Daily Sports Recap, 12/12: MLB Hot Stove, NFL Snoozer

December 12, 2014

Adam Sabol brings you his daily analysis & thoughts on all relevant NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA sports news for Friday, December 12th, 2014, from all of yesterdays sports stories.

Welcome to the Daily Sports Recap, where MLB trade news abounds, and we all just sort of marvel at how many numbers there are in a big-leaguer's contract.  Speaking of which:

Sports News from Yesterday (12/11)

Dodgers Trade Matt Kemp to Padres

The Dodgers followed up their acquisition of Rollins by dealing the 2011 MVP runner-up to the San Diego Padres for catcher Yasmani Grandal and prospects, but the big news is that the Dodgers dealt Kemp at all.  Kemp's talent was undeniable whenever he was on the baseball field, but ultimately he wasn't on the field enough for the taste of new Dodgers GM Andrew Friedman.  The Dodgers would also acquire second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Angels, completely overhauling the middle of their infield and opening a spot for überprospect Joc Pederson in the outfield.

Red Sox Trade OF Yoenis Cespedes to Tigers, Acquire Rick Porcello

The Red Sox used the slugger they acquired from Oakland last year to fill the pitching void left by trading Jon Lester...for Yoenis Cespedes.  Somehow they'll still probably win a World Series, since the last time they've had their requisite one awful season in between titles.

The Sox also acquired Wade Miley from Arizona, and signed free agent Justin Masterson to a deal.

Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria Remembers He Can Actually Spend Money

The Miami Marlins surprised everyone by inking Giancarlo Stanton to a contract that lasts forever and pays him all of the money, then followed that up by aggressively acquiring players during winter meetings.  The Marlins got 2B Dee Gordon and P Dan Haren from the Dodgers in a trade that sent top prospect Andrew Heaney packing, then went out and got P Mat Latos from the Reds.  So we've reached one of the Marlins' "competitive" phases, but don't worry, Miami haters, give it three years and they'll blow the roster up again for no adequately explained reason.

Marcus Mariota Wins, Like, All The Awards

Mariota became the first player since Cam Newton to win the Walter Camp, Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards in the same season, and nothing says historic accomplishment like "something that hasn't been accomplished since the iPhone 4."

For those interested, Mariota took home the "Player of the Year," "Most Outstanding Player," and "Best Quarterback" awards, respectively.  Anyone who still thinks Amari Cooper is going to win the Heisman is probably yelling at you from the front stoop of a double-wide, and you can safely ignore that person.  Anyone who still thinks Melvin Gordon is going to win the Heisman is probably just drunk; they have excellent beer in Wisconsin.

Mel Kiper Jr. Says There Are "No Franchise QBs" In The 2015 Draft

This statement actually proves two things:

1) Mel Kiper Jr. can see the future.

2) In the future Kiper has seen, the Jets drafted Marcus Mariota.

Nebraska Loses to Incarnate Word 74-73

Come on, Big Ten, get it together.  That's the third embarrassing OOC upset this week.  Yeesh.

Arizona Beats St. Louis 12-6 on Thursday Night

And if that game doesn't convince you that Thursday night games every week is a good idea, then you probably zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz