Hot Stove

In addition to Pujols, several other moves occurred today...

The Angels also signed SP C.J. Wilson to a 5-year, $77,000,000 deal.

Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) has ACCEPTED the Brewers' offer of arbritration. He was 23/26 in saves with the Mets and served as a setup man for the Brewers in 2011.

His agent (Boras) has stated that Rodriguez wouldn't neccesarily be in Milwaukee on opening day. It is widely expected that he will be traded soon.

Former Cardinals VP Jeff Luhnow has been hired by the Astros as GM.

Kelley Johnson has accepted the Blue Jays' offers of arbritration.

David Ortiz has accepted the Red Sox' arbritration offer.

Still here to kill the Yankees decrepit pitching...

The Angeles have also signed former Yankees RP LaTroy Hawkins to a 1-year, $3,000,000 deal. He pitched very well to a 2.42 ERA in 2011.

Nate McLouth and Erik Bedard have been signed by the Pirates to one-year deals at $1.75 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

And the Colorado Rockies have traded RP Houston Street to the San Diego Padres.

Mama Mia[mi]!

The Miami Marlins (still as hated as their predecessor, the Florida Marlins!) have now signed...Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle will be leaving the White Sox for the first time in his career. He was 161-119 as a White Sock, including a World Series championship, no-hitter and a perfect game. He will be joining manager Ozzie Guillen once again.

I must say before my rant here, I have hated the Marlins since they beat the Yankees in the 2003 World Series, and that hatred has been building up ever since: John Buck's grand slam vs. the Mets on Opening Day 2011; signing Jose Reyes, etc.

The Marlins have now signed:
*Buehrle
*Reyes
*Heath Bell

in addition to speaking with numerous others. Now, I have no problem with them signing the players, however, I do have a problem with the general managers (Williams and Alderson) who have let their respective players sign elsewhere.

Managing the Mess

No, not the New York Mess (Mets)!

Bobby Valentine, former manager of the New York Mets, now faces the challenge of fixing the Boston Red Sox, fresh off the greatest collapse since the 2007 Mets.

Officially given a 2-year deal as manager, he is the perfect man for the job ahead.

Valentine can transform the Red Sox from a beer-drinking bunch to a group of winners. With the talent that the Sox have in Beckett, Lester, Bard, free-agent Big Papi as DH, and Captain Varitek on the bench, the Sox have a powerful, World Series-caliber team.

Hot Stove

According to multiple sources, former Yankees C Jose Molina has signed a 1-year, $1.8 Million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. This move had been forthcoming.

Molina will serve as a backup to John Jaso.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Jose-Molina-Tampa-Bay-Rays-contract-details-112811

The Oakland A's have hired former Yankees designated hitter Chili Davis as their hitting coach. Davis was the Yankkes DH in 1998 and 1999, two of my favorite teams.

The Red Sox have offered arbritration to Designated Hitter David Ortiz and RHP Dan Wheeler.

On a contrary note, the San Francisco Giants have declined arbritration on OF Cody Ross and Pat Burrell. Burrell has stated he is likely headed for retirement, though no official word has been given yet. They have not offered anything to OF Carlos Beltran.

Indians OF Grady Sizemore has signed a 1 year, $5,000,000 deal to remain in Cleveland.

Royals LHP Bruce Chen has signed a 2-year, $9,000,000 deal to stay in Kansas City.

And the Houston Astos have fired GM Ed Wade and President Tal Smith in moves that surprised no one. George Postolos will take over as President. No indication has been given as to the new GM.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released OF Xavier Paul.

Hot Stove!

The Phillies signed backup C and former Met Brian Schneider to a 1-year deal for $800,000. He batted .176 with 2 homers and 9 RBIs in 41 games and worked well with the pitching staff.

I like this deal, it benefits the Phillies by giving them a quality backup catcher at low cost and they are both familiar with each other.

The Chicago Cubs today announced the hiring of Dale Sveum as manager for 2012. He spent last season as the Brewers' hitting coach.

The owners of the Houston Astros have completed the sale of the team and 2012 will be their last season in the National League before moving to the American League for realignment in 2013.

The Padres signed OF Mark Kotsay to a 1-year, $1.25 million deal. He played with the previously from 2001-2003, and hit .270 with 3 homers and 31 RBIs in 2011.

Nationals C Wilson Ramos has been safely returned home to his family after his kidnapping.

SS Jamey Carroll signed a 2-year, $6.5 million deal with the Twins. The 38-year-old hit .290 with no homers in 2011.

And the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed OF Matt Kemp to an 8-year, $160 million contract.

...And You Thought He Was Done!

According to sources, the Seattle Mariners MAY be interested in signing 49-year-old LHP Jamie Moyer!

Yes, the veteran southpaw still hopes to return in 2012, and I say...

AMEN! (translated, So Be It)

Moyer (age 45), pitches in game 3 of the 2008 World Series. Image courtesy of http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/JamieMoyer800000000171_10252008_worldseries.jpg

Moyer could theoretically go on forever as long as he can still throw something that remotely resembles a "fast"ball in some way shape or form, and if he learns the knuckleball...he could pitch well into his 50s or 60s if he sees fit. (Just a fact, the oldest professional baseball player was 59-year-old Satchel Paige, who began his career in 1927, in the Negro Leagues, and retired in 1965 with the Kansas City Athletics. (He also spent 1966 in the minor leagues!)

While he may not be an overpowering presence on the mound, he could fit in nicely with a team that has not had a good year since 1995.

While Moyer may only be used as a starter for part of the season, he could become a good lefty specialist if the Mariners are concerned about him wearing down as the season progresses.

Here's to wishing Jamie Moyer gets a real shot and returns for 2012 and (hopefully) many more years to come. He is one of the genuine good guys in baseball today and is in incredible shape at a VERY advanced age (for athletes).

"He is positively SWISHALICIOUS!"

NOT!

Why the Yankees would even THINK to bring back underperforming RF Nick Swisher tells you one thing about the team and front office.

They are no longer "the Yankees".

They used to be all out on the BEST, and only the best free agents at each position. Now, they settle for underachieveing, (and in some cases, though not this one, washed-up) players- SEE: Freddy Garcia.

Now, I like Swisher. His personality and presence light up the clubhouse, but at the end of the day, the Yankees need players who can produce in the postseason, and with A-Rod and Tex locked into long-term big money deals, letting Swisher walk seemed like an easy choice, but in the end,

"El esta aqui!"* (SEE: Carlos Beltran)

If he doesn't produce this year, mark my words,

It will be his last as a Yankee!

Nick Swisher strikes out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning in the 2009 ALDS.

*Translated, literally, "He is here."

The "Perfect" Destination for Buehrle

The best destination for free agent LHP Mark Buehrle is NOT the Yankees.
It is not the Red Sox.
It is not the Marlins.
It is the Chicago White Sox.

Buehrle began his career in 2000, but did not pitch full-time until 2001.
In 2007, his sixth full season, he pitched a no-hitter for the White Sox, allowing only a walk to Sammy Sosa in the 5th inning (only to later pick him off).

But his real gem was in 2009.

Throwing a perfect game in July of that year, he would go down in White Sox history.

Courtesy of http://thenbr.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/mark_buehrle_perfect_game.jpg

So why should he leave now?

I know the 2011 White Sox were a disaster, and some players were underachievers (AHEM, Adam Dunn), but why should Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA)leave because of a terrible season for the team. You might as well loose Adam Dunn AND Alexi Ramirez before letting Buehrle walk. I tell you, if he leaves, it will be a move White Sox fans won't soon forget.

And one Kenny Williams won't either.

Royals Send Cabrera to Giants!

No, not Orlando! Former Yankees CF Melky Cabrera has been traded to the San Francisco Giants for LHP Jonathan Sanchez. Cabrera hit .305 with 18 homers and and 87 RBIs in 155 games last season.

This seems to be a solid pickup to benefit both sides, as the Royals are getting younger (not that Cabrera is old) and want to try out homegrown players, and Sanchez, 28, would fit in nicely to a struggling Royals team.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/11/giants-melky-cabrera-trade-royals-jonathan-sanchez/1

Image courtesy of http://riveraveblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Melky-2.jpg

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/

Notable MLB Free Agent Catchers in 2012

Whether the 2011 World Series goes to six or seven games, the MLB free agency period will begin shortly. Here is a list of the most notable free agents after the season and their age after this season.

1) Rod Barajas (36)-LAD It appears he will not return.

2) Jose Molina (36)-TOR

3) Yadier Molina (29)-STL Appears to be an obvious decision to bring back on a multi-year deal.

4) Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (40)- WAS- Appears he will not return, and with Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos ready, I can't see him back. This may be the end for Pudge, who hit .218 with 2 homers and 19 RBIs in 44 games in 2011. If so, rest assured he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

5) Biran Schneider (35)-PHI Appears likely to receive a one or two-year deal as a backup.

6) Jason Varitek, however, is a different story. Although the 39-year-old did have a solid year off the bench, (.221, 11 homers and 36 RBIs, in addition to a triple, his first since 2007). I personally would love to see him back, and he wants to return, but Boston's collapse may prevent that.

Varitek may have a tough time convincing the Sox to re-sign him.







Options
1) Henry Blanco (40)- There appears to be mutual interest between him and the Diamondbacks for a return despite his age.
2)