Cubs sign Byrd

CUBS:  The Cubs made a great choice in signing Marlon Byrd, he should do many great things for them and the center field is perfect for him.  Byrd will stick around three years and he should be one of their best players while he’s with the Cubs.  Byrd has all the tools and weapons the Cubs need.  Byrd will do more for the Cubs than he did with the Rangers and in the NL Central he should do a lot better.  The Cubs will be more than happy with his production.  He will be asked to fill in a big spot on this team and he should do well.  I think he could be the MVP of this team when they get back to winning.  Even though he less starting experience he won’t have a tough time adjusting.  Byrd should knock in some big Cub runs. I like who he can play right or left field just as good on this team.  Byrd should do through one of the best stretches of his career.  His numbers should do nothing but rise.  He shouldn’t be trendy like the other Cubs this year.  But if he does start off bad he will turn it around.  Byrd should have some good power in that park and he is just the perfect player for the Cubs.
RANGERS:  The Rangers have lost a lot of free agents but this is the worse.  He will do better in Chicago but they could afford him and just let him walk.  I think he filled in great for Josh Hamilton last year and he is a guy who I would want in my line-up everyday especially when I’m trying to rebuild and martian a winning team.  Byrd was an all around contributor on this team and to let him walk was one of the worst decisions the Rangers made in a while.  Byrd would have had really good years in Texas and their line-up production should hurt without him but this team will still be good.

Coke could be better than expected

At first look at Phil Coke I thought he would be just a bit above-average and he will be at times but he can be so much better.  Coke hasn’t done well in the majors and won’t until he just relaxes and makes a good delivery.  Coke can do well in any role when he fixes that.  Coke pitching at Comerica should help all of his stats a ton too.  Coke could be way better than expected if he fills in the fifth spot in the rotation.  Coke will need time before that happens though.  Coke has the tools to be a better pitcher it’s just that he doesn’t use them well, which is bad at this point in his career but with his delivery and the effects around him it won’t be that bad.  He could either be a pretty good reliever or be a great starter.  Coke needs to be eased into any role and he shouldn’t be forced to close or start right off the bat.

Mets get Bay, now just need Molina

BAY:  I think the Mets have scored with this move, if Daniel Murphy and Josh Thole develop and Francouer improves they have a great team.  Bay, Wright, and Beltran all in the same line-up will be a pitchers nightmare.  Bay won’t do as well with homers here but should be getting on base more and he should be one of the Mets most productive hitters.  Bay will always be a good hitter and you will never take that away from him but I have a few concerns about him in this park.  Bay is the missing piece on offense now  he just needs to learn how to hit for power in a big ballpark.   Bay should do strong all around but he might not absolutely kill NL East pitching.  Bay strong bat and smooth swing is defiantly great for this line-up.  The Red Sox will miss him a lot.  Good Move?: Yes
NEED MOLINA:  If they can get Bengie Molina they would be a strong force.  They just need him short-term for his great hitting sills and pretty good defense.  The best part is he can hit in big parks unlike most of the Mets.  Molina could kill the Mets any time he gets on base though, but that shouldn’t stop them from signing him.

Tigers Center Field

WHO WOULD HURT IT THE MOST?: I think the only way any of them could hurt us as if we rush them and they don’t do well.  Wells I think needs a little more time and if he makes the opening day roster he could ruin the clubs chances.  Austin Jackson and Wilkin Ramirez are more ready though and will hurt us less.  Don’t expect any big win shares though.  Leading any of these guys off right off the bat would hurt us, they end time and they could do it well by the end of the year.
SPLIT TIME?:  I think if the Tigers don’t get an outfielder by trade or free agency they should split time between Wilkin and Jackson.  They should both do an okay job after getting used to the MLB.  And they should cover ground really well.  I don’t think the Tigers will lose much if anything by just letting them split time.
ANALYSIS:  I think all three players have a great future and with this club.  Wells should hit well and be a handy fielder while Wilkin and Jackson put up potential 30-30 numbers.  I don’t think they will even be near their potential next year but they should do well for the Tigers for their lack of experience.  Wilkin would be the best to learn on the job if they have to.  If they all can put up half way good numbers this year it won’t be a bg concern for the Tigers.

Do Phils need Bastardo?

I don’t think they will need him during their runs for the championship but with a little more development he could fit into a back-end of the rotation role.  The problem is that he  might noy develop, there is still hope for him but he has been rushed and that has hurt him a little.  Bastardo has great raw skills but needs to sharpen them in Triple-A.  I wouldn’t expect great things out of him anywhere until he gets his groove back. He has talent but if he doesn’t start to do well soon he won’t ever do anything.  I think chances are that he would be perfect for that role if he gets better and handles power a bit better.  His best stats should always be strikeouts and the Phils will need those.  For now though they need veterans or really good young arms that are developed.  They shouldn’t trade him either.

If Marlins trade Uggla…

I think they should start Emilo Bonifacio at second at the beginning of the year and see if he gets on a streak.  Then I would ease Chris Coghlan back into second and with that they will become a better team fast.  Losing Uggla will take a lot away but they should get a good return and have Logan Morrison to take Coghlan place in the outfield.  The only thing they will lose is power but that’s no reason to worry, Mike Stanton should fill in that hole.  Uggla leaving will slighty help the Marlins hitting and they should get on more.  Losing Uggla will eliminate most playoff hopes though.  The Marlins shouldn’t trade him to the Braves unless they get big prospects, but they might not want to do it then.  Losing Uggla isn’t bad and the Marlins offense won’t have holes in their line-up because he’s gone.  They should hold onto Jorge Cantu though.

Bay and Red Sox

The Red Sox should go after Jason Bay but don’t need him.  I think if they resign him they should overtake the Yankees.  Bay has everything the Red Sox need to boost their offense over the top and he will always play well in Boston.  If the Sox don’t resign Bay though they will still play well and Mike Cameron should do better than most people expect.  Bay will bash on the whole AL and he would be great to stay in this league.  I think the Red So will need Ba during a few times this year and if they don’t have him they will do bad, but sometimes they would succeed.  Bay can play for another team well but he will always hit  the ball over the Green Monster the best.

Moves: Vazquez, Morrow, Rodney

• Javier Vazquez was traded to the Yankees.  I think he could improve this stint with the Yankees but I don’t trust him as much in that park facing the AL East.  Vazquez should put up some good starts but in some he could go back to his old ways.  Vazquez is a good pitcher anywhere except in New York.  He could cost them a few games.  Boone Logan another player acquired by the Yankees should do okay and add bullpen depth.  Melky Cabrera is great and will help the Braves offense a lot.  I think now they won’t even need to sign another bat.  He should also get better leading this teams outfield and could be a great leadoff hitter in Atlanta.  Mike Dunn will be an okay pitcher and could raise himself over the top but shouldn’t be Atlanta’s best contributor.  Arodys Vizcaino may need to fix a few minor things in his delivery but he is a great pitcher who should rack up outs, he went to a good team to pitch for too which will help him.  I like the Braves getting Cabrera and a few prospects but I think they should have held on to Javier Vazquez. He would have been the ace of the staff for a while and could have had the best years of his career.  The Yankees did a get a little bit of good pitching in this deal but they should have went after a different pitcher and not given up Melky.  I would rather give another good prospect away.  They are doing good in keeping Zach McAllister.  Edge: Braves
• Brandon Morrow was traded for Brandon League and Yohermyn Chavez.  The Mariners better do good this year after giving up Brandon Morrow, even though he hasn’t fully developed he will and soon and when he does he will do great.  I think he could replace Halladay soon and he might not be as good, but pretty close, he can pitch well in a lot of situations and pitch a lot of spectacular games.  Morrow will pitch well for the Jays and just pitch his normal game.  League is just the reliever the M’s needed, good and crafty and can pitch later in the game, he will be good taking Morrow’s spot this year but not beyond.  I expect him to do well in Seattle and be one of their key relievers.  Chavez has to learn to hit the ball to right and be more patient.  I think he can do it and if he does he can hit quite a few homers while being productive.  Edge: Blue Jays
• The Angels and Fernando Rodney are talking about a contract.  I think he might mess up a few times in LA but he would be worth it.  He’s a better setup man than closer but could still close if your in a  tight spot which is what the Angels need.  If they do strike a deal he will do good and they should keep him around long.

Tigers trade Ryan to Padres

The Tigers traded Dusty Ryan to the Padres for a PTBNL or cash.  Ryan has raw skills and I think he may not develop but if he does this will be a big mistake.  Ryan provided good insuranc for the Tigers to as a third catcher, he was a great guy to call up if Laird or Avila got hurt.  His power was amazing too.  On the bench he could give you all of your catcher’s power.  Ryan’s size doesn’t scare me either, he is a great receiver and always will be.  Switching parks and offenses won’t help him but he could find his groove here and breakout for another team.  Ryan should have a so-so stay in San Diego full of ups and downs.  He will take a while to figure out the NL West’s pitching but I see him coming through in some spots.  Edge: Padres

Should Mets trade Johan?

I think the Mets would be okay for this year if they trade Johan but I wouldn’t right now.  If he doesn’t perform another year for the Mets then I would trade him, but I would trust him to rebound and be a pitcher that this team has for years to come.  He wouldn’t bring back big prospects right now either.  Johan is a good pitcher and he’s in the right ballpark to do well, if he just becomes the old Johan and adjusts to the Mets he will be fine and they will be sorry for trading him if he doe swell for another team.  The Mets aren’t the best team for Johan but he can do well for them.  His dominance should come back and that could carry the Mets more than the prospects would.