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The Dodgers have hired what is being called the most expensive executive team in baseball history, and today at the winter meetings in San Diego the new young guys made a splash. They traded starting second baseman Dee Gordon, an All-Star this season, and pitcher Dan Haren plus spare parts and millions of dollars to Miami for a package of prospects. They then used one of those prospects, starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, to pry second baseman Howie Kendrick away from the cross-town Angels. They reportedly also have a done deal for veteran Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, but did not announce it Wednesday night, and will apparently sign starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy away from the Yankees.
The upshot is that the Dodgers probably improve at short and second and add a likely better pitcher than Haren. But in forwarding Heaney to the Angels after just a few hours, they may have lost a future Twitter All-Star:
Well, @Dodgers we had a good run! Great to be a part of such a storied franchise. #thanksforthememories
— Andrew Heaney (@Heandog8) December 11, 2014The day and night unfolded so rapid-fire that Twitter was a good place to watch it happen. Some samples:
New DP combination for #Dodgers: Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2014Never has MLB seen a management team with so much creativity and so much money. On the #Dodgers landmark day: http://t.co/HkFvGYgezK
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 11, 2014I'm taking my talents to bed. Long day.
— dan haren (@ithrow88) December 11, 2014The #RedSox, #Yankees and #Pirates all pursued Brandon McCarthy before he settled on #Dodgers, say industry sources.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 11, 2014If you woke up today and envisioned Rollins and Kendrick turning 2 for #dodgers on a McCarthy groundball, you win the prize.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 11, 2014