Hot Stove Thoughts

Lackey to the Red Sox: On paper, this looks to be a great deal for the Red Sox. They get a number 1 starter that will likely slot into the third spot of their rotation. Apparently, they have lost faith in Matsuzaka. He now becomes the fourth, or maybe fifth starter, behind Bucholz. Two things would worry me as a Sox fan. The first is the Angels unwillingness to go to five years. Lackey has missed the start of the last two seasons with injuries, so it makes you wonder what the Angels know. They clearly know him best, so you have to wonder a bit. The second thing that would worry me a little is his desire to sign with a team where he will clearly be looked at as a number three. Maybe he is the ultimate team player, but most top flight pitchers have the attitude that they are number one and that is what makes them perform at their best.

Halladay to the Phillies/Cliff Lee to the Mariners: You have to think this keeps the Phillies at the top of the National League as of now. Word is they will lock him up for an additional three years as a condition of the trade. Hard to argue with adding Halladay, although you have to figure he starts diminishing at one point. My only problem is that unless Hamels bounces back, they are back in the same spot as last year and one dominant pitcher has not proven to be enough in the playoffs. The Mariners will team Lee with King Felix at the top of the rotation to create a pretty potent 1-2 punch. If they can get into the playoffs, they will be a tough out with those two leading the way. If they can agree to extension with Lee, it will also provide them with some insurance if Hernandez proves to be too expensive.

Matsui to the Angels: You would have to think this marks the end of the Vladimir Guerrero era in Anaheim. Matsui can provide plenty of pop from the DH spot and has proven to be a clutch hitter in the postseason. The Angels have clearly lost more than than they have gained to this point of the offseason, but you have to give GM Tony Reagins the benefit of the doubt based on recent success. At 1 year and 6.5 million, Matsui could prove to be the steal of the season much like Bobby Abreu did last year.

It should be noted that while all of these deals appear very likely, none have been officially announced.

Manny Back to the Dodgers, Abreu Stays With the Halos

In what can be considered a "no brainer," which is perfect for Manny Ramirez, he elected to take his option of another year and $20 million dollars from the Dodgers. There really was no question that Ramirez would opt to take the option. Coming off one of the best second halves of his career, he was unable to find the big money deal he wanted before last season. After this year, he certainly was not going to get any offers close to $20 million this offseason. Not only was his performance down, but he tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for 50 games. He finished the season with only 19 home runs and 63 runs batted in while appearing in only 104 games. In just 53 games with the Dodgers the prior season, Manny hit 17 long balls and drove in 53. Not only did he struggle at the edplate, but he constantly butchers plays in the outfield. He is basically a DH stuck in the National League. The Dodgers are hoping he regains his form of 2008. If the Dodgers want to get their moneys worth out of Manny, they might want to hope he finds a way around the tests again.


In what can be considered the best deal of the 2009 season, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Bobby Abreu to a 1 year, $5 million deal. Abreu not only came through with a terrific season of his own, he acted as a mentor to the Angels' young players as well. Young stars Erick Aybar and Kendry Morales credit Abreu with teaching them about patience at the plate and how to be a professional hitter. Manager Mike Scioscia said all season that he considered Abreu the teams MVP. He was rewarded Thursday with a deal that seems to be good for both sides. He agreed to a 2 year deal worth $19 million and an optional third year for an additional $8 million. Abreu may not have the name recognition of Manny Ramirez, but the Angels clearly got the better of the two deals in Los Angeles this week.