MLB Roundup 1/5: Relievers are the only players on the move

The Dodgers, White Sox and Royals made a trade

We’ve been starving for some real baseball transactions, and we got one on Thursday. Granted, it involved some non-elite closers, but we have to take whatever we can get at this point. The three-team deal shakes out as follows: The Dodgers receive left-handed reliever Scott Alexander from the Royals and minor-league infielder Jake Peter from the White Sox. The White Sox get reliever Joakim Soria from the Royals and reliever Luis Avilan from the Dodgers, along with $3 million in cash. The Royals get Dodgers minor-league starter Trevor Oaks and Dodgers minor-league infielder Erick Mejia. This deal does involve a couple of intriguing relief arms. Soria is a former closer who has been quietly and consistently good for a few years now, and gives the White Sox a closer for the start of the year to flip at the trade deadline. Alexander, meanwhile, is an underrated lefty who gets grounders at an incredible clip and will play a key role in the Dodgers bullpen. In fact, he was someone I was hoping the Red Sox would target. Ultimately, though, this deal comes down to money, which has been a theme around the league this winter. The trade gives the Dodgers a Tony Watson replacement while staying under the luxury tax threshold and it saves the Royals some cash while they try to lure Eric Hosmer back to Kansas City. If this trade doesn’t make you feel the excitement of the hot stove, I don’t know what will.

• Lorenzo Cain may be the best free agent that virtually no one has discussed this offseason. He’s sure to generate plenty of interest, but the rumor mill has been quiet for most of the winter. Cain is a strong defensive center fielder with athleticism that is flashed on both the base paths and the field. He’s also pretty good with the stick, boasting a solid hit tool and sneaky pop. He could end up being a steal this winter, and interest is starting to pick up with the Brewers and Rangers showing interest.