Early Start

Wow, has it been 100 posts already? I know it might seem like it's taken forever to some of you, but I appreciate you sticking with me. What are true friends for! To celebrate my 100th blog post, we're going to analyze a few of the early off-season moves that have been made to date, and maybe, just maybe, we'll get into some good ol' fashion speculation too.

Let's start with one of the weirder things in baseball I've ever seen, and that is a manager essentially being traded. That's right, back in late September, before the World Series and the off-season, Ozzie Guillen asked the Chicago White Sox for a contract extension. That deal never worked out, and so Ozzie being the colorful character that he is, asked for a release of his current contract. He then immediately posted on his website that he would be taking over the Florida Marlins, even before current Marlins interim manager Jack McKeon had a chance to step down. Classy Ozzie. Essentially he was traded for two minor league players when Chicago asked for compensation, so that the always boisterous manager will now take over a Marlins team that has lots of slugging potential, and plenty of pitching, but who's shoddy defense and high expectations always seem to get the better of them. Perhaps a new stadium, along with a new manager will liven things up in Miami.

So who's going to take over in Chicago? Well if you guessed a former Chicago White Sox star player who's never managed a baseball game in his life, you'd be absolutely correct. Robin Ventura, one of the surest hands at third the game has ever seen, and clutch grand slam expert, is now going heading up the baseball strategies on the South Side of Chicago. This comes as a bit of a shock to many since the White Sox are not a team in transition, and could conceivably compete next year. A lot of pressure will rest on Ventura to adjust quickly to this new role, and keep the ship afloat. One thing is for certain, the normally calm Ventura will certainly be a big departure from the theatrical antics Chi-town was used to seeing.

But what is this, the other Chicago team is down a manager as well? All hell is breaking loose in Chicago folks! Not to fear, Theo Epstein is here. Indeed, the former General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, and the man who helped orchestrate the team that broke The Curse of the Bambino, will bring his magic wand to the ill-begotten Chicago Cubs. His first order of business was releasing coach Mike "Total Recall" Quade from his contract, and beginning the search for a new manager. Having successfully rescued Red Sox Nation from the edge of the bridge, Theo was knighted a wunderkind of the baseball business world, and claimed another championship for Boston four years later. With the situation in Boston, um, deteriorating, and with manager Terry Francona jumping ship, it looked like it was time for Epstein to move along as well. He chose the spot where losing is not just possible, it's probable, so theoretically he can do no wrong there since losing would not be a change from the norm. But if he does manage to change things in Chicago and bring home the first championship in over 100 years, sculptors would start on his Hall of Fame bust the very next day. Seriously though, if he could put together a team that won it all after so much ineptitude, and after having done the same thing for the Red Sox, he would go down in baseball history as possibly the greatest GM in history. Oh, and he's not even 40 yet.

There are some other teams finding new GMs this winter as well. The Twins have contracted Terry Ryan to return as an interim GM for 2012 and possibly beyond. Ryan, who was GM from 1994-2007, and has been involved with the organization for almost 30 years, will try to guide this team back to what they do best, finding cheap and productive talent. The big contracts of Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer have definitely changed things in Minnesota, but perhaps a old/new approach will bring success back to the Twin Cities. The Baltimore Orioles also named Dan Duquette as President of Baseball Operations. The former Boston GM helped lay some of the groundwork for the 2003 Champion Red Sox while he was there from 1994-2002. From a USAToday article, "It was Duquette who acquired Pedro Martinez, drafted the likes of Nomar Garciaparra, Kevin Youkilis and Hanley Ramirez, pulled Tim Wakefield from the scrap pile and effectively swindled Seattle out of Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek in a trade that helped change the direction of the Red Sox organization." Duquette will hopefully bring those innovative changes to the gloomy atmosphere in one of baseball's most storied franchises.

The defending World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals have made quick order of their search for a new skipper, and have settled on former catcher Mike Matheny. Matheny, like Ventura has no managing experience to speak of, but Mike does have one step on Robin. Mike has spent the past two years as a special assistant to the organization, and therefore has a somewhat better understanding of the people involved in and around the game, which is crucial to being a good manager. Matheny seems like an energetic leader who's lack of experience won't keep him awake one minute of the day. Both he and Ventura have their work cut out for them, and each will certainly take a different approach to the job. Much luck to both men has they start their careers in the dugout.

Enough about the guys who don't play a position, though, let's talk some baseball moves! The Philadelphia Phillies have been busy already. First they reclaimed Jim Thome for a one-year deal that will see him do a little glove work at first, and a lot of batting off the bench. This is a good move purely for the fact that Thome was so beloved during his three years in Philly. Then news came out this weekend that the Phils made a huge splash in the free agent pool and locked up closer Jonathan Papelbon for 4 years, $50 million, which is more than any closing pitcher has ever received. Papelbon is a very good pitcher, and had a very good year after his rollercoaster 2010, but $50 million? Before you interject, I'm not second-guessing this move simply because it is the Phillies. I would have been reticent of this signing no matter the team. $12.25 million is a lot of dough to shell out every year for a dude who only ever pitches 65 innings a year. Papelbon can make this deal worth $13 million in 2016 with a performance-based vesting option as well. That $63 million better get a whole lot of saves.

Another big signing has occurred very recently, but this wasn't of the free agent variety. Instead it was an extension offered to Matt Kemp of the L.A. Dodgers for a reported $160 million over 8 years. Kemp had one of the best seasons of recent memory, and stands a very good chance of winning the MVP. The fact that the Dodgers missed the playoffs hurt his chances, but not his wallet. After batting .324, with a NL leading 39 homeruns, 115 runs and 126 RBI, not to mention 40 stolen bases which were tied for second best in the league, Kemp was a shoe-in for receiving a big extension package. I just didn't think it would be quite this big. I must say that this "monster season" was predicted back in March by our good friends over at Mikesciosciastragicillness.com in a lovely blog entitled "Matt Kemp is Going to Destroy Worlds." If you don't believe me, head over there after reading this. And if you don't know what Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness means, then I just feel sorry for you.

Anyway, the nearly 40-40 man will now receive $20 million a season for a very long time. The only concern with this move was where the Dodgers were getting the money. Frank McCourt agreed to sell the team due to his divorce and financial situation, so it was surprising that such a large contract would be tendered during these shenanigans. It goes to show just what a special player Kemp is, though, for an organization in ownership transition to want to hold onto such a valuable commodity. The Dodgers also made a few smaller moves by signing Mark Ellis for second-base, and Matt Treanor for catching duties. It seems like they may be trying to save up some money to lock up their other big name, Clayton Kershaw.

There was even a splashy trade made the other day as the San Francisco Giants sent pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to the Kansas City Royals for Melky Cabrera. Sanchez, who is a strikeout machine, fell from his good graces of 2010 by having a very mediocre 2011 which is more characteristic of his overarching career. The lefty seems to lack both control and durability and the Giants had to make room for some of their younger prospects coming through the system. Melky Cabrera had the best year of his career with the Royals, and will hopefully be the Giants everyday centerfielder in 2012, although everyday consistency is not one of Melky's strengths.

Other moves included the Arizona Diamondbacks bringing back Aaron Hill, and Willie Bloomquist; the Pittsburgh Pirates signed catcher Rod Barajas; the San Diego Padres snatched Mark Kotsay, and the Minnesota Twins nabbed Jamey Carroll. So it seems as though some teams are getting an early start on the free agency period that we've come to know and love as the "hot stove." I hope it continues, because I hate waiting for rumors to boil over into stories in December and January. But then again, if everything happens too soon, I'll have nothing left to talk about throughout the winter! Oh wait, I still have to do movie reviews. Until next time.