Hot Stove League Burning Bright Already

It's only just started getting cold, but don't tell that to GM's around the major leagues. Deals have already started being made, and big ones too, before the Winter Meetings. The Boston Red Sox got P Josh Beckett and 3B Mike Lowell from the Marlins for prospects, the Mets got 1B Carlos Delgado from the Marlins for prospects too. The White Sox and Phillies swapped Major Leaguers, prospects, and of course money in their deal. The White Sox get 1B Jim Thome, and the Phillies get CF Aaron Rowand. I like all three trades, but two of them better than the third.

Nothing bad can be said about the trade to bring Josh Beckett to Boston. Yes, Lowell got forced in on it but oh well. The Red Sox get a fireballing pitcher who was the World Series MVP a few years ago. Oh and he's only 25 years old. (Im 25 years old!!! I don't have a World Series ring or MVP trophy. You win this round Beckett.) There are some concerns in Boston about the trade though. Mostly being the fact Beckett has never thrown 200 innings, and has blister problems. There's also the fact they gave up prized SS prospect Hanley Ramirez in the deal. Blisters can be dealt with, and losing Ramirez is not that big a deal really. I mean you just signed Edgar Renteria to a big 4 year contract last season. It's not like you have a need at shortstop. You do have a need in your rotation though. Curt Schilling cannot be counted on, Matt Clement got roughed up after the All Star break, and Jon Papelbon has only thrown 35 ML innings. It's not everyday you get to add a Cy Young caliber starter for some prospects. Plus if Lowell's bat comes back to life in Fenway it's just an added bonus. Nobody expects much from him anyway, so if he does nothing, oh well. If he hits .265 with 25 HR and maybe 70 RBI's, awesome. I only wish I knew who made this trade for the Red Sox. Was it Theo? One of his "students?" Larry Lucchino? Whoever it was deserves a pat on the back.

The White Sox and Phillies I think both come out winners in their deal. The White Sox get one thing their World Championship team desperately lacked last season, left handed thunder. While the Phillies could afford to dump Thome thanks to the emergence of Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard. Plus now Philly gets a terrific Centerfielder in Rowand. Rowands somewhat modest numbers in Chicago this season (AVG .270 HR 13 RBI 69) could turn into huge numbers in Citizens Bank Park. I'm somewhat confident I could pop 20-25 out in that park. Another huge aspect of the deal is that the Phillies are paying 22 million of the money left on Thome's contract. This allows the White Sox enough room to keep Paul Konerko on the South Side. GM Ken Williams promised Konerko he would find protection for him in the White Sox lineup, and he kept his promise. The ball is in Konerko's court now, and if he goes somewhere else bringing in Thome at least provides insurance for the offense. GM Ken Williams has made it clear he would like to know Konerko's intentions by the end of the Winter Meetings on December 8th. I have a feeling Konerko will re-sign with the Sox, and they can move on to arbitration for players like P Jon Garland and 3B Joe Crede.

The Mets are the final team I'm going to talk about. They also dealt with the Marlins and picked up a power hitting lefty 1B of their own in Carlos Delgado. Don't get me wrong, getting Delgado is a good thing for the Mets, but they just gave up too much. I mean the Marlins are in the middle of a full blown firesale. Anybody who makes money can be had by anybody for virtually nothing. Mets GM Omar Minaya only had to say "We'll take Delgado off your hands, and in return you can have a couple guys off of this list." Then offer some mid range prospects. The Marlins can't say no. They have no leverage. Minaya has made some good moves bringing in players like Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, and now Carlos Delgado. The problem is he's just giving up too much for these players and I think it will catch up to the Mets in the long run.

With the Marlins firesale only beginning there's no way of knowing who will go where by next spring. I know Juan Pierre is available, and that the Chicago Cubs are lookin at him. In my opinion the Cubs would be better off seeing what it costs for 2B Luis Castillo. He would fit the leadoff spot in the lineup the Cubs desperately need. Also this would enable the Cubs to trade Todd Walker and free up some money. Also it could save them from overpaying for Rafeal Furcal (whom I believe is only using the Cubs to drive up his price before he returns to Atlanta.) or Juan Pierre. Of course this only solves one problem that the Cubs have, but I think Brian Giles makes sense for them too. They need an outfield, and Giles could be amazing in the 2 spot of that lineup. Think of it, Castillo leading off, followed by Giles, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez. Cap that off with Carlos Zambrano, a healthy Mark Prior, and anything from the bullpen and the Cubs might do something this year. I don't know if it will be enough to save Dusty Baker's job, but I also don't know that Baker deserves saving. Also I know that with the White Sox winning the World Series this year there is an added pressure on the Cubs to win in the city of Chicago. Who knows if Wrigley Field, the warm sun, and a cold beer will be enough to bring in the masses anymore on the North Side? A lot of Cub fans had to see their enemies celebrate like never before, and it could cause a little less tolerance for losing.

It's still early in the 2005/2006 offseason, and there are sure to be a lot more deals being made. The Red Sox, White Sox, and Mets all filled needs for this season. Other teams are going to have to follow suit, and do it soon. Either way the Hot Stove League always seems to be just as fun as the actual season, and that's the way I see it.