NL West Adds Offense, Dodgers Add John Grabow

It has been a busy few days for the National League West, as the division has seen an infusion of offense with three recent transactions.

On Friday, the Colorado Rockies agreed to terms with outfielder Michael Cuddyer on a three-year deal believed to be worth $31.5 million. The folks at Purple Row have more details here and here. Cuddyer hit .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs in 139 games for the Minnesota Twins, pretty similar to his production over the last five years.

This morning, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with fellow former Twin Jason Kubel, per SB Nation Arizona. This move was a surprise, especially given the breakout year of defensive wizard Gerardo Parra last season. Unless Kubel plans to play a lot of first base, platooning with Paul Goldschmidt, Parra figures to lose a lot of playing time in 2012.

Like Parra, Seth Smith seems like the odd man out in Colorado with the Cuddyer signing. Those two could be dangled for pitching help.

But the big move of the weekend was the trade between the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds. The Padres sent their ace Mat Latos, coming off back-to-back superb seasons, to Cincinnati for a loaded package featuring first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal, starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, and longtime character actor Bruce Boxleitner pitcher Brad Boxberger.

With the addition of offense into the division, the Dodgers went the other way on Monday, agreeing to terms on a minor league deal with left-handed relief pitcher John Grabow, per Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors. Grabow, 33, was 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA in 62 innings for the Chicago Cubs last season, and had a strikeout rate (5.49 per nine innings) below seven for the first time in his eight-year major league career. Left-handed batters have hit .262/.329/.385 off Grabow in his career.