Offseason Baseball Moves

It's no longer the Winter Meetings, but there has been a solid amount of activity.  Let's take a look and see some of the major additions.

New York Yankees
Notable Additions: Nick Johnson, Andy Pettitte, Curtis Granderson
The big question for the Yankees for the rest of the offseason is the rotation.  What happens with Joba and Phil Hughes?  That's likely a question that will be answered in training camp.  The Yankees still have to address the issues in the outfield - where will Johnny Damon be next year?  The signing of Nick Johnson essentially puts a nail in that coffin, but personally, I'd rather rely on Johnny Damon in the 2-hole than Nick the Stick.  Another question mark is the issue with centerfielders of last year - do Melky and/or Brett Gardner get traded, and for who and what?

Boston Red Sox
Notable Additions: John Lackey, Mike Cameron, Boof Bonser, Marco Scutaro, Jeremy Hermida
The moves made by the Red Sox make one thing certain - Jason Bay won't be in Boston next year.  Another thing is a pretty sure thing - the Sox pitching rotation is one of the best in the Major leagues.  Lackey will likely be the #3 starter, and he's coming from the top of the LA Angels rotation, and the Angels went to the ALCS.  I don't know where Boof Bonser fits in, but this is more of a finesse move, and I like it.  The Hermida move probably wouldn't have been made if Cameron were already acquired, but if Marco Scutaro has a year like he did last year, pencil these guys in for the World Series, ALCS at least...

Seattle Mariners
Notable Additions: Cliff Lee, Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, Jack Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Yusmeiro Petit
The big move for the Mariners came as the surprise third team in the Halladay deal.  Considering they were the third team no one thought of, they made out like bandits, acquiring the 2nd Cy Young traded in the deal and the first time two Cy Young's were traded on the same day, let alone in the same deal.  Kudos to the Mariners for signing Chone Figgins.  If the Red Sox are one of the best looking rotations of next season, put the Mariners one slot above them.  And angry Cliff Lee and a dirty King Felix atop the rotation, wow.

Philadelphia Phillies
Notable Additions: Roy Halladay
Well, they finally got what they wanted in July.  Here's the rub - they spent prospects in July to get Lee, and now they spent Lee and more prospects to get Halladay.  In the end, I don't think it was worth it, especially since Cliff Lee was essentially a god in Philly (the only pitcher to win a game for the Phils in the World Series), and although Halladay IS an upgrade from Lee, was it worth it?  Really?  Time will tell, but Roy Halladay is dirty.

Baltimore Orioles
Notable Additions: Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Millwood, Garrett Atkins
Don't let the moves fool you, this team will still be bad.  Garrett Atkins (I'm convinced) was a juicer, and that's why you've seen a catastrophic decline in production the past two years.  The Millwood move makes some sense to get a veteran pitcher in your rotation of young guns, but Millwood is as veteranly (fucking old) as can be.  He can't change a thing.  Mike Gonzalez is a good relief pitcher, but last year he wasn't utilized as a full time closer (time share with Rafael Soriano) and he was a high risk-high reward type of pitcher - he either struck you out or allowed a lot of hits.  The O's should finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East, with the Blue Jays finishing dead last.

Chicago Cubs
Notable Additions: Carlos Silva
This guy has the best sinker ball that never sinks, aka, he sucks, aka, for the Cubs he'll be good enough to get the team close to a win in every appearance, and then not.  Moving on!...

Chicago White Sox
Notable Additions: Juan Pierre, J.J. Putz, Andruw Jones, Mark Teahen
I like the Juan Pierre move, and I like Mark Teahen as a player.  I don't understand Andruw Jones.  I don't understand the JJ Putz move.  They have Dotel as setup, and Jenks as closer.  Why spend so much money on the setup for the setup.  Maybe I'm from the failed train on thought that you just let whatever happen happen in the middle relief... or sign Graham Lloyd...

Minnesota Twins
Notable Additions: J.J. Hardy, Michael Cuddyer, Carl Pavano
The Hardy move happened shortly after the season ended, and will possibly have one of the most significant effects of the moves made this offseason.  Hardy at his best is one of the better shortstops in the league because of his hitting.  We'll see how he is affected by American League pitching.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Notable Additions: Hideki Matsui, Bobby Abreu
There should be a notable losses section, specifically for this team.  I've said before what would make the Angels suck next year, and that's exactly what they did.  Fortunately for them they signed the corner outfield tandem that didn't win a championship for the Yankees...

Texas Rangers
Notable Additions: Rich Harden, Darren Oliver
I thought Mike Lowell would be here, but alas, 'twas not to be.  Rich Harden is AMAZING (when he's healthy).  He's managed to be his most unhealthy when playing in the AL West...

Atlanta Braves
Notable Additions: Rafael Soriano, Billy Wagner, Tim Hudson
Soriano came back through arbitration, and the signing of Wagner and Hudson (?) was calculated.  Hudson is good, but he's getting old, and Wagner is a closer, and so is Soriano.  I just don't get it...

Oakland Athletics
Notable Addtions: Coco Crisp
Good cereal . . .

Washington Nationals
Notable Additions: Jason Marquis
This makes the 31 year old Marquis the veteran at the head of the Nats rotation - DE-FAULT DE-FAULT!

That's all I got for now.  Big winners are Seattle, Boston and the NYY.