Marlins Cubs

Marlins Cubs

Marlins Cubs

The 2008-2009 offseason has been dull

The 2008-2009 off-season has been dull. It has been predictable. It has been a snoozefest.

The ongoing media non-story has been the use of steriods five years ago. Did we not already know that many baseball players are overly self-centered and competitive? Didn't Jose Canseco write a book five years ago about steriods citing widespread use. I was hoping one or more teams would try something bold this year. It simply did not happen.

The biggest shakers this winter were:
- The Yankees (who signed the top free agents)
- The Marlins (who dumped half of their veteran players)
- The Orioles (who tried to sign a top free agent from the area)
- The Mets (who were outbid for the top free agents but did acquire a new veteran closer)
- The Nationals (who picked up dozens of marginal players)
- The Athetics (who made surprise moves justified by "moneyball")
- The Cubs (who made surprise moves involving second basemen)
In other words, the activity was exactly the same as last year and the year before that

The Yankees did make big moves but the small moves that were needed did not occur. Besides the big three free agents, Swisher and Berroa were the only additions this winter.

The Yankees have injured all-stars at catcher and third base. Where are the replacements? Last year they suffered an early injury to Jose Posada at catcher and simply endured the entire season with their backup catcher Jose Molina. They also suffered an early injury to their top pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and his starts were taken by Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner.

These moves likely cost the Yankees a post-season berth. They did not have replacements ready in AAA nor did they immeadiatly trade for appropriate help. This year is exactly the same. Any team having Cody Ransom as an opening day third baseman is not seriously trying to win its division.

I am not sold on the myth that the Red Sox are the new Yankees. For one thing, where are their stars? The Yankees have about 6 Hall of Famers while the Red Sox do not have a single player likely to reach the Hall. Young starting pitcher Jon Lester has a 5% chance which is a higher percentage than that for any other Red Sox player. The Red Sox have the money to make a big splash but choose to stick with their hand.

The Dodgers, The Angels, the Mets and all the other wealthy teams were also predictable this off-season. They did sign some free agents but did not restructure their teams significantly. The Tigers had a terrible 2008 but have done little to address their pitching shortage. Acquiring Edwin Jackson and Adam Everett will not turn around the league's worst ERA.

The young rebuilding teams did not do anything exciting either. Florida did not trade any of its top talent like Dan Uggla or Hanley Ramirez. Texas is preparing for its young players but actually has stocked up on second-tier veterans this winter. An opening day lineup with Mike Young at third and Omar Vizquel at shortstop is very problematic.

San Diego has done almost nothing due to problems with their owner. They have talent but could lose 105 if Peavy and/or Adrian Gonzalez get hurt or traded.

Seattle, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cincinatti and Colorado have not done anything imaginative.

The 2009-2010 off-season has to be more entertaining.

About the Author

Ted Nye is a baseball fan from Toronto Canada. He runs a fantasy baseball website