Baseball

Mark DeRosa has officially signed with the San Francisco Giants, and Troy Glaus and Joe Thurston both have signed with the Atlanta Braves. 

Needless to say, the St. Louis Cardinals are now left with a hole to fill at third base.

As Matt Holliday's status remains uncertain, GM John Mozeliak has other targets that he has been rumored to be pursuing.

The hottest name linked to the Cardinals appears to be switch-hitting infielder Felipe Lopez.

For the third consecutive year, the New York Mets have bagged one of the biggest names in the free agent market.

In 2008 they snatched up two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, last year it was K-Rod and now, pending a physical, they are set to bring left-fielder Jason Bay to Queens.

But the real question here is, will the acquisition of Bay really matter this year in terms of being the Mets answer to postseason?

The San Francisco Giants wound up making the mistake. But if they hadn't, someone else would have.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, baseball execs throughout MLB thought Mark DeRosa was worth several million dollars a year. DeRosa wound up getting six million dollars for two years: a two-year, $12 million deal.

This is the sort of move that, as an analyst, drives me up the wall.

Mark DeRosa doesn't do anything particularly well. He hit a mediocre .250/.319/.433 in 2009, a .752 OPS. Third basemen as a whole hit .265/.335/.421, a .757 OPS.

For all those sportscasters in the Bay Area, nothing needs to be said about the Mark DeRosa signing other than he inked a deal with the Giants. Once you mention that, just move on to Sharks and Warriors highlights because this signing was only more of the same from the genius that is Brian Sabean.

If I were Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo, I’d be driving over to Adam Dunn’s house right now, contract in one hand and pen in the other.

And I’d be practicing my groveling.

Former Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay has agreed to a four year, $66 million contract. That’s $16.5 million per season for the 30 year old.

After a quiet series of winter meetings and an eerily nondescript Christmas, the New York Mets finally took the plunge on Tuesday with their acquisition of Jason Bay.

While specific details remain unconfirmed by the Mets' hierarchy, ESPN is reporting a guaranteed four-year, $66 million deal with a vesting option for a fifth year in 2014.

Just hours after we found out about a deal being in the works to bring Jason Bay to Flushing, another significant free agent signing is being reported.

ESPN Radio’s Rich Coutinho is reporting that the Mets are close to signing catcher, Bengie Molina , to a two-year deal. Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Last season with the San Francisco Giants, the 36-year-old Molina hit .265 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI.

The Chicago Cubs are in dire need of some help after missing the playoffs last season, and have let a number of free agents go by already this off-season.

The New York Yankees were looking to get rid of Melky Cabrea and he ended up getting traded to the Atlanta Braves.  Others like Nick Johnson and Jason Bay were out there, but both have ended up going to New York. Johnson signed with the Yankees earlier this month and Bay has agreed terms with the New York Mets Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.

But what about Johnny Damon?

Ironic, isn’t it? In agreeing to a deal with the NY Mets, former Red Sox OF Jason Bay may be flushing his career right down the toilet.

According to multiple reports, Bay has reached an agreement with the Metropolitans on a four-year deal that will guarantee him at least $66 million.  It includes a vesting option for a fifth year (that is readily attainable IF he remains healthy) that would increase his overall compensation to over $80 million.

The Washington Nationals, over the last few weeks, have made a series of significant moves to try bolster the 2010 team in advance of some home-grown talent arriving in 2011 or 2012.

Stephen Strasburg. Drew Storen. Derek Norris. Danny Espinosa. Chris Marrero. Brad Meyers. Definitely some upside there.