Christmas BM

Santa Came and went and some teams are still up in the air on whether they were naughty or nice. SO giving the ending of last season and what has happened in the last couple months, we will decide if the teams have been naughty or nice. This decision is based on what is going on around them, rumors, projected signings, and recent additions.

Yankees: Naughty! There is no doubt that the team that blew 24 million ( about 17 on 4 months of pitching and almost 7 for taxes for being over the luxury tax) on Roger Clemens 6-6 season. The Yankees just keep trying to spend and spend, but results are not coming. Will they be turned around with a new coach? I don't think so. Pitching still needs to be added, but the most important thing is the mindset of the players. They need men who want to win. The only guy besides Johan Santana on the radar is Mark Prior, hardly a team changing addition. New York will make additions, but they may be waiting to over spend.

Phillies: NICE! Pat Gillick says don't expect any additions soon. Next the phils sign inning eater Durbin and Outfield bat Geoff Jenkins. What does that do? It totally solidifies the order and allows the phils to sit a righty bat in Werth or Burrell against lefties. It keeps them safe if they suffer injuries out there and if anyone slumps. Ok, so now Gillick says they are done. Then So Taguchi signs? Yep, only the best bench hitter in baseball last year. Only a guy who has been to the big dance and back. Now the phils are looking at Akinori Otsuka, a guy who could complete their bullpen. They should also sign a pitcher close to spring training.

Tigers: Nice! Detroit should compete for the Central crown and the leagues best record. The strongest batting order with the addition of Cabrera and a solid Bench. Additions of Jacque Jones, Edgar Renteria, and of course Willis and Cabrera will make them win now. The Tigers will throw out Verlander, Willis, Bonderman, and Rogers and teams should be scared. Watch out!

Rangers: Santa says the verdict is still out. Who knows what will happen with the Rangers. Their outfield is super strong now in Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, and Catalanatto. Their order is young but potent, and their pitching is questionable. Will Vicente Padilla stay healthy and win? WIll Jon Leiber stay fat and lose? They may win alot of games, but pitching must be an issue right now. Kazuo Fukumori is a great reliever, but who is going to get to him?

Joe Blanton is available but only for a big price. He probably will not go anywhere, but the Mets and the Reds are chasers.

The same two teams are going after Erik Bedard and the Mariners and Blue Jays too. The price is high here too, but Seattle is offering big names. Look for this deal to go through.

Johan Santana will not pitch in the NL. He also won't pitch for the Red Sox according too Big Papi. SO where will he pitch? Well anywhere else if they are willing to sell the farm. The Yankees lead this chase.