3 Weeks to Pitchers and Catchers!

Let's take a quick break from Super Bowl Mania and BOOTGATE to discuss a little baseball with only 3 weeks til pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.

Top 5 Free Agent Signings so far this Winter:
1. Alex Rodriguez ~ NY Yankees 10yr/275 Mil
2.Andruw Jones ~ LA Dodgers 2yr/36.2 Mil
3. Mike Lowell ~ Boston 3yr/37.5 Mil
4. Torii Hunter ~ LA Angels 5yr/90 Mil
5. Geoff Jenkins ~ Philadelphia 2yr/13 Mil

Top 5 Worst Signings so far this Winter:
1. Francisco Cordero ~ Cincinnati 4yr/46 Mil
2. Aaron Rowand ~ San Francisco 5yr/ 60 Mil
3. Jose Guillen ~ Kansas City 3yr/ 36 Mil
4. Scott Linebrink ~ Chicago Sox 4yr/19 Mil
5. Carlos Silva ~ Seattle 4 yr/ 48 Mil

Top 5 Available Free Agents:
1. Kyle Lohse
2. Brad Wilkerson
3. Livan Hernandez
4. Bartolo Colon
5. Barry Bonds

Top 5 Trades this Winter:
1. Florida trades Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Detroit for Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, 4 other Prospects
2. Houston trades Brad Lidge, Eric Bruntlett to Philadelphia for Geoff Geary, Michael Bourn, and Mike Costanzo
3. A's trade Danny Haren and a prospect to Arizona for 7 prospects
4. Houston trades 4 prospects, Luke Scott to Baltimore for Miguel Tejada
5. Chicago Sox trade Jon Garland to LA Angels for Orlando Cabrera

It is definitely interesting to note the quantity of free agents still available who could serve as key role or utility players, but should be no surprise at the quality of the remaining free agents. Kyle Lohse must be getting anxious with only 3 weeks remaining and his status still way up in the air and his contract demands continuously lowering.

...til next time

-E

Baseball Hot Stove

Well it's been a little while since the last post....but let's jump into some hot stove.

*The biggest splash so far in the offseason has been the signing of Torii Hunter to the Angels for about 5 years at 90 mil. The Angels have distanced themselves as the leader in the West with some real protection now for Vladimir Guerrero. Not to mention a rotation of John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Jered Weaver at the start of offseason.

*The first big trade has also occurred at the Winter meetings. Miguel Cabrera AND Dontrelle Willis have reportedly been traded to the Detroit Tigers for 6 prospects, including Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. I think this move was huge for the Tigers and has also made the AL THAT much better than the NL. Can you imagine a rotation fronted by Justin Verlander, Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman, and Kenny Rogers...2 L's 2 R's, some power pitchers and some finesse pitching. You can't also overlook the lineup that will most likely open the season up...something that looks like this...
CF Granderson
2B Polanco
RF Ordonez
3B Cabrera
DH Sheffield
C Rodriguez
SS Renteria
1B Guillen
LF Thames/J.Jones

...I like my chances with that lineup.

There are still some good free agent options out there such as Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand. Some intriguing low risk/high reward such as Bartolo Colon, Matt Clement. Not to mention the possibilities for trade like Erik Bedard, Danny Haren, and oh yes Johan Santana.

...til next time
E