MLB

Fresh from the hot stove league are some moves that teams hope will vault them to the next level.

One was the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays signing of former Phillie Pat Burrell. Burrell is expected to step in and be the teams DH, and probably step in to rest Carl Crawford in left. He brings impressive numbers with him, although inconsistent at times, averaging about 30 homers and 100 rbi's a year over the last four years. In a line up that struggled against left-handed pitching Burrell will give them a powerful right to go along with Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, and Evan Longoria. And at just $8 million a year over two years, he comes at a relatively low price especially compared to some other sluggers.

Another was the signing of Milton Bradley by the Chicago Cubs. Long heralded as a five-tool player he has struggled to put up numbers that his talent would imply, often because of either off the field issues or problems on the field. Although for most of last season he either led the American League in batting or was near the top, before finishing with a .321 average. The signing pushes Kosuke Fukudome to bench, the big Japanese signing of last season started the season strong before completely falling off the map. But at $10 million a year for three years, if he falls into one of his spirals again will be grossly over paying, however if he finally puts it together and stays so it could turn into a bargain for the cubs.

Yet another also involves the Cubs, in a trade that sent pitcher Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino. A move that improves the Rockies rotation, Marquis has reached the 10+ win plateau in each of the last five seasons including a an 11-9 record last season. Vizcaino gives the Cubs another bullpen arm that can help ease the loss of closer Kerry Wood. This move appears more as a means of freeing up money in light of the Bradley signing.

And then there is the probability of a Jason Giambi Oakland A's reunion. All reports have deal done as early as tomorrow. Giambi, the 2000 AL MVP while with Oakland, will likely man the DH role and give the A's another bat to team with first year Athletic Matt Holliday. Last season Giambi hit .247 with 32 homers and 96 rbi's. And the soon to be 38 year old will most likely make this his final stop of his career, with a one year $4.5 million contract with a club option worth $5 million. If able to put up numbers like last season he will be another great signing by Billy Beane, to go along with past signings like Frank Thomas, and at a lot less than he would have been slated to make had the Yankees picked up his option, $22 million.

The hot stove league is far from over with many players still unsigned and spring training just over a month away.


-Daemon