Finally...... Something

After a few lean days for news a flurry of moves were made yesterday and today to close out 2008. The biggest move comes courtesy of the Angels as they sign Brian Fuentes to take over for K-Rod. In whats becoming a recurring theme this off-season Fuentes who is from Southern California wanted to stay close to home and pitch for the Halos. His deal is for a little less than what Kerry Wood got from the Indians. Fuentes got 2 years for 17.5 mil with a 9 million dollar option for 2011. While Fuentes makes sense as a plan B, wouldn't have made more sense to resign K-Rod? I don't believe the 4 mil difference per year was a stumbling block. The Angels were prepared to spend close to 20 mil a year on Mark Teixeira so they definitely had the money in the budget. Brian Fuentes has been fairly successful over the past 4 years with a save % of 85%. That's still lags behind K-Rod who has a 90% save rate. In addition Fuentes is 6 years older than K-Rod. Finally lets not forget when the Rockies made their playoff run Manny Corpas and not Brian Fuentes was their closer. So are the Angels a better team than they were yesterday because of this signing? Yes. Are they a better team than they were with K-Rod? No. The Angels have a very solid starting rotation and the luxury of being in the weakest division in the AL. They are still a solid favorite. But I would not be shocked if they only win about 85 games this season.

In a very low risk and potential high reward move the Red Sox signed Brad Penny to a 1 year deal for 5 mil plus a possible 3 mil more for performance incentives. I think Theo Epstein is one of the best GMs in baseball. Even though the Sox are a big market team they have not relied on signing big dollar free agents like some other team in the AL East. Unless you count Julio Lugo, JD Drew and Dice K none of their key guys are free agent signings. The Sox have done a great job with drafting, trading and player development. Think of all their home grown players, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Johnathan Papelbon and Clay Buckholtz. Also acquiring Kevin Youkliss and David Ortiz in one sided trades. Last year Penny's numbers were awful but he was also injured. This is the same guy that won 16 games in back to back seasons. He joins Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell from the championship Marlins team. The worst case scenario is Penny is not healthy and gives them nothing. If thats the case they still have Beckett, Dice K, Lester, Wakefield, Buckholtz and Masterson. Since they are so deep at starting pitcher all they are out is 5 mil. Best case scenario is Penny gives the Sox a guy who gives them 180 solid innings at the back of their rotation. Also think about this if Penny is the same guy from 2006-7 and the Red have a specific need at the trading deadline they will be able to deal one of their young starters for the possible missing piece, whatever that might be. We also know pitchers get hurt and the Red Sox will be better able to sustain an injury than the Yankees. The AL East will be alot of fun!!!!

The Cubs trade of Mark DeRosa to Cleveland today was a bit perplexing. The Cubs signed Aaron Miles to take DeRosa's role. DeRosa will make 5 mil this year. And is free agent eligible next year. While Miles comes at 4 and change for 2 years. But if I was a Cub fan I'd be disappointed if this move was made to save a few million dollars. The Cubs got back 3 minor leaguers. None of which are prospects that will ever help them. As for Cleveland they will move DeRosa over to be their starting third basemen. DeRosa is coming off the best year of his career. He is an incredibly valuable player who can play everywhere. The only part of this deal that I find odd is how quickly it appears the Tribe are giving up on Andy Marte. This guy was a huge prospect who is out of options. Burying him on the bench will only retard his growth as a player. If I was the Indians I think I'd stay with Marte and give him until the All Star break to see if he can produce. As for DeRosa he can still get 500 ABs filling in for everyone. This off season the Tribe have now added Kerry Wood, Joe Smith and Mark DeRosa. The bullpen should be improved so there is no reason why they won't be able to contend in a wide open AL Central.

I hope everyone has a very happy and healthy New Year. We are now less than 20 hours to the MLB Network. I'll write a review in the next day or two.