Tejada, Rowand, and Fukudome

If you were getting bored with the lack of action this baseball off-season then you should get your web browser open cause players are moving all across the country. Let's do a quick synopsis of what transpired to today and what teams came out on top.

Aaron Rowand signs with Giants - Jones got $18.1 million per year, Hunter got $18 million, and the Giants somehow corralled Rowand with a five year deal at $12 million a pop. Rowand's offensive performance has been inconsistent over the last four years but as long as he's hitting at his career average of .286/.343/.462 and plays quality defense in the center this contract is of good value. Rowand plays hard and you wonder if his body will hold up through the end of this contract when Rowand will 35. Despite this fact, Rowand's a great leader and hustle player that you want in your clubhouse.

Kosuke Fukudome signs with Cubs - Fukudome's ability to hit for average, moderate power, and quality eye make him a great signing for the Cubs. Keith Law keenly pointed to Fukudome's likeness to Bobby Abreu and at the age of 30, the Japanese import should put up .290/.380/.460 type numbers.


Miguel Tejada for Scott, Patton, Albers, Sarfate, and Costanzo - For what the Astros gave up to get Tejada this trade would've been a pretty good deal, if the Astros had a flourishing farm system and if the Astros were in any sort of contention for a playoff spot. But neither of those if's are true. Luke Scott's a fourth outfielder who at the age of 29 probably won't put up numbers like he did in his half year stint in 2006. Matt Albers is a mediocre starter in AAA who could fill in as an emergency starter but that's about it. Troy Patton is a quality young starting pitcher capable of being a #4 starter or even better if he can get his strikeout rate back up. Dennis Sarfate is a hopeless 26 year old reliever with no control. Michael Costanzo's a power hitting third baseman but has way too many swings and misses with below average fielding ability.

Other than Patton, there's not much value in this package going back to Baltimore. Still, the Astros have no need for another aging bat considering they already have Lee and Berkman and only have one decent starting pitcher. These barely B-level prospects are also pretty much all Houston had left in their farm system, thus robbing them of the chance to rebuild after Tejada's contract expires in two years. As for the Orioles, I think they could've gotten better value but at least they've finally decided to shut it all down and start fresh, something they've needed to do for nearly a decade.