Christmas Shopping

The Grinch (Miami Marlins) attempts to steal all the off season presents so far has gone well, and a 6 year offer to CJ Wilson may enough for him to move to Florida for more than orange juice.

This winters meetings ratified a lot of loose ends form the agreement, but who's kidding who, it signals the silly season of spending, dissing and swapping players.

Closers are moving around rapidly, and Red Sox had bette rgrab Ryan Madson while they can, before the music stops. Just today, intrepid reporter Brad Drew reported that the Rockies had moved Huston Street to the Padres, but there are still some stories to the opposite.  Sergie Santos moved back to the Jays for a decent double AA starting pitching prospect, as well.



Earlier on, Papelbon signed with the Phils, and the Fishy Fishes signed Heath Bell to 3 years worth of swordfish, and salary incentives. Them Marlins are sporting gold teeth these days, already with Jose Reyes landed.  So the closers are danci around and their are other moves still, there is Krod, Frankie Cordero, and maybe Kevin Gregg.  Andrew Bailey was a wasn't availble, in true Billy Beane Hocus Pocus.

Beane waved his star 3 season and 75 save cheap money closer under some noses, but was looking to score 3 pitching prospects back.   Sorry Charlie, no tuna for you today.  Beane is still playing the stock the shelves deal for ace Gio Gonzalez, but again, no one is biting, hell, not even the Marlins, and they are after almost everyone.

The Jays have again found the trade route more to their liking, getting 28 year closer Santos, who saved 30 odd games last year. His second numbers were not hot, but the amount of innings, plus the new role may have reduced him later in the year. He should rebound.   I like how he gets announced, based his 8 years of controllable costs, like a mortage that won't increase, or a constant bank dividend. Christ isn't it what he can do to stabilize the back end of the pen.

The Jays however continue to disprove any theorists who say that their comittment to spend like the big boys is coming.  When ? 2010, nope, traded Halladay for a package ( looks like a Beane move ), in 2011, nope ( moved Marcum for Lawrie ), looks like a Rays move, but get talent. So here is 2012, is this year Paul Beeston ?   Well, we have always said we would spend money and Rogers say the money is there to ask for it, but we want to spend it wisely. Now we have heard we need to see those turnstiles and if, if the team is in the hunt in July, we will spend the money.  Huh ?   What free agents exist in July, and if the team is enconsed in 4rth, who in their right mind would seek to add payroll in a veteran player being dumped ?

How do you get to 2nd or 3rd , and in a race, answer, add players in the off season. 

Don't listen to that blow hard Mike Wilner, he has been hooked on that Kool Aid they serve at Jays games and cannot see straight.


But I always say, Anthopolus, Beeston prove me wrong, swing for the fences.  I will admit error, and admit you are seeking the brass ring, bujt no evidence to the opposite. 

Some GM's have already packed up and gone home, they are not after Princes, and Fat Alberts, or start pitchers. The spenders are all staying to make deals. The remainder will complete their Christmas shopping on e-bay., amazon or through desparate agents.   Already players who thought themsleves big winners have started opting for arbitration.


More in few days, expecting an Albert signing, and maybe a CJ Wilson splash (Miami) .