The busy offseason continues!

Astros- I was leaning towards the Astros getting Stephen Drew, but the Lowrie deal makes sense. Jed is from Texas, and has played for the Astros in 2012. He was only there for one year, but he did hit his career most homeruns with the Astros in 2012 with 16. Jed isn't going to be the deciding factor for this team, but he will play an important role. The Astros don't expect there top prospect, Carlos Correa, to be called up this year and that will leave the starting job up to Lowrie. The three year 23 million dollar deal for Lowrie and the Astros works perfectly. Jed will start until Correa is called up, and he will help transition him into a big league shortstop

 Cubs- The Cubs busy off season continues with the one year deal they have given to formal Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte. The Cubs were desperate to sign some relief to strengthen up that bullpen, but i don't know if this was the guy. Motte missed the entire 2013 season, and when he returned the Cardinals didn't use him. The guy has an above average fast ball, but doesn't have another pitch. This is something everyone knows including the National League Central, who has seen him for is entire career. They signed him, because they have seen his potential in a Cardinals uniform when he saved 42 games in 2012. It is a bit of a stretch, but a one year contract says they have nothing to lose.

Dodgers- The Dodgers continue to puzzle me this off season with who they are signing, and how much they are signing them for. Brett Anderson was the recent signing a couple days ago, with a one year contract worth 10 million dollars. Anderson has pitcher for Oakland his entire career, and since his rookie year in 2009 he has a shadow. He hasn't been able to stay in the big leagues, and when he does he seems to get hurt. The dodgers wanted to build depth in that rotation, but I don't know if Anderson, and McCarthy are the guys for the job. Hiroki Kuroda would have been the perfect fit in my eyes for a couple reasons. He said he wanted to play in LA, he would have cost the same amount of money, and has been better over his career then both the guys the Dodgers decided to sign instead of him. Interested to see how these moves pay off for the Dodgers this up coming season.

Royals- Finally the Royals have made their big move of the off season. Alex Rios took a step down last season on a very unfortunate Rangers team. I think everyone in that lineup took a step down, so I wouldn't look to much into his down year. Before last season this guy was showing contact, power, and speed. In 2013 he hit 18 homeruns, 81 runs batted in, 42 stolen bases, and a .278 average. The year he had before that was even better, so the potential in there, especially when he is joining a contender. Morales was a downgrade from Billy Butler, but Alex Rios is a definite upgrade from Norichika Aoki.

Marlins- The team who is raising the most eyebrows right now is the Miami Marlins. They have signed their franchise guy to a record contract, and now have put pieces around him. Once Jose Fernadez returns to that starting rotation they will be complete. With the pitching on lock, there franchise guy on lock, and they have youth and talent on lock, what would be next? How about Michael Morse, the power house first basemen/outfielder. Begging for a chance to start since 2011 when he broke out with 31 homeruns, 95 runs bated in, and a .303 average. The Marlins are going to give him what he wants, the only concern is can he stay on the field. Since those impressive numbers in 2011, Morse has been constantly on the bench with multiple injuries. He showed life again with the Giants this year, and was well worth the risk the Marlins are taking to add him to their team.

Angels- The best team in baseball last year before the playoffs has been quite for the most part this off-season, other than the trade for young stud pitcher Andrew Heaney. They made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, Kevin Jepson for Matt Joyce. To the average person this seems like nothing, you might not even know these players, but it does build on the Angels depth. Matt Joyce isn't a starter anymore, but the power he can bring off your bench or the DH spot will be useful in an already dangerous lineup. This is just a role peace that will take the Angels a little further, just like the Cardinals signing Mark Reynolds. Not a star, but will play is part.