The first big transaction during the 2014 MLB Winter Meetings occurred on Monday in a deal between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians. Meanwhile, the World Series champion San Francisco Giants are still gaining recognition for their success this past season.
After about a week of speculation, the Oakland Athletics have traded first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for prospect infielder Joey Wendle, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan. The 24-year-old Wendle slashed .253/.311/.414 with 46 runs scored, eight home runs and 50 RBIs in 87 games with Double-A Akron. His season was cut short after he broke a bone in his right hand. Depending on his progression through the minors, he should provide Oakland with some help in the middle infield, which is something they're lacking right now.
As for the Indians, they'll get the power-hitting Moss, who could replace Nick Swisher in right field. Swisher underwent two knee surgeries that shortened his 2014 campaign and the team may not be confident in his abilities to effectively play defense. Although Moss spent a majority of his games at first base for Oakland over the past three seasons, he's logged 141 games in the outfield over that span and could play there in Cleveland. The 31-year-old was named an All-Star for the first time in his career this past season after slashing .234/.334/.438 with 25 home runs and 81 RBIs.
Besides Moss, another All-Star is making some headlines today. San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, which is given out annually by the magazine to "the athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement." Bumgarner, 25, compiled an 18-10 record with a 2.98 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 33 regular season starts, but his postseason accomplishments likely earned him the honors.
During the road to the Giants' 2014 World Series victory, the left-hander was 4-1 with a 1.03 ERA and a 0.646 WHIP in seven appearances (six starts) over 52 2/3 innings. Bumgarner started the team's journey in the postseason with a complete game shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Wild Card Game. He then earned the Most Valuable Player award for the World Series after going 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA and 0.476 WHIP in 21 innings pitched. He helped San Francisco to victory in Games 1, 4 and 7 with a win in Game 1, a complete game shutout in Game 4 and a save in Game 7.
This comes as no surprise since his performance in the World Series is considered one of the best all-time.
