The Boston Red Sox have trade Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara to the Athletics for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney.
The Red Sox acquired one of the best relievers on the market, along with a backup outfielder who still has potential. They gave up 2 good prospects for him and a major league ready young player in Reddick. They didn't have to dish out their top prospects. The Red Sox got what they wanted without giving up any high ranking prospects.
The Athletics continue to dismantle their team for young players. Reddick will immediately contribute this year for the Athletics while the other two acquired in the deal have some years ahead of them in minor league play. They got good prospects for a reliever, and about the biggest package you can get for a reliever.
Overall Verdict: Tied
Both teams seem to of gotten what they wanted. The A's get some good prospects and give Reddick a chance to start everyday while the Red Sox got one of the best relievers out there.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Cardinals sign Carlos Beltran
The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Carlos Beltran to a 2 year contract worth $26 million and the contract also has a full trade clause.
The Cardinals have effectively filled the void that was left when Pujols left. I know you can't replace the number that the best hitter in baseball currently and what may be one of the best of all time have put up, but a outfielder that still has the potential to hit 30 homers and bat .300. Beltran will most likely play centerfield, being backed up by Jay. Berkman can move over to first base from right field, leaving Allen Craig to start in right.
I think this is a great signing for the Cardinals. They showed fans that they aren't going to let things run their course while they lost the best player of franchise history. They went out and acquired an all star that might be able to put up great numbers to propel them to the division title and get them back into the playoffs. All I hope is that Beltran's knees don't get the best of him during the contract and allow him to play well enough that Cards fans don't loathe this contract by the end of 2013.
The Cardinals have effectively filled the void that was left when Pujols left. I know you can't replace the number that the best hitter in baseball currently and what may be one of the best of all time have put up, but a outfielder that still has the potential to hit 30 homers and bat .300. Beltran will most likely play centerfield, being backed up by Jay. Berkman can move over to first base from right field, leaving Allen Craig to start in right.
I think this is a great signing for the Cardinals. They showed fans that they aren't going to let things run their course while they lost the best player of franchise history. They went out and acquired an all star that might be able to put up great numbers to propel them to the division title and get them back into the playoffs. All I hope is that Beltran's knees don't get the best of him during the contract and allow him to play well enough that Cards fans don't loathe this contract by the end of 2013.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Trade Reaction: Gio Gonzales to the Nationals
The Washington Nationals have traded for Gio Gonzalez with minor league pitcher Robert Gilliam for AJ Cole, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone, and Derek Norris.
Why would the Nationals dish out so many top prospects for a single pitcher and a 24 year old who hasn't made it past A+ yet? The Nationals definitely want to win now, and if Gio pitches well and leads them to a division title, they will be ecstatic and hopefully not worried about the prospects they gave away. This trade reminds me all too much of the Expo's Colon trade they made way back when.
I guess you can say that the Nationals should be happy because they went out to acquire what could be an ace to the rotation, and they got it, albeit costing top prospects. When you are a team that has released statements before saying that you are ready to "overpay" for top of the line players that you will need to compete(as when they were trying to trade for BJ Upton), teams are going to try and ram you out of as many prospects as they can. The Nationals rotation is going to look very solid next year, with Strasburg, Gonzalez, Zimmermann. and Lannan, with Chien Ming-Wang and prospects competing for the 5th spot, it is a rotation to be matched. The only team in the AL East with a better rotation in my opinion is the Phillies, and this rotation costs $34 million dollars cheaper.
The Athletics acquire a great group of prospects in this trade. As I stated earlier, 3 of the prospects they acquired were in the National's top ten list. These players are Peacock(#3), Cole(#4) and Norris(#9). They were looking for a huge package of prospects for Gonzalez and got it.
Overall Verdict: Athletics Win
The Nationals overpayed for Gonzalez and unless he becomes the next Cliff Lee, you can't justify this trade yet. The Nationals want to compete, but they don't know how to buy without giving up the farm. The Nationals wanted to acquire an ace, and they got it.
Why would the Nationals dish out so many top prospects for a single pitcher and a 24 year old who hasn't made it past A+ yet? The Nationals definitely want to win now, and if Gio pitches well and leads them to a division title, they will be ecstatic and hopefully not worried about the prospects they gave away. This trade reminds me all too much of the Expo's Colon trade they made way back when.
I guess you can say that the Nationals should be happy because they went out to acquire what could be an ace to the rotation, and they got it, albeit costing top prospects. When you are a team that has released statements before saying that you are ready to "overpay" for top of the line players that you will need to compete(as when they were trying to trade for BJ Upton), teams are going to try and ram you out of as many prospects as they can. The Nationals rotation is going to look very solid next year, with Strasburg, Gonzalez, Zimmermann. and Lannan, with Chien Ming-Wang and prospects competing for the 5th spot, it is a rotation to be matched. The only team in the AL East with a better rotation in my opinion is the Phillies, and this rotation costs $34 million dollars cheaper.
The Athletics acquire a great group of prospects in this trade. As I stated earlier, 3 of the prospects they acquired were in the National's top ten list. These players are Peacock(#3), Cole(#4) and Norris(#9). They were looking for a huge package of prospects for Gonzalez and got it.
Overall Verdict: Athletics Win
The Nationals overpayed for Gonzalez and unless he becomes the next Cliff Lee, you can't justify this trade yet. The Nationals want to compete, but they don't know how to buy without giving up the farm. The Nationals wanted to acquire an ace, and they got it.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
White Sox extend John Danks
The Chicago White Sox have extended John Danks to a 5 year/$65 million dollar deal. This includes his arbitration year and lock him up for 4 free agent years. The White Sox have Danks in their plans for more years, and this means that all the rumors swirling around Danks to be traded this offseason are gone, he is going to be a member of the White Sox at least past this year. The White Sox rotation appears to be solid this year.
1 - John Danks
2 - Gavin Floyd
3 - Chris Sale
4 - Jake Peavy
5 - Zack Stewart/Philip Humber
1 - John Danks
2 - Gavin Floyd
3 - Chris Sale
4 - Jake Peavy
5 - Zack Stewart/Philip Humber
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Rangers win Yu Darvish Bidding
The Texas Rangers have won the bid for Yu Darvish for a record setting total of $51.7 million. Yu Darish, who is the best player to ever come out of the Japanese Baseball League, is only 25 years old wand hasn't posted an ERA greater than 2 since 2007. The Blue Jays were the early favorites to win the bidding, but just fell short for the bidding.
Yu Darvish will easily cost the Rangers a $50 million contract to go along with the post. Darvish has the potential to be a better pitcher than CJ Wilson, who they just lost in free agency to division rival, the Angels. If the Rangers do sign Darvish, they will lose no momentum going into the season after losing Wilson. The AL West has become one of the power house divisions in the league and the rivalry between the Rangers and the Angels has been solidified with this offseason. It seems that the spending restrictions that the Rangers had at the beginning of the season are no longer an issue, and they are ready to drop big bucks.
Darvish may actually perform the same as he did in Japan, due to the MLB having higher mounds and more solid dirt on the mound, allowing him to maintain velocity and have some extra distance on the batter. I can see Darvish putting up a 2.00 Era, 18 wins, and racking up 200 innings this year, which will help the Rangers secure at least a wild card position in the tough AL West.
Yu Darvish will easily cost the Rangers a $50 million contract to go along with the post. Darvish has the potential to be a better pitcher than CJ Wilson, who they just lost in free agency to division rival, the Angels. If the Rangers do sign Darvish, they will lose no momentum going into the season after losing Wilson. The AL West has become one of the power house divisions in the league and the rivalry between the Rangers and the Angels has been solidified with this offseason. It seems that the spending restrictions that the Rangers had at the beginning of the season are no longer an issue, and they are ready to drop big bucks.
Darvish may actually perform the same as he did in Japan, due to the MLB having higher mounds and more solid dirt on the mound, allowing him to maintain velocity and have some extra distance on the batter. I can see Darvish putting up a 2.00 Era, 18 wins, and racking up 200 innings this year, which will help the Rangers secure at least a wild card position in the tough AL West.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Trade Reaction: Mat Latos to the Reds
Earlier today, the Padres traded 24 year old starting pitcher, Mat Latos to the Reds for Yonder Alonso, Edison Volquez, Yasmandi Grandal, and Brad Boxberger. The center piece of the package was prospect Yonder Alonso, who has been blocked from starting in Cincinatti for the past 2 years by all star, Joey Votto.
At first glance, I immediately wondered why the Reds gave up so many prospects for a young starting pitcher, albeit with huge potential. The Padres acquire what could be a #3 starter, potential all star first basemen, a solid catcher, and what looks like a promising relief pitcher. The Padres easily acquired a great package for a single player.
The Reds did go out and do what they set out to do this offseason, acquire a good, top of the rotation starting pitcher. I don't think they will regret trading Alonso as much as some might think they will, because he would be spending time wasting away behind Votto, letting his potential wither away on the bench. The Reds had the asset in Alonso and used it to nab a great starter. I don't quite agree with how much the Reds gave up, considering that Alonso(Arguable #1 prospect), Grandal(#4 prospect), and Boxberger(#10 prospect) are among the best prospects in the system. This might be a little heavy for a starter.
I honestly am surprised about what the Padres are doing this offseason. They trade for top line closer(Huston Street), but then the next week trade away their number 1 starter for prospects. I think that the Padres made this trade to acquire the prospects needed to make Rizzo expendable, and to make a series of trades that will bring new, better players to San Diego. Maybe Alonso will be the expendable one, and he might net a starter, a seasoned veteran, or a group of prospects later in this winter.
Overall Verdict: Fair Trade For Now.
Only time will tell what the Padres end up doing, maybe swinging another deal with Alonso or trading away Rizzo. The Reds gave up a huge package for Latos, but they got what they wanted. If Volques rebounds, the Padres have a very good starter to go with these prospects.
At first glance, I immediately wondered why the Reds gave up so many prospects for a young starting pitcher, albeit with huge potential. The Padres acquire what could be a #3 starter, potential all star first basemen, a solid catcher, and what looks like a promising relief pitcher. The Padres easily acquired a great package for a single player.
The Reds did go out and do what they set out to do this offseason, acquire a good, top of the rotation starting pitcher. I don't think they will regret trading Alonso as much as some might think they will, because he would be spending time wasting away behind Votto, letting his potential wither away on the bench. The Reds had the asset in Alonso and used it to nab a great starter. I don't quite agree with how much the Reds gave up, considering that Alonso(Arguable #1 prospect), Grandal(#4 prospect), and Boxberger(#10 prospect) are among the best prospects in the system. This might be a little heavy for a starter.
I honestly am surprised about what the Padres are doing this offseason. They trade for top line closer(Huston Street), but then the next week trade away their number 1 starter for prospects. I think that the Padres made this trade to acquire the prospects needed to make Rizzo expendable, and to make a series of trades that will bring new, better players to San Diego. Maybe Alonso will be the expendable one, and he might net a starter, a seasoned veteran, or a group of prospects later in this winter.
Overall Verdict: Fair Trade For Now.
Only time will tell what the Padres end up doing, maybe swinging another deal with Alonso or trading away Rizzo. The Reds gave up a huge package for Latos, but they got what they wanted. If Volques rebounds, the Padres have a very good starter to go with these prospects.
Friday, December 16, 2011
1st Post: Welcome to Touching All The Bags!
Hi, I'm MicMac. I created this blog because I absolutely love talking about baseball, I can do it day and night. I have been writing down a lot of baseball ideas, and I want to get it into print, so I figured why not try and run a blog to put my ideas out there. So to give people a little background on me...
I am from the Midwest, and my favorite team is the White Sox. I am a fan of baseball, I read baseball news whenever I have the chance, and I am not the bitter type of fan that will loathe if the Cubs end up ever getting to the playoffs. I am kind of a stats guy, though I also like referring to the original stats that new sabermetricians hate; home runs, rbis, runs, stolen bases. So, stick around, and I will try and get some good posts up as soon as I can.
I am from the Midwest, and my favorite team is the White Sox. I am a fan of baseball, I read baseball news whenever I have the chance, and I am not the bitter type of fan that will loathe if the Cubs end up ever getting to the playoffs. I am kind of a stats guy, though I also like referring to the original stats that new sabermetricians hate; home runs, rbis, runs, stolen bases. So, stick around, and I will try and get some good posts up as soon as I can.
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