Player For Sale-CHEAP

When John Steinbeck wrote the Winter of Discontent he did not have baseball in mind. But the way this winter is playing out he might as well. With about three weeks until pitchers and catchers there are still a lot of quality free agents still unsigned. Except for the collusion years baseball has seen nothing like this. I remember early in this off season when some baseball people said the sluggish economy will not effect baseball. Well they could not have been more wrong. While the Yankees spend huge dollars the rest of the league has scaled back spending. Except for the long term contracts given to young players buying out arbitration years like the one given to Zack Grienke today veterans are finding the free agent waters very disappointing. I'm certain players will begin to sign in mass in the next week or so. But since really nothing has happened what I thought I'd do is list one player from each position and a couple of pitchers and give them to the club that makes the most sense. THESE ARE NOT PREDICTIONS ON WHERE I THINK THEY ARE GOING!!!!!!!!!! Only a fun little exercise on if it was a perfect world. And as we all know the world is rarely perfect.

C-Jason Veritek-This is easy. Veritek belongs on the Red Sox. He is the heart and soul of that team. Even though he only hit 220 last year he is more valuable to them than any other team. I'd be stunned if he ends up anywhere else.

1B-Kevin Millar-Millar belongs with the Angels. With Tex in New York Kendry Morales is the starter. Millar would give the Angels depth if Morales does not produce. Millar is also a great locker room guy.

2B-Orlando Hudson-O-Dog belongs on the Mets. I know the problems about no one wanting to take Castillo's contract but the Mets are in a position where they should not have to worry about a extra couple of million in payroll. Either release Castillo or keep him for pinch running or depth. Hudson saves runs on D and like Millar is a great clubhouse guy. Something the Mets really need.

SS-Orlando Cabrera-Cabrera goes to the Reds. If we learned anything from 2008 if you have very good starting pitching and good defense improvements are possible. The Reds have Volquez, Cueto, Harang, Arroyo and Bailey. Also a young lineup. Cabrera would plug up their biggest hole.

3B-Joe Crede-I'm sending Crede to Minnesota. The Twins have no real 3rd baseman. Last year they got by with a mix and match of Buscher, Lamb and Harris. Crede would add power and if he still is not healthy at least the Twins can go back to the trio I mentioned.

OF-Manny Ramirez-This one is also easy. Manny belongs with the Dodgers. While LA has some excellent young pitching the offense is not very threatening without Manny. With Manny the Dodgers are probably the favorites in the NL West. Besides doesn't Manny belong in LA??

OF-Adam Dunn-Dunn goes to the Nats. Washington only hit 117 HRs last year. And Nats park looks to be a good hitters park. Dunn will hit his usual 40 and probably more.

OF-Bobby Abreu-Abreu goes to the Giants. With the improvements the Giants have made all they need is more offense to compete. Since Manny's staying in LA Abreu is the best plan B. With that rotation and a little more run scoring contention is not that far fetched.

SP-Oliver Perez-The Mets need him. Signing Freddie Garcia and Tim Redding does nothing to solve the Mets need for a front line starter. Perez is Jekyll and Hyde and I don't think the Mets should go beyond 3 years but unfortunately if they are going to contend they need to upgrade the starting rotation

SP-Ben Sheets-Sheets goes to Texas. The Rangers had the worst staff in baseball. The team president Nolan Ryan is probably the teams best pitcher now. They could afford to take a risk with Sheet's health because they have nothing better. Besides Sheets is from Texas and we've seen this off season how that has affected players decisions.

By the way for any new readers WELCOME!!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy the blog. I can't stress enough how much I love comments from people. So I urge you guys to comment on anything you need.