Yeah! The A's traded Cespedes to the Sox for Lester. They needed more pitching. At the time of the trade (July 31st), the A's were on top of the division by 2 games--------finished 10 games out

Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis (Photo: AP

Ranking the lineups in the AL Central

By Hayden Grove

December 13, 2014

Share via: Share: Facebook Share: Twitter Share: Google Share: Pinterest Share: Print Share: Email

One of the busiest Winter Meetings in the history of the league-wide get together has come and gone, but for the Indians, the flurry of activity may have made the trip to the road to the top of the AL Central that much more difficult.

While they might have started things off with a deal to land All-Star first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss from Oakland, the Indians were rather quiet for the rest of the meetings. Meanwhile, the rest of the AL Central kept incredibly busy.

With the litany of moves this offseason from the White Sox, Twins, Royals, Indians and Tigers that bolstered what was an already solid division, which lineup is the best at the moment following these recent transactions?

1. Detroit Tigers

1. Rajai Davis CF
2. Ian Kinsler 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera 1B
4. Victor Martinez DH
5. Yoenis Cespedes LF
6. J.D. Martinez RF
7. Nick Castellanos 3B
8. Alex Avila C
9. Jose Iglesias SS

Well, the strengths of this group are pretty obvious.

Kinsler, Cabrera, Martinez, Cespedes and Martinez are a portion of the lineup that not even the best of pitchers would want to go through and, as it stands right now, there's no efficient way to prepare for any one of these good to outstanding bats. Adding Cespedes to replace Torii Hunter gives Detroit another power threat to an already scarily power-heavy lineup and while Cespedes may strikeout more than his predecessor, he'll hit more bombs as well.

Of course, the bottom of the lineup leaves a lot to be desired, and the leadoff spot may see some changes throughout the season, but overall the Tigers easily boast the best lineup in this division, if not in baseball as a whole.

2. Kansas City Royals

1. Lorenzo Cain RF
2. Alex Gordon LF
3. Eric Hosmer 1B
4. Salvador Perez C
5. Kendrys Morales DH
6. Mike Moustakas 3B
7. Omar Infante 2B
8. Alcides Escobar SS
9. Jarrod Dyson CF

There's a reason this team went to the World Series last year and there's no reason to think, looking at this lineup, that they can't be in contention to get there once again.

While the Tigers two through six hitters are indeed baseball's best, the Royals are certainly not far behind, as Gordon, Hosmer, Perez, Morales and Moustakas will certainly strike fear into opposing pitchers throughout the 2015 season. That being said, as is the case with Detroit as well, just how good will the other four hitters in this lineup be? If they can produce, the Royals offense should be neck-and-neck with the Tigers for the majority of the season. If not, they could fall far behind and even be looking up at the Indians.

3. Cleveland Indians

1. Michael Bourn CF
2. Jose Ramirez SS
3. Michael Brantley LF
4. Carlos Santana 1B
5. Brandon Moss RF
6. Yan Gomes C
7. Jason Kipnis 2B
8. Nick Swisher DH
9. Lonnie Chisenhall 3B

While the Indians lineup isn't quite up to the lofty standards set by the Tigers and Royals, it could certainly prove to be one of the league's most formidable as well.

At this point, it's all about "if's."

If Bourn, Kipnis, Moss and Swisher can be who the Indians projected them to be when signing them - or in Moss' case, trading – then the Indians could be the Kansas City Royals of the 2015 season. If Michael Brantley can continue his MVP form in 2015 and Santana's offense settles in at first base, the top of the Indians lineup may be the best in the Central. If Lonnie Chisenhall can be the "Lonnie Baseball" we saw in the early months of last season, the bottom of the order could be one to watch as well.

Unfortunately, "if's" are far from sure things and in the case of the Indians, that means they're still looking up at the others as the class of this division.

4. Chicago White Sox

1. Adam Eaton CF
2. Alexei Ramirez SS
3. Jose Abreu DH
4. Adam LaRoche 1B
5. Dayan Viciedo LF
6. Avisail Garcia RF
7. Connor Gillaspie 3B
8. Tyler Flowers C
9. Leury Garcia 2B

All of a sudden, with the additions of Jose Abreu in 2013 and Adam LaRoche in 2014, the Chicago White Sox lineup is starting to take shape. Granted, there are massive holes at both the top and bottom of the order, but the core is there.

Abreu has certainly become maybe the most feared young hitter in the American League, LaRoche provides added power that was not there prior and if Viciedo and Garcia can provide consistency at any level the White Sox may be the up-and-comers to look out for in this division. In addition, Alexei Ramirez has certainly come into his own atop the White Sox lineup which should only add that much more depth.

Gillaspie, Flowers nor Garcia— along with whomever sits atop this lineup at this juncture— isn't really going to cut it in a division with so many outstanding hitters and players from top-to-bottom, meaning that the core of this order will have to carry the White Sox if they do indeed want to go anywhere next season.

5. Minnesota Twins

1. Danny Santana CF
2. Joe Mauer 1B
3. Brian Dozier 2B
4. Kennys Vargas DH
5. Kurt Suzuki C
6. Trevor Plouffe 3B
7. Oswaldo Arcia RF
8. Jordan Schafer LF
9. Eduardo Escobar SS

Ah, and then comes Minnesota, patiently waiting for their young studs to progress through the Minor League system and make an instant impact at the Major League level.

To be completely frank, this lineup leaves a ton to be desired, but maybe with new Twins manager - and one of the greatest hitters of all-time - Paul Molitor holding the reigns it can improve. Mauer is still one of the best pure hitters in the game and Dozier was a machine in 2014, but outside of those two it's hard to see where there will be any serious production. Maybe the monstrous Kennys Vargas breaks out and becomes an Abreu-type player or Arcia starts putting bat-on-ball to produce some power of his own, but, again, neither of those things seem very likely.

Overall, if I'm a Twins fan, my patience is starting to wear thin and hopefully the stars of tomorrow, who's dominance has been foretold for the last couple of years, will finally see the light of Target Field and offer hope for a better 2015.

In Summary

1. Detroit Tigers- Middle of the order may be the best we've seen in a while.

2. Kansas City Royals- Very, very solid from top to bottom.

3. Cleveland Indians- "If's" could take this lineup from the middle to the top.

4. Chicago White Sox- Big holes, but bigger potential, especially in the middle.

5. Minnesota Twins- Patience is a virtue.

There is no doubt that the AL Central is one of the most improved divisions in baseball following the recent happenings in San Diego and while it may seem that the lineups of the Tigers, Royals and Indians belong in that particular order, don't be surprised to see any of those three offenses atop this division when all is said and done.

As well.......the "If's" could take them from the middle to the bottom.

Ins and outs: Hot Stove scorecard

Track what each team has done so far this offseason

By Paul Casella and Adam Berry / MLB.com | 9:00 AM ET

Thanks to one of the busiest offseasons in recent history, a number of teams have taken on new looks since the 2014 season ended.

From marquee free agents finding new homes to multiple trades involving big-name players, it may be difficult to keep track of which players are going to which teams. The following list breaks down each team's arriving and departing players so far this offseason.
The list includes all transactions that involve either a player on a club's 40-man roster or an organization's top-20 prospect, as ranked by MLB.com. Players who are free agents, but have not yet signed with a team, are not listed under the departures section of the team for which they played last season.

ANGELS

IN

C Drew Butera (trade with LAD)
LHP Andrew Heaney (trade with LAD)
2B Josh Rutledge (trade with COL)
LHP Cesar Ramos (trade with TB)
RHP Nick Tropeano (trade with HOU)
C Carlos Perez (trade with HOU)
RHP Jeremy McBryde (FA)
OF Daniel Robertson (trade with TEX)
INF Marc Krauss (waiver claim from HOU)
INF Roberto Baldoquin (international FA, club has not confirmed)

OUT

C Hank Conger (traded to HOU)
RHP Mark Sappington (traded to TB)
2B Howie Kendrick (traded to LAD)
RHP Jairo Diaz (traded to COL)

ASTROS

IN

RHP Luke Gregerson (FA)
RHP Pat Neshek (FA)
RHP Will Harris (waiver claim from ARI)
C Hank Conger (trade with LAA)

OUT

RHP Jason Garcia (Rule 5 from BOS, traded to BAL)
RHP Jandel Gustave (Rule 5, by BOS)
OF Delino DeShields Jr. (Rule 5, by TEX)
1B/OF Marc Krauss (waiver claim by LAA)
LHP David Rollins (Rule 5, by Mariners)
RHP Jorge De Leon (waiver claim by OAK)
C Carlos Perez (trade with LAA)
RHP Nick Tropeano (trade with LAA)
RHP Josh Zeid (waiver claim by TEX)

ATHLETICS

IN

RHP Taylor Thompson (waiver claim from CWS)
DH Billy Butler (FA)
1B Ike Davis (trade with PIT)
LHP Sean Nolin (trade with TOR)
3B Brett Lawrie (trade with TOR)
RHP Kendall Graveman (trade with TOR)
2B Joe Wendle (trade with CLE)
RHP Chris Bassitt (trade with CWS)
C Josh Phegley (trade with CWS)
INF Rangel Ravelo (trade with CWS)
INF Marcus Semien (trade with CWS)
INF/OF Mark Canha (trade with COL)

OUT

1B Adam Dunn (retired)
INF Alberto Callaspo (signed with ATL)
LHP Jon Lester (signed with CHC)
RHP Luke Gregerson (signed with HOU)
RHP Jason Hammel (signed with CHC)
RHP Josh Lindblom (designated for assignment)
1B Kyle Blanks (designated for assignment)
3B Josh Donaldson (traded to TOR)
1B/OF Brandon Moss (traded to CLE)
RHP Jeff Samardzija (traded to CWS)
RHP Michael Ynoa (traded to CWS)
RHP Jorge De Leon (designated for assignment)
RHP Austin House (traded to COL)
1B Shane Peterson (designated for assignment)

BLUE JAYS

IN

1B Chris Colabello (waiver claim from MIN)
RHP Bo Schultz (waiver claim from ARI)
C Russell Martin (FA)
1B Justin Smoak (waiver claim from SEA)
3B Josh Donaldson (trade with OAK)
RHP Liam Hendriks (trade with KC)
2B Devon Travis (trade with DET)
OF Michael Saunders (trade with SEA)

OUT

OF John Mayberry Jr. (signed by NYM)
C Santiago Nessy (traded to KC)
OF Anthony Gose (traded to DET)
3B Juan Francisco (waiver claim by BOS)
LHP Sean Nolin (traded to OAK)
3B Brett Lawrie (traded to OAK)
RHP Kendall Graveman (traded to OAK)
LHP J.A. Happ (traded to SEA)

BRAVES

IN

OF Zolio Almonte (FA)
INF Alberto Callaspo (FA, club has not confirmed)
RHP Tyrell Jenkins (trade with STL)
RHP Jim Johnson (FA)
OF Nick Markakis (FA)
RHP Shelby Miller (trade with STL)
OF Dian Toscano (international FA, club has not confirmed)
RHP Arodys Vizcaino (trade with CHC)
RHP Daniel Winkler (Rule 5, from COL)

OUT

RHP J.R. Graham (Rule 5, by MIN)
OF Jason Heyward (trade with STL)
C Gerald Laird (FA)
INF Tommy La Stella (trade with CHC)
RHP Ervin Santana (signed with MIN, club has not confirmed)
RHP Jordan Walden (trade with STL)

BREWERS

IN

C Juan Centeno (waiver claim from NYM)
3B Luis Jimenez (waiver claim from LAA)
1B Adam Lind (trade with TOR)

OUT

LHP Zach Duke (FA, signed with CWS)
RHP Marco Estrada (traded to TOR)
RHP Alfredo Figaro (waiver claim by TEX)
1B Mark Reynolds (signed with STL, club has not confirmed)

CARDINALS

IN

SS Dean Anna (FA)
RHP Matt Belisle (FA)
OF Jason Heyward (trade with ATL)
INF Ty Kelly (trade with SEA)
1B Mark Reynolds (FA)
RHP Jordan Walden (trade with ATL)

OUT

RHP Eric Fornataro (waiver claim by WAS)
RHP Sam Gaviglio (traded to SEA)
OF Tyrell Jenkins (traded to ATL)
RHP Justin Masterson (signed with BOS)
RHP Shelby Miller (traded to ATL)
RHP Pat Neshek (signed with HOU)
OF Shane Robinson (released, signed Minors deal with MIN)
RHP Jorge Rondon (waiver claim by COL)

CUBS

IN

RHP Jason Hammel (FA)
INF Tommy La Stella (trade with ATL)
LHP Jon Lester (FA, unofficial)
C Miguel Montero (trade with ARI)
LHP Joseph Ortiz (waiver claim from TEX)
RHP Donn Roach (waiver claim from SD)

OUT

INF Taylor Featherston (Rule 5, from COL, traded to LAA)
RHP Zack Godley (traded to ARI)
LHP Andrew McKirahan (Rule 5, by MIA)
RHP Jeferson Mejia (traded to ARI)
RHP Arodys Vizcaino (traded to ATL)

D-BACKS

IN

RHP Rubby De La Rosa (trade with BOS, club has not confirmed)
RHP Zack Godley (trade with CHC)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson (trade with TB)
C Oscar Hernandez (Rule 5, from TB)
2B Domingo Leyba (trade with DET/NYY)
RHP Jeferson Mejia (trade with CHC)
LHP Robbie Ray (trade with DET/NYY)
3B Yasmany Tomas (international FA)
RHP Allen Webster (trade with BOS, club has not confirmed)

OUT

RHP Mike Bolsinger (traded to LAD)
RHP Charles Brewer (traded to CLE)
SS Didi Gregorius (traded to NYY)
1B Will Harris (waiver claim by HOU)
OF Roger Kieschnick (waiver claim by LAA)
OF Alfredo Marte (waiver claim by LAA)
LHP Wade Miley (traded to BOS, club has not confirmed)
C Miguel Montero (traded to CHC)
RHP Bo Schultz (waiver claim by TOR)
RHP Zeke Spruill (designated for assignment)
SS Andrew Velazquez (traded to TB)
OF Justin Williams (traded to TB)

DODGERS

IN

C Austin Barnes (trade with MIA)
RHP Zach Eflin (trade with SD, club has not confirmed)
C/1B Yasmani Grandal (trade with SD, club has not confirmed)
RHP Chris Hatcher (trade with MIA)
OF Chris Heisey (trade with CIN)
OF Enrique Hernandez (trade with MIA)
2B Howie Kendrick (trade with LAA)
OF Kyle Jensen (trade with MIA)
LHP Adam Liberatore (trade with TB)
RHP Brandon McCarthy (FA, club has not confirmed)
RHP Juan Nicasio (trade with COL)
RHP Joel Peralta (trade with TB)
SS Jimmy Rollins (trade with PHI, club has not confirmed)
RHP Joe Wieland (trade with SD, club has not confirmed)

OUT

RHP Josh Beckett (retirement)
C Drew Butera (traded to LAA)
RHP Jose Dominguez (traded to TB)
C Tim Federowicz (traded to SD, club has not confirmed)
LHP Onelki Garcia (waiver claim by CWS)
2B Dee Gordon (traded to MIA)
RHP Dan Haren (traded to MIA)
RHP Greg Harris (traded to TB)
LHP Andrew Heaney (acquired from MIA, traded to LAA)
SS Ryan Jackson (signed as FA, traded to KC)
OF Matt Kemp (traded to SD, club has not confirmed)
C Ryan Lavarnway (designated for assignment)
RHP Matt Magill (traded to CIN)
SS Hanley Ramirez (FA, signed with BOS)
INF Miguel Rojas (traded to MIA)

GIANTS

IN

N/A

OUT

3B Pablo Sandoval (FA, signed with BOS)

INDIANS

IN
1B/OF Brandon Moss (trade with OAK)
RHP Charles Brewer (trade with ARI)

OUT

RHP Bryan Price (designated for assignment)
2B Joe Wendle (traded to OAK)
OF J.B. Shuck (waiver claim by CWS)
LHP Scott Barnes (traded to BAL)

MARINERS

IN

LHP David Rollins (Rule 5, from HOU)
LHP Edgar Olmos (waiver claim from MIA)
LHP J.A. Happ (trade with TOR)
OF Nelson Cruz (FA)

OUT

OF Michael Saunders (traded to TOR)
1B Justin Smoak (claimed by TOR)
DH Kendrys Morales (signed with KC)

MARLINS

IN

RHP Aaron Crow (trade with KC)
2B Dee Gordon (trade with LAD)
RHP Dan Haren (trade with LAD)
RHP Mat Latos (trade with CIN)
LHP Andrew McKirahan (Rule 5, from CHC)
RHP Andre Rienzo (trade with CWS)
INF Miguel Rojas (trade with LAD)

OUT

C Austin Barnes (traded to LAD)
C Rob Brantly (waiver claim by CWS)
INF Mark Canha (Rule 5, by COL, traded to OAK)
RHP Anthony DeSclafani (traded to CIN)
LHP Brian Flynn (traded to KC)
RHP Chris Hatcher (traded to LAD)
LHP Andrew Heaney (traded to LAD, then LAA)
OF Enrique Hernandez (traded to LAD)
LHP Dan Jennings (traded to CWS)
OF Kyle Jensen (traded to LAD)
INF Ed Lucas (waiver claim by TEX)
LHP Edgar Olmos (waiver claim by SEA)
RHP Reid Redman (traded to KC)
C Chad Wallach (traded to CIN)

METS

IN

OF Michael Cuddyer (FA)
LHP Sean Gilmartin (Rule 5, from MIN)
OF John Mayberry Jr. (FA, club has not confirmed)
LHP Scott Rice (FA, club has not confirmed)

OUT

OF Bobby Abreu (retirement)
OF Andrew Brown (waiver claim by OAK)
C Juan Centeno (waiver claim by MIL)
RHP Logan Verrett (Rule 5, by BAL)

NATIONALS

IN

2B Christopher Bostick (trade with TEX)
RHP Abel De Los Santos (trade with TEX)
RHP Eric Fornataro (waiver claim from STL)

OUT

LHP Ross Detwiler (trade with TEX)
INF Pedro Florimon (waiver claim by PIT)
1B Adam LaRoche (signed with CWS)
C Jhonathan Solano (released, signed Minors deal with MIA)

ORIOLES

IN

RHP Jason Garcia (trade with HOU, Rule 5 from BOS)
RHP Logan Verrett (Rule 5, from NYM)
RHP Oliver Drake (FA)
OF Alex Hassan (waiver claim from OAK)
SS Rey Navarro (FA)
RHP Eddie Gamboa (FA)

OUT

RHP Preston Guilmet (traded to PIT)
OF Nick Markakis (signed by ATL)
OF Nelson Cruz (signed by SEA)
LHP Andrew Miller (signed by NYY)
LHP Scott Barnes (acquired from CLE; waiver claim by TEX)

PADRES

IN

SS Clint Barmes (FA)
LHP Kyle Bartsch (trade with KC)
C Tim Federowicz (trade with LAD, club has not confirmed)
OF Matt Kemp (trade with LAD, club has not confirmed)

OUT

RHP Zach Eflin (traded to LAD, club has not confirmed)
OF Reymond Fuentes (traded to KC)
C/1B Yasmani Grandal (traded to LAD, club has not confirmed)
SS Ryan Jackson (waiver claim by LAD)
RHP Donn Roach (waiver claim by CHC)
RHP Joe Wieland (traded to LAD, club has not confirmed)

PHILLIES

IN

LHP Elvis Araujo (FA)
INF Odubel Herrera (Rule 5 from TEX)
LHP Andy Oliver (Rule 5, from PIT)
LHP Joely Rodriguez (trade with PIT)

OUT

LHP Antonio Bastardo (traded to PIT)
RHP A.J. Burnett (FA, signed with PIT)
SS Jimmy Rollins (traded to LAD, club has not confirmed)

PIRATES

IN

LHP Antonio Bastardo (trade with PHI)
RHP A.J. Burnett (FA)
C Francisco Cervelli (trade with NYY)
INF Jake Elmore (waiver claim from CIN)
RHP Preston Guilmet (trade with BAL)
INF Pedro Florimon (waiver claim from WAS)
RHP Josh Lindblom (waiver claim from OAK)
LHP Francisco Liriano (re-signed as FA)
RHP Rob Scahill (trade with COL)
SS Justin Sellers (trade with CLE)

OUT

SS Clint Barmes (signed by SD)
RHP Shane Carle (traded to COL)
1B Ike Davis (traded to OAK)
C Russell Martin (signed by TOR)
LHP Andy Oliver (Rule 5, by PHI)
LHP Joely Rodriguez (traded to PHI)
LHP Justin Wilson (traded to NYY)

RANGERS

IN

LHP Scott Barnes (waiver claim from BAL)
OF Delino DeShields Jr. (Rule 5, from HOU)
LHP Ross Detwiler (trade with WSH)
RHP Colby Lewis (FA)

OUT

INF Odubel Herrera (Rule 5, by PHI)
OF Jim Adduci (released)
OF Daniel Robertson (traded to LAA)

RAYS

IN

RHP Mark Sappington (trade with LAA)
SS Andrew Velazquez (trade with ARI)
OF Justin Williams (trade with ARI)
RHP Greg Harris (trade with LAD)
RHP Jose Dominguez (trade with LAD)
RHP Ernesto Frieri (FA)

OUT

C Oscar Hernandez (Rule 5, by HOU)
LHP Cesar Ramos (traded to LAA)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson (traded to ARI)
LHP Adam Liberatore (traded to LAD)
RHP Joel Peralta (traded to LAD)
C Jose Molina (designated for assignment)
2B Cole Figueroa (designated for assignment)
INF Sean Rodriguez (traded to PIT)

REDS

IN

RHP Jonathan Crawford (trade with DET)
RHP Anthony DeSclafani (trade with MIA)
RHP Matt Magill (trade with LAD)
SS Eugenio Suarez (trade with DET)
C Chad Wallach (trade with MIA)

OUT

SS Jake Elmore (signed as FA, claimed by PIT)
RHP Mat Latos (traded to MIA)
OF Chris Heisey (traded to LAD)
RHP Alfredo Simon (traded to DET)

RED SOX

IN

RHP Justin Masterson (FA)
LHP Wade Miley (trade with ARI)
RHP Rick Porcello (trade with DET)
3B Pablo Sandoval (FA)
INF/OF Hanley Ramirez (FA)

OUT

OF Yoenis Cespedes (traded to DET)
RHP Rubby De La Rosa (traded to ARI, club has not confirmed)
RHP Jandel Gustave (Rule 5 from HOU, traded to KC)
LHP Gabe Speier (traded to DET)
RHP Allen Webster (traded to ARI, club has not confirmed)
RHP Alex Wilson (traded to DET)
C Ryan Lavarnway (designated for assignment, claimed by LAD)
RHP Ryan Dempster (retired)
3B Juan Francisco (waiver claim from TOR, designated for assignment)
RHP Jason Garcia (Rule 5, by HOU; traded to BAL)

ROCKIES

IN

RHP Shane Carle (trade with PIT)
RHP Jairo Diaz (trade with LAA)
RHP Austin House (trade with OAK)

OUT

RHP Matt Belisle (FA, signed with STL)
INF/OF Mark Canha (Rule 5 from MIA, traded to OAK)
OF Michael Cuddyer (FA, signed with NYM)
INF Taylor Featherston (Rule 5 by CHC, traded to LAA)
RHP Juan Nicasio (traded to LAD)
INF Josh Rutledge (traded to LAA)
RHP Rob Scahill (traded to PIT)
C Jackson Williams (waiver claim by LAA)
RHP Daniel Winkler (Rule 5, by ATL)

ROYALS

IN

RHP Jandel Gustave (trade with BOS)
1B/DH Kendrys Morales (FA)
RHP Jason Frasor (FA)
OF Reymond Fuentes (trade with SD)
SS Ryan Jackson (trade with LAD)
LHP Brian Flynn (trade with MIA)
RHP Reid Redman (trade with MIA)
RHP Luke Hochevar (FA)

OUT

RHP Liam Hendriks (traded to TOR)
OF Raul Ibanez (retired)
OF Josh Willingham (retired)
DH Billy Butler (signed by OAK)
LHP Kyle Bartsch (traded to SD)
RHP Aaron Crow (traded to MIA)

TIGERS

IN

OF Yoenis Cespedes (trade with BOS)
RHP Alfredo Simon (trade with CIN)
LHP Gabe Speier (trade with BOS)
RHP Alex Wilson (trade with BOS)
DH Victor Martinez (FA)
OF Anthony Gose (trade with TOR)
RHP Shane Greene (trade with NYY)

OUT

RHP Jonathan Crawford (traded to CIN)
RHP Melvin Mercedes (designated for assignment)
RHP Rick Porcello (traded to BOS)
SS Eugenio Suarez (traded to CIN)
OF Torii Hunter (signed by MIN)
OF Andy Dirks (waiver claim by TOR)
LHP Pat McCoy (waiver claim by BAL)
2B Devon Travis (traded to TOR)
2B Domingo Leyba (traded to ARI)
LHP Robbie Ray (traded to ARI)

TWINS

IN

RHP J.R. Graham (Rule 5, from ATL)
RHP Ervin Santana (FA)
OF Torii Hunter (FA)

OUT

1B Chris Colabello (waiver claim by TOR)
LHP Sean Gilmartin (Rule 5, by NYM)

WHITE SOX

IN

C Rob Brantly (waiver claim from MIA)
LHP Dan Jennings (trade with MIA)
RHP David Robertson (FA)
RHP Jeff Samardzija (trade with OAK)
RHP Michael Ynoa (trade with OAK)
OF J.B. Shuck (waiver claim from CLE)
LHP Zach Duke (FA)
1B Adam LaRoche (FA)
LHP Onelki Garcia (waiver claim from LAD)

OUT

RHP Chris Bassitt (traded to OAK)
C Josh Phegley (traded to OAK)
INF Rangel Ravelo (traded to OAK)
RHP Andre Rienzo (traded to MIA)
INF Marcus Semien (traded to OAK)
1B Paul Konerko (retired)
RHP Taylor Thompson (waiver claim by OAK)
RHP Scott Carroll (designated for assignment)

YANKEES

IN

OF Chris Young (FA)
LHP Jose De Paula (FA)
LHP Justin Wilson (trade with PIT)
LHP Andrew Miller (FA)
SS Didi Gregorius (trade with ARI)

OUT

RHP Brandon McCarthy (signed by LAD)
RHP David Robertson (signed by CWS)
SS Derek Jeter (retired)
C Francisco Cervelli (traded to PIT)
3B Zelous Wheeler (released)
RHP Shane Greene (traded to DET)

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Source: Melky, White Sox have 3-year deal

Melky Cabrera became the latest present, as the switch-hitting outfielder agreed with the White Sox on a three-year contract worth between $42 million and $43.5 million, a Major League source told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez early Sunday morning. The club has not confirmed the agreement.

Nice to see some teams trying to upgrade their teams this winter while we stay in lock down mode. The sox just inched closer to us.

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | 1:59 AM ET + 364 COMMENTS

CHICAGO --

The 2014-15 offseason has become the holiday gift that keeps on giving for the White Sox fan base.

Melky Cabrera became the latest present, as the switch-hitting outfielder agreed with the White Sox on a three-year contract worth between $42 million and $43.5 million, a Major League source told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez early Sunday morning. The club has not confirmed the agreement.

The deal, which is pending a physical, was first reported by Bruce Levine of The Score 670 AM, the White Sox flagship station.

Cabrera, 30, not only provides the White Sox an upgrade offensively and defensively in left field, but he also fits perfectly into the two spot in the White Sox lineup behind Adam Eaton. He hit .301 with a .351 on-base percentage and a .458 slugging percentage for the Blue Jays in 2014, to go along with 16 homers and 73 RBIs.

Of Cabrera's 171 hits last season, 54 were of the extra-base variety.

Adding Cabrera completes one of the more impressive and important weeks in recent memory for the White Sox.

They acquired Jeff Samardzija in a six-player deal with the A's to give the team an elite one-two punch at the top of the rotation along with Chris Sale. They added David Robertson as closer via a four-year, $46 million free agent deal, and they picked up left-handed reliever Dan Jennings in a trade with the Marlins.

All four of these moves, including Cabrera, followed the addition of left-handed reliever Zach Duke to open the Hot Stove maneuvers and the addition of first baseman/designated hitter Adam LaRoche. The White Sox not only did a tremendous job of speeding up their reshaping process, becoming a legitimate contending team in '15, but they did so by hitting on their top target at each spot, while also filling the veteran leadership void.

The team's 2015 payroll jumps over $100 million after the Cabrera addition, despite general manager Rick Hahn and executive vice president Ken Williams stating they had spent pretty much all they could after the Robertson move was announced at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. But under White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's leadership, they have been able to exceed payroll projections if the player seems like the right fit.

Left fielder Dayan Viciedo appears to be the odd man out with Cabrera's arrival and the LaRoche/Jose Abreu combination entrenched at first base/designated hitter.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

joez wrote:Nice to see some teams trying to upgrade their teams this winter while we stay in lock down mode. The sox just inched closer to us.

Someone hand Joe the Kleenex.........

Big city big money clubs give the big contracts. that's modern baseball.
Did you see how inactive Minnesota, Texas, were on that list of winter business?

NEW YORK -- Jon Lester set Major League Baseball records for largest signing bonus and biggest upfront payment with his $155 million, six-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.

The pitcher's contract calls for a $30 million signing bonus, of which $15 million is due by April 1, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details have not been announced.

The previous high for a signing bonus had been Vernon Wells' $25.5 million under a $126 million, seven-year deal with Toronto that covered 2008-14 and was announced in December 2006. Wells' bonus was payable in three equal installments on March 1 each year from 2008-10.

Lester's upfront payment tops a mark set Dec. 8 by Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas. The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $14 million signing bonus for the Cuban outfielder-third baseman, all payable within 30 days of the deal's approval by Major League Baseball. Tomas broke a record that had stood since January 1993, when Cecil Fielder agreed to a $36 million, five-year contract with Detroit that included an upfront signing bonus of $10,187,500.

Chicago and Lester spread out the rest of the signing bonus in three stages, with $2.5 million payments due by Dec. 31 in 2018 and 2019, and a final $10 million installment by Sept. 15, 2020.

Lester's contract was agreed to last Tuesday at the winter meetings by the Cubs and agents Sam and Seth Levinson. The Cubs said Saturday they will introduce Lester on Monday at Spiaggia Restaurant, a favorite of President Barack Obama and his family. Lester's deal includes an option for 2021 that, if it becomes guaranteed, would make the deal worth $170 million over seven seasons.

A three-time All-Star who turns 31 next month, Lester helped Boston win World Series titles in 2007 and `13. He was dealt by the Red Sox to Oakland at the trade deadline in July and helped the Athletics reach the playoffs.
Lester was 16-11 with a career-best 2.46 ERA and 220 strikeouts this year. He is 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in nine big league seasons.

Volquez agrees to 2-year deal with Royals - Right-hander went 13-7 with Pirates in 2014.

A week before Christmas, the Royals have apparently finished up their holiday shopping.

Kansas City finished off a wildly active post-Winter Meetings week by agreeing to terms on a two-year, $20 million contract with free-agent right-hander Edinson Volquez, a source confirmed to MLB.com. The club has not yet announced the deal, which was first reported by CBSSports.com.

Alex Rios ups with the Royals. One year, 11 million dollar deal.

The Padres continue to be the busiest team in baseball this offseason, trading for Braves outfielder Justin Upton on Friday, a source tells MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. The Padres, the offseason's busiest team, have quickly struck again by trading for Braves outfielder Justin Upton to join their suddenly revamped lineup, according to a source.

The clubs have not confirmed the deal.

Breaking down the prospects acquired in Upton deal

Left-hander Fried, infielder Peterson among talented young players coming to Braves

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com | @JonathanMayoB3 | 11:24 AM ET + 34 COMMENTS

No one can accuse new Padres general manager A.J. Preller of standing pat. News of the huge three-team, 11-player deal that netted him Wil Myers had just settled in when the Matt Kemp deal was finalized. The ink on that one had barely dried when Preller was at it again, this time sending young players to the Atlanta Braves in return for Justin Upton.

Here's a closer look at who the Braves are getting in return for Upton:

Max Fried, LHP:

The No. 3 prospect on the Padres' Top 20 (and No. 68 on the overall Top 100) at the time of the trade, Fried will slide into the same spot on the Braves' list once the deal is official. A former high school teammate of Lucas Giolito, the top prospect in the Nationals system, Fried was the top high school pitcher taken in the 2012 Draft (No. 7 overall). After a solid albeit unspectacular first full season in 2013, Fried got hurt in 2014, pitching just 10 2/3 total innings and ending with Tommy John surgery in August. That means he'll miss most of the 2015 season, but once he's healthy again, the Braves will be getting one of the better left-handed arms in the Minors, one who fires fastballs that sit in the low 90s. Fried also has an outstanding power curve and a changeup that was improving before he got hurt.

Jace Peterson, IF:

A supplemental first round pick (No. 58 overall) in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, Peterson made his big league debut in 2014 and spent a good amount of time in the Majors (thus graduating off of prospect lists because of service time). He only amassed 58 plate appearances, but did see time at both second and third base with the Padres. While the left-handed-hitting infielder didn't show much with the bat during his time in San Diego, he has always hit as a pro, with a .287/.381/.411 slash line in the Minors. A two-sport star in college, Peterson is a terrific athlete who maximizes his average speed with an aggressive approach on the basepaths that allowed him to steal 93 bases in 2012-13. He's a line-drive hitter with good bat speed, albeit without much power. He didn't play shortstop in the big leagues in 2014, but he has some ability there. He might profile best at second base, a spot he could get a chance to play in Atlanta.

Dustin Peterson, 3B:

The younger brother of Mariners prospect D.J. Peterson, Dustin was taken in the second round of the 2013 Draft, 38 picks after his brother. Ranked 10th on the Padres' list at the time of the trade, Peterson scuffled a bit in his first full season, stumbling particularly in the second half. While Peterson struggled with plate discipline, he does have good bat speed and power potential. He's fairly athletic, though he made the move from high school shortstop to professional third baseman. Some feel he might be best-suited for second base or the outfield when all is said and done. Most feel Peterson will make adjustments and his bat will carry him up the ladder, regardless of what position he ends up playing regularly.

Mallex Smith, OF:

There is no question that Smith, No. 20 on the Padres list, can run. One of the fastest players in the Minor Leagues, Smith led the Minors with 88 stolen bases in 2014, a year after stealing 64 in his first full season of pro ball. He understands that his job is to get on base and he isn't afraid to draw walks or bunt for base hits. He uses his speed in the outfield as well and it allows him to make up for mistakes as he continues to improve his reads and routes. Speedsters like Smith don't always hit when they move to the upper levels, and Smith will have to prove he's more than a one-tool wonder as he advances, though he did perform well in the Arizona Fall League.

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Top Stories:

The Padres and Athletics continued their busy offseasons with a multiplayer deal that sent catcher Derek Norris to San Diego, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reported. The full trade is Norris, right-hander Seth Streich and an international signing slot to the Padres with right-handers Jesse Hahn and R.J. Alvarez going to Oakland, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported. Norris, 25, hit .270/.361/.403 with 10 homers in 442 plate appearances with the A's last season, earning his first All-Star appearance in the process. The right-handed hitting Norris did much of his damage against lefty pitching (.863 OPS vs. LHP, .699 OPS vs. RHP) and in the first half of the season, as he hit only .240/.324/.335 after the All-Star break. Norris is still a year away from arbitration eligibility and he's under team control through the 2018 season.