MLB Winter Meetings 2014 Day 1: Analyzing Impact of All the Latest Deals, Rumors

From the minute the MLB winter meetings in San Diego began, there’s been a deluge of rumors, speculation and intrigue.

It's quite fantastic.

It's also incredibly difficult to follow at times, especially if you try to keep tabs on the action via Twitter or other forms of social media. The narrative changes too often to maintain focus.

So here is a breakdown of a few of the bigger moves or rumors along with some quick notes on some of the other storylines floating around MLB as the first day of the winter meetings drags on.

Jason Hammel Signs with Chicago Cubs

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Jason Hammel is going back to the Chicago Cubs.

That was quick.

After trading Jason Hammel to the Oakland A’s along with Jeff Samardzija in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs have signed the right-hander to a two-year, $18 million free-agent contract, per MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo.

Cotillo’s report was initially corroborated by multiple sources, including Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi. He added that the deal includes a 2017 team option with a $2 million buyout, putting the total value at a guaranteed $20 million.

The move shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, Hammel pitched to a 2.98 ERA with a 3.19 FIP and 1.021 WHIP over 17 starts for the Cubs prior to being dealt.

And for those of you wondering, it stands to reason that Hammel’s acquisition doesn’t impact the club’s pursuit of Jon Lester in any way. Hammel fits in the middle of the rotation nicely, but there is certainly enough room in the budget to sign the front-line starter whom manager Joe Maddon needs to anchor the rotation.

All told, this is a fine signing for general manager Jed Hoyer. He is getting a known commodity at a fair price with the possibility of three years of solid production.

And considering that the Cubs have an offense laden with talent at all levels, adding Hammel is a positive step in the process of assembling a playoff-caliber starting five.

Cleveland Indians Acquire Brandon Moss from Oakland A's

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

The rumors regarding Brandon Moss being dealt to the Cleveland Indians started last week with a tweet from John Hickey, who writes for the Bay Area News Group. Well, the two sides made it official Monday when word broke that Joe Wendle was going to the Oakland A’s in exchange for Moss, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Now Moss, who compiled a .234/.334/.438 slash line with 25 home runs, 81 RBI and 67 walks last season, adds power and on-base percentage to the Indians lineup. Where he plays is another story.

As Joe Reedy of Fox Sports Ohio noted prior to the deal being announced, there are questions as to where Moss would play. Yes, he can slide into the lineup at no less than four spots—first base, left field, right field and designated hitter—but the Indians have individuals to fill each of those areas, assuming Nick Swisher is healthy or not traded.

That said, Moss is an offensive force and will surely find plenty of playing time, albeit at different positions. His power and ability to drive the gaps dictate that manager Terry Francona secures him a spot in the batting order on a regular basis.

Either way, moving Moss seemed like an inevitability following the acquisition of Ike Davis by the A’s. He is also coming off hip surgery.

As for Wendle, there are warning signs.

At High-A in 2013, Wendle posted a .295/.372/.513 slash line with 16 home runs, 64 RBI and stroked 32 doubles. Things were looking up.

This past season, however, he slashed out at .253/.311/.414 in Double-A with eight home runs, 50 RBI and 20 doubles. True, he had 104 fewer plate appearances in 2014 than he did the year prior, but his batting average and OPS both dropped.

And while anything is possible, Wendle may be nothing more than a serviceable utility guy in the infield, making the trade a bit dubious for the A’s. True, being a fifth infielder isn't a bad thing, depending on expectations, but Moss appeared to be worth a bit more.

Wendle is also likely a year away from the major leagues, meaning that the rebuild is all but officially underway in Oakland.

Are the Chicago White Sox Going to Add Jeff Samardzija?

PAUL BEATY/Associated Press

Prior to the news of Brandon Moss’ trade to the Cleveland Indians, the clamor around the winter meetings on the trade front was the renewed banter regarding Jeff Samardzija and the Chicago White Sox.

The talks are so intense that USA Today’s Bob Nightengale said the White Sox “are looming as the front-runner” to acquire the right-hander. Assessing the return for any potential trade involving Samardzija begins with identifying how highly the White Sox view his value in the short term.

“Overall our eyes are on long-term fits,” general manager Rick Hahn said, per the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan (subscription required). “If the right situation on a shorter-term basis arrives,” Hahn continued, “we would make that move.”

They don’t get much better than Samardzija, who has a 3.66 ERA with a 3.48 FIP, 1.205 WHIP and amassed at least 200 strikeouts each of the past two seasons, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Which players the White Sox would send to Oakland remains a mystery.

As Sullivan noted, the club has several middle infielders, including Micah Johnson, Carlos Sanchez and Marcus Semien. There is also 2013 first-round draft pick Tim Anderson to consider, but moving him for a one-year rental doesn’t coincide with Hahn’s earlier statements.

MLB.com’s Phil Rogers noted that trading Alexei Ramirez for Samardzija “makes sense for both teams,” but added that the A’s would need to “have postseason aspirations.” And following the Moss deal, contending next season is no longer a certainty.

Expect some finality on this rumor over the coming days.

News and Notes

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Jed Lowrie's name is finally starting to circulate.

Here are some tidbits from the first day of the MLB winter meetings:

—The Houston Astros are said to be looking at Jed Lowrie, per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser adds that Lowrie will not consider a backup role.

—Following the club's acquisition of Brandon Moss, teams have put out feelers regarding Cleveland Indians first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana, per Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi. At this time, nothing is on the horizon. And considering that Santana's star is rising, it stands to reason that the Indians would just as soon trade Nick Swisher before parting ways with a player who made considerable strides last season.

—Morosi's colleague, Ken Rosenthal, tweeted that the Chicago White Sox are “pursuing” David Robertson and “also like” Luke Gregerson. There is no doubt that the addition of Zach Duke earlier in the offseason isn't enough to fix the White Sox's bullpen woes. Either player makes them better, although Gregerson is far more affordable. 

—Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that Jon Lester’s final decision could come as early as Tuesday. Sean McAdam of CSN New England noted that upping the ante to seven years on an offer and/or “reaching the $150 million plateau could make the difference” in which team he chooses.

Rosenthal added that Lester's decision is down to the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. That report was quickly refuted by WEEI's Rob Bradford.

—Heyman also notes that right-hander Justin Masterson has meetings scheduled with the White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins and Giants, among others. Masterson could be a great pickup on a one-year deal as he tries to reestablish market value after a down season in 2014.

—The New York Post’s Joel Sherman opined that there is a “strong possibility that Marlon Byrd is dealt” by the Philadelphia Phillies. 

—No one was elected by the Golden Era committee to the Hall of Fame.

Unless otherwise noted, all traditional, team and advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs.com and Baseball-Reference.com. Contract information pulled from Cot's Contracts. Transaction, injury and game information are courtesy of MLB.com.

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