Interesting happenings within the division

There are days during the winter months when nothing really happens in the baseball world.

There are, in fact, many such days. Rumors might spread, various free agent names might be kicked around and potential trades might be tossed out there, allowing fans and media members to speculate about what might go down.

But often, days at a time go by without any real news breaking.

Yesterday was not one of those days.

The Blue Jays swooped in to sign catcher Russell Martin to a monster five-year, $82 million deal, putting the fiery backstop back in the American League after two years with the Pirates.

Giancarlo Stanton officially agreed to a 13-year contract with the Marlins yesterday, one that if he plays the duration of the contract and doesn't exercise an opt-out, will leave him with more money than everyone reading this blog combined. That is, unless Bill Gates happens to be a diehard Nationals fan.

It was noted by one ESPN reporter that Stanton will make about $68,000 a day over his 13-year deal. Goodness, gracious.

In addition to those contracts being finalized, the Braves pulled off a monster trade, shipping outfielder Jason Heyward and set-up man Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for starter Shelby Miller and pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins.

Heyward's career numbers against the Nats haven't been stellar - .235/.350/.358 with seven homers in 260 at-bats - but he always seemed to give tough at-bats and play tremendous defense when Atlanta was matched up with Washington.

Walden terrorized the Nats during his time with the Braves, with his lunging, jump-off-the-rubber throwing motion seemingly causing problems for many hitters. The righty has posted a 1.90 ERA and 0.930 WHIP in 23 2/3 career innings against the Nats, with 26 strikeouts and seven walks.

Both of those guys are now out of the division, and they likely won't be the only established players the Braves deal this winter.

There are rumors that Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Chris Johnson and possibly even B.J. Upton could also end up being moved, as Atlanta is apparently willing to take a step back in 2015 and possibly 2016 in order to improve its farm system, get younger and retool for a run in a couple of years.

Miller will improve the Braves rotation for the next handful of years, and Jenkins is viewed as a legitimate prospect. There are also reports today that the Braves are meeting with free agent left-hander Jon Lester, arguably the top starting pitcher on the free agent market. So it's not like Atlanta is having a fire sale with no intention of adding to their collection of big league talent.

But it sure appears that - barring a surprise - Atlanta will deal off more established players in the coming weeks and months.

Where does that leave the National League East? Well, we'll have to see just what happens with the Braves and how aggressive they are in trading away their big names, but if this continues, it's possible the Nats' biggest competition in the division next season will be the Mets and Marlins.

New York has added Michael Cuddyer to the middle of its lineup and returns an improving young pitching staff. Miami has Stanton, a handful of emerging position players and a lot of young arms, and ownership might not be done spending to try and put enough talent around Stanton.

The last three years, the NL East has largely been the Nats and Braves competing for division supremacy. That could very well change next year.