MLB

After letting their top target, Mike Cameron, slip away to the Red Sox while they tried desperately to unload Milton Bradley, the Cubs are now left holding six million dollars, and wondering who will be manning center field next season.

Looking at the list of available free agents, I'm not convinced that anyone out there can provide any more bang for the buck than former first round pick Tyler Colvin. Let's examine the potential candidates on the free agent market:

In the offseason, much is made of the comings and goings of established major league players in free agency.

But many often overlook the same thing happening in the minor leagues.

In the "Recapping Minor League Free Agent Losses" series, I'll be looking at what, if anything, each team is losing at the minor league levels.

I'm not going to bother covering every player, because not all of them are very important and I have little to say about many of them. I'll just be touching on those who I think could be of value to another team in free agency.

The rumors don't seem to stop even when a prominant ESPN writer says not to take any of them seriously.

There was talk of the Boston Red Sox going hard after San Diego Padres' first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, then there were rumors that the Mariners and Orioles could possibly get involved. All three never seemed to get anything accomplished and the rumors died off quietly.

In the offseason, much is made of the comings and goings of established major league players in free agency.

But many often overlook the same thing happening in the minor leagues.

In the "Recapping Minor League Free Agent Losses" series, I'll be looking at what, if anything, each team is losing at the minor league levels.

I'm not going to bother covering every player, because not all of them are very important and I have little to say about many of them. I'll just be touching on those who I think could be of value to another team in free agency.

Recent baseball wisdom has held that having two great pitchers is the path to postseason success.  This must have been what the Yankees were thinking as they acquired C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett a year ago. 

I’m sure it also crossed the minds of the Seattle Mariners’ management and fans as they just got Cliff Lee to go with Felix Hernandez in their planned rotation for next year.

I'll admit it, I initially freaked out about sending Vazquez and Logan to New York for Cabrera, Dunn, and Vizcaino.  However, after I thought it over in a calm manner, I came to the realization that it was actually a very thoughtful and rational move by Frank Wren. 

In analyzing Javier Vazquez, it's a wonder he was able to pitch so well last year.  In his 12 full seasons in the bigs, he's only posted an ERA under four a head scratching five times.  On top of that, last year was his only season ever under three. 

Yesterday, a number of Braves fans gathered up their torches and pitch forks and started to load up a wagon bound for the Mexican beach on which Frank Wren is vacationing.

"Why did we trade our ACE for a fourth outfielder?!?!

"We need power!!!  Not a s%*##y Yankee scrub!!!"

Well, today I hope that at least a few have jumped off of that wagon, as the Braves acquired their big right-handed bat that all of us Braves fans have for so long sought.

Sort of.

A survey of over 1.3 million people across the country has just been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranking the 50 states and Washington D.C. on how happy the residents of each locale are.  It used data collected over four years.  Out of the 51 states and D.C., New York came in last at 51st, Connecticut second to last at 50th, and New Jersey came in at 47th. 

It has been becoming more and more frustrating. The Dodgers have come so close the last two years, only to fall short of the World Series both times at the hands of the Phillies.  We have waited too long.