Dodger Blue Magic

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves in dramatic fashion last night. Veteran third baseman Juan Uribe (.278, 12 HR, 50 RBI) hit a go-ahead two run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to put the Dodgers ahead of the Braves, 4-3. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (4-3, 1.88 ERA, 28 SV, 111 Ks, 76.2 IP) came in to nail it down in the 9th and sent the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series for the first time in four years.

The Dodgers have been the most compelling story of the 2013 MLB season. Don Mattingly was on the hot seat for his job before the (then) last place Dodgers called up a Cuban rookie right fielder named Yasiel Puig (.319, 19 HR, 42 RBI – regular season; .471, 1.029 OPS, 5 RS in the postseason) . The season became the opposite of Murphy’s Law: everything that could go right, did go right.

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez (.345, 20 HR, 57 RBI) returned to the lineup from injury and caught fire. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez appeared to return to his former borderline M.V.P.-caliber self, the same Adrian Gonzalez (.293, 22 HR, 100 RBI) who earned a nine figure free agency contract just less than three years ago. Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83 ERA, 232 Ks) pitched like the National League Cy Young Award winner he is all but assured of being in 2013. Zack Greinke (15-4, 2.63 ERA) returned to his tough-as-nails performances that made him an American League Cy Young Award winner in 2009 and a highly coveted free agent when he left the Kansas City Royals three years ago. Every day, we saw part-owner and front-man Magic Johnson with his trademark smile sitting front and center, the expression on his face saying, “I told you so!”

The 2013 NLCS, depending on Game 5 of the other National League Division Series - Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals – will either be a classic battle of baseball titans should the Cards advance or the continuation of the Cinderella story that is the Pirates’ return to baseball’s contending class. Regardless of who is on the marquis, the Dodgers will provide the electricity.

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Magic was just getting started with bringing championships to Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Image cited in a prior Hat Trick posting.

Relieving Boston of Some Old Sox

Just a year ago, former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's stubborn refusal to relinquish control of his nearly insolvent baseball team but the image and the future of one of Major League Baseball's most iconic franchises into questionable uncertainty. A year later, the ownership group including Los Angeles sports legend Magic Johnson has the Dodgers in the thick of the playoff race and relieving other trouble franchises of toxic assets with massive contracts.

"We understand that you have to spend money to be good in this league." 

These are the words straight from the lips of Magic Johnson. The Dodgers have acted consistently with that statement. During the second half of the season, the Dodgers had acquired former batting champion Hanley Ramirez (.254, 20 HR, 79 RBI) from the Miami Marlins, and former All-Star and Gold Glove winner Shane Victorino (.260, 10 HR, 47 RBI) from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Those moves, in and of themselves, made a splash in the National League West race. It seemingly forced the hand of the (currently) first place San Francisco Giants to upgrade their anemic batting order via a trade to acquire Hunter Pence (.260, 18 HR, 75 RBI) from the Phillies. Those trades, however, are footnotes in light of the mega deal that went down between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox last Friday.

A winner who knows how to win.

CHANGE OF SCENERY

The Hat Trick has run multiple articles this year about the dysfunction that is the Boston Red Sox. Going into the 2011 MLB season, many writers, myself included, thought that the season could be skipped and the Red Sox could just be handed the American League pennant. Boston made blockbuster hot stove transactions in the offseason leading into 2011, acquiring All-Stars left fielder Carl Crawford (.282, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 31 GP) and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (.298, 16 HR, 90 RBI).

The Red Sox's epic collapse at the end of last season and borderline lunacy in their clubhouse this season has resulted in a team with a losing record, a lot of finger pointing, and over a quarter-billion dollars in undesirable contracts. Nowhere did I mention that any of those players tied to the big contracts forgot how to play baseball because I don't think they did. I think they ran their courses in Boston.

Boston isn't always the most wholesome place to be.

GET WINS OR DIE TRYING

The Dodgers are a proud historic franchise. While they are regularly a playoff contender, they were once a fixture in the National League Championship Series and World Series until the late 1980s. The Dodgers have not won the National League since their World Series winning year of 1988, when Kirk Gibson was the Most Valuable Player of the National League and a hobbled hero delivering a pinch hit walk off homerun in Game 1 of the Fall Classic instead of the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In other words, the Dodgers have not tasted real glory in a very long time.

Last week, the Dodgers acquired Crawford, Gonzalez, and All-Star pitcher and 2007 World Series champion starting pitcher Josh Beckett (5-12, 5.21 ERA) in a trade that sent much lower profile players to the Red Sox, except for struggling first baseman James Loney (.254, 4 HR, 35 RBI). The Dodgers acquired what will either be a lottery of All-Star players or a booby prize of roughly $210 million in dead weight contracts.

Magic Johnson and the Guggenheim Group gambled that the three big names they acquired still know how to  play baseball at the highest level and, more importantly, are hungry to prove their former employer wrong and win a championship. The Dodgers will make a very serious run at the postseason in September while the only post-anything in the Red Sox's immediate future is Post Raisin Bran and sour grapes. Both teams in this trade could be really big winners or really big losers.

Matt Kemp: You wanted help? You got it!

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To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

All images cited in prior editions of The Daily Hat Trick

The Man in the Mirror

The Boston Red Sox are officially in the Dysfunctional Franchise Club. They have joined the ranks of the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic, the Washington Redskins, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets. The difference between the Sox and the aforementioned teams is that those teams (even Ozzie Guillen’s Marlins) have taken steps to move in the right direction.

The Red Sox have been sinking into the abyss since last September. For those of you in a coma since last year, the Red Sox completed one of the most historic collapses in Major League Baseball history, completing the epitome of epic choke jobs with a loss to the last place Baltimore Orioles on the same night that the Tampa Bay Rays completed the epitome of epic comebacks against the first place New York Yankees, eliminating the Red Sox from the playoffs and leading to the firing of longtime manager Terry Francona.

Reports later surfaced that Red Sox starting pitchers (not up in the rotation) were drinking beer, playing video games, and eating fried chicken in the clubhouse during games. In the midst of a collapse during a pennant race, their antics made Ken Griffey, Jr. sleeping in the Mariners’ clubhouse and missing a pinch hitting opportunity seem like a minor blooper. Focus was not sharp in Beantown; management needed to shake things up.

Chicken and beer is fine for rapper Ludacris, not MLB pitchers fighting for a playoff spot. 2

MUTINY

ESPN reported yesterday that a number of Red Sox players met with Red Sox management to air grievances about the current manager, Bobby Valentine. Valentine’s reputation as a hard liner and a man who does things his way is well documented. Tension appeared to peak earlier this season following critical remarks Valentine made about longtime Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis. Second baseman and 2008 American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia responded in the media by saying that Valentine’s methods were not the way they do things in Boston.

Call me crazy, but the manager’s way IS the way things are done in any clubhouse as long as he is the manager. The whole Youkilis/Pedroia incident was the first red flag in a season that would be full of them. Youkilis would soon after be traded to the Chicago White Sox. Now the inmates are trying to run the asylum again. I think the “Youkilis treatment” may be in order.

Pedroia (left) and Valentine (right) are miles apart no matter how close they are in the dugout. 1 

WHEN YOU POINT ONE FINGER, THERE ARE THREE POINTING BACK AT YOU

The Red Sox have had sky high expectations, and the salaries to go with them, since the start of the 2011 season. At the moment, the Sox were under .500 and are probably not going to reach the playoffs this season. Bobby Valentine is the manager and shoulders much of the blame for the Red Sox’s underachievement in 2012. However, the puzzling series of events dragging the profile of the organization down preceded Valentine’s arrival.

Consider the following:

Boston Red Sox – 2011

• Record at the beginning of September: 83-52, first place.
• Lead in division: 1.5 games over the Yankees, 9 games over the Rays.
• Result: 90-72 (7-20 record in September), third place, eliminated from the playoffs, one game back of the Rays.
• Manager: Terry Francona (someone who is not Bobby Valentine)
• Key players: Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester

Boston Red Sox – 2012

• Record: 57-60, fourth place
• Games back: 12.5 games back of the Yankees in the division; 6.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot.
• Manager: Bobby Valentine
• Key players at the start of the season: Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester

Hmm…both profiles are unflattering, but the one constant is the key players. Let’s dig a little deeper.

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

• Batting average, 2012: .280
• Batting average, career: .302
• On base percentage, 2012: .338
• On base percentage, career: .369
• At bats per home run, 2012: 44 (9 HRs in 2012)
• At bats per home run, career: 38 (84 career HRs)
• 2012 salary: $8 million

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

• Batting average, 2012: .307
• Batting average, career: .295
• On base percentage, 2012: .352
• On base percentage, career: .373
• At bats per home run, 2012: 35 (13 HRs in 2012)
• At bats per home run, career: 20 (208 career HRs)
• 2012 salary: $21 million

Josh Beckett, SP

• Winning pct., 2012: .333
• Winning pct., career: .588
• ERA, 2012: 5.19
• ERA, career: 3.93
• Ks/9 IP, 2012: 6.5
• Ks/9 IP, career: 8.3
• 2012 salary: $16 million

Jon Lester, SP

• Winning pct., 2012: .375
• Winning pct., career: .651
• ERA, 2012: 5.20
• ERA, career: 3.76
• Ks/9 IP, 2012: 7.9
• Ks/9 IP, career: 8.3
• 2012 salary: $8 million

Less complaining and more batting practice may cut down on the strikeouts. 3

Wow! Four key players declining in key statistics compared to the course of their careers, almost across the board? Of the aforementioned key players not statistically detailed, on Big Papi Ortiz has improved relative to his career numbers. I don’t think that is Bobby Valentine’s fault.

Reportedly, Pedroia and Gonzalez were the ringleaders in the players’ meeting with management. I can’t help but think, considering the behavior of the players and the undesirable results since last season, that these guys are making a bunch of excuses for losing. Should Valentine shoulder a chunk of the blame? Absolutely. But managers manage and players play. Key players, team leaders, should play up to their abilities before complaining about the manager.

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To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from http://articles.nydailynews.com
2) Image from www.cbsnews.com
3) Image from http://blogs.eagletribune.com

The Hot Stove 2011 – Was It “Werth” The Wait?

Last December, The Daily Hat Trick ran a piece looking at four of the most significant free agency acquisitions in Major League Baseball. The signings of Jayson Werth, Adrian Gonzales, Carl Crawford, and Cliff Lee all made waves and were expected to shift some of the balance of power in baseball. Today we will take a look at what was said in the offseason, and what impact those players are having, a little more than halfway through the season. The article appears as it was originally published in December, with my signature hindsight commentary in blue. 

December 15, 2010 ---

The San Francisco Giants organization's first World Series win in 56 years may be yesterday's news, but Major League Baseball news is hot off the press in the sports world. There have been more free agent and trading power moves in the past month in MLB than I can remember at any time this century. The Daily Hat Trick would not be complete without opining on a few of the high impact transactions.

Jayson Werth - Washington Nationals

This move could be "Werth" its weight in gold if Werth continues the steady improvement in his game that he has experienced each year since he joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. If he simply performs at his 2010 level, it is fair value for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals get a legitimate 5 tool player who could protect Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup.

The seven year, $126 million deal for Werth sounded alarms in the sporting world. The Nationals have not been known, historically, for nine figure contracts nor the revenue streams consistent with the ability to sign such a player. In addition to the salaries being paid to Zimmerman ($8M/yr) and pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg ($3M/yr), one may wonder if the Nationals priced themselves out of future free agent competitions, especially if the team has any intention of retaining the services of Strasburg and Zimmerman  beyond the 2012 and 2013 seasons, respectively.

Jayson Werth - they aren't paying him $18 million/year for his looks.

I personally believe this was a good move. 1) It sends a message that the Nationals are serious about making their organization competitive quickly and that the team is willing to pay. 2) They secure the services of an outfielder who can do it all at the plate for the long term. 3) While the team will control Strasburg's rights after next season (in which Strasbug may not even play as he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery) there is absolutely no guarantee that the Nats will resign Zimmerman in three years.

Zimmerman, barring injury, will be 28 years old, in his prime, and unless I am overlooking someone, will be THE marquee free agent in the heading into the 2014 season. He will command a contract ranging anywhere from $120-$150 million. Unless the Nationals can become contenders and pack more than 3,000,000 people into Nationals Park by the end of the 2013 season, I do not see how the economics could ever line up to retain the services of Strasberg and Zimmerman while paying Jayson Werth. The Werth singing ensures that the Nationals will not be bankrupt of impact offensive players after 2013.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: B

Hat Trick Hindsight says:

This deal, so far, was not “Werth” it. The Nationals paid a small fortune and mortgaged some of their future to acquire the 32 year old Werth, who was coming off of career highs in Philadelphia in 2010.

Through the first half of the season, Werth has been abysmal, considering his contract. Werth is experiencing career lows, since becoming an everyday player in the majors, in batting average (which wouldn’t even make an acceptable grade point average), on base percentage, slugging percentage, and has been merely “adequate” (as opposed to “outstanding” or even “good”) in the power categories. Werth is in the midst of a vicious slump which, if not corrected soon, could pull his batting average below the Mendoza line and place a “1” at the front of his average.

In spite of Werth’s woes, the Nationals are playing .500 baseball for the first time since they moved to D.C. If Jayson Werth can simply regain his career average form, let alone his form from 2010, the Nationals could pose a serious challenge in the National League East in 2012, especially with the expected return of Stephen Strasburg to the pitching rotation. Werth is on pace to eclipse a career high for walks, so opposing pitchers are still demonstrating some respect for Werth’s potential. However, this nine-figure signing will go down as the biggest free agency bust of the 2011 offseason unless Werth starts hitting the ball.

Hat Trick Hindsight grade: D

Adrian Gonzalez - Boston Red Sox 

Boston threw a gasoline soaked dry log into the hot stove, probably stealing the log from Yankees fans. No, there was no nine figure signing (yet...wink, wink) in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, but this is, unquestionably, the blockbuster trade of this offseason. For those of you who are casual baseball fans, only tuning in during September and/or October, not familiar with Gonzales and his exploits with the San Diego Padres, let me sum up the value of this first baseman: M.V.P.

San Diego receives three minor league prospects, first baseman Anthony Rizzo (AA), triple threat starting pitcher Casey Kelly (AA; pitching, fielding at shortstop and batting), and centerfielder and speedster Reymond Fuentes (A), and a player to be named, at a probable combined cost of less than a half-million dollars. All three have demonstrated tremendous upside, particularly the 21 year old, power hitting Rizzo. Yes, I incorporated the phrase "triple threat" into a baseball discussion; I am from the South, where football is king (so sue me)!

Boston picks up the franchise first baseman in Gonzales, relieving the Padres of both his $6 million in salary and the possibility of receiving nothing in exchange for this valuable commodity the Friars could not afford to resign in 2012. The Red Sox also placed themselves back into the mix in the American League East race with the Yankees (note the absence of "...and the Tampa Bay Rays..." from that statement). Make no mistake; there will be a mega-dollar, long term signing of Gonzalez in the not so distant future.

Adrian Gonzalez - He may not have signed an extension yet, but I do not think that big smile is because he is happy to see reporters. 2

Gonzalez will be the bane of Yankee fans for many years to come. Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports reported late that week that Gonzalez, himself, said that he had yet to sign a contract with the Red Sox . Gleeman suggested that Gonzales and the Red Sox have a preliminary agreement in place, but will delay the official signing for the purpose of circumventing provisions of Major League Baseball's luxury tax penalty for teams with high payrolls. I have not read or heard any hard numbers, but one can count on the Red Sox tendering a long-term offer to Gonzales approaching or exceeding $100 million.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A


Hat Trick Hindsight says:

As expected, Gonzalez made the big bucks, signing a 7-year extension worth $154 million this past April. He HAS been worth every penny.

Gonzalez picked up right where he left off in 2010. He is a Triple Crown threat and a legitimate MVP candidate in the American League. The Red Sox are in first place and lead the majors (or are close to the lead) in nearly every team batting category. If the Red Sox, as many expect, win the American League pennant and reach the World Series, they can point back to the signing of Gonzalez as, possibly, the biggest reason for the surge to the top.


Hat Trick Hindsight Grade: A+

Carl Crawford - Boston Red Sox 

Earlier I stated that the Gonzalez signing would enable the Red Sox to return to the front of the AL East race with the Yankees, excluding the Rays. The signing of leftfielder Carl Crawford from the Rays to a 7 year, $142 million contract with the BoSox is what excluded them. A true five-tool player and perennial All-Star, The Perfect Storm, in spite of batting left handed at Fenway Park (not being as able to take advantage of the Green Monster in left field as a righty), is expected to rain misery on AL East pitchers and wash out the skid that Beantown has suffered at the hands of the Yankees (splitting the regular season series but losing in the division race) since 2009.



There's a storm coming to New England. Carl Crawford - "The Perfect Storm" 3

 The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A

Hat Trick Hindsight says:

After a slow start in April, Crawford regained form and put up solid numbers in May and June. Unfortunately, Crawford has been hampered by a hamstring injury, causing him to miss a month of action before returning to the lineup last night. If first impressions matter, Crawford appears to have picked up where he left off, going 2 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored in last night’s return against the Baltimore Orioles. Crowford’s return will boost a batting order that is already looking down at the other 29 MLB clubs. So far…so good.

Hat Trick Hindsight Grade: C 

Cliff Lee - Philadelphia Phillies

I planned on covering the hottest of the hot stove over a week ago, but no wrap up of the big MLB transactions to date would be worthy of being written without sharing thoughts on the big whopper of 2011 free agency - starting pitcher Cliff Lee. It was worth the wait. Not only was the Lee signing, announced late Monday evening, the biggest move in this offseason, but the end result was the most shocking.

After weeks of speculation about the bidding war for Lee, between the Yankees and the Texas Rangers, whom Lee helped lead to the 2010 American League Championship Series win over the Yankees, Lee chose to return to the Philadelphia Phillies, the team Lee helped (after a late season trade from the Cleveland Indians) win the National League pennant before losing in the World Series to the Yankees in 2009 (and being subsequently traded to the Seattle Mariners shortly after the season). Even more stunning is that Lee left millions of dollars on the table with the Rangers and Yankees to sign with the Phillies for 5 years and $120 million. I am not sure who the happier of the two is between Phillies Fan and Lee's wife, Kristen, who will not have to pack up the house and kids to live in a fifth different MLB city in the span of 17 months and reportedly wanted nothing to do with New York.

Phillies Fans should consider naming Mrs. Lee the honorary first lady of Philadelphia, or at least a giant "THANK YOU!" 4

This move draws parallels to The Decision by LeBron James of the NBA this summer to "take his talents to South Beach" and play for the Miami Heat. Lee, like James, would have made millions more by signing with a different team. James joined two All-Star superstars in Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Lee joins a rotation including three perennial All-Stars and Cy Young candidate pitchers in reigning National League Cy Young winner Roy Halliday, 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, and 2005 National League Championship Series MVP Roy Oswalt. Lee also received (a lighter version) criticism similar to that which James faced in light of his move, being accused of chasing a championship. I am confident that Lee can live with that criticism. In my opinion, we could skip the regular season and just hand the National League East to the Phillies right now.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A+


Hat Trick Hindsight says:

The Phillies pitching staff, at times, has appeared to be bulletproof. Lee is a huge chunk of the reason why. Even if you are not impressed with Lee pitching three consecutive starts resulting in complete game shutouts…even if you are not impressed with Lee’s streak of 34 consecutive scoreless innings in June…what cannot be ignored is that the Phillies have the best record in Major League Baseball.

How important is Lee to that standing? With a 9-6 record, Lee has an opportunity to win 20 games in 2011. He should, barring injury, pitch more than 200 innings and strike out more than 200 batters, making the job of his teammates in the bullpen and on the field far less stressful and carrying the team on his back when he starts.

Hat Trick Hindsight Grade: A


It is a good thing Cliff Lee did not arrange a prime time special on ESPN and announce that he would, "return his talents to the City of Brotherly Love." 5

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

1) Image from huffingtonpost.com
2) Image from NBCSports.com
3) Image from zimbio.com
4) Image from board.spawn.com
5) Image from nj.com

The Hot Stove Keeps Getting HOTTER!

The San Francisco Giants organization's first World Series win in 56 years may be yesterday's news, but Major League Baseball news is hot off the press in the sports world. There have been more free agent and trading power moves in the past month in MLB than I can remember at any time this century. The Daily Hat Trick would not be complete without opining on a few of the high impact transactions.

Jayson Werth - Washington Nationals

This move could be "Werth" its weight in gold if Werth continues the steady improvement in his game that he has experienced each year since he joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. If he simply performs at his 2010 level, it is fair value for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals get a legitimate 5 tool player who could protect Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup.

The seven year, $126 million deal for Werth sounded alarms in the sporting world. The Nationals have not been known, historically, for nine figure contracts nor the revenue streams consistent with the ability to sign such a player. In addition to the salaries being paid to Zimmerman ($8M/yr) and pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg ($3M/yr), one may wonder if the Nationals priced themselves out of future free agent competitions, especially if the team has any intention of retaining the services of Strasburg and Zimmerman  beyond the 2012 and 2013 seasons, respectively.

Jayson Werth - they aren't paying him $18 million/year for his looks.

I personally believe this was a good move. 1) It sends a message that the Nationals are serious about making their organization competitive quickly and that the team is willing to pay. 2) They secure the services of an outfielder who can do it all at the plate for the long term. 3) While the team will control Strasburg's rights after next season (in which Strasbug may not even play as he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery) there is absolutely no guarantee that the Nats will resign Zimmerman in three years.

Zimmerman, barring injury, will be 28 years old, in his prime, and unless I am overlooking someone, will be THE marquee free agent in the heading into the 2014 season. He will command a contract ranging anywhere from $120-$150 million. Unless the Nationals can become contenders and pack more than 3,000,000 people into Nationals Park by the end of the 2013 season, I do not see how the economics could ever line up to retain the services of Strasberg and Zimmerman while paying Jayson Werth. The Werth singing ensures that the Nationals will not be bankrupt of impact offensive players after 2013.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: B

Adrian Gonzalez - Boston Red Sox 

Boston threw a gasoline soaked dry log into the hot stove, probably stealing the log from Yankees fans. No, there was no nine figure signing (yet...wink, wink) in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, but this is, unquestionably, the blockbuster trade of this offseason. For those of you who are casual baseball fans, only tuning in during September and/or October, not familiar with Gonzales and his exploits with the San Diego Padres, let me sum up the value of this first baseman: M.V.P.

San Diego receives three minor league prospects, first baseman Anthony Rizzo (AA), triple threat starting pitcher Casey Kelly (AA; pitching, fielding at shortstop and batting), and centerfielder and speedster Reymond Fuentes (A), and a player to be named, at a probable combined cost of less than a half-million dollars. All three have demonstrated tremendous upside, particularly the 21 year old, power hitting Rizzo. Yes, I incorporated the phrase "triple threat" into a baseball discussion; I am from the South, where football is king (so sue me)!

Boston picks up the franchise first baseman in Gonzales, relieving the Padres of both his $6 million in salary and the possibility of receiving nothing in exchange for this valuable commodity the Friars could not afford to resign in 2012. The Red Sox also placed themselves back into the mix in the American League East race with the Yankees (note the absence of "...and the Tampa Bay Rays..." from that statement). Make no mistake; there will be a mega-dollar, long term signing of Gonzalez in the not so distant future.

Adrian Gonzalez - He may not have signed an extension yet, but I do not think that big smile is because he is happy to see reporters. 2

Gonzalez will be the bane of Yankee fans for many years to come. Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports reported late that week that Gonzalez, himself, said that he had yet to sign a contract with the Red Sox . Gleeman suggested that Gonzales and the Red Sox have a preliminary agreement in place, but will delay the official signing for the purpose of circumventing provisions of Major League Baseball's luxury tax penalty for teams with high payrolls. I have not read or heard any hard numbers, but one can count on the Red Sox tendering a long-term offer to Gonzales approaching or exceeding $100 million.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A

Carl Crawford - Boston Red Sox 

Earlier I stated that the Gonzalez signing would enable the Red Sox to return to the front of the AL East race with the Yankees, excluding the Rays. The signing of leftfielder Carl Crawford from the Rays to a 7 year, $142 million contract with the BoSox is what excluded them. A true five-tool player and perennial All-Star, The Perfect Storm, in spite of batting left handed at Fenway Park (not being as able to take advantage of the Green Monster in left field as a righty), is expected to rain misery on AL East pitchers and wash out the skid that Beantown has suffered at the hands of the Yankees (splitting the regular season series but losing in the division race) since 2009.

There's a storm coming to New England. Carl Crawford - "The Perfect Storm" 3

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A

Cliff Lee - Philadelphia Phillies

I planned on covering the hottest of the hot stove over a week ago, but no wrap up of the big MLB transactions to date would be worthy of being written without sharing thoughts on the big whopper of 2011 free agency - starting pitcher Cliff Lee. It was worth the wait. Not only was the Lee signing, announced late Monday evening, the biggest move in this offseason, but the end result was the most shocking.

After weeks of speculation about the bidding war for Lee, between the Yankees and the Texas Rangers, whom Lee helped lead to the 2010 American League Championship Series win over the Yankees, Lee chose to return to the Philadelphia Phillies, the team Lee helped (after a late season trade from the Cleveland Indians) win the National League pennant before losing in the World Series to the Yankees in 2009 (and being subsequently traded to the Seattle Mariners shortly after the season). Even more stunning is that Lee left millions of dollars on the table with the Rangers and Yankees to sign with the Phillies for 5 years and $120 million. I am not sure who the happier of the two is between Phillies Fan and Lee's wife, Kristen, who will not have to pack up the house and kids to live in a fifth different MLB city in the span of 17 months and reportedly wanted nothing to do with New York.

Phillies Fans should consider naming Mrs. Lee the honorary first lady of Philadelphia, or at least a giant "THANK YOU!" 4

This move draws parallels to The Decision by LeBron James of the NBA this summer to "take his talents to South Beach" and play for the Miami Heat. Lee, like James, would have made millions more by signing with a different team. James joined two All-Star superstars in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Lee joins a rotation including three perennial All-Stars and Cy Young candidate pitchers in reigning National League Cy Young winner Roy Halliday, 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, and 2005 National League Championship Series MVP Roy Oswalt. Lee also received (a lighter version) criticism similar to that which James faced in light of his move, being accused of chasing a championship. I am confident that Lee can live with that criticism. In my opinion, we could skip the regular season and just hand the National League East to the Phillies right now.

The Daily Hat Trick Grade: A+

It is a good thing Cliff Lee did not arrange a prime time special on ESPN and announce that he would, "return his talents to the City of Brotherly Love." 5

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

1) Image from huffingtonpost.com
2) Image from NBCSports.com
3) Image from zimbio.com
4) Image from board.spawn.com
5) Image from nj.com