Chicago a Contender?
The Chicago White Sox are relevant again. GM Jess signed both John Lester and Russel Martin, making experts around the MMB thinking the Sox may be the team to beat in the AL Central. Martin adds some pop to the lineup at a valuable position. Lester is solid #2/#3, but is not worth nearly as much as he got paid. The White Sox pitching staff is merely average. The offense is pretty good, but not amazing. I say the Sox maybe can settle into a wildcard berth at best, but they’ll have to completely ditch the rebuild that was going so well and trade some prospects for top-notch players.
Pirates Make Flurry of Head-Scratching Moves
Pirates GM Josh was looking to make waves this off-season, but he may of over-done the trading. To kick things off, Pittsburgh sent Jose Tabata, a nice young OF, to Philly, in exchange for SP Jesse Biddle and MR Philippe Amount. Amount has little control over his pitches, so is he really the guy you want on the bump with the game on the line? That move was supposed to help the weak pitching staff and unload yet another one of the team’s outfielders, but then the Pirates contradicted themselves by giving up their best SP, James Tallion, in exchange of OF Marcell Ozuna from Miami. This is a team that has a million starting-quality OF and one of the worst staffs in the league, so this trade only took steps in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, many of the top bullpen pitchers were waived, puzzling GMs across the league. The front Office will now need to add pitching, but if they do, considering the great offense, the Pirates could be a contender for a wildcard spot.
St. Louis Tears Down Playoff Contender
I normally like the moves made by Card’s GM Charles, but his recent moves have been a bit confusing to me. Despite a down year last season, Saint Louis still has a very good team that can win any division crown across the MMB. But Charles decided to rebuild the team, trading seasoned vets for young prospects who may or may not contribute this season. First they sent Adam Wainwright to the pitcher’s hell that is Coor’s Field, getting undeveloped prospect David Dahl in return among other average assets. Then they sent Yadier Molina, Matt Holiday, and the just acquired David Dahl to Los Angles for the speedy OF Peter Bourjos and some specs not nearly as good as Dahl. While these moves do clear money for the Cards, it takes them from a serious contender to an below average team at best. There must be some real big moves in place, or else Saint Louis’ once-bright future may be gone.
Other Notes:
-We are hearing two rumors out of Philly: first that the team is close to signing Jose Abreu, and second that Cole Hamel’s long run with the Phillies could be over.
-The Nats signed CL Sergio Romo to a 4 year/$9,000,000 deal. Cheap for a very good pitcher. Nice move by the world champs.
-Like the Pirates, the Reds have a GM entering his first off-season is looking to make trades early and often. But Bryan has done a pretty nice job, he’s added some depth to the farm system for old, worn down parts, such as 3B Kevin Youkilis.
-Rumor Central: Mike Carp could be traded by Boston; the white version of Sox looking to move Quintina.
-Jeff Keppinger is reportedly complaining to management, upset they are looking for a new 3B.
-Today’s division picks: AL Central. 1. Detroit 2. Chicago 3. KC 4. Minnesota 5. Cleveland.
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