MLB OFF SEASON RECAP
It's February 14, which means people everywhere are in love...with the fact baseball's back! Today marks the first day of voluntary reporting for Spring Training.
There were plenty of big name who changed uniforms. But the teams in the West, decisively won the off season scramble for talent. Not good news for many National League squads, as the NL West essentially saw its three playoff teams improve.
Starting in SoCal, the LA Angels got the jump on the free agent market, arguably grabbing the best outfielder available, CF Tori Hunter. This was somewhat of a head scratcher, because the season before the Angels signed Gary Matthews Jr. to a $50 million deal. Hunter's impact is significant; along with Matthews, the tandem will help a defensively needy outfield. The Halos other big move swapped SS Orlando Cabrera out for P Jon Garland. Garland bolsters a good pitching staff adding more depth to John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Jared Weaver. Winners of three AL West crowns since 2002, the Angels look primed to grab number four.
Moving up I-5 to the mainstay in LA, the Dodgers biggest addition came in the clubhouse. Manager Joe Torre comes to Tinseltown after 12 monster years in the Bronx. Torre, known for his calm demeanor, should help a fractioned clubhouse. And CF Andruw Jones inked a contract to wear Dodger Blue. Jones' bat will improve a mediocre offense. The Dodgers are in competitive position starting in spring.
Continuing northward, the Seattle Mariners addressed their Achilles heel. Pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva joined the M's and giving them a solid 1-2-3 starting staff, with Felix Hernandez in the mix. Bedard should be given "ace" status to relieve pressure from Hernandez. Seattle is scrappy team and easily could be in the postseason discussion. Then again, they are the Mariners.
In other moves out West, the Arizona Diamonbacks added another Cy Young-esque arm trading Oakland for pitcher Dan Haren. The NL Champs Colorado nabbed speedster Scott Podsednik to play in their cavernous outfield and the Padres decided to focus on the 'age' of wisdom, not youth, bringing veterans P Randy Wolf and CF Jim Edmonds.
The Tigers had a roaring off season. After throwing away a World Series in 2006 and watching division rival Cleveland come a game within the Championship Series last year, Detroit sent the message it's not happy just contending. SS Edgar Renteria joins the team and a multi-player deal mortgaging future prospects brought in 3B Miguel Cabrera and P Dontrelle Willis. Not bad at all, especially since they kept Willis away from other AL teams. Motown is right there with Beantown.
Finally, the NY Mets made the biggest move late in the off season, pulling the strings to get ace Johan Santana. The Mets finally have a durable pitcher to chase their pennant. However, the addition of Santana only makes the Mets the NL Champion paper tigers.
Keep reading FPS for more on Spring Training and the 2008 MLB Season.
3 comments:
Paper tiger? I like the Angel commentary. I didn't know they got rid of Cabrera. Interesting. Too bad I don't get to go to spring training this year. I could give you a heads up on what's happening down at the farm.
That’s right; until the Mets prove something on the field they’re officially labeled a paper tiger. Remember in 2006, the Mets had the bases loaded with a chance to go to the World Series and blew it. Then last year the Mets endured an epic collapse losing 12 of their final 17 games, blowing a seven-game advantage in the division.
I’m disappointed not to have an insider down in Cactus country. This spring, Angels manager Mike Scioscia’s top priority is to figure out how to shuffle the six outfielders he’s got and keep everyone healthy for September, especially Vlad. The Angels have only won four postseason games in five years since their World Series title. I think Scioscia will find a way. That could see Juan Rivera spend time at first base and Garrett Anderson spend substantial time at DH.
The Padres did not improve with the addition of two old guys. They have some nice pitchers, but second place in the West is the best they can do. I would be scared of the D-backs with the addition of Haren.
The Mets and the Phillies have a nice rivalry going with some chatter between MVP Jimmy Rollins and wannabe MVP Carlos Beltran. The Mets with Santana added some weight to their claim for the NL Central title.
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