- They don't have plans and schemes...
...and they don't have hopes and dreams.
Or maybe they do have hopes and dreams.
Maybe that's the problem.
Let's have a look at the hot stove losers...so far.
New York Yankees:
Desperately in need of pitching, they had their sights set on Cliff Lee as far back as a year ago and they didn't get him.
Andy Pettitte is still undecided as to what he's doing----I'm not prepared to sign off on the idea that he's "leaning" toward retirement; I think the closer it gets to spring training without a decision, the better it is for the prospect of him pitching.
Having not been helped by a weak/unsuitable market, they're biding their time and hoping to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot to make a bold maneuver at mid-season 2011. But that doesn't diminish the horrible winter they've had.
They kept Derek Jeter after a contentious and embarrassing negotiation for both sides; they retained Mariano Rivera.
On the surface, signing Russell Martin to take over behind the plate may solve the issue of Jorge Posada's declining defense, but Martin's not exactly Charlie O'Brien and his offense has declined on an annual basis for the past three years with injuries a concern. In 2007, Martin appeared to be developing into a Mike Piazza-lite with speed; now he looks more like Paul Lo Duca.
And don't think for a second that Posada's going to put on a happy face about DH relegation.
Pedro Feliciano will be a boost to the bullpen; Mark Prior probably won't even pitch.
The Yankees are accustomed to buying whatever they want; that hasn't worked and they're scrambling with nowhere to go.
Minnesota Twins:
One of the keys to the Twins being the Twins over the past ten years has been their liberal use of their bullpen. That bullpen has lost Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier----two workhorses----and is now relying on Joe Nathan's successful return from Tommy John surgery and a cast of thousands to replace the valuable innings eaten by Crain and Guerrier.
Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome and J.J. Hardy have been jettisoned with only Hardy's departure a positive.
Alexi Casilla will take over at second base after he lost the job with lackluster play in 2009. Tsuyoshi Nishioka was imported from Japan. Do you know what they're going to get from either? Because I don't know what they're going to get from either.
Nor do the Twins.
The starting rotation isn't impressive and they're trying very hard to keep Carl Pavano.
Carl....Pavano.
Los Angeles Angels:
The Angels made what they thought was a competitive offer for Carl Crawford; it turned out to not be a competitive offer for Carl Crawford.
They were in on Cliff Lee and had no chance whatsoever of getting him. They wanted pitching and a bat and have gotten nothing. Rafael Soriano and Adrian Beltre may still be on their radar, but so far all they've done is sign Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi.
Their starting pitching is still deep, but there's something profoundly off with the Angels; something that's hard to pinpoint.
With the Rangers still solid and the Athletics drastically improved, these fault lines in Anaheim are a portent of dark times in 2011.
Seattle Mariners:
Eric Wedge is a good hire to manage the team, but they traded for Brendan Ryan; re-signed Erik Bedard (if something's working, why mess with it?); and signed Jack Cust.
These moves alone should catapult them from 61 wins to at least 67.
GM Jack Zduriencik must be a genius judging from the fact that he's still employed.
New York Mets:
New GM Sandy Alderson is using an Indiana Jones-style machete to slash through the tangled vines left by years of mismanagement, disorganization, warring fiefdoms and short-sightedness.
Because of this, the Mets have done almost nothing and are preaching patience to a disgusted fan base; it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Washington Nationals:
If you check the Nats official website, you'll see they have a picture of Rick Ankiel's dramatic homer in San Francisco in the NLDS while playing for the Braves----link.
He won't have to worry about dramatic playoff homers while playing for the Nats.
They overpaid for Jayson Werth; they traded Josh Willingham for the "future"; they have no pitching and no plan.
The team slogan should be "Waiting for Strasburg----Again".
St. Louis Cardinals:
Signing Lance Berkman to play right field might do as much harm defensively as it promises to help the lineup----and I believe Berkman will thrive at the plate.
They acquired the mediocre Ryan Theriot to play shortstop and surrendered the useful Blake Hawksworth to get him; they re-signed Jake Westbrook; their bullpen is still a question mark at best.
I also have to wonder how the Albert Pujols contract situation and that Chris Carpenter is due for an injury (as is his history) will affect them as the season moves along.
San Diego Padres:
Suffice it to say that this team is not going to win 90 games again.
They traded Adrian Gonzalez for the future and got some high-end prospects----none of the offense-generating variety----that won't help them in 2011; they acquired Jason Bartlett who isn't any great shakes; they signed Orlando Hudson who's becoming the Kurt Bevacqua of the new millenium. They're looking at Derrek Lee. Big deal.
Does anyone know what they're going to get out of Cameron Maybin?
They signed Aaron Harang who, if he was the "Aaron Harang" from 2007 would not only have had his option exercised by the Reds; as a free agent, he'd be looking at a $90 million deal.
Don't think that I've forgotten or am ignoring the rest of the clubs in baseball; I'll have some things to say about them and not in a "Gilligan's Island" off-handed "and the rest" variety in adding the Professor and Mary Ann at the conclusion of the credits in the black and white version of the show.
I'll have some stuff to say. Plenty of stuff. Tomorrow.
I'm considering changing the format of my postings; rather than one long deal published once, I may start stretching them out intermittently. Instead of bulletpoints, there will be separate postings.
It's under consideration.
I'll keep you informed; don't panic.
I was on a week ago Wednesday with Sal at SportsFan Buzz talking about the winter thus far. Click here to go to his site and get it from I-Tunes and here—-The SportsFan Buzz: December 15, 2010—to get it directly.
I've redesigned my personal site, so please go there to comment. I'm in the process of spreading the word and will eventually phase out the Blogspot site, which will only be used in emergencies and server failure.
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