THE HOT STOVE GETS HOTTER: I've always been one of those baseball fans who enjoys the winter "hot stove league" as much- if not more than- the season itself. During the offseason I check ESPN.com about 25 times a day to check on the latest trades, signings, and rumors, as opposed to checking the scoreboard once a day when games are actually being played.
This off-season's been a little slower than most, with every team (except for two) cutting costs and not signing free agents- to the point where some are even alleging an '80s-like collusion conspiracy by the owners.
While I don't know about that, it's certainly strange that a top-five-in-the-majors talent (Vladimir Guerrero) and a recent MVP (Miguel Tejada) are both free agents, and there's little-to-no buzz about either. They say the signings will start trickling in around the time of next week's arbitration deadline, followed by the subsequent winter meetings- it won't be soon enough.
At any rate, the big news has been the literal "arms race" between the Yankees and Red Sox, representing a postscript to their soon-to-be-legendary ALCS that- unbelievably- only ended seven weeks ago. With both teams awash in TV revenue, they can afford players no other team can- hence the acquisitions of Curt Schilling by Boston and Javier Vazquez and Gary Sheffield by New York- and don't think either team is done.
The Yankees' trade for Vazquez was huge for them, because with Roger Clemens retiring and David Wells and possibly Andy Pettitte departing, the team now has a dynamic, young pitcher who will likely be in their rotation for the next decade. Someday, inevitably, the Yankees will suck again; bringing in Vazquez serves to push that day even further into the future.
As for the Red Sox, the previously long-shot idea that they might be able to pry Alex Rodriquez from Texas must now be considered a very real one. A Manny Ramirez-Rodriguez deal (a swap of the two highest-paid players in the game) would presumably be contingent on the Sox agreeing to pay a fraction of Ramirez' salary, in addition to also jettisoning Nomar Garciaparra, likely for prospects or a mid-level second baseman such as Adam Kennedy of the Angels. Boston's next likely move after that? A big new contract for Pedro Martinez- already the game's highest-paid pitcher. Whi's #2? Soon-to-be-Yankee Kevin Brown. #3? Curt Schilling.
When the opportunity presents itself to acquire the best player in the game- which Rodriguez is- it's a hard thing to say no to, which is why I suspect Theo Epstein will say yes. But the Sox need to ask themselves- is it worth it to trade two superstars for one? While money certainly seems to be no object for the team, do they really want to be paying Manny Ramirez to play for Texas? And as for Nomar, shouldn't they think long and hard before getting rid of one of the most beloved players in franchise history? And, even if it's just for a year, why can't Nomar DH, or play second?
The Twins, meanwhile, have been jettisoning people left and right to save money- just like everyone but the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies, in other words. A.J. Pierzynski is a Giant, LaTroy Hawkins a Cub, and Eric Milton a Phillie, with Jacque Jones and possibly Doug Mientkiewicz heading out the door next. I won't miss any of them with the exception of Milton, but as the only person on the Eastern Seaboard with my own Doug Mientkiewicz jersey I really really hope he stays put in "Minny."
I'm excited at the possibility of expanded roles next year for St. Paul native (and former #1 overall pick) Joe Mauer and Justin "Nosferatu" Morneau, but acknowledge that it's all for naught if they don't keep Shannon Stewart and "Everyday" Eddie Guardado.
But enough baseball punditry for now- time to check the ESPN baseball page again...