Notable Off-Season Player Movement (American League Central)
With the MLB off-season nearing a conclusion, this is a recap of the notable American League off-season player movement. For each team you’ll find a note of the 4 biggest additions, 4 biggest subtractions, and a synopsis of how the team did this off-season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Additions
Andruw Jones – 1 yr, 500k
Juan Pierre – Trade with LAD
J.J. Putz – 1 yr, 3 million
Mark Teahen – Trade with KC
Subtractions
Josh Fields – Traded to KC
Chris Getz – Traded to KC
Scott Podsednik – Signed with KC
Dewayne Wise – Signed with Phi
Summary: The White Sox took a couple good gambles this off-season on Jones, Pierre, and Putz. These moves are relatively low risk and could pay dividends. The White Sox made a somewhat questionable trade when they moved Fields and Getz for Teahen who despite being a Dustin Ward man crush, has established himself as nothing more than a slightly above average player. Gordon Beckham will move over to second base and take over Getz’ spot and Teahen will slide into 3B. Some may argue that Chicago might have been better off keeping Getz, but I’ll still prefer Teahen’s ceiling and won’t rule out a moderate coming out party for him this season. At this point, despite Fields' 23 home run barrage in the later portions of 2007, it seems unlikely that moving him will come back to haunt the White Sox. The White Sox may choose to let Jermaine Dye walk via free agency and go with Pierre, Alex Rios, and Carlos Quentin, who was re-signed, in the outfield. Octavio Dotel is still a free agent and is someone who the White Sox should continue to try to re-sign, although it appears he will also be moving on. Arbitration eligible’s John Danks and Bobby Jenks agreed to one year deals.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Additions
Jason Grilli – Minor League Deal
Mark Grudzielanek – Minor League Deal
Austin Kearns – Minor League Deal
Saul Rivera – Minor League Deal
Subtractions
Greg Aquino – Signed with CWS
Jamey Carroll – Signed with LAD
Masa Kobayashi – Signed in Japan
Kelly Shoppach – Traded to TB
Summary: After shedding C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and others the past two years the Indians are in full rebuild mode and had an off-season representative of such. Grilli and Rivera have decent, live, bullpen arms and will probably make the team. Grudzielanek and Kearns may also contribute at some point. The Indians also added Brian Bixler a former highly regarded prospect of the Pittsburgh Pirates who may be given a flier at some point, but is unlikely to impress. The Indians did not lose much either. Although letting Shoppach walk was something of a surprise and leaves the Indians with no real viable options at catcher. Arbitration eligible Rafeal Perez agreed to re-sign with the team for one year.
DETROIT TIGERS
Additions
Phil Coke – Trade with NYY
Austin Jackson – Trade with NYY
Max Scherzer – Trade with Ari
Jose Valverde – 2 yrs, 14 million
Subtractions
Curtis Granderson – Traded to NYY
Edwin Jackson – Traded to Ari
Placido Polanco – Signed with Phi
Fernando Rodney – Signed with LAA
Summary: In a year where Detroit unloaded a lot of talent, they also brought in some nice pieces. Moving Edwin Jackson to come away with Scherzer could prove to be a stroke of pure genius and Austin Jackson may prove to be Granderson’s successor in center field. Valverde should have no problem filling Rodney’s shoes at closer. Detroit also lost Brandon Lyon and Aubrey Huff to free agency, in further efforts to cut their payroll. Marcus Thames and Jarrod Washburn are still free agents who may also find their ways to new teams. Detroit was able to come to terms with Gerald Laird and Joel Zumaya on one year extensions, however. Despite the disappointment it may cause some of their fans, Detroit made some good decisions on which guys to oust to cut payroll. Jackson’s value was at an all time high, Rodney was easily replaced, and Huff and Polanco continue to age.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Additions
Rick Ankiel – 1 yr, 3.25 million
Chris Getz – Trade with CWS
Jason Kendall – 2 yrs, 6 million
Scott Podsednik – 1 yr, 1.75 million
Subtractions
John Buck – Signed with Tor
Coco Crisp – Signed with Oak
Miguel Olivo – Signed with Col
Mark Teahen – Traded to CWS
Summary: Kansas City did their best to improve this off-season signing a number of free agents, but probably did not do enough to contend in the division. Signing Kendall was a desperation move after missing out on a few other free agent catchers, retaining Buck or Olivo may have proven to be a better move. Ankiel and Podsednik are useful pieces in the outfield, but should not be everyday players. The Royals main loss to free agency was Crisp who moves onto Oakland. Getz is a very nice pickup, and could be a useful top of the order hitter for KC, he will need to replace Crisp’s presence in the lineup. KC was able to come to terms on one year deals with arbitration eligibles Brian Bannister, Alex Gordon, and Kyle Davies. Kansas City also came to terms with Jorge Campillo, Matt Herges, and Brad Thompson.
MINNESOTA TWINS
Additions
Clay Condrey – Signed, 1 yr
J.J. Hardy – Trade with Mil
Mike Maroth – Minor League Deal
Mark McLemore – Minor League Deal
Subtractions
Boof Bonser – Traded to Bos
Carlos Gomez – Traded to Mil
Justin Huber – Signed in Japan
Mike Redmond – Signed with Cle
Summary: The Twins have had a quiet off-season, but for this franchise, that’s a good thing because it means they’re not seeing one of their marquee players move on. The Twins were able to retain a number of players on one year deals including Carl Pavano, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Francisco Liriano, Delmon Young, and Pat Neshek. This may cause a problem next off-season, but for now, much of Minnesota’s division champion roster is intact. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera will likely move on with Hardy signed and Brendan Harris re-signed for two years, but remains a free agent at the moment. Gomez moving on to Milwaukee shows Minnesota’s commitment to Denard Span in center field.
American League Off-Season Rankings
1. Seattle Mariners
2. Baltimore Orioles
3. New York Yankees
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Texas Rangers
6. Detroit Tigers (AL Central)
7. Toronto Blue Jays
8. Oakland Athletics
9. Tampa Bay Rays
10. Minnesota Twins (AL Central)
11. Los Angeles Angels
12. Chicago White Sox (AL Central)
13. Kansas City Royals (AL Central)
14. Cleveland Indians (AL Central)
AL EAST
AL CENTRAL
AL WEST
- Dustin Ward- RotoKingdom Staff Writer
Dustin Ward, aka DAtaris17, has been playing fantasy sports for about a decade with expertise in Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Golf. Dustin has widespread success in RotoKingdom's Die Hard leagues and participates in Die Hard I in Baseball, Football, and Basketball. A devoted, lifelong, New York sports fan, Dustin does not let his affinity for the Yankees, Knicks, and Jets interfere with his fantasy knowledge and infrequently drafts players from his teams. Dustin is also an avid golfer and fantasy golf player. Currently, Dustin is the Lead Forum Administrator for RotoKingdom.net.