Miguel Tejada to Houston! I’m not so sure that the Astros got the best deal the possibly could’ve here. Giving up five prospects for a great shortstop is a good move but you have to factor in the Miggy’s game is slipping. But, it was also well known that the Orioles’ owner was in love with Tejada and wouldn’t have shipped him away for anything less than what they got in this deal. This move is a good look into the futures of these teams with Baltimore going into rebuilding mode and Houston possibly making a playoff push in the still weak NL Central.
Fukudome to Cubs! Speaking of the NL Central, the defending division-champ have signed the Japanese star to a four-year, $48 million deal. Apparently he’s a mix of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui according to scouts. Hopefully he’ll adapt to playing in a big city like Chicago and give them some outfield help.
Aaron Rowand to San Francisco! Would you ever pay a player the calibre of Aaron Rowand $60 million over five years? I wouldn’t but then again, we know just how good Giants management is with money after the Barry Zito debacle of last offseason.
Andruw Jones to Los Angeles! I could’ve written this headline the minute that Jones filed for free agency. That’s how predictable this move is. I’m kind of interested to see what the Dodgers do with Juan Pierre, the incumbent center-fielder. He’s one of the fastest players in the game but doesn’t have much else in way of skills. He’d be a good fit somewhere in the league if it wasn’t too bad for his big contract.
Matsui to San Francisco? Unless the Yankees are going to get excellent young pitchers Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain in return, I wouldn’t even be talking about dealing Hideki.