David Eckstein to the Blue JaysThe Jays probably didn't need to sign Eckstein at all, seeing as how they already had John McDonald and the newly aquired Marco Scutaro as viable shortstop candidates. But on the other hand, Eckstein only played in 117 games last season (and only 123 the season before). In the seemingly-likely event that he misses another forty games in '08 at least the Jays will have plenty of back-up. Hopefully Eckstein will remain healthy and not commit twenty errors like he did last season in his limited playing time.
Marco Scutaro to the Blue Jays
Athletics receive Graham Godfrey and Kristian Bell
Regular shortstopping may be out of the question now that Eckstein's on the scene, but second base may still be a possibility for Scutaro. However, regular second baseman Aaron Hill had a pretty good year at the plate last season and the Jays would also be hesitant to bench him. Somewhere somebody in that middle infield is going to get platooned, but I suppose an abundance of quality players up the middle is better than too few. But for Scutaro, there's also the outfield option as he has experience in both left and right fields.
As for Oakland's new players, Godfrey only competed at the A-ball level in '07, and while he put up good numbers in college... well, that was college. We'll check back on him in four years.
Bell doesn't appear to be anything special either. I'm assuming these two names were randomly picked out of a hat.
Scott Rolen to the Blue Jays
Cardinals receive Troy Glaus
Defensively Rolen still has his sparkly glove and the comfort of knowing that David Eckstein is still standing twenty feet away from him (for whatever that's worth). Offensively Rolen's bat has wained, though given a full season (which, given his recent propensity for injuries, seems unlikely) he can still hit 20-25 home runs. Also, he has never been named in reports accusing him of using illegal muscle chemicals, which is an instant advantage he has over Glaus.
Glaus himself is not so injury retardant either, having only played in 115 games in '07. He's not as sure-handed at third as Rolen is, and he strikes out a lot at the plate, but he does have good power. The Cardinal lineup, with Albert Pujols, Glaus, and Chris Duncan, will have some pop in it this year.
Jon Lieber to the Cubs
The Cubbies' starting rotation certainly isn't bad, and I don't know that Lieber would be much of a contribution. He's been so-so these past couple seasons (an ankle injury cut his 2007 season in half) and at age 37 is getting kind of old. I personally don't expect too much out of him and wouldn't be surprised if he were used in long relief.
Mike Cameron to the Brewers
Last season Cameron only hit .229 at his home stadium Petco Park in San Diego (versus the .254 he hit on the road). That alone would make it seem like a good decision for him to bail on the Padres, but the season before he actually did better at home than on the road. Regardless, he's playing in Milwaukee now where he'll have to cover less ground in center field. Bill Hall, who just got converted into a full-time center fielder last year, will either go back to the infield or re-convert into a left-fielder.
Josh Phelps to the Cardinals
Only 29 and Phelps is already a journeyman. He's been affiliated with eight organizations since August of 2004, but has made the most of his limited big-league time. Phelps is a good bat to have off the bench (enough so that the Blue Jays often used him as a DH) and carries the added flexibility of being a back-up catcher. Despite being signed to a minor league contract with the Birds, he'll probably poke his head up several times in the Bigs this year. Jason LaRue, watch your back!
Marcus Giles to the Rockies
Giles had an awful season with the Padres last year, hitting only .229 with 4 home runs in 116 games. Perhaps he needs a more hitter-friendly park, in which case Coors Field would be great for him. He remains capable, given a full season, of hitting .300 with twenty homers, but it's not certain whether or not he'll ever reach the high expectations he set for himself back in Atlanta. Regardless, he's signed a minor league contract and will have spring training to prove if he's deserving on any kind of permanent role, sparring with other infielders for a shot at Kaz Matsui's vacated second base position.
Brett Tomko to the Royals
The Royals have a surprisingly strong bullpen, but they need all the starting pitching help they can get. Tomko isn't a pitching stud or anything, but his presence definitely won't hurt the team either. He's coming off a bad 2007 season, so really there's no where to go but up, right?
*THIS JUST IN*
Johan Santana to the Mets
Twins get Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey
The deal has yet to be finalized, but for now it looks like the Mets are getting the best pitcher in the Majors. And if you thought he was a mind-boinkingly good American League pitcher, wait 'til he starts business in the NL. I'm already giving him the Cy Young award. But though he will greatly enhance the Mets' already-awesome roster, I'll stop short of declaring the NYMs 2008 World Series champions. Although the odds are slim of lightning mis-striking twice, the Mets' end-of-the-year collapse last season is a hard thing to ignore. This will be a good team, though.
As for the Twinkies, they've already lost Torii Hunter, and now that Santana's leaving the team has a couple holes to fill. Minnesota has already acquired Craig Monroe and Delmon Young (part of a six-player trade back in November) to fill out the outfield, and Gomez will also see some time in the outfield, but probably as a back-up. Gomez is also faster than crap (see his minor league stolen base numbers) and if he can learn how to hit he'll be trouble on the basepaths.
Humber, Guerra, and Mulvey are all young pitchers, with Humber the only one with any Major League experience (nine cumulative innings of big league action). Guerra is only 18 years-old and we probably won't see him for a few more years. Humber and Mulvey, on the other hand, have a good chance at making an impact for the Twins this season. Both put up good strike-out-to-walk ratios in the minors, and Minnesota will look to beef up their starting rotation somehow.
