As a die-hard baseball fan (as well as a Red Sox fan) I am surprised by how quiet this off-season has been. The Mitchell report and the on-going steroids saga(which will follow the game for a long time) has been the biggest story thus far. Lets run down the off-season so far, and please correct me if I am wrong of miss something. This is only my opinion, so chime in with your own thoughts.
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The whole A-Rod fiasco. Opting out during game 4, then turning his back on super-agent Scott Boras and running back to the Yankees for a few million more. This was news for a day or 2, thankfully we all moved on.
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The fall of Scott Boras. I use the word “fall” loosely as he is still getting his commission from A-Rod and he still is stocked with superstar clients. But getting dropped by Kenny Rogers and snubbed by A-Rod wasn’t good for his image.
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The dissection of the Oakland A’s. Now I wont pass too much judgement on these moves because I believe in Billy Bean, but wow. Nick Swisher, Dan Haren, and Marcus Scutaro gone and looks like only 1 blue chip prospect was obtained. It’s going to be hard to compete in the AL with the talent that team has now.
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Tori Hunter to the Angels. LOL,LOL,LOL!!!! Just a year after signing Gary “HGH” Matthews to a ridiculous 5 year $50 million dollar contract, the Angel decide to throw $90 million at Hunter, making Matthews the most expensive 4th outfielder in the game. On top of that they failed to the big bat needed to protect Vlad in the lineup. Arte Moreno cracks me up.
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The Tigers get scary! By acquiring Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins, the Tigers find themselves as a favorite to win it all in 2008. Barring injury, Detroit looks to have the leagues best lineup, plus a promising rotation. As a Sox, this team scares the crap out of me!
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Those same Marlins got younger, cheaper, and maybe better? Florida got 2 big-time prospects from Detroit in that deal in Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Maybin looks to be the real deal and Miller, in my opinion, is already better than Willis. Plus they are affordable for the next few years.
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The Red Sox re-sign Mike Lowell. It was a no brainer to bring back the World Series MVP but fans should be cautious of a 3rd baseman who is entering his mid 30’s. The thing that really worries me is the lack of moves this team has made. I understand we have a good mix of young talent and veteran players, but sitting tight never seems to work. Remember 2005?
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Which brings us to the Johan Santana saga. Both the Sox and Yankees have been chasing Santana since the winter meetings, and while the Twins seem to be playing hard ball, I expect the deal to get done. Im picking NY as his eventual landing spot, because the Steinbrener brothers are just like their daddy.
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Last but not least the mess that is the SF Giants. This team is old. Real old, and the only positive they have is their young pitching. So why is it that all winter long I have heard that they were dangling their #1 starter, Tim Lincum, over the trade table? And for who? Alex Rios of Toronto? Really? Bad move Sabean. And I think he realized that because he went out and made an equally as bad signing in Aaron Rowland for $60 million. Don’t get me wrong, Rowland had a nice year, but is he really worth $12 million a year? This guy flourished in Philly, which is a hitters haven. Ive been there, and I may be able to hit a few out.
So wow, pretty boring stuff. All that excitement plus the Goose is now in the Hall, Roger is suing his accuser, and Barry is looking at jail time. Good thing spring training is only 6 weeks away!
Written by Ken Nutter
