MLB

Shortly after the season ended, Trevor Hoffman and the Brewers came to terms on a one year/$8 million contract that kept Hoffman in Milwaukee through 2010 and potentially even 2011, thanks to a mutual option.

We all know what Dan Uggla can bring to the table—a lead pipe for a bat and a lead glove to match it.  With the rumors swirling of a possible trade that would land the All-Star second baseman in Atlanta, many concerns have arose, mainly about his defense, or lack thereof.

Is Uggla's defense as bad as it is perceived to be?  The simple answer is no. 

Although he has never been or will never be a Gold Glove caliber defender, he is far from having the "lead" glove eluded to earlier.  The fans misconception of Uggla started back in 2008. 

As I continue to fine-tune my pitching projections, there is a major shakeup in the rankings.  Names like Yovani Gallardo, Ubaldo Jimenez and Javier Vazquez saw a major change in their rankings from the first time around. 

Let’s take a look at how things currently stand, but again keep in mind that these still have plenty of room to change as draft day grows closer.

Every year, I choose two MLB teams, one in each league, and hop onto their bandwagons in March.  Now, I do not confuse my loyalties, as I always remain a Rays and Braves fan, but bandwagon teams make the season more fun.  This year, I have hopped onto the bandwagons of Cincinnati and Seattle.

(For the record, I had hopped onto Seattle's bandwagon after the Chone Figgins signing, before the Cliff Lee trade.)

As we go on during this offseason, we can see that certain teams are going to go through rebuilding stages. One of these teams is the Cleveland Indians.

Fausto Carmona is not necessarily on the trading block, but it is said that the Indians are open to listen to offers for him in order to help their rebuilding process.

The Indians may be hesitant to move him, but he has had two lousy seasons, and the asking price for him shouldn't be that high.

All right, I'm "hosting" a "Salary Cap Summit."

Let's work out the numbers; how's this going to work?

I'll lay out the criteria we MUST arrive at (hey, it's my article) and then moderate.

ONE : The cap must not unduly penalize the currently rich. That means that (sorr, Goon) there's no trying to punish the Yankees, etc., for their CURRENT or PAST sins. Only Samuel Jackson is allowed to be vengeful.

Please check your past frustrations at the door.

As time went by this offseason, many of my predictions and hopes for the Florida Marlins did not happen.

The first being Josh Johnson's contract negotiations reaching an impasse and not getting any starting pitching help.

In past posts, I had mentioned what I had expected from the Marlins' front office, some of these posts talk about Nick Johnson, Dan Uggla, and other players who are on the trade block or their contracts are up. 

So, during the span of time since those posts, a lot has changed. 

Though the trade talk between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres surrounding first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has died off, there could be a new rumor floating to the surface.

The Chicago Cubs have had previous interest in Jacoby Ellsbury; there's no question the Red Sox would love to add Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to their lineup; and the Padres have already asked for Clay Buchholz and top prospects Casey Kelley or Ryan Westmoreland.

Maybe Albert Haynesworth hates Greg Blache , and maybe he’s exactly right to require a better system by which the Redskins can wreak havoc. And yes, maybe $100 million dollars should buy him a little more input on how to improve a system that is pretty darn good.

But even if the Redskins’ defensive scheme was the worst in the league, is it a stretch to ask one of the best defensive players in the league toiling in it to suck it up and roll with the punches?

Grabbed with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Yonder Alonso is the face of the Reds minor league system.  And for good reason.  The kid can flat-out hit a baseball.

Alonso is another left-handed bat hoping to make an already lefty laden lineup.  His 6'3", 215 pound frame is reminiscent of another Reds' first baseman...fan favorite, Sean "The Mayor" Casey.