Offseason Baseball

After a slowdown in salaries over the past few years, prices have once again exploded. The Red Sox pay 51 million, not to sign, but to talk to Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzka. Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano signed contracts worth over 100 million. However the most outrageous sums by far have gone to mediocre pitchers. Adam Eaton who had an ERA over five last year signed for over 8 million a year, Vincente Padilla with an ERA of 4.50 will earn over 11 million a year to stay with Texas, and other mediocre pitchers such as Gil Meche and Ted Lilly are expected to have an eight figure salary come next season. I can’t imagine what the good pitchers will sign for. There has also been a number of interesting trade rumors floating around, the largest of which is the annual Manny Ramirez trade talk, there is however a significant chance of it actually happening this year, since the primary club that seems to be interested is Seattle, who has an extremely desperate GM and manager, who must win this year or be fired. Finally to those who are interested in starting pitching, trade don’t go for free agents, let others have Meche for 10 million.