The Padres finished last in the National League in home runs and slugging percentage last year, and that's a feat they're unlikely to duplicate after trading two pitching prospects to the White Sox for right fielder Carlos Quentin. Chicago received righthander Simon Castro and lefty Pedro Hernandez, both members of the 40-man roster who finished the 2011 season in Double-A.
The Red Sox lost closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Phillies on a four-year free agent deal in November, but thanks to a pair of trades with rebuilding clubs they've acquired two new ninth-inning relievers this offseason. Boston sent a three-player package centered around 24-year-old right fielder Josh Reddick to the Athletics for Andrew Bailey.
Sensing their opportunity may be at hand after a third-place finish in the National League East, the Nationals swapped four prospects to the Athletics for 26-year-old lefthander Gio Gonzalez. Oakland received righthanders Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, who ranked as Washington's Nos. 3 and 4 prospects this offseaon, catcher Derek Norris and strike-throwing lefthander Tom Milone.
Fresh of the acquisition of Mat Latos, the Reds continued their pursuit of top-flight arms on the trade market by sending 24-year-old lefty Travis Wood, one of Cincinnati's top pitching prospects just two years ago, and two other players to the Cubs for power lefty reliever Sean Marshall and the one year remaining on his contract.
Cincinnati sensed that the tide may be turning in the NL Central this offseason, so the Reds decided to make their move. They traded two of their blocked prospects, first baseman Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal, plus former all-star righty Edinson Volquez and righthanded relief prospect Brad Boxberger, to the Padres for 24-year-old righthander Mat Latos, one of the top young power pitchers in the NL.
The Indians and Padres completed a minor trade in which San Diego sent 25-year-old outfielder Aaron Cunningham to Cleveland for Double-A righthanded reliever Cory Burns, who tied for the minor league lead with 35 saves this year.
New Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow's search continues for a catcher to cover for the injured Jason Castro, but odds are he found his shortstop in a trade with the Red Sox. Houston sent its first-year closer Mark Melancon to Boston for Jed Lowrie as well as righthander Kyle Weiland.
In their continuous annual quest to build an effective bullpen on the cheap, the Tampa Bay Rays picked up a potential useful piece in a trade with the Miami Marlins for RHP Burke Badenhop. With a strong bullpen intact and Badenhop eligible for arbitration for the first time, the Miami Marlins felt they could part with the potential non-tender candidate. In exchange for Badenhop, the Rays will send minor league catcher Jake Jefferies to their interstate brethren.
With the non-tender deadline approaching, the Phillies eliminated a tough roster decision by trading backup outfielder Ben Francisco to the Blue Jays for minor league lefty Frank Gailey.
The Diamondbacks borrowed against their future to acquire one of the top arms available on the trade market, sending 23-year-old righthander Jarrod Parker and two other prospects to the Athletics for groundball machine Trevor Cahill and lefty reliever Craig Breslow. Oakland also received center fielder Collin Cowgill and righthanded reliever Ryan Cook.
The Tigers traded 2008 first-round pick Ryan Perry, a righthanded reliever, to the Nationals for righthander Collin Balester, the system's top prospect heading into 2007 who has worked as a reliever in each of the past two seasons.
Theo Epstein's first trade as Cubs general manager yielded two Rockies first-round picks who have frustrated the organization for the last time. Colorado dealt slugging third baseman Ian Stewart and Double-A righty reliever Casey Weathers to Chicago for 2011 part-timers Tyler Colvin and D.J. LeMahieu.
New Orioles general manager Dan Duquette added depth to the Baltimore rotation by dealing a pair of low-ceiling prospects to the Dodgers for lefty Dana Eveland.
The Royals cleared 40-man roster space with the trade that sent utilityman Yamaico Navarro to the Pirates just mere hours before the Rule 5 draft. The Pirates sent jumbo righthander Brooks Pounders, a 2009 second-round pick, and Dominican Summer League middle infielder Diego Goris to Kansas City.
The Padres traded for the Rockies' deposed closer Huston Street, assuming the bulk of his $7.5 million salary for 2012 and surrendering a player to be named to Colorado.
The Mets and Giants consummated a trade of arbitration-eligible veterans at the Winter Meetings. New York sent center fielder Angel Pagan to San Francisco for their center fielder Andres Torres and righty reliever Ramon Ramirez, both members of the 2010 World Series champions.
The Rockies added rotation depth by acquiring righthander Kevin Slowey from the Twins for a player to be named. The identity of the PTBN could be revealed following Thursday's Rule 5 draft because that player could be eligible for selection.
The rumored White Sox rebuild sprung to life with Chicago's trade of dominating, cost-controlled closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for 22-year-old righthander Nestor Molina, who finished the year with five starts in Double-A.
Hired as Angels general manager in late October, Jerry Dipoto waited a month to begin reshaping the Los Angeles roster through trade. He waited two days to swing a second deal, sending catcher Jeff Mathis to the Blue Jays for 26-year-old lefthander Brad Mills.
The Rangers and Orioles completed the fourth consecutive trade this offseason in which a big league catcher and a young pitcher switched organizations. The Rangers shipped defensive-minded backstop Taylor Teagarden to the Orioles for high Class A righthander Randy Henry and a player to be named.
Baseball America