I'm Back...And Let The Free Agent Madness Begin

First I want to breakdown the big deals the last week or so before some closing comments on the impending kick-off of "free agent frenzy," which is a super gay name.

The first trade I want to discuss is one that has a minimum effect on the Jays. Florida started it's annual clearance sale by unloading OBP beast Mike Jacobs for shit baller Leo Nunez, who I think owned the Jays this year when they faced. I hate this trade for Kansas City because they have a super cheap power option from both sides of the plate in Kila Kaaihue as a lefty power bat with monster numbers last year in AA/AAA, and Ryan Shealy as a righty power bat who seems to be a 4A player, but deserves a shot. This deal has sparked some talk of Billy Butler being on the way out. This kid could be another Mike Sweeney (in the good way) and just needs a shot. While Florida picks up a quality arm for late-inning duty, it is a stupid trade by KC, as it wastes money on a potential DROWN grade from far cheaper options. This deal means either Kila or Butler, or both could start in AAA or another organization. On the plus side, Jacobs won't be in Toronto wasting a valuable roster spot.

The next trade was also the Marlins unloading Scott Olsen & Josh Willingham onto Washington for Emilio Bonafacio & 2 Minor League Prospects, who are not worth mentioning. Where to start? Oh yeah, how about how Florida could've solved it's catching problem by dealing Olson to Texas for Laird or Ramirez. Or how Willingham probably could've gotten Bonafacio on his own, or a comparable ready-for-MLB fringe 2nd baseman. Bonafacio is the key here for Florida, as he is plus defender at 2nd and has a fuck-load of speed. He also blocks either Dallas McPherson from playing in the majors next year. Unless Florida trades Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu plays first with Uggla at 3rd next year. They still have a hole at catcher, and now their potential sell-offs have been short changed. I don't see how their wasn't big interest in Olson by most teams in the league. In the AL, he would be a borderline 4, good 5 man in the rotation. In the NL, he could be a quality 3 man. Willingham has big power, and the ability to play a couple positions, including catcher in a pinch. He could be the opening day 1st sacker or LF and should help push the Nats toward respectability. Confusing from the Marlins stand-point, and I see it as a fleecing by the Nats staff.

In a fucking shocker, the A's picked up Matt Holliday from the Rockies for closer Huston Street, super-prospect Carlos Gonzalez, and quality starter Greg Smith. I actually like this trade for both teams, but I see it as an overpayment for Holliday's services on a team that most likely most contend next season. From Colorado's perspective, this is a great move. Gonzalez can step in and play RF next year, with Hawpe in LF. Smith can be penciled in to be the 3 or 4 in the rotation. And Street can either be a quality 9th inning guy or be dealt for a couple prospects. But Holliday is a hell of hitter. Here's hoping he can hit in a pitcher's park too.

A couple trades today. Yesterday? The first was one I wish the Jays could've gotten in on. The Yankees picked up Nick Swisher, switch hitting 1st baseman/RF/LF for Wilson Betemit & Jeff Marquez. There was another guy on each side, but it's probably not a big deal. Swisher is a guy the Jays could use to replace Overbay when he is hopefully traded to Seattle or some other place I don't care about. I'm sure the Jays might have been able to land him with Bautista & Frasor or something similar. Betemit is the big winner in my opinion, as he might actually get a chance to play in Chicago. He could be a break-out candidate next season playing 3rd base for the Dirty Sox. Marquez is essentially Ian Kennedy with injury history, so pretty much a shit baller. Swisher is put in an environment which doesn't seem to suit his personality. Bye-bye facial hair and long hair for cancer (which means the Yankees are pro-cancer). Hello calm and held back Nick Swisher, welcome to the pressure cooker of NY, now replace Mark Teixeira in the eyes of our retarded fans.

The 2nd trade of the day was another shining example of the Jeckle/Hyde thing going on in Florida, as the marlins fleeced the Cubs for Jose Ceda by using Kevin Gregg. 2 things. 1 - Kevin Gregg is a shit baller who fell into a closer's job last season (even though he did a good job). 2 - Jose Ceda will probly be better than in 2009. I don't mean long term, Ceda will be the better player. I mean, next season, Jose Ceda will be better in every aspect of pitching than Kevin Gregg. Terrible trade, which apparently has kicked Kerry Wood out of Chicago.

One trade that hasn't been completed as quickly as I expected was the Peavey deal, which could shoot off a succession of moves by San Diego which could impact free agency in a big way. Khalil Greene will be dealt if SD gets a SS in a deal and Brian Giles could be on the outs pretty soon too.


Well, free agency begins today at some point I think, and I wanna give 1 last rundown of the free agents and some great fits.

Catcher
I-Rod. Could be a solid 1 year option for a team with young pitching. Florida or Cincinatti could spend some money to lock up a proven back-stop.
Jason Varitek. He should be back with Boston, but would make a nice option on a team with young arms, like Florida or Cincinatti. San Diego could also be an option if it can get a good deal.
Potential Bargains: Mike Barrett, Paul Lo Duca, Josh Bard, David Ross. Any of these guys could wind up starting on a mediocre team and could rebound into above average starters or great back-ups.

1st Base
Mark Teixeira. If he doesn't re-sign with the Angels, I would be shocked.

2nd Base
Orlando Hudson. Defensive minded guy with a solid bat should get big pay day, even with injury risk. The Mets make too much sense if Castillo is gone, but the Giants make a lot of sense as well to me.
Vets with Something left? Ray Durham, Jeff Kent, Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzielanek. Arizona needs an inexpensive player to fill 2nd base. So might Cleveland, Minnesota, Kansas City, Chicago Sox, St. Louis, and a few others.

3rd Base
Casey Blake. I don't see him being a smart signing by anyone who expects a star player. Blake is good role player, and would an amazing guy to use as a super-utility guy around the corners playing 5 times a week. But their are teams out their who need a 3rd baseman who will throw money at Blake and regret it later.
Shockers? Russell Branyon could surprise and hit 40 HR next season if someone gives hims a chance at 500 AB. Nomar Garciaparra may have 1 more season in him and still is good bat when healthy (which is never).

SS
Rafy Furcal. Head of the class, and a lot of teams need a short stop and a lead off hitter. Furcal is both. Should get paid big by either Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago (either), or Baltimore.
Orlando Cabrera. Good glove, average bat. Has some nice tools that would fit with any team looking for a 2/3 year option at SS.
Edgar Renteria. He better go to an NL team, or fuck him. He will deserve his failures if he signs in the AL. Could be a rebound candidate in the NL for a lucky team.

DH
Adam Dunn, Milton Bradley, Jason Giambi, Pat Burrell, Manny Ramirez, Ken Griffey. These guys are all either old or injured or just terrible and shouldn't be allowed to own gloves. Most will be allowed to though. All are smart signings by the Jays in my opinion. And any team needing a DH option should be looking at one of these big bats.

OF
Raul Ibanez. Sleeper, who will be a rare case a free agent not getting fair market treatment.
Bobby Abreu. Will be a great signing by whoever decides it necessary.
Other OF Options: Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, Jim Edmonds, Mark Kotsay, Emil Brown. All could find a starting job and could be bargains next year.

I'm not gonna talk pitching because it such a fucking crap shoot that it's not worth it.

Peace. Talk to You later.