There hasn't been much to report of late, but there have been some small pieces of news that are noteworthy. The Yankees posted $2 million to the Seibu Lions of Japan, to have exclusive negotiation rights for shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. It appears to be a depth move, that won't cost a fortune and on that end it looks like it could be a smart pick up (depending on what his contract demands are). Last year in Japan he batted .297 with 16 homeruns, and 100 RBI's. Power typically doesn't translate to the majors, which is why you see a guy like Akinori Iwamura be a 20-30 homerun threat in Japan, and hit 7 when he came to the Rays. It will be interesting to see what kind of player he is, and if he can be a good defensive presence on the field.
Additionally we picked up right handed pitcher Brad Meyers from the Washington Nationals in the rule 5 draft. Good for us.
The NY Post reported that the Yankees are willing to trade AJ Burnett and eat $8 million of the remaining $33 million left in his contract. Shockingly, there have been no takers.
Outside of Yankee land, the big players are starting to move. Heath Bell and Jose Reyes have been signed by the Miami Marlins, who have apparently invested all their money to sign free agents, leaving none to design their new hats. They have a substantial offer in to CJ Wilson, who is looking at a less substantial but still relavant offer from his home town team the Angels. Speaking of the Angels, they just signed Pujols to a 10 year deal. I'm sure signing a 32 year old player to a 10 year contract won't come back to bite them at all.
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Maybe the Angels are banking that Pujols will break Bonds's HR record and become the "clean" HR king. This is a strategy that cannot possibly go wrong.
Amazing that both Pujols and Wilson turned down several million from the Marlins to sign with the Angels. I don't remember any other free agent leaving so much money on the table. The closest was Pettitte signing with the Astros over the Yankees, but I don't think the difference in those deals was close to what the Marlins offered over the Angels.
All our competitors are strengthening their team. Somehow, that does not make me feel confident about next year's season. Except, perhaps that Boston seems to be doing the same.
Yeah the Marlins and Angels made big splashes, but then again, its not like either of them were post season contenders this year. The Marlins were a sub-.500 team, and the Angels finished 3rd in the wild card. Will their pick ups change that? Maybe, but I'm not too worried about it.
And it is odd that left so much money on the table. Apparently Pujols wanted a no-trade clause that the Marlins were unwilling to give. Wilson gave the home town discount just like Pettitte did to the Astros.
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