Offseason Review: Chicago Cubs

Who did you really expect to see here? David DeJesus?

For a team that is in need of gradual and patient change, the Cubs sure made some drastic moves to get the ball rolling in that direction. On October 12th, 2011, just after the collapse that terminated the Red Sox season came to it's merciful end, Theo Epstein was granted his release by Boston and signed a five-year $18.5 million dollar contract with the Cubs. The replacement of longtime GM Jim Hendry with the refreshing, young and already highly decorated Epstein was heralded as a very welcome change by many Cubs fans. So does what does the infancy of the Epstein era mean for the North side of Chicago?

HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS!

Back from Arizona. Unfortunately, as I am not employed in anyway by baseball or the media covering it, I was not there on duty so my spring training experience was very limited. I did manage to go see one game and did stop at Maryvale Park when there wasn't a game going on and saw some players in their terrible casual wear.

The lack of accessible internet and general business made it really impractical to update, but I will as soon as I tie up some loose ends around here. Hope everyone had a good past week!

Contract Corner: Andy Pettite

WHAA?!

Last night I got very little sleep and had to wake up early. After running a couple errands I came home and passed out on the couch for a while watching the beginning of the Tigers Mets Grapefruit League game.  I was dozing off when I heard that the Yankees had re-signed Andy Pettite to a minor league deal, and had to pinch myself to make sure this wasn't some kind of weird dream where my brain was reporting false news to me that would only kind of matter to me. I'm not a Yankees fan, but this really surprised me.

Offseason Review: Atlanta Braves

Young Jason Heyward hopes to bounce back after a down 2011 season

The Braves have been perennially competitive for the past several years, having not endured a losing season since 2008. Last year Atlanta missed the playoffs by a heartbreakingly small and fluke fashioned margin. The Braves have many of the pieces in place to be competitive again this season and, barring markedly slow seasons by the likes of players like Jason Heyward and Brian McCann, they are definitely in the discussion for playoff potential. Given their relatively sturdy situation, Atlanta's front office was pretty quiet this offseason. That doesn't mean that units won't be moved as the season goes on.

The Brewers' Outfield Situation

After the integrity of the case against Braun disintegrated, the Brewer's were gifted with the security of having last years NL MVP back on the team for a full season. Transitively they were given another immovable component to their outfield. Last year the Brewers outfield was primarily occupied by Hart in right, Braun in left and Gomez and Morgan platooning center. The signings of Norichika Aoki and Corey Patterson, and the emergence of Logan Schafer and Caleb Gindl as legitimate players give the Brewers a healthy surplus of competent outfield talent.

Offseason Review: Washington Nationals

Ace Stephen Strasburg returning in 2012 after Tommy John surgery.

As I stated in my article about Ryan Zimmerman's extension, the Nationals aren't messing around, and this is the first year in a long time that they are set to emerge as a relevant team. There are a few key elements that need brushing up, some outfield help and bullpen for example, but the age of futility is not far from being abandoned in the nation's capitol. Last year the Nationals made, in my opinion, the second worst deal for a free agent in Jayson Werth (the first being Carl Crawford, which makes me question the whole Theo Epstein thing... more on that in a week or so when I get to the Cubs). This offseason they were abuzz with productive, gutsy moves. The acquisition and securing of young talent are setting the bullish nats up to be a force in the coming years.

Offseason Review: Philadelphia Phillies

Injured MVP Ryan Howard

Last year the Phillies were perceived to be a lock to win the World Series. Their path to the ring was going to be forged by an amazing pitching staff, recalling memories from the 90s Braves staff headed up by the likes of Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz. The result was a dominating, best record in baseball 102 win season, followed by first round elimination at the hands of the wild card Cardinals. The window for the aging Phillies is still pretty wide open, but after their regular season mastery was proven futile, the path to victory could seem a little murky.

Offseason Review: Miami Marlins

Last years batting champion, Jose Reyes.

After years of penny pinching and frenetic front office management, the Marlins decided to make a "splash" (HAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!! Cuz of fish!) and sign three huge free agents. I understand the intention of breathing new life in to a long stagnant team by pairing a new fancy stadium and spending like crazy on a haul of free agent talent, but I legitimately feel like the Marlins kind of missed the mark this Winter.

Offseason Review: New York Mets

2x Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana returns after an injury plagued 2011 campaign

This has to be the most difficult offseason review to find substance for because the Mets have done very close to nothing. Due to a whole lot of financial turmoil and a suddenly steep level of divisional competition, the Mets activity was essentially rendered paralyzed by practicality.
 

Catcher Notes: Pudge, Molina, Napoli, Varitek, Molina

Ivan Rodriguez has stated an interest in playing again this season. The former MVP has proven more than durable, carving out a major league spot behind the plate that has spanned more than two decades. Pudge can't hit like he used to, and he is coming off an injury riddled season, but he could prove relevant to a team who wants a decent bat off the bench, or just one looking for some veteran influence.

The Cardinals have extended Yadier Molina to a 5 year $75MM dollar contract. Extending catchers is always risky as it is an oft-injured position but talent like Yadier's is rare and the 3x All Star is still pretty young, and seemingly only getting better. Assuming he hits anywhere close to the way he has been for two or three of these contract seasons, maintains his glove and stays healthy, this contract will look like a bargain. Hopefully the front office told him to stop reinforcing Brandon Phillips' claims that the St. Louis Cardinals are all "little bitches" so he can refrain from flipping out and throwing punches or spitting all over the place every time he gets upset about something.

Mike Napoli was acquired for next to nothing from the Blue Jays (who incidentally acquired him only a few days before for VERNON WELLS. Still blown away by that one.) and flourished in his first year in Texas. In the latter half of the season he hit almost .400, and while that is a complete anomaly, it proves his bat is legit. He announced earlier this week that he wants to test free agency. My guess is that he plays his ass off and earns a four a five year extension with Texas that will see him in a DH role by the end of his contract.

Long time Red Sox Captain Jason Varitek and veteran backstop Bengie Molina announced their retirements earlier this week. I'm just writing this in to say congrats to the two of them on two long lasting careers. I'd be shocked if Varitek didn't stay in Boston and get some sort of front office/managerial position at some point.

Offseason Review: Texas Rangers

A New Hope

The Rangers are still going to be really good, but for the first time in 3 seasons, their hold on the division is in question. What's weird about that is that I think they are actually a better team than either of the past two years, but with the Angels sudden incorporation of acquired talent, Texas is going to have to step it up.

Offseason Review: Oakland Athletics

Hi! I'm on the Athletics!

OK, I realize it's popular to find something honorable or charming about the A's but I just don't. I've already written two separate articles discussing my confusion over two of Oakland's bigger moves and that confusion hasn't gone away. Yoenis Cespedes confused me and Manny Ramirez just pissed me off. I want to make this one brief because if I don't I'll go off on some tangent about the bastardized version of Moneyball that Billy Beane has enacted in Oakland. No one wants to hear that.