The 2013-2014 Hot Stove season reminds me much of a powerful thunderstorm, in that it arrived quickly with great force and left rather quickly after leaving its mark. Early this offseason we saw a flurry of activity, as notable hitters Jose Abreu, Brian McCann, and Jhonny Peralta signed quickly, and top free agents Robinson Cano and Jacoby Ellsbury were scooped up during the Winter Meetings. Although a few free agents have signed since then, most noteworthy being Shin-Soo Choo, the Hot Stove has been reduced to a mere simmer in recent weeks.
Now that the Christmas holidays and New Years’ celebrations have past, expect activity to pick back up as free agents Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Masahiro Tanaka remain available. With fewer than 40 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, here are five signings or trades that will likely occur before Opening Day.
5) Tampa Bay LHP David Price traded to Seattle for a package including Taijuan Walker and Nick Franklin
After signing Robinson Cano to a monster contract, the Mariners has thus far been unable to find another superstar to pair with him. Tampa Bay may not be able to afford Price’s contract in their limited payroll going forward, and could look to part with Price two years before he reaches free agency. According to reports Seattle has been understandably hesitant to part with Walker, a potential #1 or #2 starter, but I expect the Mariners front office to blink and acquire Price before next month.
4) The Philadelphia Phillies Sign RHP Matt Garza, 5-years $77.5 million
Although many prognosticators have argued they should attempt to get younger and shed payroll this winter, after signing a massive television contract earlier this week, the Phillies are flush with cash and poised to potentially bolster their roster. After losing Roy Halladay to retirement weeks ago, and with questions to the back-end of their rotation, the Phillies could be a sleeper, but logical destination for Garza, the best free agent starting pitcher not named Tanaka available on the market.
3) The Baltimore Orioles Sign LHP Paul Maholm, 1-year $6.5 million
While not the sexy acquisition Orioles’ fans are clamoring for in Birdland, Maholm is a durable starting pitcher who has pitched 150+ innings eight consecutive years. Maholm is a groundball pitcher, which would play well with Baltimore’s excellent infield defense, and his addition would provide depth to the rotation until Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, and Eduardo Rodriguez are major league ready later in 2014.
2) The Washington Nationals Sign Catcher John Buck, 1-year $2.5 million
After a productive offseason filling the team’s biggest glaring needs, the only major weakness still left on the roster is the lack of a proven, starting-quality backup to Wilson Ramos at catcher. Considering Ramos’ injury history and the underwhelming cast of Chris Snyder, Sandy Leon, and Jhonatan Solano behind him on the depth chart, general manager Mike Rizzo should look to sign an experienced backup catcher. Buck, a quality defensive catcher with home run power, currently stands as the best available free agent option and would be a notable upgrade to the Nationals’ bench next season.
1) Masahiro Tanaka signs with the Chicago Cubs, 7-years $142 million
If Seattle is unable to trade for Price as mentioned above, they would be a logical fit to sign Tanaka and pair him with Felix Hernandez in their rotation. That said, many teams will be competing for Tanaka’s services, a 25-year-old potential top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. In the end, I expect the Chicago Cubs to sign Tanaka, as the team is loaded with nearly-ready hitting prospects and has a desire to add a young starter to front their rotation the rest of the decade.