Early Winner of the Hot Stove League

It is mid-Dec. The owner's meetings have come and gone. Right about now, there are few names that are sacred in trade talks. Seems that there is a rumor on just about every player. And if there isn't a rumor, there is a sportswriter who is trying to create a rumor. Maybe it isn't this way around the country, but here in St. Louis where the Rams are vying for the #1 pick in next year's draft and the Blues can't seem to string together two solid games in a row, the Hot Stove League setting is on HIGH.

But the Cards are taking their "wait and see" approach again this year. Probably not the worst strategy as they would be bidding against themselves now for the likes of Holliday or DeRosa or Bay, but it is enough to keep the sportswriters busy. I still feel optimistic about the Cards landing a big bat to hit in the #4 hole and shag some flies in leftfield. It is obvious the Cards are trying to win again. The signing of Brad Penny as our #4 starter was a huge indication that this team mean business in 2010.

But the winner so far in the offseason moves is many miles away from St. Louis, and coming to town this summer for a 3 game series.

The Seattle Mariners are making some shrewd moves and turning their team around this December. First the signed the super-utility Chone Figgins. This guy can play 2nd, 3rd or the OF and be a great top-of-the-order hitter. Then they weaseled their way into the blockbuster trade of the winter and were able to extract Cliff Lee from the Phillies when the Phillies acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto. Then, yesterday they pull off a trade with the Cubs to get Milton Bradley for Carlos Silva. Bradley has a ton of baggage, but he also has a ton of talent when he is happy. Silva is a #4 starter. Not a bad gamble by the Mariners.

The M's already had Ichiro in place for a few more years, this is a great way to build around him and to bolster their team in a rather weak AL West. The Angels will be tough again, but losing Figgins to a team in the division, losing Lackey to the Red Sox and possibly losing Vlad this offseason too they don't look right to repeat.

Watch out for the Mariners in 2010. I'm glad that my Cards ticket pack has a M's game in it. They should be fun to watch.

Serge
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