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Opinion

Opinion

Rafael Soriano for Jesse Chavez: Braves Drop Ex-Closer for...Who?

I learned of the news today in my fourth-period class.

And when I saw it, I scratched my head a bit.

"So, the Braves just traded what likely would've been the second-hottest closer commodity for...Jesse Chavez?"

I'm sure many of you shared the same sentiment.

So, I did what comes natural.

I Googled Jesse Chavez.

This is what I saw: 26 years old, only one sub-three ERA year in the minors (2.22 in 11 appearances a couple of years back), and lots of home runs.

"What's this crap?!?!"

I was a bit perplexed, so I sat back and thought.

Chicago Cubs Roll the Rule 5 Draft Dice... Again

On Thursday morning, Major League Baseball held their annual Rule 5 Draft, in which teams can pirate other teams' minor leaguers for nothing.

The deal with the Rule 5 Draft is that any player selected must be on the selecting team's major league roster for the full season, or the selecting team is forced to send said player back to their original team with cash considerations.

Last year, the Cubs selected David Patton, who had an incredible spring and then disappeared because of "injuries" and poor performance.

Washington Nationals Should Let Ian Desmond 'Sink Or Swim' at Shortstop

The Washington Nationals are faced with very few decisions with regard to the makeup of their daily lineup.

Houston's Recent Pitching Acquisitions Suggest a Big Gamble

LaTroy Hawkins is gone, having left the Houston Astros for the Milwaukee Brewers. Jose Valverde's all but gone; any day now, I expect to hear of some other team signing him. He won't be back in Houston, simply because the Astros feel he's too expensive and too much of an investment.

So to replace these two pitchers, the Astros have acquired to new pitchers.

Winter Meetings Coverage: Padres' Adrian Gonzalez Possibly Headed To Seattle?

As the officials from every MLB team get ready to wrap up the annual winter meetings, there are still some rumors making their way around the hotel in Indianapolis.

For the past few days, there had been reports that the San Diego Padres were looking into trading closer Heath Bell and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.

The rumors surrounding Bell died just as quickly as they started, but the rumors surrounding Kouzmanoff stuck around late into last night. But, as of this morning, a deal didn't seem imminent.

Johnny Damon Back with New York Yankees? Pros and Cons

News reports today have the Yankees negotiating to re-sign Johnny Damon.

Damon turned 36 years old on Nov. 5. For the past three seasons, he has had problems with his legs and feet.

Once a fearsome threat to steal bases, Damon had only 12 thefts in 2009.

Once a centerfielder with range as good as all but three or four players in the majors, Damon now is a shadow of himself on defense. 

He cannot cover the ground he once did and his throwing arm is virtually non-existent. Beginning in 2008, teams realized they could run on Damon at will.

Twins' New Look Emphasizes New Era in Minnesota Baseball

Not much has changed for the Minnesota Twins over the past two decades.

They have played in the same stadium, have been owned by the same family, have had the same uniforms, and have had only two different managers.

But that is all about to change.

History shows that when change happens in Minnesota sports, it requires a new look.

Chavez For Soriano: Maybe a Second Or Third Look Is Needed

On my initial look at the Soriano/Chavez trade I nearly punched a hole in my wall.

Comparing Chavez to Soriano major stats in 2009 is extremely one sided.

Soriano had a outstanding year 2.97(ERA)/102(K)/1.06(WHIP).

Chavez had a decent year for a first year reliever 4.01(ERA)/47(K)/1.35(WHIP). Chavez has also shown a weakness for RH batters.

Why would the braves trade a highly rated veteran for a unknown?  Maybe a second look will help answer that.

Bobby Abreu: The Biggest Mistake Brian Cashman Has Made in the Last Two Years

Since it remains to be seen whether the Curtis Granderson deal will work out for the Yankees, this writer will withhold criticism on that deal, although there is still a chance it may be a bust.

So in considering the worst mistake Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman has made in the past two years, focus will be on the one he let get away.

Bobby Abreu was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies and at the end of the 2008 season he became a free agent.

Kanekoa Texeira, Zach Kroenke Taken from Yankees in Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 Draft has come and gone, with the Yankees adding Jamie Hoffmann and losing two relievers in the process.

The first pitcher taken was Zach Kroenke by the Diamondbacks, a left-handed reliever who spent the entire 2009 season in Triple-A and pitched well there. He was actually taken by the Marlins in last season's Rule 5 draft as well.

Kroenke has gotten good results in the upper minors over the past few seasons despite his fringy stuff. 

Poll

Best of the American League
Tampa Bay
19%
Boston
19%
Chicago
7%
Minnesota
10%
Los Angeles
17%
Texas
27%
Total votes: 270

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