Baseball

With potential free agent infielders being snatched up faster than the testimonies of Tiger Woods’s mistresses by tabloids, I figured I had better relate some thoughts about the Twins infield situation before the market is completely dry (which, at this pace, could be any day now).

Okay Angels fans, we’ve got a "good news, bad news" situation on our hands.

The good news: Word on the street is the Angels are again in the hunt for the great Roy Halladay.

The bad news: Word on the street is their offer might include Jered Weaver.

And that is very bad news, indeed.

Just under two weeks ago the Arizona Diamondbacks made a slew of roster changes setting their 40-man roster . I found the timing of that somewhat interesting since they entered the free agent period with no openings on the roster.

This leads you to believe that any changes that will occur will be the result of a trade rather than a free agent signing. Not only a trade; but one that would include a member of their 40-man roster.

This past postseason's umpiring led to a renewed debate of whether major league baseball should implement video replay. Baseball is known for its tradition and resistance to change. So what does baseball do?

The issues involved are clear: umpires believe their authority would be threatened and do not like being second-guessed, MLB and the television networks want there to be a flow to the game, all the while teams, players, and fans want the right call to be made.

There is a simple solution to this problem that would appease all of the involved parties.

The Braves’ signing of Billy Wagner appears to signal a change at the back end of the Atlanta bullpen.  While it is still possible that Rafael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez is brought back to the mix (though even more unlikely with the addition of Takashi Saito), does anyone believe they would have guaranteed Wagner $7 million if he was not going to be the closer?

Wagner, who returned from Tommy John surgery in 2009, was impressive as a setup man for the Mets and Red Sox (1.72 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 26 K in 15.2 IP) and instantly becomes a solid option in all formats. 

The L.A. Angels have been one of the many potential suitors seeking to make a trade to land Roy Halladay, the Toronto Blue Jays' ace. The Angels will need to trade a lot as Halladay will cost a pretty penny.

The Angels should trade players that are at their peak value, and who the team could easily lose in one more season.

The Blue Jays expect a team to hand over one of its young starting pitchers to get Halladay. Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, and Joe Saunders are all options.

Welcome to another edition of Thaddeus' Tampa Bay Rays Offseason Report. Each and every Friday, we're going to recap the moves, trades, signings, and other nonsense of the previous week in the wonderful world of Tampa Bay baseball; keeping you, Dear Reader, up to date with the team until Opening Day in April 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles .

This year 171 players filed for free agency.

Of the 171 total free agents, 99 are from the National League and 72 are from the American League.

Unlike last year’s class of free agents, only a select few in this crop figure to land blockbuster deals.

Four-plus years ago, Placido Polanco got run out of Philadelphia—they do that a lot in that town—because the Phanatics wanted to see Chase Utley, and pronto, play second base. So quick to rid themselves of Polanco were the Phillies that they accepted a soon-to-be felon from the Tigers, pitcher Ugie Urbina, in a straight up heist.

It wasn't quite Lou Brock-for-Ernie Broglio but it wasn't Rocky Colavito-for-Harvey Kuenn, either. At least the Phillies had Utley as their ace in the hole.