The latest from around the League, where the moves are flying ...
- The Diamondbacks, Reds, and Indians consummated a big-time three-way trade last night, which saw nine players change teams. In sum: the Reds got outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and infielder Jason Donald from the Indians, the Diamondbacks got shortstop Didi Gregorius from the Reds plus left-hander Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson from the Indians, and the Indians got center fielder Drew Stubbs from the Reds plus top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer and relievers Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers from the Diamondbacks. The Reds get a quality bat in Choo for 2013, the Indians get a top young arm to help with their rebuild, and the Diamondbacks get their much-sought-after shortstop. Your perspective on the trade probably depends on your perspective of Gregorius and Bauer - some folks don't see Gregorius as a quality regular going forward, which makes Bauer as part of the price tough to swallow. That said, Bauer has had some issues of his own, and the Diamondbacks may have been itchy to move him.
- FanGraphs digs in a little deeper on Choo, and what the Reds might reasonable expect from their newest bat ... and glove.
- Kevin Youkilis and the Yankees have reportedly come to terms on a one-year, $12 million deal, which underscores how weak the third base market was this offseason, and how desperate the Yankees were to fill the void left by Alex Rodriguez and his bum hip. The formerly long-time Red Sox infielder will presumably slide off of third when Rodriguez returns, and will add to the Yankees' growing stable of aging players. It will be fun to see how he's received on his first return to Fenway Park in Yankee pinstripes.
- There may be a little bit of nervousness in Boston today, as fans await the official announcement of Mike Napoli's three-year, $39 million deal. The two sides agreed to terms last week, and the announcement was expected at the end of last week. But Napoli didn't begin his physical until Monday, after which the Red Sox planned a press conference yesterday. That press conference didn't happen. Minor hang-up? Coincidence? Or was their a problem with Napoli's physical? Like I said: there could be some nervousness in Boston.
- R.A. Dickey won the Cy Young and was rewarded by the Mets with an extension offer - two years and $20 million - just north of what Joe Blanton received from the Angels. He'll make just $5 million this year, and is 38, but his skill set is such that he could pitch very well for the next two years after that. Instead of $10 million, he's reportedly asking for just $13 million per year for those two years - a pretty reasonable request. So far, the Mets haven't budged, and apparently Dickey isn't too happy - he used the team's Christmas Party as his own personal venting grounds according to Mike Puma, and the Mets aren't pleased.
- The Dodgers really do want all of the players, and are now turning their focus on ... Skip Schumaker.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Writer at Bleacher Nation, and a Contributor here at Bleed Cubbie Blue.