Hello Everyone,
I don't have a ton to say today, basically because there hasn't been much going on in the world of baseball lately. I mean, if you really want, I can break down the Blue Jays acquisition of Alex Gonzalez but I'm guessing you all would be in a coma by the end of that!
I just wanted to give my two cents as to why we haven't seen much action in the free agent market yet. I believe that it's due to the affects of 1. a slow economy and 2. the fact that the date for clubs to offer or decline offers of arbitration to free agents hasn't come yet. I really believe that once we see this date come and clubs make those decisions, the signings will start to happen.
Basically what offering or not offering arbitration means to clubs wanting to sign free agents is they find out if signing said free agent will cost them a draft pick or not. Also, if the player accepts the arbitration offer, then he will go back to the team that offered it to him, which is why a lot of teams will not offer arbitration to some of their free agents, because they don't want him back! Or, maybe they do want him back but for more than just one year in which case, they will want to try and work out a multi-year deal instead.
The Twins have three free agents from this year's team, third baseman Joe Crede, relief pitcher Ron Mahay and shortstop Orlando Cabrera. I'm not sure what will happen with these men as far as coming back to the Twins though, if Cabrera is to come back, he will not do so as the shortstop, but another position, probably second base. I could see the Twins bringing back Crede in hopes his back will respond to a grass field better than a artifical surface but it appears they may go with youngster Danny Valencia at third, if they feel he is ready. As far as Mahay, if he comes back great, if not, oh well.
Anyway, folks, hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that you're getting all your shopping done!
Joe
Attention Amazon shoppers! Below is a link to a page I made using our Amazon Associates store. I would ask that you use it next time you wish to go shopping at Amazon.com, especially if you are a sports fan at all. Even if you aren't and don't want to make a purchase of anything on this page, you can just click the Amazon logo on the right side and it will take you to the Amazon home page and you can buy whatever you are wanting to buy. Take care!
