Don't let the recent Hot Stove action make you forget about these eight major moves

With the Brewers' moves Thursday to land Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, as well as the recent trades that sent Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen to the Astros and Giants, the hot stove is now scalding. Yet, although the offseason was comparatively quiet prior to this recent stretch, there have been some important wheelings and dealings that may have receded into distant memory.
Don't let that happen! Here are some moves to remember before the Hot Stove gets even hotter.
Phillies sign Carlos Santana
On the surface, Santana is an odd fit with the Phillies. They're a young team that won just 66 games in 2017 while Santana is entering his age-32 season. On top of that, 2017 dinger-mashing phenom Rhys Hoskins appeared to be set to man first base for the next decade. But, 15 years ago, the Phillies signed another star first baseman from the Indians in Hall of Fame inductee Jim Thome to usher in the arrival of a group of promising young players. They won 85 or more games in each of the next nine seasons.
Santana may be a bigger deal than you thought.
Indians replace Carlos Santana with All-Star Yonder Alonso
How does a team coming off a 102-win season compensate for the departure of a star first baseman? How about signing an All-Star first baseman to replace him?
That's precisely what the Indians did in signing Alonso, who hit 28 home runs last year to earn the first All-Star selection of his career.

That sort of dinger hitting should be well-received in Cleveland.
Blue Jays add Yangervis Solarte and Randal Grichuk
The Blue Jays dealt with injuries to infielders Devon Travis and Troy Tulowitzki in 2017, so adding the versatile Solarte -- who played every infield position last year -- makes sense.
Similarly, the departure of José Bautista left a void in both power and bat flips. While the latter is likely irreplaceable, Grichuk could help provide some of the former.

Wade Davis joins the Rockies' super bullpen
The Rockies replaced one All-Star closer with another. After 2017 closer Greg Holland became a free agent at the end of the season, they signed another 2017 All-Star to close games.

Davis will join a bullpen that already had Jake McGee, Adam Ottavino and Mike Dunn. Oh, and the Rockies also signed Bryan Shaw this offseason. It figures to be a rough go for opposing offenses after ... the fifth inning?
Stephen Piscotty went home to Oakland
With his mother battling ALS, the Cardinals traded Piscotty to the A's in part so he could be closer to his home and family. He'll hopefully be able to dust off this retro number:

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Home sweet home! Go A’s!

A post shared by Stephen Piscotty (@spiscotty) on Dec 18, 2017 at 4:45pm PST

Evan Longoria and the Rays part
As a rookie in 2008, Longoria helped lead the Rays to the only World Series appearance in franchise history. He's been the face of the franchise ever since. And for good reason: Look at that smile.

He leaves the Rays as the franchise leader in many offensive categories and arrives in San Francisco to stabilize what was a revolving door at third base having played in over 155 games in each of the last five seasons.
Dee Gordon will play center field for the Mariners
One of the first major moves of the offseason saw the Mariners acquire the Marlins second baseman for a trio of prospects. One issue: Robinson Canó plays second base for the Mariners, and he's both good and very durable.
That forced Gordon to center field, a position he has never played in his professional career. Thanks to his considerable speed, however, he should be fine out there, even with the generous dimensions of Safeco Field.

Angels add Zack Cozart and Ian Kinsler to their infield
The big news of the Angels offseason -- aside from Mike Trout's Eagles reaching the Super Bowl -- was the signing of Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. That overshadowed two other moves that could be just as important for the Angels' 2018 season and beyond.
Building on the momentum of the Ohtani signing, they added four-time All-Star Ian Kinsler and donkey owner Zack Cozart to their infield, which, paired with Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons, should make for a solid defensive infield.
But, most importantly, Donald the donkey is going to Orange County, eventually:

None of these moves may be as flashy as the Brewers acquiring Yelich and Cain in one night, but that doesn't mean they aren't important in their own right. So, commit them to memory; that way it won't surprise you when you see Longoria is wearing a Giants uniform come Spring Training.