Baseball

I will give General Manager Jim Hendry and the rest of the Chicago Cubs front office this.

They are not overreacting.

This offseason, after a largely disappointing 2009 campaign, the Cubs have made no significant additions to their 83 win team. They also are only rumored to be looking at tweaking, bringing maybe a bottom of the rotation starter or center fielder in.

In an era where those in player personnel often overreact to disappointing seasons, I wish it was more refreshing to see a GM who stays patient and plays for the long term.

Over the last several days, there has been a lot of speculation that the Red Sox's recent shopping spree may not be done. In the aftermath of the New York Yankees' acquisition of RHP Javier Vazquez, some pundits have speculated the Sox may feel the need to make one more big splash in free agency. The thinking is that the Sox will perceive the New York rotation to be close enough to the Red Sox (in quality) that the stark differences in the team’s respective lineups will be impossible to ignore.

I love baseball movies.

Field of Dreams still makes me cry (don't laugh—I know you cry when Ray Kinsella has that catch with his dad). Bull Durham is that perfect Saturday afternoon dose of rivalry and sweetness. Then there are the historical dramas like Eight Men Out.

So, when the American Film Institute recently released its selections for this year's top films, and a baseball movie called Sugar was on the list, I went right to my computer and shot it to the top of my Netflix queue.

According to internet speculation, the Seattle Mariners are willing to at least explore the idea of moving prized young starter "King" Felix Hernandez this winter. The thinking is that they may not be able to lock him up long-term.

And, well, the M's just happen to be in need of a third baseman—assuming Adrian Beltre doesn't return. Meanwhile, the Mets desperately need pitching.

It's a match made in heaven, right? I mean, neither player has a no-trade clause.

I've been on record saying that I am a fan of the deal that brought Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera, Michael Dunn, and Arodys Vizcaino. Yes, giving up Vizcaino hurt, but Vazquez is a top-notch pitcher so it was worth it to give up real talent for him. You have to give up value to get you value in return.

Over the past year or so, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has been doing a lot of trading. And with the exception of recent deals for Aaron Heilman and Carlos Silva, they've all been major leaguers being swapped for prospects or young major leaguers. Here's a quick recap of these trades:

- Mark DeRosa traded to the Cleveland Indians for Jeff Stevens and minor leaguers John Gaub and Chris Archer.

- Aaron Miles and Jake Fox traded to the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Gray and minor leaguers Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.

In the '80s, it was all about "Who Shot J.R.?"

In the '90s, we had O.J. and A.C. cruising down the 405 in the white Bronco.

In the aughts 2000s '00s, Snookie's sucker-punch on Jersey Shore appeared to be the clear frontrunner for this decade's defining TV moment.

But that was before Johnny Damon appeared as guest host of WWE's Monday Night Raw.

As Jason Bay and his agent attempt to restart talks with the Boston Red Sox, there are a number of reasons why it would be wise for the Sox to continue to pass.

First, they're over-crowded in the outfield. With the recent signing of Mike Cameron (two years, $15 million) and Jeremy Hermida (one year, $2.25 million), there is no need for Bay.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron, and J.D. Drew would be the regular outfielders.

We all know the well-publicized losses of the Los Angeles Angels: Chone Figgins, John "The Traitor" Lackey, Darren Oliver, and Rex Hudler.

They all hurt in one way or another, although for my money, Figgins is a loss worth losing. I want to see what Brandon Wood can do, and there are other players to fill the gap if he flames out.