MLB Free Agent Tracker

     The baseball winter meetings are underway and the owners and GM's are beginning to shuffle free agents, and negotiating trades.  Some may never get past talks, and others will be approved in hopes of competing for a World Series title.  Let's take a look at some of the moves that have already happened throughout the league.


     The biggest name on the market was Robinson Cano, and with the Yankees not willing to give him more than 7 years, the Mariners stepped up and signed the check to bring the 2nd basemen to Seattle.  The Mariners do have good pitching but no run support and signing Cano should help, but can he win you games with his offense?  The answer is yes, Cano led the Yankees in most batting categories, and was clutch in many games.  But the Yankees didn't want to get stuck in another huge long term contract, a-la A-Rod.  The Mariners have to give those fans a reason to go to the park, and signing Cano will bring 'em.  The Mariners do have a ton of talent coming up in their farm system, and are also looking to trade for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.  The Dodgers are listening to trade proposals for Kemp, and it sounds like Kemp could be in a new uniform next season.  If he doesn't go to Seattle, I would not be surprised if Detroit makes an offer.

     The Yankees are looking to get back on top of the AL East, and after poor offensive production in 2013, they went after catcher Brian McCann, stole CF Jacoby Ellsbury from Boston, and are eagerly awaiting the return of Mark Texeria.  But their bullpen got thin when Joba Chamberlain signed with the Tigers, and the Rockies picked up Boone Logan.  If the Yankees are unable to find another quality starting pitcher, and some bullpen help, they're going to find themselves in a lot of late inning offensive shootouts.

     The Rockies traded CF Dexter Fowler, a young up and coming star in this league, for a minor league outfielder, and a 2nd rate reliever from Houston.  While I was shaking my head in amazement, they went and got 1B Justin Morneau, traded for SP Brett Andersen, and signed Logan from NYY.  The Rockies look to become a significant team once again, after a few years affected by the injury bug.  The Rockies can and will be able to put up 10+ runs a game, but they have not been able to keep leads late with a weak bullpen.  If they are willing to spend the money, they should get a solid SP, and push one of their current starters back for middle relief.  But, that's only if they will be willing to open up the wallet, and from the looks of their recent signings, they just may!