The new-look Padres are going for it all and they're hoarding outfielders to do it

By Mike Bertha

In 2013, the Padres employed Cameron Maybin, Seth Smith and Will Venable as professional baseball outfielders. With cameos from guys like Carlos Quentin, Rymer Liriano, Abraham Almonte, Chris Denorfia, Tommy Medica, Cory Spangenberg, Xavier Nady and Jeff Francoeur, the Padres outfield combined to hit .234/.307/.347 last season with only 29 home runs.

But by the 2015 All-Star Break, you're going to be able to lift up a couch in the Padres clubhouse and find a couple of Silver Sluggers (along with a newspaper from 1972/expired cat food) because GM A.J. Preller is hoarding ALL the outfielders.

In the past two days, the Padres have acquired Wil Myers from the Rays, Matt Kemp from the Dodgers and Justin Upton from the Braves.

Though Myers suffered through a bit of a sophomore slump last season, he's only a year removed from winning the AL Rookie of the Year with a .293/.354/.478 line and 13 home runs in only 88 games. Plus, anyone who bat flips on an inside-the-park home run is bringing an entertainment X-factor. You can't teach that kind of style.

In the second half of 2014, Matt Kemp hit .309/.365/.606 in 64 games. That power seeped into the postseason too as he hit .352 and belted an eighth-inning dinger in Game 2 of the NLDS that lifted the Dodgers to victory. Got clutch?

Your "Upton here, Upton here" meme is officially useless now that Justin Upton has been dealt to the Padres. Upton hit as many homers as the entire Padres outfield last season and posted his highest slugging percentage since 2011. Also, he's skilled in the art of trolling opposing mascots.

All told, the Padres have added four All-Star appearances, four Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Gloves and an AL Rookie of the Year to its outfield in a span of a couple weeks. Add former Athletics catcher Derek Norris and Red Sox utility man extraordinaire Will Middlebrooks to the mix and the Padres are hardly recognizable ... and more than ready to take a shot at the NL West crown.

Preller sure keeps things moving as rookie GM

Padres standing out in the crowd with offseason makeover

by Richard Justice / MLB.com | December 19, 2014 + 9 COMMENTS

John Hart was still figuring out what he wanted to do with the next chapter of his life when the telephone call came last September. At the time, he was a special assistant to Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz and wasn't sure he wanted to be much more than that.

In the wake of Frank Wren's dismissal as general manager, Hart simply saw himself as part of a transition team that would reshape the franchise's baseball operations. That's when A.J. Preller telephoned.

Preller was the new Padres general manager and had been close to Hart for a decade. Preller, who was still putting a staff together, was already thinking ahead.
"John," Preller said, "I just wanted to let you know we've got interest in Justin Upton if you decide to move him.

Hart laughed on Friday when he thought about that conversation after he and Preller had indeed completed a trade sending Upton from the Braves to the Padres. That brief chat was exactly why he'd once hired Preller.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/104566910 ... ith-trades

<

Here's an A's-oriented take on the Moss for Wendle deal:



SAN DIEGO - Mark your calendars, friends: the 8th of December, 2014, was when Rob Neyer officially gave up on trying to figure what in hell the Oakland Athletics are doing.
Is trading Brandon Moss to the Indians a salary dump? He earned only $4.1 million last season. While he's due a big raise as an arbitration-eligible All-Star, he certainly won't earn as much next season as the just-signed-for-$30-million Billy Butler. And Moss is a) a left-handed hitter with some defensive versatility, and b) better than Billy Butler.

Does trading Brandon Moss make the A's better in the long run? In return for Moss, the A's are getting Joe Wendle, a 24-year-old second baseman who's got a great chance of turning 25 next spring. During Wendle's two-plus years as a pro, he's never been considered (by Baseball America) one of the Indians' 10 best prospects ... and we're not talking about a loaded farm system here.

Granted, people miss things. Wes Welker wasn't even drafted. But it's somewhat difficult to imagine Wendle ever getting 500 plate appearances in a major-league season. Which makes this deal ... what? Completely a salary dump that doesn't dump much salary, but does dump 25 homers from last season's squad. With Cespedes, Donaldson, and now Moss gone, the A's top power hitter is now Josh Reddick, who hit 12 bombs in 2014.

I could almost make sense of all this ... except for Billy Butler. And if you'd told me a month ago that figuring out Billy Butler would have been the key to unlocking Billy Beane's brain, I would not have believed you.

and some fan comments:




I was fine with Donaldson, Cespedes was no problem at all because he's really NOT that good - but Moss? He would have hit 30 plus last season if not for the hip injury. And all the salary he is projected to make after arbitration - actually isn't that far off from Billy Butler - Moss is due probably upwards of $7 million. Still a DUMB salary dump unless Beane knows someone who wants Wendle (but WHY?) He hit what? 253 in AA? Good baseball gods I usually trust Billy Beane like I said with JD and Yo but Moss I just do not understand!

Didn't Moss hit those two bombs in the playoff game? I realize Butler got a big single in that game as well, but I can't remember the last time he hit two bombs in one game. Things always seem to work out okay for Beane, but this is weird.


Maybe Beane has decided that because his sh_t doesn't work in playoffs, he'll do the opposite and make only bad decisions.

its about as bizarre as it gets. lucky for me I am an Indians fan!

Ryan Howard trade rumors: Ruben Amaro Jr. says it would be best if Phillies move on from the first baseman

223 average 690 OPS 190 K
If I had him I would want to move on from him, too.

The Rays have agreed to sign free-agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, MLB.com has confirmed, adding another name to a crowded infield picture. The deal has not been confirmed by the club, as it is pending a physical. The New York Post reported on Tuesday it will be a one-year pact worth about $8 million.

A New Year's toast to Hot Stove's top movers and shakers

Cheers to the 8 ballclubs who've taken the biggest leaps forward entering 2015

By Richard Justice / MLB.com | January 2, 2015 + 2 COMMENTS

What else do you have for us, A.J. Preller? Don't go getting timid. It has been more than 72 hours since your last deal.

How about Cole Hamels? He'd be a nice finishing touch to one of the great offseasons any general manager has ever had. Do it, A.J. You know you want to.

While we wait for the Padres' new general manager to work his magic again, let's pause on this New Year's Day to reflect on the larger meaning.

Baseball surely has never had an offseason like this one, in which club after club worked furiously to position themselves for a postseason run in 2015.
These teams aren't working on a two-year plan or a five-year plan. These clubs see an opportunity to win now.

Wrap your minds around what these last two months have been like. Matt Kemp and Jon Lester have changed teams. So have Nelson Cruz, Pablo Sandoval and Jeff Samardzija.
At this very minute, how many teams think they're going to contend for a postseason berth?

Answer: Almost all of 'em.

Likewise, almost all of 'em think they've still got work to do. Or do they?

Maybe the Red Sox do need a true No. 1 starter. On the other hand, haven't Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson looked like No. 1 starters at times in the past?
If both are healthy, they're surely capable of leading the Red Sox on another worst-to-first journey.

The Yankees are fretting about their rotation as well. They need Masahiro Tanaka healthy and CC Sabathia to polish his cutter and make the kind of middle-age adjustment every pitcher must make.

As for the Cardinals, Angels and Nationals, they entered the offseason in the best place of all. All three were already solid clubs, all three positioned to contend in 2015. Only the Cardinals -- with the acquisition of Jason Heyward -- made a head-turning move.

On this New Year's Day, let's consider eight clubs who appear to have improved themselves the most. Some teams improved more than others. The Blue Jays and Mariners were already close. Others, though, took huge steps forward.

Here goes:

1. Padres

By Opening Day, Preller may have changed every starting position. To the lowest-scoring team in baseball, he added Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris and Will Middlebrooks. There are baseball people stunned that he traded away so many of his best young players, but they're also impressed. Here was a first-time general manager operating fearlessly and letting Padres fans know a new era of San Diego baseball had begun. In a division with the Dodgers and Giants, the Padres have guaranteed themselves nothing. But they're way better, and along the way, they've gotten people's attention.

2. White Sox

General manager Rick Hahn has had two tremendous offseasons in a row. First, he acquired an assortment of young talent a year ago, including American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu. And now he has added Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche to the lineup, David Robertson to the bullpen and Samardzija to the rotation. The Tigers still appear to be the best team in the AL Central, and the Royals and Indians are also really good. Don't be surprised if these four teams enter September an eyelash apart.

3. Cubs

Nothing Theo Epstein did this offseason is as important as hiring Joe Maddon to manage the Cubs. Maddon will put all those talented kids in position to succeed, and when they struggle, he will nurture their confidence. The Cubs also added Lester, the best starting pitcher on the market, as well as Jason Hammel and Miguel Montero. Forget that talk about the Cubs winning in 2016. Who knows what all those young players are capable of? To count the Cubs out in 2015 would be a mistake.

4. Marlins

When team owner Jeffrey Loria signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract extension, he promised to upgrade the lineup around him. So the Marlins went out and put Dee Gordon in front of Stanton and Michael Morse behind him. They also added Martin Prado to the infield and Mat Latos to the rotation. They were still in the postseason mix in September last summer. They're better now.

5. Red Sox

Worst to first again? Yeah, the Red Sox appear to be capable of doing it after adding Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez to the lineup and Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Masterson to the rotation. General manager Ben Cherington may yet snag Max Scherzer or James Shields off the free-agent market, but the Red Sox are already dramatically better.

6. Mariners

Having won 87 games last season, the Mariners didn't have far to go. General manager Jack Zduriencik has had another impressive offseason in adding J.A. Happ to the rotation and Cruz, Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith to the lineup. If the young starting pitchers take a step forward, the Mariners could wrestle the AL West away from the Angels.

7. Blue Jays

Like Seattle, the Blue Jays were in contention in September, finishing with 83 wins. General manager Alex Anthopoulos added arguably the best third baseman in the game in Josh Donaldson and a tremendous catcher in Russell Martin. He also got Michael Saunders for one of the outfield spots and is now shopping for a closer. Whether he succeeds in that or not, the Blue Jays have had a great winter.

8. Dodgers

It takes guts to blow up a team that won 94 games, but Andrew Friedman, the new president of baseball operations, wasn't brought in to be timid. Gone are Kemp, Ramirez and Gordon. In adding right-hander Brandon McCarthy, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, second baseman Howie Kendrick and catcher Yasmani Grandal, Friedman hopes he's guiding the Dodgers back to their time-tested values of pitching and defense. Rookie Joc Pederson will take over for Kemp in center, and 20-year-old shortstop Corey Seager is on a fast track to the big leagues. Friedman has been wildly second-guessed for parting with Kemp and Gordon, but as long as Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and McCarthy are healthy, the Dodgers still appear to be the best team in the NL West.

This isn't a complete list.

Billy Beane has remade the A's again.

The Rangers are hopeful a healthy Prince Fielder will be a ticket back to contention. The Astros are better, too.

The Giants? One thing we've learned these last five years is to not doubt them. So while they have not won the offseason, history says they're capable of winning everything else.

This is baseball's new world. Happy New Year to one and all. Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to Spring Training in 49 days. Opening Day is April 5.

Richard Justice is a columnist for MLB.com. Read his blog, Justice4U. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Hahn's rapid renovation has White Sox in strong location

Versatile speedster Bonifacio latest addition to South Siders' extreme makeover

Rick Hahn, who inherited a troubled organization with limited payroll flexibility and a thin farm system when he took over for Ken Williams after 2012, has transformed the Major League roster into one of the deepest, most-balanced in the American League. Say what you will about Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, but it won't be a huge surprise if the White Sox outscore the Tigers this season.

That's saying a lot, but consider how much left-handed hitting and speed Hahn has added since the Trade Deadline in 2013, when he began the makeover that continued Monday with an agreement to sign switch-hitting utility man Emilio Bonifacio.

This will be the sixth team in four years for Bonifacio, who has always been valued for his versatility and his speed over his pure presence. But barring a huge spring from one of Chicago's young second basemen, Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez, Bonifacio will be in an Opening Day lineup for the fourth consecutive season. He batted leadoff for the Cubs last year; he could hit ninth for the South Siders when they open the season in Kansas City.

Here's the lineup that Hahn has put together:

1. Center fielder Adam Eaton, a left-handed-hitting speedster acquired from Arizona in a three-team trade last offseason that cost the White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago and Minor League outfielder Brandon Jacobs. Eaton had a .396 on-base percentage in the second half last season. Someone has to help him stop running into outfield walls.

2. Left fielder Melky Cabrera, a switch-hitter with a strong arm signed to a three-year, $42 million contract as a free agent. Melky happy to join White Sox
Melky happy to join White Sox. Melky Cabrera and White Sox VP and general manager Rick Hahn discuss Cabrera's decision to join the club, as part of a busy offseason

3. First baseman Jose Abreu, a right-handed-batting elite hitter signed to a six-year, $68 million last offseason after he defected from Cuba. He was fifth in the Majors with 107 RBIs last year despite being tied for 70th in at-bats with runners in scoring position (126). He's a serious MVP candidate for 2015 and every ensuing season, until further notice.

4. Adam LaRoche, a left-handed-hitting first baseman/DH with an .811 career OPS who signed a two-year, $25 million contract. He seems well-suited for U.S. Cellular Field and could challenge his career high of 33 homers while also upgrading the fielding at first base and adding a strong presence to the clubhouse.

5. Avisail Garcia, a 23-year-old right fielder acquired from Detroit along with a package of prospects in the three-team deal that sent Jake Peavy to Boston two seasons ago. He's an X-factor high on talent and with experience beyond his age. His right-handed bat rounds out the 3-4-5 combination.

6. Conor Gillaspie, a left-handed-hitting third baseman Hahn added from the Giants in a 2013 trade for pitching prospect Jeff Soptic. He's a tough out but needs work in the field. Bonifacio could give him some rest against left-handers.

7. Flowers -- Pitchers love his selfless nature and game-calling, and he ranked eighth among AL catchers with 15 home runs.

8. Ramirez -- A 2014 All-Star, he mostly hit second or sixth last season but could slide down the order with the addition of Cabrera and LaRoche. In this lineup, Ramirez and Flowers mark the only spot where a right-hander would face back-to-back right-handed hitters.

9. Bonifacio -- He's a streaky hitter who can take over a series with his small-ball skills. He's averaged 31 stolen bases the last four seasons while being caught only 19 percent of the time. He could be the primary backup for Eaton in center field and Cabrera in left, possibly allowing manager Robin Ventura to keep a specialist such as the crazy-fast Tony Campana (signed to a Minor League contract) on his roster.

Like most other moves Hahn has made in his Hot Stove run -- the key exception being the trade for Jeff Samardzija -- the White Sox picked up Bonifacio without giving up talent.

Wonder if Dayan Viciedo is available?

Sox see top prospect Rodon making quick leap to Majors

First-round pick from 2014 could join bullpen next season, rotation soon

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | 1:23 PM ET + 8 COMMENTS

CHICAGO --

The legend of Carlos Rodon hit full stride before the 22-year-old threw a single big league pitch for the White Sox.

In fact, the top prospect in the organization according to MLB.com has only 24 2/3 innings combined at the Minor League level after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.

Yet there's already talk as to whether the southpaw can break Spring Training with the team, possibly in the bullpen. There's also speculation about when he will be ready to fill out a starting rotation that already includes Chris Sale, Jeff Samardzija, Jose Quintana and John Danks.

Any first-round pick automatically comes with a lofty set of expectations. Those who saw Rodon up close and personal last year believe the hype is warranted.

"He's worth every amount of money we paid him," said Tyler Danish, a right-handed starter in the White Sox organization who pitched with Rodon at Class A Winston-Salem. "His slider is one of the most devastating pitches I've ever seen, and the kid works hard. When you are around him, you don't know he's the third pick. Just a great kid."

"When I saw [Rodon] in Winston-Salem, he looked like he didn't belong on the field. He was that advanced for that level," said White Sox director of player development Nick Capra. "He settled in really well over a short period in Charlotte. Aggressive kid, four pitches."

Rodon's 2014 race through the Minors looked like it might culminate with a September callup. But the fact was that Rodon wasn't needed on a team well out of contention, and he wasn't deemed ready.

After striking out 38 and walking just 13 last season, Rodon could still work on improving his fastball command. The White Sox didn't have a great deal of time to work with him on those intricacies, but there seems to be collective agreement that Rodon has the makeup to thrive immediately.

"You can see in his body language that Carlos is more experienced," Capra said. "Pitching in the big leagues, you have to be mentally tough, and I think he is. But you also have to be prepared and be confident and command your pitches."

"What [Rodon] does well, he certainly showed this summer. It's just a matter of tightening everything up and becoming a Major League guy for a long time," White Sox Minor League field coordinator Kirk Champion said. "I just know they are anxious to see what Carlos is going to be like at the Major League level when it gets to be his time."

A once barren White Sox system now has the likes of Danish, Frank Montas, Spencer Adams and Chris Beck moving quickly through the Minors, with Rodon figuring to be the best of the group. The organization's decision with regard to his usage next year ultimately will be based on the best interest of Rodon's big-picture development as a starter and not what's best for the team in 2015.

Eventually, those two targets could collide.

Carlos Rodon is a very good pitcher. I saw him pitch several times last year including the series that Team USA played against the Cuban collegiate team this past summer. Think Chris Sale! I think he may be that good. I'd be shocked if he's not in the starting rotation by June. He doesn't have a guaranteed major league contract like Chris Sale had but I think he'll be on the fast track.

The Tigers inked Tom Gorzelanny to one-year deal to boost 'pen.

Where will Scherzer wind up? Hopefully not on the White Sox pitching staff. if I'm Hahn, I'm going to make the supreme effort.

The Pirates are reportedly close to officially signing Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang to a four-year deal.

CBS Sports reported on Friday that the two sides are "moving close to a deal" as the Jan. 20 deadline approaches. The Pirates already spent $5 million as a fee to negotiate with Kang and his agent, Alan Nero.

O's announce signing of Delmon to 1-year deal

Outfielder/DH to make $2.25 million with a chance to reach $3 million. The Orioles officially announced Friday that Delmon Young will return next season, as the outfielder/designated hitter passed his physical. Young will make a base salary of $2.25 million in 2015 that could reach $3 million if he hits all of the incentives.

Despite limited playing time, Young was a big piece for the Orioles. A non-roster invitee who made the Opening Day roster last spring, Young hit .302 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 83 games.