Day 1 of the 2014 Major League Baseball winter meetings in San Diego was all about Jon Lester.
Lester has become the focal point of the MLB offseason, as the rest of the starting pitching market likely will take shape only after the left-hander decides which team he’ll pitch for in 2015 and beyond. That being said, Day 1 featured some other very interesting developments, particularly later in the day.
The expectation coming into these winter meetings was that it would be one of the busiest such events in recent years. Several impactful starting pitchers are available both in free agency and through trades, which means business should really pick up once the dominoes start falling in the wake of Lester signing.
Let’s glance over some highlights from Day 1.
Biggest move: Chicago White Sox reportedly acquire pitcher Jeff Samardzija from Oakland Athletics.
The White Sox added the right-handed starter they desperately needed. And he’s a good one.
Samardzija is coming off a career year in which he posted a 2.99 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 4.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 starts split between the A’s and Chicago Cubs. He’ll form a lethal 1-2 combo at the front end of the White Sox’s rotation alongside Chris Sale, who is one of baseball’s best.
Toss in left-handers Jose Quintana and John Danks, and it’s reasonable to think the White Sox will make some noise in the American League Central next season.
Juiciest rumor: Could the New York Yankees join the Jon Lester sweepstakes?
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The Yankees have been noticeably absent from the Lester saga. It isn’t all that surprising given that New York was expected to take a backseat this offseason. But would anybody be shocked if the Bronx Bombers swooped in at the 11th hour?
The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are widely considered the four finalists for Lester. However, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said Monday night that there are five teams in on Lester — not four.
Three noteworthy developments:
1. The White Sox look like contenders.
The White Sox didn’t just land one of the best pitchers available on the trade market in Samardzija. They also landed the best closer available on the free-agent market in David Robertson.
Robertson reportedly agreed to a four-year, $46 million deal with the White Sox. It might be time for the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians to slide over and make room for another contender in the Central.
2. The A’s are all over the place.
Does Billy Beane have something up his sleeve? Or has the Athletics general manager simply lost his mind?
Oakland’s offseason has been a head-scratcher, to say the least. First, the A’s signed Billy Butler to a three-year, $30 million contract, suggesting that they planned to contend again in 2015. The A’s have since traded Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss and Samardzija, suggesting they’re now rebuilding.
Which is it, Billy?
3. The Giants look like legitimate players for Lester.
San Francisco once seemed like a long shot for Lester despite the team’s obvious interest in the veteran southpaw. Now, as ESPN’s Buster Olney noted Monday, there’s a growing belief within the organization that the Giants could land the three-time All-Star.
That’d be one hell of a way to get back at Boston for prying Pablo Sandoval away from the Bay Area.
Day 1 winner: White Sox
The White Sox have gone from an afterthought to a threat at the drop of a hat. Suddenly, the team’s desire to hang on to Alexei Ramirez, among others, makes sense. The South Siders aren’t messing around.
Day 1 loser: Athletics
Again, where are you going with this, Billy?
What to watch on Day 2: Lester. Lester. Lester.
Tuesday figures to be Judgment Day. You might want to call in sick.
Thumbnail photo via Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports Images
