Hot Stove: Crazy HOT!

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

If yesterday was your day off and you decided to sleep the day away, or you were stuck at work all day filing papers and away from a computer, you missed out. Even if were near a computer for most of the day, you possibly missed a deal or two there were so many. This was possibly the best off-season deal day in Major League Baseball history. I am going to fill you in on all the things that happened yesterday really quickly, so pay attention. The Hot Stove is crazy HOT!

Free Agent Signings: 

Yankees ink Jacoby Ellsbury for 7 years: Jacoby Ellsbury spent his first seven seasons in Boston, winning two World Series Championships. Now that his contract is up he had the ability to sign with whoever he chooses. Well he is now being called a traitor by many of Red Sox Nation as he has signed with his former rival the New York Yankees. The deal is worth $153 Million and has a no-trade clause involved.

Red Sox Sign A.J Pierzynski: Catcher A.J Pierzynski will be heading north as he will become apart of Red Sox Nation. The Red Sox weren’t really interested in signing Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a multi-year deal so they went out and got Pierzynski for one season. This could end up being a huge signing, with the loss of Ellsbury.

Tigers Find Closer, Joe Nathan: Nathan has signed a two-year deal worth $20 million to become the Detroit Tigers closer. This is just one day after the Tigers traded starter Doug Fister to the Nationals. Nathan is arguably the best active closer in the game right now and the Tigers needed someone consistent in the back end of the bullpen. $20 Million is a little much for a closer but that is what it took for the Tigers to get Nathan to Detroit.

Rockies Ink Veteran Justin Morneau: The Rockies go from one veteran to another. Todd Helton has retired and now they replace him with another old player. I don’t really understand the deal, but if the Rockies believe it is a good deal, you have to trust their front office. Everything looks good or bad on paper, but it will all play out on the field in 2014.

Saltalamacchia Taking Talents Home to South Beach: The Red Sox went and signed Pierzynski, so Saltalamacchia took the deal sitting in front of him for 3 years $21 Million. Money talks, my friends, money talks. Salty will be heading home as he is from the West Palm area.

Trades:

Dexter Fowler Headed to Houston: The Astros made a move that will make their club better in 2014. They are coming off a 100 loss season, once again and have to find a way to get into the left column, which is wins. Fowler lays the foundation for a possible stacked outfield very soon for the Astros.

A’s and Padres Swap Seth Smith for Luke Gregerson: A’s are making deals for relief arms and Luke Gregerson adds to that list.

A’s Get Gentry From Rangers: The A’s are throwing money around like it’s going out of style. They picked up a player that can platoon in the outfield and is a player that fits right into their system. They did have to give up a prospect or two.

Rays Ink, Extend Defensive Catcher Ryan Hanigan: The Reds had extra catcher Ryan Hanigan on the trade block and the Rays picked him up in a three team deal involving the Diamondbacks. Hanigan was one of the best defensive catchers in all of baseball so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. They also picked up Heath Bell in the deal.

Those are all the official deals that went down yesterday. There were even more rumors and I thought Twitter was going to shut down because of it. MLB had the best day sports wise yesterday and it is December, that is something special. Remember, we haven’t even hit the Winter Meetings yet so just wait!