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Winter Meetings moves: A homecoming for Piscotty

The Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty (55) follows through on a solo home run against the Miami Marlins in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
The Cardinals’ Stephen Piscotty (55) follows through on a solo home run against the Miami Marlins in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
(Bill Boyce / AP)
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Tracking the transactions at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings …

THURSDAY’S MOVES

Piscotty to Oakland

After series of overnight rumors, the deal is official: The Cardinals are sending outfielder Stephen Piscotty to Oakland for two prospects – shortstop Yairo Munoz and second baseman Max Schrock.

For the record:

9:55 a.m. Dec. 14, 2017Updated with the latest reported transactions.

  • Lowdown: The 26-year-old Piscotty signed a six-year, $33.5 million extension last April after posting an .815 OPS through his first 216 games in the majors. His production fell off a table in 2017 – .708 OPS, nine homers and 39 RBIs in 107 games – so Oakland represents a change of scenery and a homecoming for the Northern California native. Also, kudos to the Cardinals: The acquisition of Marcell Ozuna allowed them to work even harder to move Piscotty home where he could be near his mother, who was diagnosed with ALS last summer.

Fernando Rodney to Twins

Minnesota agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with right-hander Fernando Rodney, according to SiriusXM’s Craig Mish.

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  • Lowdown: Rodney, who will turn 41 in March, converted 39 saves in 2017 despite posting a 4.23 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He struck out 65 in 55 1/3 innings in Arizona’s bullpen. In Minnesota, he’ll get a chance to close.
The Tigers' Ian Kinsler removes his batting helmet after popping out with two on against the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, in Baltimore. The Orioles won 12-3.
(Gail Burton / AP )

WEDNESDAY’S MOVES

A new Angel in the infield

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Angels acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Tigers for two fringe prospects – right-hander Wilkel Hernandez and outfielder Troy Montgomery – in a salary dump. Due $10 million in 2018, Kinsler waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal.

  • Lowdown: Kinsler’s .725 OPS in 2017 was the lowest of his career but he still represents an upgrade for an Angel team looking to parlay its Shohei Otani acquisition into a return to the playoffs. Kinsler’s 22 homers would have been tied for third on the team in 2017 behind Mike Trout (33) and Albert Pujols (23). Third baseman Luis Valbuena also hit 22 homers but batted just .199, which could be one reason that they’re asking the Padres about Chase Headley, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

St. Louis lands Marcell Ozuna

After Giancarlo Stanton spurned the Cardinals’ advances, the Cardinals went back to the Marlins’ well to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna. MLB Network Radio’s Craig Mish first reported the deal, which is pending a physical. The return for Ozuna – who was projected to earn $10.9 million in arbitration by MLBTradeRumors.com – includes RHP prospect Sandy Alcantara, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman. The other prospects headed to Miami are RHP Zac Gallen, LHP Daniel Castano and OF Magneuris Sierra.

  • Lowdown: The Cardinals land a coveted run-producer for the middle of the order while Miami is apparently now in a full-blown teardown as Stanton predicted at his Yankees’ introduction: “They’re going to go through some more tough years.” Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan is already reporting that outfielder Christian Yelich is in play as the last remaining cog from what was once a talented outfield. In Ozuna, the Cardinals have landed a 27-year-old outfielder coming off a peak season: .924 OPS, 37 homers, 124 RBIs and runs scored – all career-highs.

Mariners net Juan Nicacio

Right-hander Juan Nicasio will pitch for Seattle in 2018 after agreeing to a two-year, $17 million pact, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman.

  • Lowdown: Pitching for three teams in 2017, the 31-year-old Nicasio went 5-5 with a 2.61 ERA, 72 strikeouts and a career-low 1.078 WHIP. He led the NL with 76 appearances. In Seattle, Nicasio figures to work in a set-up role in front of closer Edwin Diaz.

Joe Smith headed to Houston

The Astros and right-hander Joe Smith have agreed to a two-year deal, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. The deal is expected to be worth around $12 million.

  • Lowdown: With Luke Gregerson gone, Smith will work in a set-up role in front of closer Ken Giles. Smith went 3-0 with a 3.33 ERA, 71 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP in 54 innings split between Toronto and Cleveland in 2017.

Twins sign rehabbing Pineda

The Twins and right-hander Michael Pineda have agreed on a two-year, $10 million contract – $2 million for 2018 and $8 million for 2019, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman. The deal also includes up to $3 million in incentives.

  • Lowdown: Like Drew Smyly on Tuesday, Pineda will spend most of 2018 rehabbing last summer’s Tommy John elbow reconstruction. Before his season-ending injury, the 28-year-old Pineda was 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA, 92 strikeouts and a 1.29 WHIP over 96 1/3 innings with the Yankees. He’d posted a 4.16 ERA over parts of four seasons with New York.

Mets nab a reliever

The Mets, according to Marc Carig of Newsday, signed right-hander Anthony Swarzak to a two-year, $14 million deal.

  • Lowdown: The 32-year-old reliever went 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA, 91 strikeouts and a 1.03 WHIP over 77 1/3 innings. He posted a 2.48 ERA after the White Sox flipped him to the Brewers for a prospect last July. Swarzak posted a 5.52 ERA the previous season for the Yankees.

McGee stays in Colorado

Left-hander Jake McGee and the Rockies have agreed to a reunion, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The deal is for three years and for around $27 million, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman.

  • Lowdown: The 31-year-old lowered his ERA from 4.73 to 3.61 in his second year in Colorado in 2017 and his first under Bud Black. He struck out 9.1 batters per nine innings, posted a 1.10 WHIP and allowed just four homers in 57 1/3 innings. After recording 18 saves the last two years, he could compete with newcomer Bryan Shaw for ninth-inning appearances.
Team USA's Drew Smyly pitches to Venezuela in the second inning during the World Baseball Classic at Petco Park in San Diego on Wednesday.
(Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune )

TUESDAY’S MOVES

Cubs sign rehabbing Drew Smyly

Finally, a starting pitcher moves – kind of. The Cubs announced a two-year deal with left-hander Drew Smyly, a 28-year-old whose campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery midway through the 2017 season. The deal is worth $10 million with more than $7 million in performance bonuses, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

  • Lowdown: The Cubs could be paying Smyly to rehab most – if not all – of 2018. He underwent elbow reconstruction in early July and won’t be expected back until September if Chicago adheres to a 14-month window. Smyly was set to anchor the Mariners’ rotation after a star-turn in the WBC only to lose the entire season to injury. He had a 4.88 ERA over 175 1/3 innings his previous year with the Rays.

Rockies pick up bullpen piece

In yet another deal involving a reliever, the Rockies on Tuesday evening acquired right-hander Bryan Shaw, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Buster Olney says the deal is for three years and in the range of $9 million annually.

  • Lowdown: The Rockies were in need of a ninth-inning option after right-hander Greg Holland declined their qualifying offer and the 30-year-old Shaw could fit the bill. He struck out 73, posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP and saved three games as the Indians’ set-up man in 2017.

Tommy Hunter joining Phillies

Right-hander Tommy Hunter is headed to the Phillies on a two-year deal in the $18 million range, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.

  • Lowdown: After agreeing to a reunion with Pat Neshek, the Phillies added the 31-year-old Hunter to the back of their bullpen. Hunter went 3-5 with a 2.61 ERA, 64 strikeouts and a 0.97 WHIP in 58 2/3 innings with the Rays.

Padres complete two trades

On Tuesday, Padres General Manager A.J. Preller shipped Jabari Blash and Ryan Schimpf out of town on two separate deals. San Diego re-acquired third baseman Chase Headley and right-hander Bryan Mitchell from the Yankees for Blash and picked up minor league shortstop Deion Tansel from the Rays in the Schimpf trade.

  • Lowdown: Read the Union-Tribune’s report on both trades here and peruse a scouting report and videos on Mitchell and Tansel here.

    MONDAY’S MOVES

    Pat Neshek returns to Phillies

    Right-hander Pat Neshek will return to the Phillies on a two-year, $16.25 million pact, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The contract includes a $500,000 assignment bonus if the Phillies trade Neshek, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported.

    • Lowdown: The 37-year-old Neshek became an All-Star for the second time in 2017 before the Phillies traded him in July to Colorado for the Rockies’ playoff run. In 62 2/3 innings in 2017, Neshek posted a career-best 11.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a 1.59 ERA and an 0.866 WHIP. He is the third former Padre – joining Brandon Morrow and Luke Gregerson – to strike a deal since the Winter Meetings began Sunday.

    Rangers sign reliever Chris Martin

    Right-hander Chris Martin and the Rangers have agreed to a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $4 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

    • Lowdown: The 31-year-old reliever returns to the United States after going 2-2 with a 1.12 ERA, 91 strikeouts and a 0.67 WHIP in 88 1/3 innings the last two years in the Nippon Ham Fighters’ bullpen. Originally an 18th-round pick of the Tigers in 2004 (Arlington, Texas, HS), Martin has a 6.19 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings over parts of two years in the majors, the last in 2015 with the Yankees (5.66 ERA).

    SUNDAY’S MOVES

    The offseason’s biggest fish on their hook, the Angels on Saturday officially unveiled Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim on the eve of the Winter Meetings. The Yankees will make their big get official when Giancarlo Stanton is introduced Monday. In between, baseball’s chief offseason event got underway Sunday with pair of moves involving players with Padres ties.

    Luke Gregerson to the Cardinals

    Former Padres reliever Luke Gregerson and the Cardinals agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

    • Lowdown: Gregerson’s second pact since the Padres traded him to Oakland before the 2014 season brings him back to the organization that originally drafted him (in the 28th round in 2006). The 33-year-old Gregerson went 13-9 with a 3.66 ERA, 47 saves – and a World Series title – during three years in Houston. The Cardinals sent Gegerson to the Padres as the player to be named later in the Khalil Greene trade. Gregerson posted a 3.24 ERA in five seasons in San Diego, mostly in a set-up role.

    Brandon Morrow to the Cubs

    Pending a physical, right-hander Brandon Morrow is headed to the Cubs on a two-year deal, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan. FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman previously reported the contract would be work $10 to $11 million per year.

    • Lowdown: Continued bouts with injuries limited the 33-year-old Morrow to 49 innings while pitching for the Padres on a pair of one-year deals. In Los Angeles in 2017, Morrow finally completed a full conversion to the bullpen. In 43 2/3 innings, he struck out 50, posted a 2.06 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and limited opposing hitters to a .194/.241/.213 batting line.

    Padres Videos

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    Padres pitcher Chris Paddack on start vs. Mariners and possibility of making rotation

    Padres manager Andy Green on Machado joining his roster On Now

    Padres manager Andy Green on Machado joining his roster

    jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders

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