Curtis Granderson leaves Yankees; for crosstown rival New York Mets

The New York Mets found themselves a nice addition by signing free agent centerfielder Curtis Granderson to a four-year contract that's worth $60 million. Granderson, 32, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2002 in the third round of the MLB draft. He reached the MLB in 2004 and played for the Tigers until 2009. After the 2009 season, Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees in a three-team trade. He played for the Yankees from 2010-2013. He's a three-time All-Star and has led the MLB in triples in 2007 and 2008. In 2011 and 2012, Granderson had back to back 40 home run seasons. He was also the AL rbi leader in 2011 with 119 rbi's.

Granderson has played ten seasons in the MLB. His career stats are: 1,187 games, 1,157 hits, 780 runs, 199 doubles, 80 triples, 217 home runs, 606 rbi's, 122 stolen bases, and a .261 batting average.

In 2013, Granderson was hurt and only played 61 games. If he's healthy, he should be able to help the Mets improve. It looks like the Mets made a smart move by signing Granderson. As for myself, I thought he'd get a bigger contract. That's due to the free agent market right now. One pefect example would be Robinson Cano signing with the Seattle Mariners for 10-years, worth $240 million. Cano's deal reminds me of when the Angels overpaid for Albert Pujols after the 2011 season. And that deal has hurt the Angels. I also think that the Mets make the most sense for Granderson. He can become their leadoff hitter. And the Mets can build around him and All-Star thirdbaseman David Wright.

Norichika Aoki traded to Royals

The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Norichika Aoki to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Will Smith. Aoki, 31, came over from Japan in 2012, after spending eight seasons playing baseball in Japan. He's in the last year of his contract which the Brewers signed him to. He became a spark plug in the Brewers line-up, and was their lead off hitter a lot of the time. In 2012, for the Brewers he hit .288, with 10 home runs, 81 runs scored, 37 doubles, 150 hits, 50 rbi's, and 30 stolen bases. Aoki's 37 doubles became the most ever by a Brewers rookie in a single season. He can play all three outfield positions. Aoki also is good at getting on base, which is something the Royals needed help with.

Aoki's career stats in two full MLB seasons are: 306 games played, 321 hits, 161 runs scored, 57 doubles, 7 triples, 18 home runs, 87 rbi's, 50 stolen bases, and a batting average of .287.

What do the Brewers get in Will Smith? He's a lefty pitcher who can start. The Brewers seem to plan to want to use him as a starting pitcher, which is something the Brewers need. Smith came up for the Royals in 2012 and started 16 games going 6-9 with an era of 5.32. Last season, Smith pitched out of the bullpen for the Royals and seemed to do better pitching out of the bullpen for them. He finished the season with an era of 3.24.

Smith's career stats are: 35 games, 17 games started, 8 wins, 10 losses, 102 strikeouts, 123.0 innings pitched, and an era of 4.76.

As for me, I like this trade for the Royals better. I could end up liking it more for both teams though, depending on how Will Smith does this season for the Brewers. I also wonder why the Brewers traded Aoki, when he seems to love to hit against one of their big rivals in the St. Louis Cardinals. If the Brewers didn't like him hitting against the Cardinals, I'm fine with that; one less Cardinal killer to worry about facing a lot in their own division. I hope Will Smith proves me wrong and does a good job. I have a feeling that he does. So, this trade could end up helping both teams out. Time will tell to if it does help both teams out. At least it seems like the Royals improved themselves though.

Red Sox land Edward Mujica

The Boston Red Sox signed free agent closer Edward Mujica, to a 2-year contract that's worth $9.5 million. Mujica was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He became one of their top pitching prospects and reached the majors in 2006. He played for the Indians until 2008. The Indians traded him to the San Diego Padres in April, 2009. The Padres had Mujica for two seasons. He then moved onto the Miami Marlins with pitcher Ryan Webb for centerfielder Cameron Maybin. Mujica stayed with the Marlins from 2011 until July 31,2012, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals at the time traded minor league prospect Zack Cox for Mujica. At the time of the deal, people wondered why the Cardinals gave up on Cox for Mujica. That was pretty much because of Mujica's numbers at the time the Cardinals traded for him. He had an era of 4.38 for the Marlins, and the Cardinals needed bullpen help. He would later become the Cardinals set-up man in 2012.

In 2013, the Cardinals lost closer Jason Motte for the season due to Tommy John surgery. After that happened, the Cardinals needed to find a closer. They first tried Mitchell Boggs as closer (who had been tried as a closer before, but it had failed). Boggs failed again trying to close games, and later lost control and was traded to the Colorado Rockies for an international signing bonus. Mujica ended up becoming the Cardinals closer for 2013. He did well in the closers role, with an era of 2.78 and getting 37 saves in his first time as a closer in the MLB. Mujica became an All-Star for the first time in his career and helped lead the Cardinals into the World Series.

Mujica has spent eight seasons in the MLB. Over that time for his career his stats are: 381 games played, 4 games started, 19 wins, 19 losses, 3.75 era, 350 strikeouts, 41 saves, and 439.1 innings pitched.

Without Mujica, who knows what the Cardinals would have done in 2013. He helped save the Cardinals when they needed someone to take a big role, and he did well. It should be a good signing for the Boston Red Sox. They can either use him as a closer or as a set-up man. Either way, the Red Sox improved their bullpen for 2014.

Do I wish the Cardinals could have kept Mujica? Yes, but it wasn't going to happen with Trevor Rosenthal becoming the closer for 2014, and Jason Motte coming back in 2014 after missing the 2013.  The Cardinals have other pitchers coming up through the minors who seem ready for the MLB. I'm glad Mujica found a team and got a pay raise. He earned it. I hope he does well for the Red Sox and that Red Sox fans come to like him.

Nationals upgrade starting pitching, trade for Doug Fister

The Washington Nationals have landed starting pitcher Doug Fister from the Detroit Tigers in a four-player trade. The Nationals sent utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi, pitchers Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray for Fister. Fister was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in there seventh round of the 2006 MLB draft (overall 201st). He was with the Mariners from 2009, until July 30,2011 when he was traded to the Tigers. He was able to find success with the Tigers, winning AL pitcher of the month for September. Fister also did well in the 2011 playoffs for the Tigers. Last season, Fister had a career high in wins going 14-9 with an era of 3.67. He finished his career for the Tigers with a record of 32-20 with an era of 3.29, and 440.2 innings.

On the Nationals, Fister will join a starting rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Gio Gonzalez. They will have pitcher Ross Detwiler competing for the fifth spot in their rotation. Fister is owed $6.9 million this season and will be in his second year of arbitration.

Fister's career record in five seasons is: 44-50, era 3.53, 130 games, 127 starts, and 818.2 innings pitched.

Doug Fister should be an upgrade for the Nationals. Over the last two seasons they had starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Dan Haren, both didn't turn out too well for the Nationals. So, it looks like an upgrade for the Nationals, who were hoping to upgrade their starting rotation. He also seems to have developed into a better pitcher since the joined the Tigers. Will he be the same pitcher on the Nationals? That will be found out in 2014.

Jhonny Peralta lands in St. Louis

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a four-year contract that's worth $52 million. Peralta was one the the top free agents on the market at shortstop, besides Stephen Drew. Pretty much, the market in free agency for a shortstop was thin. The Cardinals also don't give up a draft pick and keep their prospects without giving anything big up. So, that seems like a win-win for the Cardinals. I even think Drew signs for more money than Peralta did, but we'll see if I end up being right on that.

Peralta will be 32 in May. He came up with the Cleveland Indians back in 2003. He played for the Indians until July 2010, when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He played for the Tigers from July 2010, until the 2013 season. He ended up making the All-Star team two times for the AL in 2011 and 2013. Last season, he was suspended for 50 games after being connected to the Biogenesis scandal. He accepted it and served time. He came back and did well for the Tigers in the playoffs. During the ALDS, he hit 417, and in the ALCS he hit 286. His lifetime postseason batting average is 283.

So far, for Peralta's career in eleven seasons in the MLB, he's played in 1,383 games, hitting 268, with 1,369 hits, 295 doubles, 156 home runs, and 698 rbi's. He should be an upgrade over Pete Kozma at shortshop. Yes, he cheated, but he served time. Players seem to be forgiven a lot of the time in sports after they serve time and if they don't make the same mistake again. Will he remain clean? Lets hope so; he's been a good player over his career, besides last season getting suspended. The Cardinals have wanted Peralta in recent years. As of right now, he looks like he'll help improve the Cardinals line up. He can hit 10-20 home runs.

The Cardinals as of right now look like they might have a better team than they did in 2013. Pretty much all they need to do now is upgrade their bench. If the Cardinals can get a strong bench, then the Cardinals should have a better team heading into the 2014 season. So, now for the Cardinals to go improve their bench. The bench was pretty much one of the things that hurt the Cardinals in the World Series. As of right now, the Cardinals are having a pretty great offseason, without giving up anything to improve their team.

David Freese traded to Angels for Peter Bourjos and prospect Randal Grichuk

The St. Louis Cardinals and  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have agreed to a four player deal. The deal includes All-Star third baseman David Freese and relief pitcher Fernando Salas to the Angels for centerfielder Peter Bourjos, and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk. David Freese was an All-Star in 2012, after showing what he can do when healthy in 2011 and coming through big in the 2011 postseason, winning both NLCS MVP and World Series MVP. After, having a great season in 2012, Freese's numbers were down in 2013.

Why were Freese's numbers down? Maybe no one knows, but people can always guess or assume things. But, I think I might know of a big reason why his numbers were down. Mark McGwire leaving to become the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach. Freese seemed like he did well with McGwire as his hitting coach, and at times it can be hard for players to fully adjust to a new hitting coach or even change. Freese could get a bounce back year on the Angels, if he can stay healthy. The Angels have one of the best hitting coaches around in Don Baylor, who gets lots of credit for helping Andres Galarraga re-find his career in 1993 playing for the Colorado Rockies.

Fernando Salas filled in as closer for a bit during the 2011 Cardinals season. He finished the season with 24 saves, and an era of 2.28. After 2011, Salas never seemed to pick up where he left off in 011.

What do the Cardinals have in both Bourjos and Grichuk you might ask? Well, both players could be interesting. Pete Bourjos is one of the best defensivie center fielders, when he's healthy. Even though, he hasn't been fully healthy since 2011. But, he tied Austin Jackson for the most triples in the American league in 2011, with 11 triples. He ended up hitting 271, with 72 runs scored, 136 hits, 26 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 rbi's, and 22 stolen bases. During the 2011 season, he ranked 5th for runs saved among MLB centerfielders. So far, for his career his has 41 stolen bases.

As for Randal Grichuk, he was the Angels no.2 top prospect. He seems to be best as a corner OF in the future. He was drafted in 2009, one spot a head of Angels CF Mike Trout. Grichuk seems like he's a work in progress at 22, with power. The downside is he strikesout a lot, so he'll need to try to imrpove on  the strikeouts somewhat. Overall, he has hit 284 in the minors with 61 home runs, 259 rbi's in 433 games played.

If both Bourjos and Freese can be healthy, they both help improve both teams. Maybe both players just needed new teams. Bourjos will be coming off of wrist surgery. As of right now, it looks like Matt Carpenter will be playing his normal position thirdbase, instead of second base. And Kolten Wong could be starting at second base. Yes, Wong could be a question mark at scond base, because he hasn't done much to show that he can handle the MLB. But, the Cardinals seem to do well with question marks surrounding them. Again, it looks like this trade could help both teams. The Angels needed a thrid baseman. Now the Cardinals need to go find a starting shortstop.

Mike Matheny agrees to contract extension with Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that they have signed manager Mike Matheny to a three year contract extension, that will keep him as the manager through the 2017 season. Matheny 43, had been in his last season of this current deal which was an option from his original deal. He never managed in any baseball level before becoming the Cardinals manager after Tony La Russa retired in 2011. In Matheny's first season as manager, he led the Cardinals to the 2012 NLCS. But, that team lost in the seven games to the San Francisco Giants. And in 2013, the Cardinals lost starting pitcher Chris Carpenter for the season, along with closer Jason Motte, and starting shortstop Rafael Furcal all due to injuries. They had to use twenty rookies in 2013, and were able to win 97 games (their most wins since the 2005 Cardinals, when they won 100 games). Matheny's 2013 Cardinals, were only two wins shy from winning the franchises 12th World Series title.

Matheny became the first Cardinals manager to lead them to lots of success in his first two seasons as their manager. His managing record is 185-139, with a winning percentage of .571. There's no word on how much money Matheny's new deal will pay him.

It's a win-win for both sides, Matheny seems to have learned a lot as a manager. And he seems like he learned a lot about managing when he was a player in the MLB playing under Tony La Russa, Phil Garner, Jim Fregosi, and Felipe Alou. Players seem to enjoy having Matheny as their manager, and he does a great job with rookies. I think a lot of that is because he's a former player himself.

When, Matheny first joined the Cardinals as their manager, I wasn't sure on what to think of it and wondered if the Cardinals were making the right hire. The Cardinals have proved people wrong, including myself who weren't sure about it or who thought it would be a bad move. I think a lot of that was because he had never managed anywhere before.

Kudos to the Cardinals for hiring Matheny and giving him a chance. Hopefully
soon the 12th World Series title will be going down Market Street.