least.

Grade: A+

Luis Martinez to Texas, Ryan Kelly to San Diego

Date: December 21st, 2011

Texas Got: C Luis Martinez

While he will likely never be anything more than a backup catcher, Martinez could develop into a solid one in the next few seasons. He has some offensive skills, as evidenced by his .323 BA, 1 HR, 28 RBI line at Triple-A last year, but at 27 on April 3, he likely won't get much better.

Grade: C

San Diego Got: RP Ryan Kelly

The 24-year-old right-hander has yet to pitch above Single-A, and last season, he posted a career-best 3.95 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9. Uninspiring numbers for a 23-year-old pitching in Single-A.

Grade: C-

Gio Gonzalez to Washington for 4 Prospects

Date: December 23rd, 2011

Washington Got: SP Gio Gonzalez, SP Robert Gilliam

Traded three times before he made his big-league debut at the age of 22 in 2008, Gonzalez has settled in as one of the better left-handers out there in the past two seasons, going a combined 31-21, 3.17 ERA, 368 Ks, 402.2 IP.

The team managed to lock him up with a five-year, $42 million contract after acquiring him as well, making the deal that much better.

Gilliam is a 24-year-old who posted a 5.04 ERA at High Single-A last year, so he's little more than a throw-in.

Grade: B+

Oakland Got: SP Brad Peacock, SP Tom Milone, SP A.J. Cole, C Derek Norris

In dealing Gonzalez, the A's got two pitchers who will likely open 2012 in their rotation in Peacock and Milone, as well as another top pitching prospect in Cole who could be the best of the three. Norris is also among the top catching prospects in the game and should have an impact down the road.

Peacock (15-3, 2.39 ERA, 177 Ks, 146.2 IP in 2011) was ranked 36th on Baseball America's Top 100 prospects, while Cole (4-7, 4.04 ERA, 108 Ks, 89 IP in 2011 as 19-year-old in Single-A) checked in at 57th.

Grade: A-

Sean Marshall to Cincinnati, Travis Wood and Prospects to Chicago Cubs

Date: December 23rd, 2011

Cincinnati Got: RP Sean Marshall

Marshall broke into the league as a starter in 2006 and spent time in the rotation through 2009 before being moved to the bullpen permanently in 2010.

He responded to the move by becoming one of the best left-handed relievers in all of baseball, as he has appeared in 158 games and posted a 2.45 ERA and 10.1 K/9 over the past two seasons.

Grade: A

Chicago Got: SP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt, 2B Ronald Torreyes

While dealing Marshall is a blow, he was a free agent at the end of 2012 and was likely on his way out of Chicago anyway, so picking up a solid left-handed starter like Wood who is under team control through 2016 was on par with the moves the team should be making.

In addition, the team added Sappelt (.309 BA in four minor league seasons) and Torreyes (.356 BA, 3 HR, 41 RBI as an 18-year-old in Single-A) as they continue to try to build a strong core in the farm system.

Grade: A

Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to Boston, Josh Reddick and 2 Others to Oakland

Date: December 28th, 2011

Boston Got: RP Andrew Bailey, OF Ryan Sweeney

In need of a replacement for the departed Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox acquired 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey from the A's. In three years in the league, he has gone 75-of-84 on save opportunities and posted a 2.07 ERA and 9.0 K/9.

In addition, the team picked up Sweeney, an underrated outfielder who doesn't have a ton of power but hits for a decent average and has good on-base skills. He's an ideal platoon player, with a .296 career average against right-handers compared to .233 against left-handers, and he could split time with Cody Ross in right field.

Grade: A

Oakland Got: OF Josh Reddick, 1B Miles Head, SP Raul Alcantara

With J.D. Drew struggling and then injured last season, Reddick played a much bigger role than expected and hit .280 BA, 7 HR, 28 RBI, and he will be counted on as a run producer in the middle of the A's lineup this coming season.

Head has big-time power potential, coming off a .299 BA, 22 HR, 82 RBI season as a 20-year-old playing in Single-A, while Alcantara is still raw at 19 years old but showed potential last season with a 2.20 ERA and 0.918 WHIP in his first taste of Single-A ball.

Grade: B

Carlos Quentin to San Diego, Simon Castro, Pedro Hernandez to Chicago White Sox

Date: December 31st, 2011

San Diego Got: OF Carlos Quentin

In four seasons with the White Sox, Quentin has gone from failed prospect to one of the better sluggers out there, hitting 107 home runs over that span.

He has struggled with injuries at times, having yet to reach the 500 at-bat mark in his career, but when healthy, he can be the impact bat in the middle of the lineup the Padres didn't have last year after Adrian Gonzalez was traded.

Grade: B+

Chicago Got: SP Simon Castro, SP Pedro Hernandez

A Baseball America Top 100 prospect prior to the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Castro struggled last season but still has the stuff to be a solid big-league starter, and at 24 on April 9 he still has some time to develop.

Hernandez, on the other hand, enjoyed a breakout season last year, opening at High Single-A and finishing the year in Triple-A, going a combined 10-3, 3.49 ERA, 94 Ks, and his stock would climb even higher with another solid season. Still, you can't help but think if the Sox had waited until the deadline to move Quentin, they likely would have gotten a better package.

Grade: C-

Jason Frasor to Toronto, 2 Prospects to Chicago White Sox

Date: January 1st, 2012

Toronto Got: RP Jason Frasor

Acquired from Toronto at the deadline last season, the White Sox shipped him back north of the border for a pair of prospects this offseason.

He's been as reliable as they come, appearing in at least 49 games each of the past eight years and posting a 3.74 career ERA.

Grade: B

Chicago Got: SP Myles Jaye, SP Daniel Webb

An 17th-round pick out of high school in 2010, Jaye went 3-3, 3.00 ERA, 49 Ks, 54 IP in his pro debut last season in rookie ball, and he has decent upside.

Webb has been nothing special in two pro seasons, with a 5.11 ERA and 3.7 BB/9, although he's still just 22 years old and could improve.

Grade: C-

Greg Reynolds to Texas, Chad Tracy to Colorado

Date: January 5th, 2012

Texas Got: SP Greg Reynolds

The second overall pick in the 2006 draft, Reynolds has never found success in the Rockies organization. Perhaps a change of scenery will turn around his career, but at 26 years old, he looks every bit the part of a bust. Maybe Nolan Ryan sees something there, though, and it's certainly a low-risk move.

Grade: C

Colorado Got: 1B/OF Chad Tracy

A career minor leaguer with the Rangers, Tracy brings one thing to the table, and that's power. Last season, he hit .259 BA, 26 HR, 109 RBI in his first full year at Triple-A, and while he doesn't get on base enough to offset his low average, he's at least worth a flier because of that power.

Grade: C

Carlos Zambrano and Cash to Miami, Chris Volstad to Chicago Cubs

Date: January 5th, 2012

Miami Got: SP Carlos Zambrano, $15 Million

With the Cubs desperate to unload volatile starting pitcher and former ace Carlos Zambrano, the Marlins took a chance, and they will only have to pay $3 million of his $18 million salary.

Pairing him with Ozzie Guillen could be exactly what he needs to right the ship, or it could be the worst combination in baseball history. Only time will tell, but with the opening of a new stadium and with a number of other offseason acquisitions, the trade made sense for the Marlins, and they are not relying on him to be anything more than the fifth starter.

Grade: B

Chicago Got: SP Chris Volstad

It was obvious that the Cubs would take a bag of balls in a trade if that's what it took to unload Zambrano, so the fact that they landed a player who will actually contribute to the big-league club and be of some value is a success in itself.

The big 6'8" Volstad has struggled to miss bats throughout his career with a 9.5 H/9 mark and just 5.8 K/9, but he's still just 25 years old and under team control through 2014, so there's time for him to develop into a significant part of the Cubs' future, and if he doesn't, the team still unloaded Zambrano, so it's all good.

Grade: A

Anthony Rizzo to Chicago Cubs, Andrew Cashner to San Diego

Date: January 6th, 2012

Chicago Got: 1B Anthony Rizzo, SP Zach Cates

Following the trade of Yonder Alonso to the Padres, Rizzo found himself blocked on the depth chart, and shortly thereafter he was traded. For the Cubs, he represents their first baseman and run producer of the future, and after a .331 BA, 26 HR, 101 RBI season in 356 at-bats last season at Triple-A, there's no reason to think the 22-year-old will be anything less.

A little-talked-about piece of the deal was Cates, a third-round pick in the 2010 draft who went 4-10, 4.73 ERA, 111 Ks, 118 IP last season in his pro debut and has plenty of upside.

Grade: A

San Diego Got: RP Andrew Cashner, OF Kyung-Min Na

The Cubs' first-round pick in 2008, the hard-throwing Cashner settled into a setup role during his rookie season in 2010 but won a starting rotation job out of camp last year. He made one start before hitting the disabled list, where he spent most of the season, and while he still has a ton of potential, the Padres will need to decide if he is best suited as a reliever or starter.

In Na, the team gets a solid prospect from Korea who moved quickly through the system last year advancing through four levels to finish the year at Double-A despite being just 19. He's still a raw talent, but his ceiling is high.

Grade: B-

Brad Emaus to Boston

Date: January 11th, 2012

Boston Got: 2B Brad Emaus

Emaus looked as though he would secure the starting second-base job with the Mets last season, but he went just 6-for-37 before being dealt to the Rockies, where he spent the rest of the season in the minors.

His last full season in the minors was 2010, when he hit .290 BA, 15 HR, 75 RBI, 13 SB, so there's no denying that he has offensive skills, but at 26 when the season starts, he's likely nothing more than a utility infielder at this point.

Grade: B-

Colorado Got: Player to be named or cash

Not yet determined.

Grade: Incomplete

Seth Smith to Oakland, Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman to Colorado

Date: January 16th, 2012

Oakland Got: OF Seth Smith

A platoon player for the past three seasons, Smith has posted an average line of .275 BA, 16 HR, 55 RBI over 390 at-bats, and he's coming off a career-high 476 at-bats last season.

The A's gave up a pair of big-league-ready starting pitchers to land him, and he will be counted on to do the heavy lifting in the middle of a young, unproven Oakland lineup.

Grade: B

Colorado Got: SP Guillermo Moscoso, SP Josh Outman

Acquired from the Rangers in a trade last offseason, Moscoso was impressive in his first full big-league season, making 23 appearances (21 starts) and going 8-10, 3.38 ERA, 74 Ks. He will be competing for a spot at the back end of the Rockies rotation this spring.

Outman, who is 27, is more organizational depth, although he had a nice season last year, making 13 appearances (nine starts) and going 3-5, 3.70 ERA, 35 Ks.

Grade: B

Kevin Slowey to Cleveland, Zach Putnam to Colorado

Date: January 20th, 2012

Cleveland Got: SP Kevin Slowey

Acquired from the Twins in a trade earlier in the offseason, the Rockies traded Slowey once again, as the Indians suddenly had a need for a starter following the Fausto Carmona identity scandal.

He will compete for the fifth rotation spot out of spring but should see time in Cleveland this coming season one way or another, be it due to injury or in the bullpen.

Grade: B-

Colorado Got: RP Zach Putnam

After acquiring a bevy of starting pitching during the offseason, the Indians used one of those acquisitions to land a reliever with some solid potential.

Putnam has good stuff and made his big-league debut last season and saved nine games at Triple-A while posting a 3.65 ERA and 8.9 K/9 over 69 innings of work. He'll get a good look this spring and should be in Colorado at some point during the season if he doesn't make the team out of camp.

Grade: B

Marco Scutaro to Colorado, Clayton Mortensen to Boston

Date: January 21st, 2012

Colorado Got: 2B Marco Scutaro

In search of a reliable option at second base and a No. 2 hitter in the lineup, the Rockies took advantage of the fact that the Red Sox were looking to shed salary and acquired Scutaro and his $6 million contract.

He had a nice season last year, despite missing time with injury, and finished with a .299 BA, 7 HR, 54 RBI in 395 at-bats. Hitting atop a good Rockies lineup, he could post some of the best numbers of his career.

Grade: A-

Boston Got: SP Clayton Mortensen

A first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2007, Mortensen has also spent time with the Athletics and Rockies but has never managed to catch on in the majors.

He followed up a solid 2010 minor league season (13-6, 4.25 ERA, 112 Ks) with the worst minor league season of his pro career last year (2-8, 9.42 ERA, 54 Ks), although he was actually better in the majors (16 G, 6 GS, 2-4, 3.86 ERA, 30 Ks). The fact that the Red Sox did not use that freed-up money to sign a starter makes this move a puzzling one, but they managed to cut some salary and got a pitcher who could at least wind up being a contributor.

Grade: C-

Michael Pineda to New York Yankees, Jesus Montero to Seattle

Date: January 23rd, 2012

New York Got: SP Michael Pineda, SP Jose Campos

After passing on free-agent starters C.J. Wilson, Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson, it looked as though the Yankees would go into the 2012 season with the same rotation that was questioned all of last season.

However, they pulled off a major deal to pick up 23-year-old All-Star Michael Pineda, who has the potential to be among the best in the game in a few years. 

Campos also has tremendous upside. Signed at the age of 16, he was in his third pro season last year and went 5-5 with a 2.32 ERA and 9.4 K/9 as an 18/19-year-old in Low Single-A.

Grade: A-

Seattle Got: C/DH Jesus Montero, SP Hector Noesi

Among the most hyped prospects in the game right now, Montero was acquired to lead the Mariners offense in 2012 and on into the future, and while it remains to be seen where he will play, he should be a perennial .300 BA, 20 HR, 80 RBI hitter with potential for more.

The team also acquired Noesi, who was solid in his big-league debut last season, posting a 4.47 ERA over 56.1 innings of work, and he will be in the running for a rotation spot this spring.

Grade: B+

Wilson Valdez to Cincinnati, Jeremy Horst to Philadelphia

Date: January 25th, 2012

Cincinnati Got: IF Wilson Valdez

A journeyman for most of his career, Valdez played for five teams before landing with the Phillies, where he has served as their utility infielder the past two seasons. He hits enough to not hurt the team (.254 BA in past two seasons) and plays solid defense at second, shortstop and third base, and he'll serve as an insurance option for rookie Zack Cozart.

Grade: B

Philadelphia Got: RP Jeremy Horst

Horst made his MLB debut last season at the age of 25, posting a 2.93 ERA in 15.1 innings of work. He will compete for a rotation spot this spring, and he could take a big step forward in what will be his second season pitching in just relief.

Grade: C

Jeremy Guthrie to Colorado, Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to Baltimore

Date: February 6th, 2012

Colorado Got: SP Jeremy Guthrie

While the Rockies acquired a number of young starting pitchers this offseason, they had been without a staff ace since trading Ubaldo Jimenez at the deadline.

Despite the fact that he's coming off a 17-loss season, Guthrie has proven to be a workhorse, and in five seasons with the Orioles he has gone 47-65, 4.12 ERA, 602 Ks. While he's not going to win any Cy Young awards, he brings a much-needed veteran presence to the Rockies staff and gives them a reliable starter.

Grade: B+

Baltimore Got: SP Jason Hammel, RP Matt Lindstrom

Replacing Guthrie in the Orioles rotation will be Hammel, who has gone 27-30, 4.63 ERA, 368 Ks since joining the rotation three years ago, and he'll likely fill the No. 2 rotation spot.

As for Lindstrom, he has experience closing games in Houston, where he saved 23 games in 2010, but he will serve in the setup role that he filled with the Rockies last season.

After balking at moving Guthrie at the deadline the past two seasons, you have to wonder if this was the best package the Orioles could have gotten.

Grade: C

A.J. Burnett and Cash to Pittsburgh, Two Prospects to New York Yankees

Date: February 19th, 2012

Pittsburgh Got: SP A.J. Burnett, $20 Million

Signed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract prior to the 2009 season following an 18-win campaign with the Blue Jays, Burnett had a decent first season in the Bronx, going 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA.

However, in the two seasons since, he has posted ERAs of 5.26 and 5.15 respectively with a 21-26 record, and that was enough for the Yankees to do what it took to move him this offseason. He is owed $13 million over the next two years after what the Yankees will pay, and he will serve as the ace of the Pirates staff.

Grade: C+

New York Got: RP Diego Moreno, OF Exicardo Cayones

Moreno has been solid throughout his minor league career with a 2.41 ERA and 9.8 K/9, and at 25 years old he could get a shot at pitching with the big-league club at some point in 2012.

A 20-year-old from Venezuela, Cayones will play a full season in Single-A for the first time this coming season, and it will be at least a couple seasons before the Yankees know what they have with him. In the end, though, unloading Burnett and saving $13 million makes the deal a good one.

Grade: B+