With Inauguration Day now behind us, arbitration hearings and just 25 cold and wanting days remain between here and that glorious February morning when life starts getting back to normal.
Pitchers and catchers report on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and I’m already feeling a bit more romantic.
On the arbitration front, the short time remaining means signings are coming in a flurry.
I noted Todd Wellemeyer and Chris Duncan’s one-year deals yesterday. Add now to that swinger Brad Thompson, whose one-year, $650,000 deal was announced today.
Also, today, it was reported that Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel have each exchanged figures with the club. Unless they settle before their hearings, for 2009:
- Ludwick will either make $2.8 million or $4.25 million.
- Ankiel will either make $2.35 million or $3.3 million.
Which, outside of my distracting case of cabin fever, brings me to my only major point today…
If we do nothing else, payroll has just $2.4 million wiggle room left to wiggle before Opening Day. That lands us near the $90 million mark. By my count, that means more than one significant addition could yet be ahead.
While the free agent list is shrinking, several big names are left on it and facing a buyers’ market would look really nice on a roster heavy on outfielders and short in every way on pitching.
Even with a healthy Chris Carpenter, the depth of this rotation is frightening.
Even with rock-steady results from a no-name bullpen, there simply aren’t enough arms for me to have any faith.
Mo’s recent quotes have leaned toward a later addition like Kyle Lohse, but with the economy down, it could be left to the guys we got for three or four months.
If they repeat the improbable and stick around through June, a move before the deadline would signal a firm, if cautious, commitment to the here and now – even if it’s not when the anxious and impatient among us would have liked.
-30-
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment