Little
makes big splash in baseball postseason
Kim
Oswell
To real fans, baseball is a year-round sport. After the conclusion of the postseason
madness, baseball enthusiasts look expectantly to the off-season trades
and talks that took place in Dallas. This is the time of the year when
the talking heads of baseball organizations seek out the deals to benefit
their ball clubs and ultimately make them the most money. Most deals and
trades are made later in the year and during preseason, but a few teams
have already stirred the baseball waters.
The Marlins have been quick to make noise in the off-season by already trading
Carlos Delgado, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca and
Guillermo Mota. The Chicago Cubs tentatively agreed to acquire Juan Pierre
and in return the Marlins will send three pitchers, Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto
and Ricky Nolasco to the Cubs. Pierre hit .276 for Florida last season and
is expected to be lead off and play center field for the Cubs in 2006.
With only two months until spring training, the Dodgers finally decided on
Grady Little to fill the manager position. Little signed with the Dodgers for
two years, with an option for a third.
The candidates Grady was up against included Jim Fregosi, John McLaren, Manny
Acta and Joel Skinner. Little has a big track record with his previous employer,
the Boston Red Sox.
He was with the Red Sox from 2002 to 2003 during their epic season. He is notoriously
known in Boston for keeping Pedro Martinez on the mound in the 2003 American
League Championship Game 7, which the New York Yankees won. The Yankees claimed
the World Series title over the Red Sox and Grady was never forgiven.
Coming off a horrible 71-97 2005 season, the Dodgers cannot go anywhere but
up. Grady may be what the Dodgers need to make a push in the National League
next year.
There have been discussions between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh
Pirates for potential trades. The Reds may trade first baseman Sean Casey to
the Pirates for left-handed pitcher Dave Williams. Casey is a three-time All
Star and Williams finished with a solid 4.41 ERA.
If this trade goes through the Reds could improve their almost last place ranking
in the National League and hopefully alleviate their 5.19 ERA.
There has been plenty of action in the American League during the off-season.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been seeking to improve power hitting
on the team and have inquired about Manny Ramirez. Ramirez currently is under
Red Sox control and is owed $57 million over the next three years. The Angels
lineup could be solidified with a bat like Ramirez in the order, but both ball
clubs are still wary about the deal. With a consistent Ramirez and an unstoppable
Vlamidir Guerrero, the Angels would have a great chance at another division
title.
Trading Darin Erstad has been a question and the Angels are still unsure about
Bengie Molina. A few Angel players made news with possibly being on the inaugural
World Baseball Classic next March. Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon would
play for the Dominican Republic and Francisco Rodriguez could garner a spot
for the Venezuelan team.
The World Baseball Classic takes place March 3 to 20 and includes a 16-team
tournament featuring countries from all over the world.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed A.J. Burnett to a five-year deal for $55 million.
The Blue Jays have a two-sided weapon with Burnett joining Ray Halladay in
the starting rotation. The winter session talks in Dallas proved successful
and baseball fans have already begun to count down the days to spring season
splendor. I can’t wait for those three magical words: “Let’s
play ball.”
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