:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23939653/20130913_kkt_sh2_478.0.jpg)
It's been a pretty eventful offseason so far. Some of the best teams in baseball have already made moves that will drastically change their makeup. Some look like great values. Some look like reaches. But that's the open market for you.
Here's a review of the week that was:
Trades & Signings
Robert Duetsch - USA TODAY Sports
- The Rangers acquired Prince Fielder and $30M from the Tigers in exchange for Ian Kinsler - Fielder could benefit a great deal from the Ballpark in Arlington, and the Tigers might have cleared enough payroll to consider extending Max Scherzer, Miguel Cabrera, or both.
- The Yankess signed Brian McCann to a 5-year, $85M deal - His bat will play well in New York, and the signing gives the Yankees time to groom catching prospect Gary Sanchez as they see fit. McCann could also move to first or DH in the latter years of the contract.
- The Cardinals signed Jhonny Peralta for $53M over 4 years - St. Louis filled their biggest hole.
- Dan Haren got a one-year, $10M deal that could turn into a two-year deal if he pitches 180 innings in 2014.
- The Cardinals traded 2011 World Series MVP David Freese and reliever Fernando Salas to the Angels for outfielders Peter Bourjos and Randall Grichuk - Needs were filled on both sides, but Freese's durability is concern for some.
- The Phillies re-signed catcher Carlos Ruiz for 3 years, $26M - Philly gave Ruiz the promise of longevity in order to retain their catcher.
- Kansas City committed 4 years and $32M to Jason Vargas - Four years seems like a pretty long time, but Vargas will give the Royals some stability in a rotation that will probably rely on several youngsters.
- Josh Johnson signed a an incentivized one-year deal with San Diego - Johnson appears to have chosen San Diego over many other suitors. The right-hander has struggled with injuries in the past, but the potential reward is high for the Padres.
- Outfielder Chris Young signed a one-year pact with the Mets - Young has something of a checkered past, but if he can produce, New York could have a valuable trade dealing chi on their hands at the very least.
- Tampa Bay re-signed backstop Jose Molina for two more years - The Rays valued defense in their efforts to fill a need at catcher.
Rumors
Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports
- Can Jay-Z make Robinson Cano a national icon? - Cano might not be able to land a $300M deal, but can Roc Nation make him a marketing powerhouse?
- The Blue Jays and Cubs are discussing a deal for Jeff Samardjiza - Toronto is looking to improve their rotation, and Chicago is still a few years away from entering their competition window, so these two teams could match up well.
- The Brewers are not trying to trade Ryan Braun - Despite rumors to the contrary, Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin rebuffed the notion that he was shopping his prized left fielder.
- Matt Kemp could be a target for the Yanks - A huge contract is the major hurdle for New York to get Kemp in pinstripes, but if they pass on Cano, the Yankees could choose to target the Dodgers center fielder.
- Bartolo Colon and Bronson Arroyo are on the Angels radar - Los Angeles has been active early in the offseason, but their rotation still has holes to fill behind Jered weaver and C.J. Wilson.
Minor moves
Thearon W. Henderson - Getty Images
- The Rangers re-signed Colby Lewis to a minor-league deal - Hoping for a bounce-back season in 2014, Lewis chose to stay home in Texas.
- Boston acquired pitcher Burke Badenhop from the Brewers - The Sox traded minor-league lefty Luis Ortega to acquire the consistently above-average reliever.
- San Diego signed Anthony Carter to a minor league deal - After a productive season with Boston's triple-A affiliate, Carter has a new minor-league deal with the Padres.
- The Nationals signed starter Chris Young to a one-year, minor league deal - If Young can return to form, the Nats could use him as a long reliever or in the rotation.