Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. I was looking over the nonsense that happened down there at the ole Opry House this past week. Let’s go over the big news before we go into speculation of what might happen in the next few weeks.
The Florida Marlins decided that making 50 million dollars without selling one ticket is good business. I have a hard time faulting them for that, however, I highly doubt more than 3000 people show up to a game this year. With the trading of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers, the fish have decided that no payroll is too low. I have not see a trade this bad in years. We are talking a #2 pitcher and a clean up hitter under the ages of 26 for 6 ok prospects. Are you kidding me? I am just glad the Fish are in the same division as the Phillies.
The other big doings(if you call it that) is that the Dodgers took Andruw Jones for about 16 million a year. Um, good one, LA. You just got 130 stikeouts, .320 obp, and about 20 homeruns for the middle of your lineup. Jones was great…4 years ago. Hey, listen, I have nothing against Jones, but 16 million a year. What a country.
That was about it for the winter meetings. Might as well call them the winter nothing really gets done. SO here are the moves that should have and actually will be done in the next month.
Johan Santana will be traded to the Boston Red Sox. I have gone back and forth on this one, but this really makes sense for the new evil empire to stick it to the Yankees.
Dan Haren will be traded to the Arizona Diamond Backs. It just makes sense and Arizona has the people Oakland cherishes.
Eric Bedard gets traded to the Reds. I know, Cincinnati is a dark horse, but really, why would I go to a Reds game unless they make a spalsh with a great trade. I cry watching Adam Dunn Strikeout every other at bat. It was fine when he hit homeruns, now it is just sad to watch.
Joe Blanton will be traded, but not until everyone else is gone. I really dont have a feel for this one, but it will take the farm. My bet is the Yankees. However, either the Giants or the Dodgers could still do this deal at the end.
I am surprised Kyle Loshe has not been grabbed yet. I can see the Mets picking this guy up after losing out on all the trades this winter. Of course, they will over pay since Boras is the agent, but this is what you get when you have nothing of value to trade. The Phillies will not get Aaron Rowand back(I hear Dodgers or Giants, depending on that Japanese guy). So, the Phillies are basically set with what they got. Looks like a lot of 9-8 games again this year. Still, I predict the Phillies finish first in the East.