Thursday, January 28, 2010
Key losses- Doug Davis, Max Scherzer, Eric Byrnes
Key additions- Edwin Jackson, Bob Howry, Kelly Johnson, Adam LaRoche
Off-season grade- C+
Justification- I don’t quite understand trading Max Scherzer for Edwin Jackson. I feel Scherzer is a better pitcher than Jackson. It’s possible they view Scherzer as a reliever. I like the signing of Kelly Johnson a lot. I think he will have a bounce back season and should be a bargain at $2 million. LaRoche should add some power to their lineup.
Key losses- Jason Marquis, Garrett Atkins, Matt Murton
Key additions- Rafael Betancourt (re-signed), Miguel Olivo
Off-season grade- C
Justification- They didn’t lose anyone significant, but they didn’t add anything either. Their bullpen should continue to be a strength with the re-signing of Betancourt.
Key losses- Randy Wolf, Juan Pierre, Jon Garland, Orlando Hudson
Key additions- Russ Ortiz, Doug Mientkiewicz, Andre Ethier (re-signed), Matt Kemp (re-signed)
Off-season grade- C-
Justification- They lost some decent starters and didn’t replace them. Orlando Hudson had a nice season for the Dodgers last year and filed for free agency. Re-Signing Kemp and Ethier is a plus.
Key losses- Brad Penny, Bob Howry, Ryan Garko
Key additions- Mark DeRosa, Aubrey Huff, Bengie Molina
Off-season grade- C-
Justification- The DeRosa signing is a plus. He gives the Giants versatility. I’m not sure what Aubrey Huff adds to the team. I’m also confused as to why any GM would give Bengie Molina decent money for production that a minor leaguer could give you. This also blocks Buster Posey from getting playing time. They are also wasting his service time. I’m not sure what Sabean is trying to accomplish.
Key losses- Kevin Kouzmanoff
Key additions- Jerry Hairston, Scott Hairston, Heath Bell (re-signed)
Off-season grade- D
Justification- I don’t like the Padres trading Kouzmanoff because he is an above average defensively. Jerry Hairston gives the Padres versatility. Scott Hairston can provide a nice bat versus left-handed pitching. I question the Padres desire to put a winning product on the field. They were able to sign Heath Bell to a reasonable contract and he could become a valuable piece around the trade deadline.
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Rick Mell is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BA in Communications with an emphasis in Media Studies. He is a diehard Cubs fan and even went as far as to get the Cubs logo tattooed on his arm. He also keeps up to date on the other 29 team...[Continue Reading]
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