Friday, February 5, 2010

The Latest MLB Moves

Here are a few more moves that have taken place in MLB over the past couple of days.

Kevin Gregg signs 1-year, $2.75 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays

Gregg saved 23 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2009 but also blew seven save opportunities. He would eventually lose the closer's job to Carlos Marmol. Gregg previously pitched with the Florida Marlins saving 32 and 29 games in 2007 and 2008, respectively. There's no guarantee he will be the Jays closer in 2010 as he is expected to compete with Scott Downs and Jason Frasor. So I guess that means Brandon Morrow, acquired from the Seattle Mariners, will be in the starting rotation in 2010. The Jays along with the Cleveland Indians had the fewest saves in the AL. As for Gregg, if thing works out the Jays can exercise options on him in 2011 and 2012.

Orlando Hudson signs 1-year, $5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins

Hudson spent the 2009 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite an All-Star selection and his fourth Gold Glove for his work at second base Hudson lost his job to Ronnie Belliard late in the season making him expendable.

Many expected Hudson to sign with the Washington Nationals but he wanted to play with a contending ballclub. The Twins, of course, are the defending AL Central champs and have won the title five times since 2002. Adding Hudson up the middle puts the Twins in a very strong position for them to repeat in 2010.

Adam Kennedy signs 1-year, $1.25 million deal with the Washington Nationals

As alluded to a moment ago, the Nationals were interested in the services of Orlando Hudson but Hudson had other plans. So the Nats went to Plan B. Kennedy, who turned 34 last month, played with the Oakland Athletics in 2009 and had his best offensive season since his rookie year with the Anaheim Angels in 2000.

There are those who don't view the Kennedy signing positively. Rather than sign Kennedy why not move Cristian Guzman from short to second and bring up top Nationals prospect Ian Desmond to play short. Although Guzman can hit he's not a great defensive shorstop. But it seems to me the Nats wanted a veteran second baseman in 2010. If Kennedy doesn't bear fruit then Desmond will get his chance in 2011. Of course, if either Kennedy or Guzman get hurt then Desmond will be up with the club sooner than that.

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