With the purse strings opening up compared to last year (well the Yankee's always have their purse open), a few more deals are being done this year and free agents are receiving better offers than they did at this time last year.
Here are some thoughts:
1) Three Way - Figured I'd start out with the big deal so far which is the 3 way trade by the Yankee's, Tigers and Dbacks. I think this was a good deal all around. The Yankee's didn't have to give up any of their high level prospects and got a 27 year old outfielder close to the prime of his career. It gives them leverage against Damon assuring that they don't have to over pay for him if he wants to come back. Look for Granderson to hit 35 to 40 homeruns this year. The Tigers cleared some salary and got back some good young talent from the Yankee's and a possible stud pitcher in Scherzer (from the Dbacks). Arizona was willing to let him go as apparently they have some injury concerns with Scherzer (in case you haven't seen him pitch, he's got a funky motion). They get back Edwin Jackson, another fine young pitcher who seems to be coming into his own. Deal seemed to work all around..
2) Pudge - I don't understand this signing by the Nationals... They pay an aging catcher $6 million over two years. He's basically a backup catcher at this point and they quadrupled his salary over last year.. He's not known as a good developer of young pitchers and with Strasburg hopefully coming up next year, you'd think they'd put a higher priority there. As a comparision, The Brewers signed 38 yr old catcher Greg Zaugn to a 1 year deal for 2.5 million. At this stage in their careers, he's a better hitter then Pudge and he calls a better game. This was not a good signing.
3) Mariners - I'll do a catch all category here for the M's. They signed Figgins, which I think short term is a good deal, but I'm leary of years 3 and 4 here (and rumor has it there is an option for year 5). Figgins is a soon to be 32 year old who makes his living off his legs. I'm sure he takes care of himself, but some where over the next couple years he's going to start losing his speed, and that's his game. That's the reason the Angels didn't want to go beyond a 3 yr contract. It was a nice deal for Figgins getting financial security. Why would he sign with the Mariners? Well along with the contact, multiple coaches in Seattle used to be in the Angels organization and worked with him in the minor leagues. Also, Figgins fiance is from Vancouver and if you don't think that didn't play a part here, then your fooling yourself.. Supposedly the Mariners are also targeting Jason Bay, which makes complete sense for them. Bay fills a need for a big bat that plays left field. Why would Bay sign there? Well, his wife is from Seattle and they own a home 25 minutes from Safeco Field. If the Mariners come within shouting distance of the other offers he's receiving, I expect this to be a done deal.
3) "Doc" Halladay - I've no idea where he's going and from all the reports I've read, no one else does either... What and whenever the deal happens, it'll eventually go through the Yankee's. Whether they want to part with Joba and Hughes (or one of them and minor league catcher Jesus Montero) will be the question. My prediction? I think the Jays hold on to him through the winter and in February/March, deal him to either the Yankee's or Angels. Halladay has said he wants to be with a team that trains in Florida however the Angels can give him the other thing he craves, which is a chance to win and challenge for the World Series. After previously saying they wouldn't give up Aybar in a trade, the Angels have now changed that stance and a package of Aybar, Saunders, Napoli and a mid level minor leaguer would get the deal done.
4) John Lackey - I think he signs with the Red Sox or as a long shot, the Rangers. I think he really wants to sign with the Rangers, but they can't pay him what he wants. I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a shorter length deal in hopes the ownership situation gets straightened out there and a year or so down the road can pay him a much bigger deal.
5) Rich Harden, Eric Bedard and Ben Sheets - All three pitchers are free agents and available. They've all had injuries (with Sheets out all last year) but if healthy, all have number 1 stuff. I see one of these going to the Red Sox (Harden), one going to Baltimore (Bedard where 3 years ago was a stud) and one goes to the Cardinals (Sheets where Dave Duncan will rehabilitate him just like he did Chris Carpenter). Harden has also been in talks with the Mariners and Rangers, so we'll see where that goes.
6) Matt Holliday - Signs with Boston. If Bay doesn't resign, they'll go get Holliday. Also, watch the Giants here quietly make a play for Holliday. Put Holliday in that lineup with their pitching and they could be the favorite in the NL West next year.
7) Pettite - Great resign by the Yankee's. I love my left handed pitchers!
8)Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon - One resigns with the Yankee's (Matsui) and one signs with the Rays (Damon). Another option for Matsui is the White Sox. I think the Rays trade Pat Burrell for some pitching and bring in Damon on a one year contract. Damon lives in Florida so it's a "close to home" thing..... Another team showing some interest is are the SF Giants.
9) Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Vlad Guerrero - Wow, no idea on these DH guys..... All three are probably going to be sitting around come January and screaming at their agents to get them a contract anywhere. You'd think they'd have an interest in Texas as that stadium is tailor made for them hitting. Beyond that? Someone like Baltimore would have an interest.
10) Padres - They're under considerable pressure to cut payroll (even after having the second lowest in the major leagues last year), so they're looking to make some deals. I, however, don't think they'll unload Adrian Gonzalez like people are speculating. They'll hang unto him for another year. Instead they'll trade Heath Bell and Kevin Kouzmanoff which are both salary arbitration eligible. Look for Kouzmanoff to go to the Twins as they have shown quite a bit of interest in him.
11) Kevin Millwood - Texas is looking to unload (which would free up some cash to get Lackey) Millwood and Baltimore is the rumored destination. On another note, it's good to see Baltimore trying to improve their team with possible free agent acquistions and trades. That should be a marquee franchise with their history and stadium, but Peter Angelos has run it into the ground......
12) Wolf to the Brewers - 3 years, $30 million. I don't know what to make of this...... I think the Brewers are over paying as if I'm them, I'd rather take a chance one of the Harden, Bedard, Sheets and save some money. Hell, they could have pried Lowe away from Atlanta by giving up very little (mid level prospect) and be paying the same Lowe as Wolf. I'd much rather have Derek Lowe than Randy Wolf.... but that's just me.
13) Rafael Soriano - The Braves are anxious to move him since he excepted salary arbitration. I'm hearing the Rays are interested but money is the issue.....
14) Adrian Beltre - Although the Mariners have offered him arbitration, they're really hoping he declines and goes elsewhere. Some teams reporting interest are the Red Sox (If they can trade Lowell), Baltimore and the Giants.
Anyway, those are a few of the deals and free agents out there I've been thinking about. I know there are a bunch of other guys I failed to mention and obviously the majority of the teams, but these are the ones that are currently in the mix.
Bill
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