Ah, the sound of the keyboard clicking, and the cursor actually moving on the screen and not just aimlessly blinking on a blank Microsoft word page.
It's certainly been awhile.
Truth is, I've been a little preoccupied since the end of baseball season, and I can't bear to write about the 49ers (where's a Christmas miracle when I need one?) I'm still reinforcing all my hockey knowledge, but until then, I'm really not knowledgeable enough to write about the Sharks or the Bruins.
But I can talk about the trades...and transactions that have happened.
FIRST:
Miguel Tejada. Miggi. The new Giants' shortstop. Taking over between second and third, he's 36 years old and coming to us from the San Diego Padres. It seems to be as if he might be declining, but still a good defensive and offensive addition to the team. I still think all in all the Giants really need some "POP" in their line up. There are days where we can really get the energy flowing throughout the whole line up...and other days when we...well...can't.
We'll definitely see what he can bring to the team.
Anyway, San Francisco is a very welcoming city.
So, Welcome.
We're still waiting on Edgar Renteria and whether or not he'll accept the offer the Giants have placed for him after Giants management turned down what him and his agent wanted.
Jayson Werth was a pipe dream.
I thought a new outfielder would be nice, in addition to Cody Ross and Andres Torres out there, but instead he signed with the Nationals for 7 years for 126 million dollars.
Kiss goodbye to those rings, Werth.
My friend and I (mostly him, I'm still warming up to the idea) had this idea that we could bring up Brandon Belt from the minors. Belt, a first baseman, could certainly bring some pop to the line up. Batting at .352 this year, he could definitely bring something to the team. 22/30 stolen bases, 23 home runs and 112 RBI's...not bad. Since Belt is a first baseman, and Aubrey Huff is our current first baseman, we could do a switch-a-roo, since Huff plays in the outfield.
We could send Aubrey Huff to right field, have Cody play in left, and put Belt at first.
I'd like to see that tried out.
We'll see.
SECOND:
Boston Red Sox walked out of winter meetings WINNERS.
Despite having to break out the wallet, the Red Sox walked away with former Ray, Carl Crawford who will join the outfield with Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew. It's likely that he'll be batting third behind Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia. As long as the Sox stay healthy, it's hard to say they need much more "POP" in their line up, but anything helps to push the team along into the postseason.
Adrian Gonzalez also joined the Red Sox, taking over at first base and moving Kevin Youkilis to third. Adrian Gonzalez is a former Padre.
The goal for the 2011 season is to strengthen the Red Sox bullpen. The starters also need to STAY HEALTHY (along with the rest of the team) as well as be more CONSISTENT.
Inconsistency is fun...to an extent.
With VMart off in Detroit, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek (who's usually back up) will take over behind the plate. They both hit well, and catch well, though Varitek (who's been with the Sox since 1997) will likely see more starts than Saltalamacchia -- although it depends on what we see from Salty as the early season progresses.
THIRD:
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hammels?
Is it legal in MLB to have such a solid pitching rotation?
The Phillies are going to be the team to beat next year. Their line up consists of good hitters...and now with Cliff Lee rejoining their pitching rotation they're going to be a solid team.
It's gonna be a tough year.
The Phillies want to come back strong.
FOURTH:
Yankees lost Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee.
'Nuff said.
They did resign Jeter though.
I was thankful he wasn't coming to San Francisco.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to when the boys have report to their respective clubs.
No sweat.
Spring is right around the corner.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
