MLB

Note: This is, in its entirety, a rant. I may consider it to be true, but that does not change its status as a rant. I know, the sky isn't falling, but if you don't want to read a full out angry rant, then turn back now. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The way things have been shaping up, I didn't have high expectations for the upcoming 2010 season, but I thought the Yankees winning the World Series might motivate the Red Sox into making some big moves this winter. That doesn't appear to be the case.

Washington, DC—The Washington Nationals unwrapped their shiny new toy today just in time for the holidays.

By tomorrow at 11:00 PM central time, players who are non-tender candidates must be offered a contract by there team or they become free agents. For those who don't understand how this works, a player is a non-tender candidate when they become arbitration eligible and his club determines he is not worth the salary he might command in arbitration.

To see Part One, click here .

Jamie Moyer, 47, has been in baseball for almost 25 years. Before he was in drafted, he pitched for Souderton High School, which is very close to my house. He then went on to pitch for St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  

With the off season in full swing, I thought this would be a good time to take a look back at what baseball fans everywhere were buzzing about ten years ago.

The off season leading up to the 2000 season was a bit short on talented free agents, but was anything but short on blockbuster trades.

I have taken an in depth look at each transaction, given the statistics that the players involved put up in the coming 2000 season, and then ranked them from 1-20.

I hope you enjoy this look back, and I look forward to your comments as you reflect on what your favorite team was doing ten years ago.

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The 2009 Winter Meetings have concluded, and the San Francisco Giants came away looking like they did little, but probably did plant the seeds for a deal or two to take place.

Rumors continue to persist that the Giants are still talking with the Florida Marlins regarding Dan Uggla in exchange for TBD Giants' players. Also, reports that Giants have offers before Mark DeRosa and maybe Nick Johnson and LaRoche, as possible Giants' first baseman.

Last year J.J. Putz was traded, and Francisco Rodriguez was signed immediately. So because of last year's big moves during the winter meetings, expectations coming heading into Monday were high, and luckily the GMs delivered some early Christmas gifts.

Some players were given more than we anticipated, while the big names remained on the board as expected. There were a few dozen signings, but mostly minor names who will be seen in the minor leagues this year.

After a full week of reporting the happenings of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, I resolve to finally put this subject to bed. But before I do, I wanted to add a few final thoughts from this year’s meetings.

With the exception of ”The Trade,” this year’s Winter Meetings were fairly uneventful. There were a few minor deals, but overall, the meetings were relatively quiet.

On Friday morning, the White Sox signed free agent reliever J.J. Putz to a one-year, $3 million deal. The contract reportedly has incentives that could make it worth as much as $6 million.

The Cubs were reportedly interested in Putz, among other teams, but have been handicapped by their inability to move Milton Bradley.

Putz likely replaces the departed Octavio Dotel in the Sox bullpen but could close if the Sox decide to move closer Bobby Jenks.

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