A Few Thoughts...

...from the Winter Meetings transactions.

1. He Who Shall Not Be Named - New York Yankees - 7 years - $161 Million
The Yankees got the best left-hander in the game. Sounds good right? For now, this deal is a slam dunk. But what happens four years from now When CC is a biscuit shy of 400 lbs and is still owed $69 million? Brian Cashman better introduce CC to Al Roker while he's in NYC so he can learn about gastric bypass surgery.

2. K-Rod - New York Mets - 3 years - $37 Million
I generally tend to frown upon giving closers more than $10 million per year, given the fact that closers come from anywhere and dominate (i.e. George Sherrill, Matt Capps, Brandon Lyon, etc...) and not make that much money. But in the Mets case, their bullpen was so terrible that they needed to go out and get the best closer money could buy. Six months ago K-Rod was thought to have commanded 5 years/$65 million, so for Mets GM Omar Minaya to get him on these terms was a slam dunk.

3. Mets acquire JJ Putz from Seattle in 3 team trade
What's better than getting the best closer available? Getting the second best closer available as well to set up for him. Provided Putz can take the ego-check and pitch the 8th inning, the Mets went from having one of the worst bullpens to one of the best. Be wary though, last year the Metropolitans acquired Santana and every sports writer in America handed them the NL Pennant. The Mets are still a few pieces away from "Elite" status, but they will definitely give the Phils a struggle in the East.

Side note: This may be one of the fairest three team trades in the history of baseball. The Mariners got two very good defensive outfielders in Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez as well as a quality starter in Aaron Heilman and several above average prospects. The Indians walked away with a slick fielding Venezuelan second baseman and a ground ball inducing side armer in Joe Smith.

4. AJ Burnett - New York Yankees - 5 years - $82 Million
Commissioner Bud Selig told Cashman he could only sign pitchers with initials this offseason, but I think they would have been better off with OJ Simpson than AJ Burnett. The Yanks may have gotten a little greedy with this one. They couldn't just settle on Sabathia, they needed another starter but FIVE YEARS to AJ Burnett? I would rather bring back Randy Johnson or signed Braden Looper for two or three years. AJ Burnett has more arm problems than John McCain (low blow, I know).

5. Raul Ibanez - World F@#king Champions - 3 years - $30 Million
Let's be honest, he's 5 years older than Burrell. He hits slightly less but plays slightly more defense than Burrell. He probably works harder, but there's no way he cares more about the city of Philadelphia. Pat the Bat grew into a legend in Philly this season. He will be missed. Ibanez is a suitable replacement this year, but the final year of this deal, when Ibanez turns 39, Amaro is going to have some headaches.

Sin City was quiet this week but there are still plenty of names out there. Keep it here for your (un)biased opinions and analysis of every deal.

PS - Must mention the absolute stellar deal Oakland GM and genius Billy Beane made to get Matt Holliday. The Angels better get cracking because Beane's boys will be bringing the heat in the weak AL West next season.