MLB Hot Stove goes from simmering to flaming hot to start off the week. Yesterday began like any other Monday would. I was thinking that my top news item would be reaction to last night's Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Boy, was that about to change in the span of a few hours. In a relatively Hot Stove season up to this point, yesterday was the perfect storm.
It started out with news that John Lackey was in Boston to take a physical with the Red Sox that would lead to a tentative agreement with the ace. The terms of the deal ended up at 5 years for $85 million. This news came as somewhat of a suprise in the sporting world, and little did we know, we were just getting started. Not to long after news of Lackey's deal broke, there was word that the Angels were in serious talks with free agent Hideki Matsui on a possible 1-year $6.5 million deal. The AP reported later in the evening that Matsui had reached an agreement with the Angels. Now, you would probably say that these two stories are enough to fill an entire news day in sports. However, as the late pitchman Billy Mays frequently said, "But wait, there's more!"
In what would would definitely be considered the biggest Hot Stove news from yesterday, Roy Halladay, the most talked about pitcher on the trade market this offseason was reported to be on his way to Philadelphia as part of a 3-team trade that also saw Cliff Lee go from the Phillies to the Seatlle Mariners. In essence, two former Cy Young winners were traded for each other.
As the smoke cleared and the dust settled, my initial thoughts were that there was one team not involved in these moves who is impacted in a big way: the Angels. For right now, it's not looking good for them on a number of levels. They have now lost their stud ace to of all teams, the Red Sox. They have lost out on Roy Halladay, whom they were reportedly involved with in trade discussions. A division rival in the Mariners have gotten even stronger with the acquisition of Cliff Lee on top of stealing free agent Chone Figgins from the Angels. Yes, the Angels did make a move yesterday. but it was for Hideki Matsui, who has a history of injuries throughout his career. Fans can only hope he stays reasonably healthy for a team that is now short a starting pitcher, third baseman and a bullpen that was shaky throughout last season. So while John Lackey, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will surely pay significant dividends for their new teams and I wish them the best, the Angels have weaker with their lack of movement in the trade and free agent markets.
No comments:
Post a Comment