Hot Stove

Even though Wham!'s "Last Christmas" (yes, I am that manly) is blaring out of my laptop's speakers, it doesn't mean that there is no baseball news. MLB's annual Winter Meetings wrapped up today, and the big news of course is the Yankees' acquisition of C.C. Sabathia for more than some island nations' annual GDP, and the Mets signing of K-Rod for much less than what many were predicting he'd net.

In the land of the Midwest, though, the nationwide recession actually means something. The only really big name floating around our region is the Cubs' on again-off again interest in former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy. Just because the big names aren't flying around like gnats to Rosie O'Donell doesn't mean that teams here are packing it in and prepping for 2010. Here's a look at what teams in the region are (or should be) up to:




Needs: left handed stick - preferably in the OF, a pair of starting pitchers, either a closer or depth in middle relief

Thus far: re-upped Ryan Dempster, crossing off one of their needs on the mound. Traded for Kevin Gregg and then Let Kerry Wood walk away, creating a void in their 'pen.

Analysis: Dempster returns to a formidable rotation that includes Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly. Already one of the best rotations in the NL, but after going 0-6 in the playoffs the past two years, still isn't enough. Jake Peavy is certainly intriguing, but can the Cubs afford to add 16 mil a year to a payroll that is already one of the highest in baseball? Indications would be no. The past two years the Cubs finally had a reliable arm at the end of games, and as a result made the postseason both years. That is not an accident. Maybe Carlos Marmol or Jeff Samardzija will pan out, but it seems like a huge risk to take. The outfield situation is also touchy; Kosuke Fukudome was a bust and will be platooning with spark-plug Reed Johnson in center. The team desperately needs a left handed hitting power bat to play center or right.

Prediction: The Cubs don't trade for Peavy, but instead elect to sign a lower-level free agent like Randy Wolf, Brad Penny, or Randy Johnson and then dump Jason Marquis to whoever will take him. Indications are that Marmol will close and Gregg and Samardzija will set-up. The Cubs will sign or trade for a big bat, they have to. Prediction: Adam Dunn.




Needs: Pitching, Youth.

Thus far: Traded Nick Swisher to the Yankees for Wilson Betemit and prospects, traded Javier Vazquez for prospects.

Analysis: A team in transition, but considering weakness of division, should still contend in (and should be favored to win) division. The contrast between the Senior-discount White Sox and the student-discount Rays in the LDS last year was alarming. Chicago was old and relied heavily on pitching well (good idea) and hitting bombs (bad idea). The team, though, is not completely committed to youth, as they are hot on the trails of Bobby Abreu, likely to replace Jermaine Dye who they are trying to trade to the Reds for Homer Bailey (who looks exactly like Christian Bale). Pitching is the key, as the starting rotation now features two guys - Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway - who have started a total of 9 games.

Prediction: The team trades away Jermaine Dye for pitching, and signs a high OBP or average guy to replace him.




Needs: Relief - middle and closer, middle infield, starting pitcher

Thus far: Signed lefty specialist Trever Miller to a one-year deal, helping to shore up relief. Traded for SS Khalil Greene, replacing defensive-minded Cesar Izturis.

Analysis: The Cardinals already have the big bats (Pujols, Ludwick, Ankiel, Molina) and the top of the rotation starters (Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse) but have major holes in both the closer spot, and lefthanded specialty relief. The team also needs a higher caliber fifth starter to push Joel Pineiro to either someone else's roster or the 'pen. The acquisition of Khalil Greene is huge for St. Louis not because of his bat per se, but the upgrade he represents over Cesar Izturis. Greene should be slotted into the lineup in front of Pujols pushing power bats like Ludwick and Ankiel into more natural spots late in the rotation. This team's problem was blowing games, especially in the ninth inning. Young guns Chris Perez and Jason Motte should close the door better than Isringhausen did, but this team needs to find an established closer for a year or two to provide a much needed band-aid.

Prediction: Cardinals platoon at second with Adam Kennedy and Aaron Miles, sign Brian Fuentes to a two year deal, leave Joel Pineiro in the rotation and acquire via trade another lefthanded reliever.





Needs: Patience, starting pitching, middle relief, power.

Thus far: Acquired Coco Crisp from "The Naaation" (sorry, I hate that guy, too), Mike Jacobs from the fish, signed Horacio Ramirez and Kyle Farnsworth.

Analysis: Thus far, a really productive offseason. Jacobs adds power to what could be a formidable heart of the lineup in Alex Gordon-Jacobs-Jose Guillen. The addition of Horacio Ramirez would be a good depth addition to the 'pen (if he isn't used in the rotation) and Kyle Farnsworth is a legit set-up man in front of all-star Joakim Soria. If the pitching comes through, this team will actually be pretty decent, and considering the state of the AL Central in 2009, contention certainly is not outside of the realm of possibility.

Prediction: The Royals trade either Jose Guillen or depth in the outfield or at first base/DH for another starting pitcher.