MLB: Hot Stove Time

[-Jrabbit]

Yes they do.
So: the Angels are MY early favorite for 2008.

Feel better?

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm not sure Hunter's defense is going to make all that much of a difference. Gary Matthews, Jr., was just as good out there as Hunter will be. Hunter's addition to the team will be in the sphere of offense and he is getting a major contract based on a career year offensively.

[-Jrabbit]

Better to have a proven leader than a known cheater.

[Arrian]

I think most, if not all, of the teams that were good this year in the AL will be good again next year. Certainly the Red Sox and Indians should contend again (if I had to pick division winners right now, I'd probably pick them to win theirs), and I think the Angels, Yankees and Tigers will all be good, if flawed, teams. It's possible Seattle could be in the mix again on a wing, a prayer, Ichiro and Putz, but I dunno. Depending on what happens with Johan, the Twins might cobble something together.

-Arrian

[-Jrabbit]

Cubs have signed Kerry Wood to a 1yr, $4MM deal. He will "compete for the closer role."

Dempster is moving to the rotation. Even though he's statistically adequate as a closer, he drives Lou crazy in the 9th.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Wood may actually be well suited for the closer role... especially given his injury history.

[-Jrabbit]

Hard to say. Historically, the first inning has been his worst when starting. I suspect he'll be the setup man, with Carlos Marmol closing.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, at any rate, Wood wouldn't have to worry about pacing himself over a number of innings and could just throw gas. That's what really helped out Gagne when he converted to the closer role.

[-Jrabbit]

True, although I don't think he'll ever be a 95mph guy again. Regardless, any dependable bullpen arm is a huge plus these days.

In related news, Dec. 12 is a deadline for some sort of resolution to the Mark Prior situation.

[Arrian]

Interesting Twins/Rays trade.

Delmon Young/Brendan Harris + guys I don't know much about for Matt Garza/Jason Bartlett + guys I don't know much about.

Hmm.

Meanwhile, Yankees fans wait anxiously to see if the Yanks trade any of the "big three" (plus several other guys) for Santana. I hope not.

-Arrian

[Ming]

Speculation on ESPN radio this morning was that with the Twins gving up the their SS, that opened the way for a deal with the Mets... with the Twins getting Reyes in a deal for Santana...

[reismark]

Originally posted by Ming
Speculation on ESPN radio this morning was that with the Twins gving up the their SS, that opened the way for a deal with the Mets... with the Twins getting Reyes in a deal for Santana...

New York Post says in today's issue that Minaya views Reyes as untouchable. Doesn't look like that deal will happen.

[-Jrabbit]

Any time a superstar changes addresses, you can't go wrong betting he'll be wearing pinstripes.

[Ming]

Originally posted by reismark

New York Post says in today's issue that Minaya views Reyes as untouchable. Doesn't look like that deal will happen.

That was also discussed at the same time this morning... but, the "experts" were claiming that with the Yankees in the hunt, the Mets might drop that untouchable tag just to keep the Yankees from getting Santana.

[Arrian]

Reyes for Santana would be insane (of the Mets). Insane.

Go for it, Omar!!

-Arrian