Warren2ThaG Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/sea.gifhttp://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/phi.gifhttp://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/chc.gifWinter winners: M's, Phillies, Cubs top list of movers-----------1. Mariners. There are legitimate questions about the team the M's have put together, starting with where the offensive production is going to come from. But in taking Chone Figgins away from the Angels, adding Cliff Lee to Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation and then getting Hernandez signed to a long-term deal, general manager Jack Zduriencik took three more huge steps in changing the image of the franchise. It's hard to think of anything that didn't go right for Seattle this winter, starting with Kenji Johjima's announcement that he would opt out of the final two years of what had become a very bad contract. Later, the M's became the beneficiary of the Phillies' desire for Roy Halladay, which allowed Seattle to pick up Lee for a very reasonable price. The way things are going in Marinerland now, maybe even Milton Bradley will be happy there. 2. Phillies. Yes, there are plenty of critics who say they should have kept Lee, either instead of trading for Halladay or to team with Halladay at the top of a monster rotation. But the way the Phillies see it, they have the ace they really wanted (Halladay), and they have him signed through 2013. Not only that, but they have almost their entire team signed through at least 2011. Instead of worrying that their window to win would start closing after the 2010 season, they've extended it by at least a year or two. They love this group of players, and they love having Halladay. And they've totally changed the image of their franchise, to the point where there's no doubt that the Phillies are the dominant team in the National League. 3. Cubs. Their biggest player move was a dump, getting Bradley off their roster and out of their sight. The lineup has the same issues it did last year, and the only reason to think that the Cubs will be significantly better is that it's hard to imagine their star players underperforming as badly as they did in 2009. So why do the Cubs make this list? Simple. Just like the Rangers, the Cubs needed an owner, and now they have one. Not only that, but the Ricketts family is getting rave early reviews, both from the fans (who gave them a standing ovation at the Cubs Convention) and from the front office. The early moves the Ricketts have made with the Cubs sound a lot like the early moves Arte Moreno made after taking over the Angels. They've already significantly improved employee benefits, and when they showed up at the organization meetings, they impressed everyone by staying for dinner and showing interest in every part of the organization. There's a new and improved feeling around the Cubs these days, and it's not just because a certain grumpy outfielder is finally gone.-----More...http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12852607/winter-winners-ms-phillies-cubs-top-list-of-movers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish7718 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Funny I would have considered 2 of the 3 losers... I'd go 1. Mariners2. Yankees3. Angels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog17k Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I read this, only part I agree with is Mariners, and Phillies a bit cuz of Halladay. Cubs didn't really do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phightins Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Funny I would have considered 2 of the 3 losers... I'd go 1. Mariners2. Yankees3. Angels I agree that the Yankees should have been on the list, but the Phillies were losers this winter? Elaborate please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish7718 Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I agree that the Yankees should have been on the list, but the Phillies were losers this winter? Elaborate please.Maybe calling them losers is going a bit too far, I really disagreed with the Halladay deal on their part especially cause they have him 20 mil a year. I suppose their other moves were good though. If it's any consolation I feel the Mets were losers lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phightins Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Maybe calling them losers is going a bit too far, I really disagreed with the Halladay deal on their part especially cause they have him 20 mil a year. I suppose their other moves were good though. If it's any consolation I feel the Mets were losers lol. The Halladay contract is an absolute bargain, IMO. 3 years and $60 million for arguably the best pitcher of the last decade is a steal. It is more the length than the actual salary that makes this contract so great. When Cliff Lee gets 6 or 7 years at the same annual salary next winter, you will see what I'm talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Situation Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 (edited) Yankees dish out cash like that all the time to pitchers. Edited February 9, 2010 by The Situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish7718 Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 The Halladay contract is an absolute bargain, IMO. 3 years and $60 million for arguably the best pitcher of the last decade is a steal. It is more the length than the actual salary that makes this contract so great. When Cliff Lee gets 6 or 7 years at the same annual salary next winter, you will see what I'm talking about.Maybe, I mean he will be turning 33 this year and he has thrown so many pitches over the past 2-3 years. Just have to wait and see what Lee signs for, just remember it is a recession so Lee may not make as much as he anticipates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phightins Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Maybe, I mean he will be turning 33 this year and he has thrown so many pitches over the past 2-3 years. Just have to wait and see what Lee signs for, just remember it is a recession so Lee may not make as much as he anticipates. Somebody will give it to him, the recession does not affect everybody. But even if he does not get a huge contract, Roy Halladay is a better pitcher and we have him for a bargain of a contract, so I cannot complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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