MLB Winter Meetings: Notable Events and Transaction

Photo Credit: MLB

For the 113th year, the annual Winter Meetings were located in sunny San Diego. For five days (December 7th -11th), Major League Baseball executives and their affiliates met for activities such as seminars, league meetings, organizational meetings, and top of that a whole lot of trading.

Here is a quick recap of what notable events occurred in the 2014 Winter Meetings.

• Jon Lester signs with the Cubs

The well sought after star pitcher decided to choose Chicago as his home, signing a six-year contract for $155 million.

• Dodgers trade Kemp to Padres

Outfielder Matt Kemp’s Los Angeles Dodgers career may be over, but at least he’ll get to stay in Southern California. Dodgers, who have a stacked outfield, decided to move the oft-injured star to the San Diego Padres in a five-player trade. Kemp, as well as catcher Tim Federowicz are sent to San Diego for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitchers Joe Wieland and Zack Eflin. Kemp missed nearly 150 games in 2012 and 2013 seasons.

• Tigers and Red Sox swap big time players

The Tigers have acquired outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitcher Alex Wilson and in return will be sending one of their starting pitchers in Rick Porcello. With the Tigers having room to spare in their pitching rotation, filling a power bat in the left field was much-needed.

• Reds trade Starting Pitchers Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon

Former Padres ace Mat Latos is being sent to the Miami Marlins and 33-year-old Alfredo Simon will be sent to the Tigers. The Reds will net a couple of minor league players in each deal.

• Dodgers acquire number one pitching prospect in Andrew Heaney as well as other prospect from the Marlins; Heaney then traded to Angels.

The Dodgers continue to clean house sendinf All-Star infielder Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas, and veteran starting pitcher Dan Haren. In return, they get prized prospect Andrew Heaney, as well as prospects Enrique Hernandez, Chris Hatcher, and Austin Barnes. Quickly after the trade, the Dodgers then sent Heaney to the Anaheim Angels for second baseman Howie Kendrick.

• Giants fail to get any deals done.

After failing to sign their number one target Jon Lester, the Giants were reportedly left frustrated, missing out on big deals. The reigning world champs aren’t ready to send away prospects Joe Panik and Andrew Susac yet, and the reason they walked away empty-handed could be that they are reportedly targeting veteran starting pitcher James Shields.

Other notable transactions: Dodgers trade for SS Jimmy Rollins and sign SP Brandon McCarthy. Red Sox acquire LHP Wade Miley from the Diamondbacks. Royals sign DH/1B Kendry Morales to a two year, $17 million dollar deal.