Trade analysis: Dodgers have eye on prize, Phillies rebuilding
SAN DIEGO – Breaking down Wednesday's action at baseball's winter meetings:
The deals: The Dodgers trade 2B Dee Gordon, RHP Dan Haren, INF Miguel Rojas and a player to be named or cash to the Miami Marlins for LHP Andrew Heaney, UTL Kike Hernandez, C Austin Barnes and RHP Chris Hatcher. The Dodgers also acquire SS Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies for two unnamed prospects (the swap has yet to be announced). Late at night, the Dodgers flip Heaney to the Los Angeles Angels for 2B Howie Kendrick. The Dodgers were also reportedly close to signing right-hander Brandon McCarthy to a four-year, $48 million deal.
The Dodgers' thinking: L.A.'s new management team, led by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, made its presence felt with a whirlwind of activity, and there might be more to come. The moves left the Dodgers with a new double-play combination in Rollins and Kendrick, as well as a younger replacement for Haren in the rotation.
The $10 million the Dodgers saved on Haren's salary will be used to pay McCarthy, who turned his season around after being traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the New York Yankees. He went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts for the Yankees, who wanted to bring him back but not at that price.
Kendrick is a .292 career hitter who tied his personal-best with 75 RBI last season. Manager Mike Scioscia considered him one of the unsung heroes of the Angels' march toward the AL West crown.
"We feel like Howie fits us extremely well, and we also added three young players … to help augment our depth,'' Friedman said.
Having lost Hanley Ramirez via free agency, L.A. picked up a one-year stopgap in Rollins, who will make $11 million in the final season of his contract. That should buy the club time until top prospect Corey Seager is ready. He finished last season at Class AA Chattanooga, where he batted .345.
Rollins' offense has been dipping for years – he tied a career low with a .243 batting average last season – but at 36 he's still a more-than serviceable major league shortstop. Rollins, a three-time All-Star, has averaged 15.5 homers and 27.5 steals over the last four seasons, but it remains to be seen whether his power will carry over to Dodger Stadium.
The Marlins' thinking: After locking up Giancarlo Stanton long-term, the Marlins needed to show they weren't stopping there. Gordon, who led the majors with 64 stolen bases while batting .289, scoring 92 runs and earning All-Star honors last season, gives Miami a legitimate leadoff hitter and a difference-maker on the basepaths. He's a significant upgrade over Donovan Solano, who batted .252 with just 26 runs scored in 111 games in 2014.
Adding Gordon also allows the Marlins to move outfielder Christian Yelich from leadoff to the No. 2 spot, lengthening the lineup.
"He's got the ability to put pressure on the defense and the pitchers with his speed,'' said president of baseball operations Michael Hill, adding the club still needs another hitter. "We've got the rabbit. We need another horse.''
Haren has expressed an inclination to retire if he gets traded away from his native Southern California. Unless he follows suit, Haren would provide a much-needed veteran presence to a youthful rotation that features Henderson Alvarez, Nathan Eovaldi and, once he returns from Tommy John elbow surgery, Jose Fernandez. All are 25 or younger.
"He's going to think it over and talk to his family,'' Hill said of Haren. "We think he's going to pitch for the Marlins.''
The Phillies' thinking: General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is no longer avoiding the word "rebuilding,'' instead acknowledging the club needs a major rejuvenation. Moving Rollins is but one step in the process.
The Phillies would also love to get rid of Ryan Howard's contract, which has two years and $60 million left. That may prove impossible unless they cover most of the cost, but Philadelphia does have a valuable trading chip in Hamels, who had a 2.46 ERA last season and has pitched 200-plus innings each of the last five years. The Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox are possible trading partners.
Philadelphia is expected to receive two low-level prospects in return for Rollins, the club's career leader in hits with 2,306 over 15 seasons.
The Angels' thinking: Kendrick is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, so the Angels decided to save the $9.5 million he's due in the coming season and add to their growing collection of starting options by bringing in Heaney, who may compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. Heaney, the ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft, is regarded as one of the premier pitching prospects in baseball. He had a 3.28 ERA with 143 strikeouts in 137 1/3 innings between Class AA and AAA last season.
The Angels also picked up infielder Josh Rutledge from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor-league reliever Jairo Diaz. Rutledge, who hit .259 with the Rockies over parts of three seasons, will get a chance to compete for the second base job. Utilityman Grant Green may get a look at second as well.
GALLERY: OFFSEASON TRADES