Recent Moves

K-Rod

The  Milwaukee Brewers have traded Francisco Rodriguez to the Detroit Tigers for Javier Betancourt, and a player to be named. The Tigers made it a point of emphasis to remodel their bullpen this offseason. K-Rod is the first move the Tigers have made to remake their bullpen. K-Rod is 33 years old, and has played in 14 major league seasons. K-Rod is a 6 time All-Star, and has finished in the top 5 of the Cy Young award 3 times. He currently holds the record for the most saves in a regular season with 62, and has 386 career saves. Last season K-Rod finished with a 1-3 record, 2.21 ERA, 38 saves, 57 innings pitched, and 62 strike-outs. This was all on a terrible Milwaukee Brewers team last season. I like this trade, only if the Tigers plan on making him the closer, instead of being the set-up guy in the bullpen.

The Milwaukee Brewers are in rebuild mode and needed to get rid of some contracts. I think they got what they could out of a veteran closer that has a lot of miles on his arm. The Brewers received the 11th overall prospect in the Tigers system. Javier Betancourt is a 20 year old utility infielder. Betancourt has played 2nd base, 3rd base, and short-stop in his first couple minor league seasons. Betancourt doesn't have the look to be a superstar, but the make of a solid utility infielder. Betancourt doesn't have much power, but could be a guy with a .280 average. He has progressed well the past two seasons in the minors, and could be ready for the big leagues in a year.

Brandon Crawford

Brandon Crawford has been nothing less than a stud, at least on the defensive side of the diamond. Crawford signed a 6 year, 75 million dollar contract, earlier this week. I think it was a great deal for both sides. Crawford is 28 years old, and has played in 5 major league seasons. He has been in the category of elite short-stops since he broke into the league. Last season was Crawford's break out year at the plate. He finished with 21 home runs, 84 RBI's, .256 average, and a .321 OBP. His average might have dropped, but you will take that for the improvement in power he showed this past season. Crawford was an All-Star this year, won the Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger for short-stops. This was a no brainer for the Giants to sign this guy longer term.

Cliff Pennington

The Los Anglos Angels have signed veteran utility infielder Cliff Pennington to a 1 year deal, worth 3.75 million dollars. Pennington is 31 years old, and has played in 8 major league seasons. He started with the Oakland A's, where he had most of his success. Since then, Cliff Pennington has been nothing more than a back up utility infielder. He hasn't hit more than 8 home runs in a season, or hit better than a .264 average in a season. This doesn't mean he isn't valuable to a team. There is a certain need for a veteran utility infielder that can give multiple people a day off during the grind of a long season. I think it was a good pick up, for the price.

Rich Hill

A questionable signing by the Oakland Athletics. They signed veteran left hander Rich Hill to a one year contract, worth 6 million dollars. Rich Hill is 35 years old, and has pitched in 11 major league seasons. Hill originally was a starter for the Chicago Cubs, but hasn't started since the 2007 season. Since then Hill has turned into a some what relief pitcher. Hill hasn't really pitched in the majors since 2009. Why sign a guy that hasn't pitched for 6 years for 6 million dollars. Billy Bean usually is smart with the little money he has, compared to most teams. This in my mind was a bad signing, because the upside to Hill isn't very high.