Category: MLB (Page 409 of 448)

So, the Boston Red Sox have signed J.D. Drew, huh? And gave him a five year contract for $70 million? I hope for Drew’s sake that he brings a lunch because Boston is no picnic.

The fact of the matter is Drew was run out of Los Angles by the media. Whenever the L.A. media questioned Drew for poor play, his scoffing attitude and bubbling personality never went over too well. His injury history would make Fragile Fred Taylor blush. Now he wants to play in Boston? Newsflash for J.D. Drew: the Boston media isn’t anywhere near L.A.’s, my man. The media in Boston is intelligent, well prepared and never lays off the gas pedal. Drew better have an answer ready for when he goes 0 for 4 or when he’s out 15 games for a hangnail. They’re going to question why Drew got a five-year deal for $70 million when Theo Epstein said that was too much for fan favorite Johnny Damon a few years ago.

Not that Drew isn’t a talent, because he very much is. But if the Red Sox end up trading Manny Rameriz, Drew is going to fold like a tent as a centerpiece in the Boston lineup. Look at A-Rod in New York. All the talent in the world can’t save you from the claws of the media if you don’t have the Tom Brady or Derek Jeter personality.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros have come to terms with free agent left fielder Carlos Lee. The deal is reportedly worth six years for around $90 million.

Lee, a career .286 hitter, finished with a .300 batting average, 37 home runs and 116 RBIs over 161 games between the Brewers and Rangers.

Lee will provide plenty of power in Houston’s lineup and was viewed along with Alfonso Soriano as the big-money bat of the free agency class. With his power, Lee is a terrific cleanup or fifth hitter in the order. On the down side, Lee is average in the outfield, doesn’t take many walks and isn’t in the best shape.

What’s interesting is that teams, at least thus far, are targeting position players instead of starting pitching. We hear it time and time again about how pitching wins championships, but at least earlier on, that’s not how organizations are choosing to build through free agency. With Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Ted Lilly and Randy Wolf still available, it’s a bit surprising that ballclubs are spending mega bucks on hitters.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that the Angles have signed former Texas Rangers outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. for a reported $50 million.

He likely will bat leadoff for the Angels and give them increased athleticism in center field, reducing the defensive burden on right fielder Vladimir Guerrero and left fielder Garret Anderson.

Are you kidding me? $50 million for a guy who has had just one good season and is already 32 years old? I understand that age 32 is still considering “prime” in baseball, but come on, $50 million? The guy is a career .263 hitter and has only cracked .300 one time (last year). I doubt if he reaches the numbers he did last year and I doubt the Angels will ever see the full return on this investment.

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
Arguably the biggest name in the ’06-’07 free agent class is already off the market. The Chicago Cubs reached a deal with outfielder/second basemen Alfonso Soriano. Apparently the deal is worth $136 million for eight years.
Analysis: While Cub fans are probably ecstatic with the signing, Chicago doesn’t need another hollow stats producer in its lineup (ala Aramis Ramirez). Hopefully that won’t be the case with Soriano. Either way, he provides much needed pop to Chicago’s lineup and hopefully will take pressure off of Derek Lee.

Mike Mussina, New York Yankees
The Yankees re-signed pitcher Mike Mussina to a two-year deal worth $22.5 million. New York is also interested in Seattle Mariners starter Gil Meche.
Analysis: With the starting pitching market somewhat bare this year, this was a good move for the Yankees. Mussina is a proven veteran who doesn’t get over his head in the playoffs. However, he is 38, so this is probably his last hooray in New York.

Moises Alou, New York Mets
The Mets signed the ageless one Moises Alou to a one-year contract worth reportedly $7.5 million. Alou will play left field. The Mets also declined an option to bring back starting pitcher Tom Glavine, which makes him a free agent.
Analysis: Despite being 40, Alou still is a great bat and is extremely difficult to strike out. The Mets lineup improves with him in it, but Alou has to stay healthy, which is something he hasn’t been able to do over the years. The move also signals the end of Cliff Floyd’s days with the Mets.

Juan Pierre, Los Angles Dodgers
The Dodgers have reportedly offered former Cubs and Marlins’ outfielder Juan Pierre a five-year contract worth around $44-45 million. The deal isn’t final yet, however.
Analysis: If the Dodgers are able to sign the center fielder, they cemented a few things for their ball club. L.A. would not only get a durable center fielder and leadoff man, but would also keep Pierre out of division-rival San Francisco. The Giants offered Pierre a similar deal, but for less money.

Major League Baseball is in the infancy stage of another offseason and that means ball clubs are revving up their checkbooks. Every year there are several teams that dole out millions of dollars for overpriced free agents. In just a few days, it appears that this offseason will be no different.

On Wednesday, the Red Sox were the highest bidders in the race to sign Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The BoSox ante was $51 million for first rights to sign Matsuzaka. Can anyone say Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park? Boston is also apparently interested in former Dodgers outfield J.D. Drew. Drew’s price tag is reportedly four years for $56 million. If the Red Sox sign him that means that they were willing to spend more on Drew then they were on Johnny Damon, who wanted four years and $40 million. Interesting, considering that Drew is just as injury-prone and is only two years younger than Damon.

The Mercury News is reporting that the Padres are interested in Barry Bonds. Bonds’ price tag might be somewhere in the $15 million range for one season. Lets see, last time I checked San Diego was still in the National League. So, that means that Bonds would still have to play in the outfield on two bad knees and a chicken wing for a left arm. For only $15 million! Where do I sign?

Two guys that are going to bank after having just one good season are Frank Thomas and Gary Matthews Jr. ESPN.com is reporting that Thomas is set to sign a two-year deal with the Blue Jays that could exceed $30 million. Sounds like a lot for a DH who just choked mightily in the ALCS with what? No hits? And I guarantee you that Matthews fools some sucker into giving him millions on for that .313, 19 HR, 79 RBI season he is coming off of. Never mind the fact that the guy is a career .263 hitter.

More to follow as more wallets widen.