Baseball

Hello once again!

Well, the hot stove fire really sparked and crackled for the Yanks during the General Managers' Winter Meetings this past week, so let's do a quick recap of the biggest deal made, so far, in this offseason.

Three Team Trade between the Yanks, D'Backs, and Tigers

Here is how it broke down for the Yanks: New York received OF Curtis Granderson from the Tigers, while shipping out Ian Kennedy to the D'Backs, and trading prospect Austin Jackson, and LHP Phil Coke, to the Tigers.

It has been quiet at the winter baseball meetings for the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

They shored up their bench with the additions of left-handed hitting Ross Gload this week, to go along with previous signings of catcher Brian Schneider and utility man Juan Castro.

Their biggest signing has been third baseman Placido Polanco.

They are even waiting to see what to do with capable incumbent relievers Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre.

When discussing the team's budget and off-season plans Rays Principal Owner Stu Sternberg told us, "There's not a $7 million dollar closer coming."

Oh those tricky Rays. Just when you think you have them (and their budget) figured out, they pull off the mega deal of the winter meetings. The team that said it would never devote a large portion of it's payroll to a closer just acquired one of the best from last season in Atlanta's Rafael Soriano.

The Twins have been interested in acquiring Mark DeRosa quite a few times in recent years. He possess a lot of qualities that the Twins look for in players. He also plays a position that the Twins are trying to fill. So it really comes to no surprise that the Twins met with DeRosa's agent at this week's Winter Meetings in Indianapolis.

He's making a list.

Checking it twice.

Gonna find out who is terrible or nice.

Santa Cashman is coming to town, Santa Cashman is coming to town.

Yes, I am in the Christmas spirit, and the Yankees are too, because they have begun their holiday shopping.

Unlike us, who shop for December 25, Brian Cashman is shopping for next season and beyond.

Cashman had a proven center fielder with a decent contract on his list. A three-way trade for Curtis Granderson took care of that need.

Tom Verducci, a baseball insider for Sports Illustrated and the MLB Network, reports that a source has told him that the Philadelphia Phillies have been "very aggressive" in their pursuit of Roy Halladay, and are the front-runners to acquire the right-hander.

This is a short story I wrote in sixth grade. I thought I might as well post it on here for you to read:

The stadium was filled with people. The Braves were playing the Mets to decide who would dominate the National League East. In the clubhouse, the room was full of uncertainty.

Well...another year of Baseball's Winter Meetings is officially in the can.

Alex Anthopoulos and the Toronto Blue Jays essentially left Indianapolis as the same team as they arrived as. No trades, no free agent signings, and no crazy statements from the general manager.

The Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, or Phillies could have started laying the groundwork for a Roy Halladay trade, but we won't know for sure until the official announcement comes down from AA himself.

If you want to know why Minnesotans, myself included, get a little defensive when people talk about Joe Mauer leaving for, well, anywhere else, it comes from something beyond the "favorite son" notion. Mauer's been a story in Minnesota for much longer than the six years he's been with the Twins.