Winter Meeting Thus far

Hello WAPJ Sports fans, here is another great article from our own Chris Saunders!!!!


Article by Chris Saunders

Chicago White Sox- What has happened in the last 24/48 hours in the city of Chicago has fans thinking this year could possibly be different. Late last night Chicago acquired not just an all star closer (David Robertson 4 Years $46 Mill dollar deal), but also acquired an All Star Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland A’s. Righty Michael Ynoa is going with him in return for infielder Marcus Semien, righty Chris Bassitt,  catcher Josh Phegley and infielder Rangel Ravelo(Only being the true prospect traded back to Oakland). With Samadrzija going to the windy city that gives the White Sox probably the second best (to the Dodgers Kershaw/Greinke) LHP/RHP starting rotation combo in the game. David Robertson gives the Sox a much needed reliable bullpen piece even more so as a closer. The White Sox had one of the worst ERA’s in the MLB when it came to bullpens as well as Walks/Strikeouts per game. If Chicago could add just a couple more bullpen pieces to go with an already improving offense and what seems to be at least on paper as a one of the best starting rotations in the A.L; people could be thinking of World Series aspiration which hasn’t been thought of since 2005 during the Ozzie Guillen days.

Cleveland Indians- In a widely anticipated swap, the Athletics have officially agreed to ship outfielder/first baseman/DH Brandon Moss to the Indians in exchange for minor league second baseman Joe Wendle. Brandon Moss has an accomplished power bat, with a 135 OPS+ and 76 home runs over the last three years.  The Indians will gladly roll the dice on a recovery, especially since the club will have a chance to decide whether to tender Moss after the season. Moss’s manageable salary offered the chance for Cleveland to add the big bat that many felt they needed, while his health questions lowered the ask.  Wendle, a 24-year-old prospect, did not rate among the Indians’ top ten prospects in the recent estimation of Baseball America but did land at ninth on MLB.com‘s most recent list. Wendle’s calling card is his hit tool, with which he combines decent power and solid defense. A broken hamate bone cut the 24-year-old’s season short, but he had put up a .253/.311/.414 line over 370 Double-A plate appearances and owned even an even more robust slash the prior year at High-A.  

                                                                           Rumors

Jon Lester- A decision could be coming in either today or tomorrow according to sources, with his likely destination to be either the Cubs or the Giants. John Henry of the Red Sox did meet with Lester, as did the Giants with their All Star Catcher Buster Posey. Lester is rumored to have at least 6 Yrs at $150 mill on the table thus far

OF-Matt Kemp Justin Upton -/LHP-C.J Wilson/C/OF Evan Gattis/ RHP Greg Holland- All rumored to be in trade talks at this time with multiple clubs. Kemp to Padres is one; Greg Holland has been rumored to the Blue Jays. When it comes to Justin Upton and Evan Gattis it seems to be that if you want one the other comes along with it. C. J. Wilson is new to the trade rumors, but he could be someone that can either be a mid rotation starter or possibly a closer, having started his career in the bullpen with the Texas Rangers early in his career.