It's Getting Hot In Here!

The baseball hot stove (trades and free agency) is one of my favorite times of the year. Trades, free agency, and firings everywhere you look. Some key moves have already been made.

The Atlanta Braves have traded troubled starting pitcher Derek Lowe (9-17, 5.05 ERA in 2011) to the Cleveland Indians. This seems like a low-risk, high-reward deal as Lowe has been very durable throughout his carrer and I can see him in a relief role if he struggles as a starter in 2012.
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1748125

The Arizona Diamondbacks extended Manager Kirk Gibson and GM Kevin Towers through the 2014 season.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/arizona-diamondbacks-extend-contracts-for-gm-kevin-towers-manager-kirk-gibson/2011/11/04/gIQA7haAnM_story.html

The Washington Nationals signed former Yankee, RHP Chien Ming-Wang to a 1-year deal worth $4,000,000. He went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA over 11 starts for Washington. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/nationals-make-chien-ming-wang-signing-official-wanted-a-team-option/2011/11/04/gIQAB0VrmM_blog.html If he can become what he was with the Yankees in 2007, this signing could be a home run for the Nationals.

The Diamondbacks re-signed former Mets C Henry Blanco to a 1-year, $1,250,000 deal as a backup. Blanco (.250, 8 Homers and 12 RBIs) known more for his defense than offense, had a solid season in 2011 at age 39-40 and should be a viable option to mentor Miguel Montero.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7187736/veteran-c-henry-blanco-signs-1-year-deal-arizona-diamondbacks

Manager Tony LaRusa has announced his retirement at age 67. LaRusa went 2,728-2,365 in his 33 year managerial career. He ranks third all-time, behind only Connie Mack and John McGraw in wins. He will be eligible for Hall of Fame voting, (fittingly) in 2013, along with Joe Torre and Bobby Cox.

The Cubs have acquired former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein. Epstein, hired in 2003, was the youngest GM in baseball history when hired at age 28. This move was pure genius on the Cubs part. He officially was given a 5-year contract.

Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/5882688315/sizes/s/in/photostream/