Nationals Bolster Bullpen With Joe Blanton

Washington's offseason has been criticized for not bringing in a proven relief ace, but they did make some progress with the addition of Joe Blanton on a one year, $4 million deal. Other offseason additions to the bullpen, including Vance Worley, Matt Albers, Tim Collins, Joe Nathan, Enny Romero, Mike Broadway, and Dustin Antolin, have helped with depth but, aside from Worley and possibly Albers, none is likely to make a big impact. Blanton, however, will. After a dreadful 2013 (2-14, 6.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) and sitting out all but two AAA starts in 2014, Blanton's career looked like it was coming to a close. In 2015, he began the transition to relief, where his career found new life: over 36 games (4 starts), he went 7-2 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, striking out 79 and walking just 16 over 76 innings. Over 75 relief appearances in 2016, he was even more dominant, putting up a 2.48 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and an 80/26 strikeout to walk ratio in 80 innings. Suddenly, the 6'3" right hander is a weapon out of the bullpen, and the Nationals will be thrilled to use him late in games. For his career, the former Kentucky Wildcat is 99-93 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 376 games (252 starts) since 2004.

Transaction Roundup: 2/14/2017-2/21/2017

Free Agent Signings

Nationals signed Matt Wieters (17 HR, 66 RBI, .243 AVG, 1 SB, 2017 Age: 30-31) to a two year, $21 million deal ($10.5 million per season). Read more here

Rangers signed Mike Napoli (34 HR, 101 RBI, .239 AVG, 5 SB, 2017 Age: 35) to a one year, $8.5 million deal.

Royals signed Travis Wood (4-0, 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 2017 Age: 30) to a two year, $12 million deal ($6 million per season). Read more here

Nationals signed Adam Lind (20 HR, 58 RBI, .239 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 33-34) to a one year, $1.5 million deal. Read more here

Padres signed Jered Weaver (12-12, 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 2017 Age: 34) to a one year, $3 million deal. Read more here

Mets re-signed Fernando Salas (3-7, 3.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 6 SV, 2017 Age: 31-32) to a one year, $3 million deal.

Dodgers re-signed Chase Utley (14 HR, 52 RBI, .252 AVG, 2 SB, 2017 Age: 38) to a one year, $2 million deal.

Dodgers signed Franklin Gutierrez (14 HR, 39 RBI, .246 AVG, 1 SB, 2017 Age: 34) to a one year, $2.6 million deal.

Rays signed Nathan Eovaldi (9-8, 4.76 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 2017 Age: 27) to a one year, $2 million deal.

Diamondbacks signed Jorge De La Rosa (8-9, 5.51 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 2017 Age: 36) to a minor league deal.

Yankees signed Jonathon Niese (8-7, 5.50 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 2017 Age: 30) to a minor league deal.

Blue Jays signed Mat Latos (7-3, 4.89 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 2017 Age: 29) to a minor league deal.

Reds signed Mat Latos (9 HR, 30 RBI, .220 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 36) to a minor league deal.

Twins signed Drew Stubbs (3 HR, 7 RBI, .225 AVG, 9 SB, 2017 Age: 32) to a minor league deal.

Orioles signed Craig Gentry (0 HR, 2 RBI, .147 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Indians signed James Russell (0-0, 18.69 ERA, 3.23 WHIP, 2017 Age: 31) to a minor league deal.

Rangers signed Adam Loewen (1-0, 15.00 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, 2017 Age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Trades

Dodgers traded Vidal Nuno (1-1, 3.53 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2017 Age: 29-30) to the Orioles for minor leaguer Ryan Moseley (0-1, 3.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 4 SV at Class A Short Season, 2017 Age: 22).

Nationals Add Matt Wieters on Two Year Deal

The Nationals addressed one of their most glaring needs by adding star catcher Matt Wieters on a two year contract. Wieters won't have to travel far, having played the past eight seasons in Baltimore. Before signing Wieters, the Nationals were set to have Derek Norris catch, with some combination of Jose Lobaton, Pedro Severino, and Spencer Kieboom backing him up. Throwing Wieters into the mix certainly changes that discussion, as he will likely take over as the every day catcher. However, Norris is superior defensively, and it is not hard to envision Norris getting regular starts while Wieters spells Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Lind at first base. Between the four of them, the Nats should always have some nice power coming from the lower part of their lineup. Wieters, who hit over 20 home runs in three straight seasons from 2011-2013, is unlikely to put up huge numbers, but he is certainly an upgrade to Norris at the plate and he won't be a liability in the lineup. His 2016 season was just about what we can expect out of him this coming season, as he hit .243 with 17 home runs and 17 doubles over 124 games. His best season came back in 2011, before injuries began to take their toll, as he hit .262 with 22 home runs and 28 doubles over 139 games. For his career, the former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket has 117 home runs, 157 doubles, and a .256 batting average over 882 games, all with the Orioles.

Padres Add Weaver to Wide Open Rotation Tryout

The Padres added a well known arm to their wide-open rotation race, with Jered Weaver taking his 2000+ career innings down to San Diego for one year and $3 million. Weaver was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2010-2012, going 51-25 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 97 starts, but his velocity and performance have diminished significantly since then. Last season, he averaged just over 83 MPH on his fastball, which was the slowest in recorded (since 2008) history by a non-knuckleballer according to Daren Willman. His ERA has gone up every year since 2011, starting at 2.41 and steadily climbing to 2.81, 3.27, 3.59, 4.64, and finally, 5.06 last season. Fortunately for Weaver, tryouts for the Padres' rotation are essentially open to the public, as current candidates include Christian Friedrich (5-12, 4.80 ERA, 1.41 WHIP), Luis Perdomo (9-10, 5.71, 1.59), Jhoulys Chacin (6-8, 4.81, 1.44), Clayton Richard (3-4, 3.33, 1.66), and Paul Clemens (4-5, 4.04, 1.44) as the frontrunners. Unless his fastball velocity diminishes even further, Weaver should have no issue cracking the rotation, and at the very least, his experience will be beneficial to the young guys in that rotation. Of the other names I mentioned in the rotation, only Richard is into his 30's. Weaver is a Los Angeles area (Simi Valley) native, but he won't be heading too far from home upon leaving the Angels. For his career, the former Long Beach State Dirtbag is 150-93 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 322 starts, all with the Los Angeles Angels.

Travis Wood Joins KC Bullpen

Days after adding Jason Hammel on a two year, $12 million deal, the Royals have added Travis Wood on a similar contract. A former starter, Wood had his ups and downs in the rotation before really taking well to his first full season in relief last year. Over 77 appearances, he put up a 2.95 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, allowing just 45 hits in 61 innings. The left hander is much better at getting out lefties, as they hit just .128 against him with two home runs in 32.1 innings last year, than he is with righties, who hit .265 with eight home runs in 28.2 innings. This move may prove especially helpful as fellow lefty Brian Flynn will likely miss the start of the season after falling through the roof of his barn. Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria will hold down the back end of the bullpen, while Wood will work some of the middle to later innings with Matt Strahm and possibly Andrew Edwards and Miguel Almonte. For his career, the Arkansas native is 43-52 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 259 games (133 starts). 

Nationals Add Depth With Adam Lind

The Nationals added a bench bat with some power in Adam Lind. He'll make $1 million in 2017 with a mutual option for 2018 that includes a $500,000 buyout. The 33 year old first baseman hit at least 20 home runs in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016, and he does possess the ability to get on base. The left handed hitter hits right handed pitching much better than he does fellow lefties, so the only foreseeable way for him to start regularly is if first baseman Ryan Zimmerman gets injured. As of now, it looks like he could get some starts at first against right handed pitchers to give Zim a break, and there is a chance he gives Jayson Werth the occasional break in left field, though he hasn't played the outfield since 2010. This move likely leaves Clint Robinson without a role going forward. Last season was one of the worst of Lind's career, as he did hit 20 home runs but knocked just 17 doubles, walked 26 times, and batted .239 over 126 games for the Mariners. He was much better in 2015 with the Brewers, where he hit 20 home runs and 32 doubles, walked 66 times, and batted .277 over 149 games. For his career, the Indiana native out of the University of South Alabama has 186 home runs, 245 doubles, 12 triples, and a .271 batting average over 1228 games.

Transaction Roundup: 2/8/2017-2/13/2017

Free Agent Signings

Royals signed Jason Hammel (15-10, 3.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2017 Age: 34) to a two year, $16 million deal ($8 million per season). Read more here

Yankees signed Chris Carter (41 HR, 94 RBI, .222 AVG, 3 SB, 2017 Age: 30) to a one year, $3.5 million deal. Read more here

Mets re-signed Jerry Blevins (4-2, 2.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2 SV, 2017 Age: 33) to a one year, $6.5 million deal.

Blue Jays signed Joe Smith (2-5, 3.46 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 6 SV, 2017 Age: 33) to a one year, $3 million deal.

Blue Jays signed J.P. Howell (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 2017 Age: 34) to a one year, $3 million deal.

Padres signed Erick Aybar (3 HR, 34 RBI, .243 AVG, 3 SB, 2017 Age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Reds signed Desmond Jennings (7 HR, 20 RBI, .200 AVG, 2 SB, 2017 Age: 30) to a minor league deal.

Angels signed Yusmeiro Petit (3-5, 4.50 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 1 SV, 2017 Age: 32) to a minor league deal.

Diamondbacks signed Tom Wilhelmsen (2-4, 6.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 1 SV, 2017 Age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Tigers signed David Lough (0 HR, 4 RBI, .239 AVG, 1 SB, 2017 Age: 31) to a minor league deal.

Padres signed Collin Cowgill (0 HR, 0 RBI, .083 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 30-31) to a minor league deal.

Blue Jays signed Jake Elmore (0 HR, 4 RBI, .218 AVG, 2 SB, 2017 Age: 29-30) to a minor league deal.

Trades

Reds traded Brandon Phillips (11 HR, 64 RBI, .291 AVG, 14 SB, 2017 Age: 35-36) and cash to the Braves for Andrew McKirahan (missed 2016, 5.93 career ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 2017 Age: 27) and minor leaguer Carlos Portuondo (2-1, 3.63 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 1 SV at High Class A and AAA, 2017 Age: 29). Read more here

Rays traded Enny Romero (2-0, 5.91 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 1 SV, 2017 Age: 26) to the Nationals for minor leaguer Jeffrey Rosa (0-4, 4.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP at GCL, 2017 Age: 21-22).

Royals traded Alec Mills (0-0, 13.50 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 2017 Age: 25) to the Cubs for minor leaguer Donnie Dewees (5 HR, 73 RBI, .284 AVG, 31 SB at Class A and High Class A, 2017 Age: 23).

Twins traded Pat Light (0-1, 11.34 ERA, 2.28 WHIP, 2017 Age: 26) to the Pirates for a player to be named later or cash.

Braves Acquire Brandon Phillips For Pair of Minor League Arms

With infielder Sean Rodriguez going down with a shoulder injury suffered in a car accident, the Braves decided to pick up some insurance at second base by trading for Brandon Phillips. The 35 year old second baseman has played 15 major league seasons, yet still slashed .291/.320/.416 last season, and Atlanta got him for next to nothing. The Reds will pay most of Phillips' contract for 2017, leaving the Braves on the hook for just $1 million. Phillips will presumably start at second base until top prospect Ozzie Albies is ready to play in the majors sometime later this season or early next season, but may split time with Jace Peterson and Rodriguez, once he's healthy. Phillips was an All Star in 2010, 2011, and 2013, won a Silver Slugger in 2011, and won Gold Gloves in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2013. For his career, the Atlanta native has 197 home runs, 334 doubles, 34 triples, 198 stolen bases, and a .275 batting average over 1749 games since 2002.

The Reds dealt Phillips in order to make room for 22 year old Jose Peraza, who slashed .324/.352/.411 over 74 games last season. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot going back to Cincinnati in this trade. Andrew McKirahan just turned 27, though he sat out the entire 2016 season with Tommy John surgery. In his only major league action, in 2015, he put up a 5.93 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP over 27 relief appearances, striking out 22 and walking 10 over 27.1 innings. The lefty will fight for a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen, where his above average command could help him provide quality innings. However, the former Texas Longhorn will have to figure out how to miss more bats, as he has become more and more hittable as he has moved up the ladder. Also joining the Reds system is Cuban right hander Carlos Portuondo, a 29 year old just signed off the island this season. He began with High Class A Carolina, where he put up a 4.01 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 12 games (1 start), striking out 21 and walking 13 in 24.2 innings. Moving up to AAA Gwinnett for five relief appearances, he put up a solid 2.70 ERA but his WHIP inflated to 1.70 as he allowed 13 hits and four walks in ten innings, striking out four. Portuondo was never a star in Cuba, putting up a 5.75 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP over an eight year career for Santiago, split between the rotation and relief. Prior to 2016, he had not played professionally since 2013, so after shaking off the rust this past season, he's really a wild card for 2017.

Chris Carter Brings Big Time Power to the Yankees

In Chris Carter, the Yankees have added a big time power bat to compliment Greg Bird at first base. Carter has clubbed at least 24 home runs in each of the past four seasons, including 37 in 2014 and a career-high 41 in 2016. If you're wondering how the Yankees got the 2016 National League home run champion for just $3.5 million, it's because he hasn't batted above .227 since he hit a career-high .239 in 2012. With Carter, it's all or nothing. Adding his 27 doubles and one triple to his 41 home runs in 2016, 69 of his 122 hits went for extra bases, and that has been the trend throughout his career (41/78 in 2015, 59/115 in 2014, etc.). The 6'4", 245 pound right handed hitter will likely get plenty of starts against left handed pitching, while his compliment, the 6'4" left hander Greg Bird, will likely start against right handed pitchers. With Carter in the lineup, the Yankees certainly won't have to worry about power. For his career, the Las Vegas native has 150 home runs, 102 doubles, four triples, and an abysmal .218 batting average over 688 games.

Royals Add Hammel to Rotation

The Royals' newest pitcher, Jason Hammel, is good. That's the best way to put it. He's never been a star, never putting up an ERA below 3.43 (2012) or striking out more than 172 batters (2015), but he won't let you down. Everywhere the 6'6" right hander has gone, he's contributed as a mid-rotation starter, making at least 20 starts, throwing at least 118 innings, and keeping his ERA below 5.00 every season since 2009, including a three year stint in Colorado's dreaded Coors Field. Unfortunately, he's not taking over in the most "normal" of circumstances. As we have all heard by now, starter Yordano Ventura tragically passed away a few weeks ago, and speaking solely in a baseball context, that left a huge hole in the Royals' rotation, to make no mention of off the field contributions. Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy are already well-established in that rotation, and with Hammel presumably taking the number three spot, a group of pitchers will be competing for the four and five spots. Last year was a typical Hammel season (which isn't hard to have when you're that consistent), as he went 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 30 starts, pitching the Cubs to the World Series. For his career, the Washington State native is 84-87 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 306 games (248 starts) since 2006. He is signed for two years and $16 million.

Transaction Roundup: 1/30/2017-2/7/2017

Free Agent Signings

Royals signed Brandon Moss (28 HR, 67 RBI, .225 AVG, 1 SB, 2017 Age: 33) to a two year, $12 million deal ($6 million per season). Read more here

Dodgers signed Sergio Romo (1-0, 2.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 4 SV, 2017 Age: 34) to a one year, $3 million deal (plus incentives). Read more here

Indians signed Boone Logan (2-5, 3.69 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 1 SV, 2017 Age: 32-33) to a one year, $6.5 million deal.

Rays re-signed Logan Morrison (14 HR, 43 RBI, .238 AVG, 4 SB, 2017 Age: 29) to a one year, $2.5 million deal.

Braves signed Kurt Suzuki (8 HR, 49 RBI, .258 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 33) to a one year, $1.5 million deal.

Twins signed Matt Belisle (0-0, 1.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2017 Age: 36-37) to a one year, $2.05 million deal.

Diamondbacks signed Daniel Descalso (8 HR, 38 RBI, .264 AVG, 3 SB, 2017 Age: 30) to a one year, $1.35 million deal.

Nationals signed Vance Worley (2-2, 3.53 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 1 SV, 2017 Age: 29) to a one year, $1 million deal (plus up to $1.65 million in incentives). Read more here

Nationals signed Matt Albers (2-6, 6.31 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 2017 Age: 34) to a minor league deal.

Nationals signed Joe Nathan (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 2017 Age: 42) to a minor league deal.

Nationals signed Jeremy Guthrie (missed 2016, 4.37 career ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 2017 Age: 38) to a minor league deal.

Rockes re-signed Mark Reynolds (14 HR, 53 RBI, .282 AVG, 1 SB, 2017 Age: 33-34) to a minor league deal.

Blue Jays signed Jarrod Saltalamacchia (12 HR, 38 RBI, .171 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 32) to a minor league deal.

Blue Jays signed Lucas Harrell (3-2, 4.21 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 2017 Age: 31-32) to a minor league deal.

Twins signed Ehire Adrianza (2 HR, 7 RBI, .254 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 27) to a minor league deal.

Astros signed Dayan Diaz (0-0, 9.45 ERA, 2.55 WHIP, 2017 Age: 28) to a minor league deal.

Trades

Rockies traded Eddie Butler (2-5, 7.17 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 2017 Age: 26) to the Cubs for minor leaguer James Farris (2-5, 2.59 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13 SV at High Class A and AA, 2017 Age: 25).

Dodgers traded Carlos Frias (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 2017 Age: 27) to the Indians for cash considerations.

Waiver Claims

Mariners claimed Tuffy Gosewisch (3 HR, 7 RBI, .156 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 33-34) off waivers from the Braves.

Brewers claimed Jesus Aguilar (0 HR, 0 RBI, .000 AVG, 0 SB, 2017 Age: 26-27) off waivers from the Indians.

Sergio Romo Crosses Rivalry Lines

The Dodgers just added Sergio Romo, and it must be a gut punch for Giants fans. After pitching nine seasons and winning three World Series for the City by the Bay, Romo has not only signed with the arch-rival Dodgers, but he took significantly less money to so do, too, according to Jon Heyman. For just $3 million (plus possible incentives), the Dodgers picked up an established late-innings reliever, one from Southern California no less (Brawley, in the Imperial Valley). Kenley Jansen is clearly already set as the closer, and while Los Angeles has great bullpen depth behind their star, they have no other significantly above average pitchers back there. Lefties Grant Dayton and Adam Liberatore are good but unproven, and if you're looking for right handers behind Jansen, Pedro Baez is about the only good one you have. Romo, who put up a 2.64 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP over 40 appearances for the Giants last season, fixes that. He also struck out 33 and walked just seven in 30.1 innings. For his career, the former 28th round pick is 32-26 with a 2.58 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP over 515 appearances, which believe it or not are the third most in San Francisco Giants history and the fifth most in all of Giants history.

Royals Add Brandon Moss For Two Years, $12 Million

Power hitting outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss is heading west across I-70 from St. Louis to Kansas City, where he'll likely take over Kendrys Morales' old spot at DH. The Royals lack one big impact hitter (a Josh Donaldson or a Kris Bryant), but instead have plenty of depth in terms of solid to above average hitting. In addition to Moss, Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, and Salvador Perez all project to fall into that category, and if Cheslor Cuthbert and Jorge Soler can find at bats and perform to what they're capable of, that is one deep lineup. Moss was a bit of a late bloomer as a hitter, but since his breakout season in 2012, he has hit at least 19 home runs and slugged at least .407 in each of the past five seasons, topping out with 30 home runs in 2013 and coming close with 28 home runs last year. Unfortunately, since he slashed .291/.358/.596 in 2012, his batting average and on-base percentage have fallen each year, with the former dropping from .291 to .256, .234, .226, and .225, and the latter falling from .358 to .337, .334, .304, and .300, respectively. Having turned 33 in September, Moss could be on the downswing of his career, but as long as he keeps providing big time power, he still has plenty of value. For his career, the slugger from Loganville, Georgia has 138 home runs, 145 doubles, and a .241 average over 898 games.