Baseball Hot Stove Simmering Down

Usually baseball's top free agents wait until mid-December to early-January to sign. However, this year things have moved very quickly, and with the exception of a couple of big names left the hot stove seems to be cooling down before Thanksgiving. Here are my thoughts on the major signings and trades this offseason except for A-Rod. For those thoughts see this older post.

Mariano Rivera 3-years, $45 million
After a few days of Rivera trying to hold out for a fourth year, he has finally agreed to re-sign with the Yankees. They had to get him back with Joba Chamberlian moving to the rotation next year. $15 million a year is a lot for a 38-year old reliever, but he is still the best in the game and deserves a big check for all he has done for the organization.

Jorge Posada 4-years, $52 million
Posada was the best catcher by far in the free agent market. He has been getting better and better with age, so he may be able to live up to at least three years of this deal. Plus, he is really the unofficial captain behind Derek Jeter. Like Rivera, Posada is being overpaid, but he deserves a few extra pennies for his championship contributions.

Mike Lowell 3-years, $37.5 million
The Red Sox got a great deal for Lowell. It seemed for awhile it may have taken a 4-year, $60 million contract for someone to get Lowell, but he ended up taking the hometown discount. Behind Beckett, Lowell was really the MVP of the Red Sox this whole year with Manny having a down year and Ortiz battling knee problems. He fits Fenway Park perfectly.

Luis Castillo 4-years, $25 million
It's hard to believe that Castillo will be making $6.25 million a year, but that is where baseball free agency has headed. Castillo gives the Mets a great glove at second, and a good bat in the #2 hole. He's nothing special, but gives good experience having been a member of the 2003 Florida Marlins championship team.

Curt Schilling 1-year, $8 million
At first, I thought the Red Sox should let him go, but after surveying the free agent market where else were the Sox going to get a better #2/#3 starter. He is probably only good for 20-25 starts, but will battle in every start especially in the postseason. His experience is unmatched so bringing in someone else probably wouldn't be as good. His one year will also allow the Sox more time before throwing Clay Buchhotz and Jon Lester further into the fire.

Tom Glavine 1-year, $8 million (Braves)
It was clear Glavine couldn't go back to the Mets after his September meltdown, so where better than back home to the Braves. He returns to the team he spent the first 16 years of his career with while compiling 242 of his 303 career wins. Good move for the Braves who need a #3 starter behind Tim Hudson and John Smoltz. They also cannot rely on Mike Hampton being healthy, so Glavine gives them good depth.

Jon Garland (Angels) for Orlando Cabrera (White Sox)
Good trade for the Angels considering they have Brandon Wood not far away from taking over at shortstop. It would also free up the position should they want to trade for Miguel Tejada if they don't acquire Miguel Cabrera for third base. I don't like the trade from the White Sox perspective. Cabrera is an upgrade at short over Juan Uribe, but they leave themselves a hole in the rotation. After Mark Buehrle, it gets hazy with Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras.

Brad Lidge (Phillies) for 3 players (Astros)
The Phillies didn't give up much, so I think it is worth a gamble to bring Lidge in. It also allows them to put Brett Myers back in the rotation where he belongs. Cole Hamels and Brett Myers is about as good a 1,2 punch in the NL. I would be surprised if Lidge does well in Philadelphia as he got traded to maybe the only stadium that is more homerun friendly than Houston. However, he still is an upgrade over Gordon, Alfonseca, Mesa, or any of the other bums in that Phillies pen. Good move by Houston too, because Lidge needed a change of venue.

Edgar Renteria (Tigers) for 2 players (Braves)
I think this is a terrific move for Detroit. They did give up a pretty good prospect in Jair Jurrjens, but they upgrade an already terrific lineup. The Tigers will move Carlos Guillen to first, and be able to bat Renteria 1,2 when Granderson sits against lefties. They might move Granderson to the bottom of the order all together with solid on base percentages from Placido Polanco and Renteria. Atlanta can now start Yunel Escobar at short fulltime.

Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter remain.

Pat Morgan