MLB Roundup 1/14: Gerrit Cole really was traded to Houston this time

Gerrit Cole traded to the Astros for an underwhelming return

The Pirates have been teetering on the edge of trading Gerrit Cole all winter, or at least it’s seemed that way from the outside. The rumors have been swirling for the entire offseason, including an apparent trade with Houston a few days ago that eventually fell through. Well, apparently the two sides continued to talk because they completed a deal on Saturday. Houston gets their pitcher in Cole and Pittsburgh gets back a four-player package of Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin. That was an....underwhelming return to say the least. Pittsburgh had been targeting elite or near-elite talent all winter and instead settled for this package of solid enough players, but nothing great. Moran hit well in Triple-A last year, but it was his second run through the PCL as a 24-year-old. Musgrove has shown flashes, but most of his success has come in the bullpen. Feliz could be a really good reliever, but there are command issues. Martin has some 20/20 potential in a few years, but that’s far from a sure thing. I don’t think Cole is the ace he’s made out to be, but the Astros did great to get him without giving up anyone who was going to really contribute for them in 2018 or any of their top prospects. The best team in the American League just got better, so that sucks.

Addison Reed signs with the Twins

The Red Sox got a little stabilization for their bullpen late in the year when they acquired Addison Reed at the trade deadline. The righty was a bit inconsistent for the Red Sox, but he’s still a really talented reliever and it was clear he was going to play a key role for someone next year. It turns out that is the Twins, who signed Reed to a two-year, $16.75 million deal. That seems like a really good deal for Minnesota, who will likely use Reed as a setup man behind Fernando Rodney to start the year. The relief market seems team-friendly at the moment, but the Red Sox haven’t been connected to any of the remaining relievers to this point.

• Speaking of relievers, Brad Hand signed a three-year, $19.75 million extension with the Padres. The Red Sox could use a left-handed reliever and Hand has been the best on the trade market for a full year now. It seems San Diego is content to hold on to the near-elite southpaw.
• The Mets signed Adrian Gonzalez, though the terms have yet to be released. This has not been a fun offseason for the Red Sox, but at least their top signing to this point hasn’t been Gonzalez in the year 2018.