Meetings over, but activity is just beginning

SAN DIEGO — At some point late on Wednesday night, baseball just became too crazy, too active, too much stimulation for any brain to process. The Dodgers were what? The Red Sox were what? The Tigers, the Marlins, the Reds — oh my!

T hese Wi nter Meet i ngs turned memorable fast, after Jon Lester’s Tuesday night decision to sign with the Cubs unstuck many teams waiting on that move. Andrew Friedman and his newly assembled staff remade the Dodgers, acquiring Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick and moving closer to finalizing a trade of Matt Kemp to the Padres for catcher Yasmani Grandal.

In the wee hours on Thursday morning, we asked one Dodgers player how he liked his team. “Our new team?” the player texted. “That was crazy. I guess these guys are as advertised (in the front office). Can’t imagine what it takes to make that many moves in what, 12 hours?”

Others were busy, too: Boston moved to deepen its rotation after losing out on Lester, acquiring back-end starter Wade Miley from Arizona and frontline guy Rick Porcello from Detroit, the latter for Yoenis Cespedes. Boston later signed starter Justin Masterson, and the Tigers grabbed pitcher Alfredo Simon from Cincinnati.

“It is extremely busy,” said Reds GM Walt Jocketty, a veteran of the industry. “I remember as a kid this was always a fun time as a fan to watch the activities at the Winter Meetings. It creates a lot of interest for baseball, which is good for the industry.”

There was much more. The Royals signed Kendrys Morales. The Marlins traded for All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon and All-Star pitcher Mat Latos. The Twins agreed with free-agent righthander Ervin Santana on a four-year, $55 million contract.

As reporters clutched their coffees on Thursday morning, Gordon himself strolled into the media workroom, sat at a table, and noted that he, too, was stunned by all the action.

“It’s definitely surprising,” Gordon said. “I was actually excited about the Jimmy Rollins deal, then I find out about this trade.… I’m excited to be a part of an organization on the rise.”

Miami is indeed emerging, and the team enjoyed a strong week with its pair of acquisitions. The team is racing the Mets to emerge as second-best in the National League East this year, and i mproved it s chances. Most evaluators prefer the Mets’ pitching and the Marlins’ lineup, so the move for Latos helps Miami draw closer.

The Mets filled one need this week, signing righty bench bat John Mayberry Jr., but consider their roster largely set for 2015, with the possible exception of bullpen depth and a new shortstop.

With so many conversations started and groundwork established, expect more moves over the next several days. The Atlanta Braves were quieter than expected this week, discussing the Upton brothers and Evan Gattis with other clubs, but not reaching a deal.

The Braves’ rough plan is to move Justin Upton first, then Gattis, and hope that someone will be kind enough to take B.J. Upton, too. Some of these moves could occur over the Tnext several days and weeks. he Phillies, too, will remain active. The Rollins trade signaled a willingness to begin the team’s long-delayed rebuilding process. According to majorleague sources, the Phils spoke with Baltimore this week about Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard. They are looking to move both of those players — and, of course, possibly Cole Hamels, too.

So: Don’t sleep yet on the hot stove season. The action began with Lester’s decision, and Joe Maddon’s cheery, spontaneous news conference in the hotel lobby minutes later. That was a big no-no, because Lester had not yet passed his physical, but it was far from the wackiest event of these days and nights in San Diego.