Who Won, Who Lost at Baseball's Winter Meetings
Large Market Teams Dominated the Annual Session
"Spending Like Drunken Sailors"
That was Florida Marlins President David Samson’s quote on a Florida sports talk show in referencing the Yankees record setting contract offer for left-handed pitcher C.C. Sabathia. The Yankees came to Las Vegas in need of pitching and money was no object. The former Cy Young Award winner will ink a $161 million dollar deal to play in "pinstripes" for the next seven years.
The Yankees weren’t done as they agreed to a deal that would send center fielder Melky Cabrera to Milwaukee for veteran CF Mike Cameron. Some complications have come into play, but the teams expect to complete that trade.
In addition to that, free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett has agreed to a five year, $82.5 million dollar offer from the Yankees, who still may not be done retooling.
The Mets made a splash in their bullpen by signing free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez and then acquiring closer J.J. Putz from Seattle as part of a three way trade with Cleveland. Putz will function as the set up man for Rodriguez.
Subtle moves sometimes work out better than big name acquisitions
The Indians were in the market for a closer. Knowing that they couldn’t financially compete with the Yankees and Mets, they went another route and signed free agent closer Kerry Wood. As part of that three-way trade with the Mets and Mariners, the Indians acquired right-handed reliever Joe Smith and a young infield prospect from Seattle by the name of Luis Valbuena. The 23-year-old Venezuelan plays second base but because he has a stocky build and shows some pop, he may end up at first base or in the outfield.
Detroit made some positive moves in Las Vegas. The Tigers had a need at catcher so they swung a deal with Texas for Gerald Laird, an above average backstop who can handle a pitching staff. Detroit also picked up right hander Edwin Jackson from Tampa Bay.
The Dodgers signed two free agent infielders, their own third baseman Casey Blake and utility infielder Mark Loretta. Los Angeles is taking their time with the Manny Ramirez negotiations but many observers feel the enigmatic outfielder will return to Chavez Ravine next season.
The World Champion Philadelphia Phillies reloaded by signing free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez to replace Pat Burrell.
Even the Kansas City Royals got involved when they signed free agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
The 2009 season will mark 101 years since the Cubs last won the World Series. After this week’s doing in Las Vegas, their fans better hope it doesn’t become 102 years. The Cubs thought they were about to add former Cy Young Award winning pitcher Jake Peavy to their roster, but the deal fell through. The Cubs are still looking for a left hand bat and with Ibanez heading to Philadelphia, their options are shrinking.
The Angels took a "wait and see" approach with Mark Teixeira and now they’ve got a bidding war on their hands. The Red Sox, Nationals and Orioles have thrust themselves into the hunt while the Angels still insist that Teixeira is a priority.
More Changes to come before Spring Training
Even with a decent amount of activity in Las Vegas, there are still some attractive players out there.
The potential of a Peavy trade is still very much alive to the Cubs but a third team would have to get into the mix.
Some of the notable free agent names still left include Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jon Garland, Randy Johnson, Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.
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