Winter Meetings Recap

Here is my quick-fire recap of the action (much of it rumored) of last week in Las Vegas.  And, you can trust me on these things because, well, I was there.

Phillies sign Raul Ibanez.  As Doogan touched upon, this signing is good, on paper, because of Ibanez’s production, the relative affordability of the contract, and his great work ethic and health for a 36-year old.  He is also known to be a great clubhouse guy.  But, the concern I have is the same one that Doogan so eloquently addressed–he’s left-handed.  And, all the people who will spout that .305 average against LHs at you are failing to realize the key reason that we needed a righty.  Ibanez in the middle of the order is not going to force a manager to change pitchers.  Take, for example, a Manny Ramirez (I’m not saying that they should have signed him, this is just for argument’s sake).  If you hit Utley 3rd, Manny 4th, and Howard 5th, you force managers to burn three pitchers any time those three come up in the late innings.  Now, with Ibanez, you’re stuck either with Jayson Werth in between your two RBI guys or 3 straight lefties.  Ironically, Ruben Amaro mentioned the three keys to the offseason:  (1) get younger, (2) get more athletic, and (3) get a right-handed bat.  Well, Ruben, you just spent $31.5 million and went 0-3.  You can’t argue with character, though.  Hey, at least Greg Dobbs is happy.  Honestly, I’m not trying to be skeptical.  I think this is a great acquisition.

CC’s monster deal.  As unsurprising as a record-setting $161 million contract can be, that is how this was.  There was no doubt that CC would end up in the Bronx, the only question was how ridiculous would the contract be?  And,  you know what?  It’s pretty ridiculous.  He’s not Barry Zito, but he’s also not Johan Santana.  And he is 295 pounds.  I think the Yankees had to do this, but I bet they are regretting their steadfast committment to Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes because the money would have been better spent on Santana.

A.J.’s monster deal.  Just as I was writing this, ESPN announced that the Yankees struck again, signing A.J. Burnett to a 5-year, $82 million deal.  I do not think Sabathia’s deal is going to be a bad one, but I do think this just might.  More on Burnett a little later. 

Mets new bullpen.  I think the K-Rod signing, though I’m not criticizing because it was a necessary gamble, is just that–a gamble.  I think it’s a bit odd that the Angels did not even offer him a contract.  Do they know something?  Either way, good job by the Mets filling their biggest hole with the best guy on the market.  The real coup was the J.J. Putz trade.  They gave away nothing of real import and got a seriously underrated reliever, who has the makeup of someone who will probably go into the 8th inning role with professionalism and fire.  Their bullpen just went from one of the worst in baseball to much better than average, if not one of the best.  Uh oh.  Oh, and to make matters worse, they no longer have Aaron Heilman–big trouble for the NL East.  It will now be interesting to see how (and if) the Mets address a couple other glaring holes that they have–starting pitching and corner-outfield.  Oh, and apparently, K-Rod is already taking to the NL East, calling the Mets the “team to beat.”

Indians sign Kerry Wood.  The only surprise here is why did it take the Indians this long to realize that Joe Borowski isn’t a good closer.  I think they would have been better served trading for Putz, Street, or Jenks, but with Wood, they don’t have to give up anything except money–$20.5 million.  If healthy, he can be dominant.

The Derek Lowe Sweepstakes.  Now, the best pitcher on the market, Lowe is 36 years old and looking for a 4 or 5 year deal.  As I have stated several times prior, I think the Phillies should spend the money on Lowe.  I would prefer to sign him to a 3-year deal, but if they have to go 4, I would be okay with that.  I do not think I would give him a 5th year, however.  Lowe just seems like the perfect fit for the Phillies.  He is a sinker-ball pitcher, which makes him perfect for The Bank.  He will get 4-6 runs per game in run support, which means that over the next three years, he easily wins 40-50 games for the Phils.  Also, because of the sinker ball, he probably will not be a victim of age as much as other pitchers that rely on velocity.  He has pitched big games before and could be a good addition to the staff and the clubhouse.  It seems like signing Lowe would preclude the Phils from bringing back Jamie Moyer, but I am okay with that.  My best guess is that when a 46-year old pitcher “loses it,” he loses it fast.  And as much as Mr. Moyer will forever hold a place in my sporting heart, teams that throw money around sentimentally don’t defend titles.  That being said, I would take Moyer for a reasonable price.  [Apparently, since I work and can’t write these things in one sitting, Moyer has signed with the Phillies–terms not disclosed, so we don’t know if it was “reasonable.”]

The Mark Teixeira Sweepstakes.  The fact that Scott Boras holds all the cards should really be investigated.  Tell me that he isn’t pushing Teixeira to the Red Sox because he can then sell Manny to the Angels or Yankees.  And, tell me that he isn’t offering some team a discounted rate on Lowe or Tex if they will throw Jason Varitek an offer.  Possibly the most interesting Boras client ever because his client has been outspoken about wanting to go to a winner, but the biggest offer is going to come from the worst team in baseball–and Boras clients NEVER pass up the highest offer.  I am very much hoping that the Nationals make the best offer because I want to see what will happen.  If he passes it up, Boras loses money, if he takes it, Boras loses face.  I’m guessing he values money over everything, including face, but we shall see. 

The Jake Peavy Sweepstakes.  Personally, I think Mark DeRosa would be a pretty good acquisition, which is what the Phillies would acquire in a three-way with the Cubs and Padres.  And, it becomes a fantastic acquisition when you factor in that the pieces reported in the deal on the Phillies end are Chris Coste and either Kyle Kendrick or J.A. Happ.  Yes…uh…please do that!  Unfortunately, it looks like the Cubs are balking at the deal here that would acquire them a pitcher than, well, they probably don’t need.  Anyway, here’s my question:  if the majority of the “pitching” that San Diego is looking for is coming from the Phillies system, why can’t we cut out the Cubs, up the offer by adding Jason Donald (at least relatively comparable to Vitters, the Cubs’ farmhand in the deal) and maybe upgrade Happ to Carrasco or something and get Peavy to Philly?  I know that he has said that he does not want to play in Philly, but didn’t he say the same about Chicago, if I’m not mistaken?  And, don’t you think that he’s itching to get the hell out of San Diego, since they clearly don’t want him there?  I hope that this thought has at least entered the conversation–why would the Cubs get Peavy if the Phillies are supplying most of the parts that the Padres want?

Rafael Furcal Sweepstakes.  Why are there Rafael Furcal sweepstakes?  He was decent for the Braves.  Then he was real good with the Dodgers, but could not stay healthy.  I honestly do not understand how he is a “big-time” free agent, and this is coming from someone who blatantly overvalues shortstops, having been one himself.

The Manny Ramirez Sweepstakes.  Amazing what happens when the Red Sox cannot be involved.  Manny Ramirez may be the best right-handed hitter of all-time, coming off the best 2 months of his career.  How is it possible that there is no market for him?  In the latest installment of the endless entertainment that Mr. Ramirez brings us on a perpetual basis, he is now saying that he might retire.  Hahahahahaha.

Braves acquire Javier Vazquez.  This is one of those deals that slips right through the cracks–a lot of baseball fans may not have even realized this happened, but it’s kind of substantial, in my opinion.  He’s certainly not a 1 or 2, but he pitches a lot of innings, which should really help an oft-beleaguered Braves bullpen.

All those leftfielders.  There are a ton of leftfielders on the market, which means that the “economic squeeze” is probably going to fall on the likes of Pat Burrell and company.  Along with Burrell and Manny, there are also Rocco Baldelli, Juan Rivera, and tradeable commodities like Jermaine Dye and Delmon Young.

The sleeping giants, the Angels, better wake up.  So, the Angels, who have a lot of money to spend and have seen some pretty major postseason disappointment recently are involved in a lot of these free agents, but if the reports are true that they are falling behind on Teixeira, then what are they going to do?  Turn their attention to Manny?  I would, but who knows?

How good can one rotation be?  I totally believe in the belief that you can never have enough starting pitching, but why the Cubs are mortgaging some of their future for Peavy is kind of strange to me.  Who is the fifth starter on that team, if they get Peavy?  Ted Lilly?  With Ryan Dempster as highly paid #4?  Or does Dempster go back to close?  I guess if you’ve gone 100 years without winning, you can’t take any chances, huh?

Oh, the irony is hysterical.  Did anyone else see that the Yankees and Brewers were very close to a deal that would swap centerfielders, with the older, more established Mike Cameron going to the Bronx and the younger, more questionable Melky Cabrera going to Milwaukee?  Well, apparently, the deal originally fell through because–get this–the Yankees asked the Brewers to PICK UP SOME OF CAMERON’S SALARY!  Now, this would be funny for the New York Yankees to ask any team to pick up some salary, but asking the Brewers on the day after the Yankees outbid them by more than $60 million on the one guy the Brewers franchise has ever really wanted to keep?  Hahahahahahahahaha.

How is A.J. Burnett any different than Ben Sheets?  Now, I am probably very wrong about this, but please explain to me the difference between A.J. Burnett and Ben Sheets, other than them was hurt last September and the other had his only good month last September.  Why is Burnett (very talented, history of arm trouble, no heart, no real sustained success on the ML level) able to command an $82 million deal when Sheets (very talented, history of arm trouble, minor character concerns, well-proven ML success when healthy) is getting no real suitors for anything more than a relatively inexpensive 2-year deal?  Is there a much larger discrepancy in their injury histories than I can see?

Doesn’t anyone else see the glaring holes that $243 million could have fixed, but did not?  The Yankees payroll is through the roof.  They committed $161 million to Sabathia and $82 to Burnett.  Now, don’t get me wrong, these are two good pitchers, especially Sabathia, but let us not overlook a couple glaring weaknesses, one of which is MAJOR, in my opinion.  First of all, other than A-Rod, they don’t really have much thump in that lineup.  Second of all, everyone talks about the bullpen being so good–and it probably will be if Joba is a reliever.  But, he is not going to be, so it’s average, at best.  Finally–and this is the BIG one, if you ask me.  Their up-the-middle defense is TERRIBLE.  Derek Jeter was a very good shortstop, but he is most certainly NOT anymore.  Robinson Cano is a below average secondbaseman.  Melky Cabrera is a bad centerfielder (though they may trade for Cameron, who is good, but highly overrated), and Jorge Posada is a DH who wants to catch.  That is TERRIBLE.

Phils swap a AA catcher for a ML catcher.  I like this deal because Paulino is, at least, a ML-caliber player right now, while we wait for Marson.  And, Jaramillo was never going to contribute because of Marson.

Phillies extend Charlie Manuel.  He is under contract with the Phightins’ through the 2011 season now, which would make his the longest tenured Phillies manager since Paul Owens.  Plus, every article that starts with “The World Champion Phillies” is fine by me.

A baseball move, above all else.  Well, the Rays people feel that trading Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce is a great move.  I am not so sure.  Jackson is young, cheap, and won 14 games last year.  That should command a high price.  Yes, Joyce is a promising power-hitter, which is exactly what the Rays need and, yes, Tampa has an abundance of young, cheap, quality starting pitchers, so maybe it does make sense.  The one thing that I love about this deal is that it is strictly a “baseball trade.”  There were no salary issues, no locker room issues, no behind-the-scenes stuff.  This was strictly one team needing a young pitcher and another needing a young hitter, so they traded.  That is awesome.

Orioles trade Hernandez to Reds for Freel.  On the other side of the spectrum, the Orioles dumped salary because they have a prospect coming up.  Ramon Hernandez and his $8.5 million contract was traded from Baltimore to Cincinnati, in exchange for hard-nosed outfielder Ryan Freel.  The Orioles best prospect is a catcher, Matt Wieters, and he is ready to step up.  The talent they received is probably not compensatory, but Ryan Freel is a good clubhouse guy who plays very hard–something from which this young team may benefit.

Royals add 3 semi-valuable pieces.  Not ever big “players” in the Hot Stove League, the Kansas City Royals have done a decent job this winter, in adding several bit pieces.  They traded for Coco Crisp from the Red Sox and Mike Jacobs from the Marlins (though they gave up some young talent), and added Kyle Farnsworth in free agency.  These aren’t earth-shattering moves, but f the last couple of years have taught us anything, it is that the small moves are what lead to World Series titles, not the big ones.  Okay, I’m not saying that these additions will make the Royals World Series contenders, but it is the right direction.

Struggling economy?  Apparently not.  Did you see what the Giants gave Edgar Renteria?  How does Edgar Renteria sleep at night after signing that contract.  In this year of the “struggling economy” and hard times for free agents, there are still stupid general managers who will give a mediocre shortstop with injury and character issues in the past a 2-year, $18.5 million contract.  Why?

Twins resign Nick Punto.  This is only news because I really wanted the Phillies to bring back the little guy.  He would have been a great fill-in for Utley for a couple months and then brought utility to the team the rest of the year.  However, I’m glad for him that the Twins ponied up and gave him an $8.5 million, two-year deal.  I probably wouldn’t have wanted him at that price.

Tigers signed my favorite MLB player.  This is only news because of my professional obsession with Adam Everett.  The Tigers decided that defensive shortstops are still valuable–at least worth a million bucks–and that offense is completely overrated, as they agreed to a one-year deal with Adam Everett–the major league player who most has the major league equivalent of the the D-III game that Yours Truly brought to the table.

Blue Jays take a shot on Matt Clement.  Yes, Matt Clement hasn’t made a start in a year and a half, but why not take a chance?  The guy was talented and with medicine these days, who knows?  That’s exactly what the Blue Jays did when they signed him to a minor league contract.

Oswalt’s offer is fantastic.  Roy Oswalt said that he is willing to restructure his contract to help the Astros compete in the financial market of free agents and the Hot Stove League.  Granted, he is not offering to take a pay cut, according to Richard Justice, but still he is doing anything he can to help his team win–even in the offseason.  That’s the kind of guy I want on my team.

Why would the Mariners not bring back Junior Griffey?  I rarely advocate bad teams spending money on aging players; the Mariners are a very bad team and Junior Griffey is a very aged player, but this time it’s different.  He has been such a great person to this league and bringing him home should easily pay for itself in seat revenue, if he is healthy at all.  They are talking about it, but they should just go ahead and do it.

Guys that have been discussed surrounding the Phillies:

• Pat Burrell.  The market for Burrell is pretty dry, apparently.  He probably picked a really bad year to become a free agent, but then again, he’s already signed quite the contract in the past.
• Chan Ho Park.  Apparently, the Phillies signed him today.  Surprisingly, I don’t really mind this deal, even though it is for $2.5 million and a bad pitcher.  I think Park has something left and it might be worth taking a shot (albeit, a relatively expensive one).  I don’t think there is any way that he is worse than a decent 6th or 7th inning guy.  Again, expensive for a middle reliever, but you’re paying for the upside.
• Andy Pettitte.  With the Park signing, it looks unrealistic that the Phils bring in Pettitte.  I don’t think they really had a shot anyway.
• Delmon Young.  Why they would trade prospects for such a terrible human being is beyond me.  Fortunately, the Ibanez signing pretty much put a fork in these talks–not that the Phils were all that serious to begin with.
• Juan Rivera.  They chose Ibanez.  Good choice, methinks.