I’m sitting at LAX in Los Angeles waiting for my flight back to Phoenix.

The Scout’s dinner last night was outstanding. Dennis Gilbert and several other very dedicated baseball folks do a marvelous job helping scouts in need. It was a heartwarming event.

Prior to the dinner, a silent auction was held in virtually every ballroom available at the hotel. To say it is a mammoth display of memorabilia would be an understatement. It doesn’t just include baseball. Every sport, cinema, politics, the music world and all forms of relics and treasures from Pop culture are represented.

Among the items I saw was the actual assignment transfer of Babe Ruth from the Yankees to the Red Sox. I believe the opening bid was $10,000.

An autographed blown up program cover of the 1969 Mets was listed at $4500.

My personal favorite may have been an autographed collage of Albert Einstein that included a formula in pencil above his signature. Price? Opening bid of $7500.

Then there were signature cuts of Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln. Are you kidding me?

If anything sold in the room after room of amazing items the proceeds went to the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation.

So what’s on my mind today?

Yesterday on television I heard someone urge a colleague to “put his best foot forward.” I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out which of my feet was the best? Do you know which of yours qualifies?

I never get bored.

I think the Indians will hold on to Asdrubal Cabrera, hope he has a great year, let him go in free agency and claim the draft choice. No sense selling him short now.

While I like the Tigers rotation, I have concern about their depth. What if Verlander has to miss a few starts? With Doug Fister gone, do they really have 7 or 8 starting pitchers available? I’m just wondering.

I think the Reds will regret not having Bronson Arroyo if he leaves.

The Padres Chris Denorfia remains on my underrated list. He’ll be playing lots of innings-and I think he’ll hit.

I feel the same way about the Rockies Jordan Pacheco. He needs a sustained chance to play somewhere and I think he’ll hit. But where does he play? The Rockes have a loaded lineup. Loaded. But I still scratch my head about them giving up Dexter Fowler.

Don’t get excited in Spring Training if your targeted players hit a ton in the first couple weeks. Pitchers are getting their arms in shape and they throw lots of fastballs. “Cookies.” The true test could come in the last week. That’s when poker begins to change and the bigger chips come on to the table.

Spring Training tells me a few things about players. For example: is the guy in shape? How are his mechanics as a player or pitcher? Is he trying to perfect a new pitch? Has he changed his swing? It’s a time to work out kinks. So don’t put too much stock in Spring Training results. Look more for process than results.

I think fans get cheated when regular players don’t make road trips in Spring Training. If they aren’t going to play that day, take batting practice or throw on the field. Let fans see you. Spring Training tickets are not inexpensive. Then factor airfare, hotel, food. You see my point. There are allegedly supposed to be four regulars in every lineup in Spring Training. I don’t think that’s always the case.

I used to stay in a place just outside of Winter Haven, Florida that had the aroma of orange blossoms. I asked for a room at the back of the motel that faced the orchard. It was fantastic.

One year when I was with the Astros a hurricane had hit the area just days before camp opened. Every single mobile home was destroyed. They were a stone’s throw from the Astros complex. Not one item was destroyed at the Spring Training home of the Astros. It was a miracle. But those poor people lost everything.

I’ll be covering Spring Training from Florida and Arizona. I’ll keep you updated on what I see.

The Mariners and Padres will be moving in to renovated clubhouses this spring. The Cubs will be opening their new Spring Training home on February 27th. And the Oakland Athletics will be winding down their stay at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. They move to the former home of the Cubs in Mesa next season.

The entire arbitration process and salary business is one of the aspects of baseball that I give little attention. I am much more concerned with the actual game than player contracts. It’s a necessary part of the game.

My jury is still out about instant replay. I’ll let you know as the season moves along. But I do think the games will get longer. And I like the human element of baseball. I like the arguments. They had excitement. We need kerfuffles. Let’s not lose kerfuffles.

You won’t be finding me here for about a week. But my articles will be posted on MLBPipeline.com and I’ll be tweeting on twitter @BerniePleskoff. Hope you’ll check them out.

That’s it, I’m done.

And as always, thank you for reading and supporting my work. Much appreciated.

It won’t be long. Nope, it won’t be long until we read the words…”The equipment trucks left today for Arizona-Florida.” Are those great words, or what?

I just don’t see the Braves having the same type of impact they had last season. I think the team will miss the leadership of Brian McCann. Some guys are really important to a club. For me, he was one of them. Nothing against Evan Gattis. They need help at second base and they have to get some return from B J Upton.

IMO Miami is one of the most exciting future teams in the game. Their pitching is so deep they will have the luxury of letting guys develop longer in the farm system. One of my sleeper guys for the year is Nathan Eovaldi. If he can gain command, watch out!

I’ve always liked Chris Young. I think if he gets to play regularly, Mets fans will see an outstanding defensive outfielder. He’s a streaky hitter, but he has some real pop. Tough park for power. Granderson was a big offensive pick up for them. Better year for them.

I think this will be the last shot for this group of Phillies. They may break up the band and go their separate ways if the team doesn’t win. They need a comeback from Ryan Howard and strong pitching after Hamels and Lee. Father time isn’t kind.

On paper, the Nationals seem loaded to me. Better than last year with a healthy Ryan Zimmerman/Bryce Harper all year. I see a huge year ahead for Harper. And now they added Doug Fister to an already strong rotation. I like the club. Lots.

The Cubs are still in a waiting mode as their prospects continue to develop. When a mascot makes big news, it’s like starting a fire to divert attention from a fire elsewhere. Where’s the beef? I have a two word suggestion for Cubs fans. It’s one they have never heard before. “Be patient.” Oh, right. They have heard that before. Sorry.

Can Billy Hamilton get on base? I’m not convinced yet. I like the rotation but I think they’ll miss Bronson Arroyo if he leaves. And of course, Choo is gone already. Hamilton has to get on base to make things happen. Can’t steal first. Unless it’s at night with the lights out and nobody’s watching. Then you can put it in your trophy case.

How long has it been since the Brewers had a first baseman? Well-they still don’t have a first baseman. Jonathan Lucroy is underrated as a catcher. I love watching Khris Davis hit. He has sneaky power. But let him play. Even if he slumps. Let him play.

I think Pittsburgh could use Bronson Arroyo and….here’s that name again….Nelson Cruz. But, it’s not my money. The Pirates are thisclose to winning. I think both Arroyo (or another starter) and Cruz could really make a huge difference.

The Cardinals are the most perfectly balanced, complete team heading in to Spring Training. I can’t find an unmet need.

The Diamondbacks addition of Mark Trumbo to protect Paul Goldschmidt and lengthen the lineup was huge. Also-adding Addison Reed to the bullpen allows the 6-9th inning roles to be defined with quality and depth. Great moves. They need one or two starting pitchers. Especially with health issues surrounding Brandon McCarthy. I look for Archie Bradley at some point during the year. Maybe not in April.

I love the Rockies offense. But it’s very tough to pitch at Coors. Even with the humidor. They will greatly miss Dexter Fowler. However, I look for a big year from Drew Stubbs. Even if he isn’t a starter. He’ll hit those gaps in the outfield and run, run, run.

Somebody in the Dodgers organization has to take Yasiel Puig either under his wing and mentor him or take him to the woodshed. He’s wasting unbelievable talent on immature behavior. It’s a concern. I love the club. What if they get Tanaka? Yikes! They may never lose two games in a row.

What if Carlos Quentin could play, say, 150 games? What could he be? What if Chase Headley and Seth Smith come through? What if their pitchers get healthy? Luebke, Weiland and Kelly. That law firm can do some serious pitching. I like the Padres. If they can get on the field healthy and stay on the field healthy.

As I wrote on MLBPipeline.com, I think Angel Villalona might be able to add some power during the season for the Giants. It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened. I still love what Hunter Pence brings–energy, a solid bat and weird mechanics in every phase of his game. The Giants could return to form. I’m pulling for Tim Lincecum.

Huge question marks linger in the league. Like Dan Uggla ever hitting? Giancarlo Stanton seeing pitches to hit? Ike Davis and Lucas Duda getting untracked? Dom Brown showing if last year was more his norm? Manager Matt Williams getting the most out of very talented Nationals players? Starlin Castro realizing his potential? the Reds finding a replacement leadoff hitter? Ryan Braun putting the past in the past and hitting like Ryan Braun? The Pirates finding a solid right fielder? The Cardinals Wacha Kelly and Miller repeating? Miguel Montero learning how to hit again for the Dbacks? Wilin Rosario making continued improvement behind the plate for the Rockies? Ramirez, Crawford, Kemp and Ethier staying healthy? The Padres able to staff a healthy rotation for an entire year? Pablo Sandoval working hard to keep the weight down for the Giants? And many, many more I’ll discuss going forward.

That’s it. I’m done.

Thanks for following my articles on MLBPipeline.com and for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff. Catch my podcast with Derek VanRiper every week on iTunes.
And, as always. Thanks for reading.

I begin today with a disclaimer. This blog shall be entirely Hall of Fame and ARod free. No mention will be made of either. As I say about my weight, enough is enough.

Some things are rolling through my mind as I sit outside and whittle waiting for Spring Training to start.

The Orioles still have several holes to fill. I think they are weak at second base and left field in particular. The can certainly use another starter.

I do think rookie Jonathan Schoop shows promise. I don’t know if he can win the second base job, but I think he has a shot.

Delmon Young may help as a right-handed DH to team up with Henry Urrutia from the left side. But who plays left field? Is that Nolan Reimold? Young certainly isn’t an everyday answer there. Francisco Peguerro? That’s why I like Nelson Cruz in that role.

If Stephen Drew signs with the Red Sox, does that move Xander Bogaerts back to third and Will Middlebrooks to the bench? I’m just asking.

What’s the Red Sox plan for center field if Jackie Bradley Jr. still isn’t ready for an everyday role? Shance Victorino, I would guess. And Daniel Nava in right? Are they an outfielder short, even with Jonny Gomes?

I think the Yankees did a great job getting Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, but who plays third base? How about second base? How about shortstop if Jeter can’t go? Well, shortstop will be in the able hands of Brendan Ryan defensively. But second and third? Yikes. I’m not sure Brian Roberts can stay healthy! And Kelly Johnson? It just doesn’t seem the Yankees are paying enough attention to those two positions. And as I’ve said before, they need at least one more starting pitcher. So if they don’t get Tanaka, look for Santana, Garza, Jimenez or Arroyo.

The Rays will be a much better club with Ryan Hanigan behind the plate. I think it’s one of the best off season moves. Little fanfare-but a solid catcher. And catching has been a black hole of the Rays for a while.

Heath Bell will be better in Tampa Bay than he was in Arizona. He was upset about not knowing his role from game to game. Hid mind will be settled and hr still has good stuff.

I haven’t backed off my opinion that the Blue Jays really want Tanaka. I don’t think they can match the contract length or the west coast environment Tanaka seems to seek. As a result, they’ll go “all in” on Jimenez, Garza and Santana and probably pay a ton to grab at least one of them.

It seems the Blue Jays will be using Ryan Goins and Maicer Izturis at second base.

I can’t find starting times for White Sox games on their schedule. Hope they release them soon.

The White Sox turnover includes Jose Abreu at first base, Matt Davidson at third base and Adam Eaton in center. Are they better now than when the season ended last year? I’m just asking’?

I can’t find much White Sox pitching depth behind Erik Johnson and Andre Rienzo in the 4 and 5 holes in the rotation.

I look for Carlos Santana to play plenty of games at third base for the Indians. They can get an extra bat in the lineup against left-handed pitching, using Lonnie Chisenhall only against righties. Santana is not a disaster at third.

I remember saying last year and the year before that Jeff Francoeur (now with the Indians) will always end up being………Jeff Francoeur. If you get my drift.

I am keeping an open mind on the Tigers Nick Castellanos. I have seen him play in the Arizona Fall League and he didn’t hit. But that was then. This is now. I am open to having my opinion change. On thing that will help. He’s back at his original position of third base.

Left field looks like a platoon between Andy Dirks and Rajai Davis. Is that enough? Nelson Cruz awaits a call.

The Royals Yordano Ventura has a great arm. If he commands his pitches, he’ll be a sleeper and help the rotation. We don’t hear enough about him whenever young pitching is discussed.

I think Omar Infante finally settles the Royals second base issues. He’s an underrated player.

Watch out for Twins C Josmil Pinto. The guy can hit.

The Twins have every faith in Pedro Florimon at shortstop. Good defender. Has to hit more.

Jason Kubel in right? Haven’t we seen that movie?

Astros first base prospect Japhet Amador had a huge season in the Mexican League. Don’t be surprised if he’s in Houston before the year is out. I write about him on MLBPipeline.com next week.

I like Mark Krauss more than the Astros do, I think. I believe he can hit as a platoon player.

Brett Oberholzer is a very craft, under the radar lefty.

I don’t think it’s a good sign that Tanaka did not visit the Angels in his visit to Los Angeles. I think that speaks volumes that they are not on his radar.

IMO the Angels need to move now on one of the remaining starters, lest they be shut
out.

Look for the Angels to play their regulars longer and more often in Spring Training.

Craig Gentry is a big addition to the A’s.

Parker, Griffin, Straily, Kamir, Gray. Not too shabby as a rotation. Watch out.

Who is Josh Reddick? 2012 edition or 2013?

I think the Mariners are greatly improved. But I wonder why they haven’t moved yet on Kendrys Morales. I think he can help them. So could one more pitcher.

What a great fit for Tanaka. Big park. Nice offense. Seattle.

After spending mega bucks this off season, don’t the Rangers just have to go out and get a pitcher to fill the missed innings from the Derek Holland injury? What am I missing here? I don’t think it’s Colby Lewis. And what if Alexi Ogando’s arm falls off at the shoulder?

Martin Perez can be really, really good.

Mitch Moreland as the DH? How about Nelson Cruz on a one year deal? Makes sense to me.

Nelson Cruz, I’m pulling for you, man. I tried to get you several jobs in this blog. Why? Because you can hit for power. Especially as a DH.

Hope you’ll read my weekly profiles on MLBPipeline.com and follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff.

That’s it. I’m done. And as always, thanks for reading my work.

The entire Masahiro Tanaka posting situation is fascinating to me. Basically, much of an industry is in a “holding pattern” while the process plays itself out.

The Tanaka signing could be like pulling the one card in the wrong place or in an awkward way that makes the entire house of cards fall.

Or, it could be like adding the one card that puts the roof on the house and keeps the elements from ruining the rest of the house. For a long time. Good roof.

But lots of teams playing with their houses of cards are just biding their time waiting to figure out where that card plays best.

I still like the Yankees.

Man-Masahiro Tanaka puts a roof on that house that they really, really need.

Consider that much of the Yankees rotation is steeped in “what ifs.” What if C. C becomes just so so? Or worse. What if Pineda doesn’t come back? Or what if he only comes part of the way back? What if Kuroda is more erosion that explosion? Not to mention the untested David Phelps. The still developing Ivan Nova. Yes, the Yankees need Tanaka. And they have the Cano money to pay him.

I still think the Blue Jays will do whatever it takes to get Tanaka. Is money is the key that unlocks the secret passage to the place where the golden contract is hidden? If money is the issue-the Blue Jays can go all in. They need him. Badly. And I think they can pay.

The top priority for the Blue Jays this off season is and has been—pitching. And that’s where the consolation prizes of Garza, Santana and Jimenez come to play. If the Blue Jays can’t get Tanaka, I look for a full court press on Jimenez and Santana. And maybe even Garza.

The Mariners? I get it. I get the interest. I get the comfort level Tanaka may feel in Seattle. But. Does he want to wait to win? Does he want to put the team on his back and make them win? That could happen. But they still need more than him. True-they have Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker. And then? Danny Hultzen is hurt. I’m not bullish on James Paxton. Their short a pitcher. Maybe two. Tanaka would sure help cut the waiting time.

Yes- the Mariners really, really need Tanaka. And he may just go there.

The Rangers? I think pairing him with Yu Darvish would be awesome. Can they both sing out of the same hymnal? Probably. Tanaka could bring them a World Championship. I worry about the shoulder of Alexi Ogando. And I don’t know who their No. 5 pitcher will be. Tanaka slots nicely behind Darvish, and ahead of Harrison (if he’s healthy) Holland and then Perez. Great rotation.

Tanaka has a great split-finger fastball. He can pitch in a smaller park and induce some ground balls. But in a larger park? Like Seattle or Toronto? Nice fit. He has a low-to-mid 90’s fastball. But he has better command than most pitchers. Even better than Darvish- so it says in everything I’ve read and seen. We’ll see.

Tanaka is only 25. He can pitch for five years before his contract starts getting more “iffy.”

But my real “if” is still in the number of pitches he’s already thrown in Japan. How will that translate here? Will he hold up? Hot weather? Cold weather? Designated hitters that can really hit? Lots of questions remain for me.

I’ll be convinced when I see him throw strikes and get hitters out over and over. And then over and over again. Like Darvish. Who got no run support by the way. He did it over and over and over and…

I think it’ll be the Yankees. They need him more than anyone and will pay. And believe it-the Yankees still have that special something. Panache. Glitz. Broadway.

But-we wait. The house of cards is still being built. It crashes for some and it protects one team for at least four to five more years of the eight or nine in the contract. Cause I think it’ll be at least eight.

And I remember Jerry Reinsdorf saying he wouldn’t give Jack McDowell more than a couple years because—well—-because he was a pitcher. And pitchers get hurt.

Man. How times have changed.
That’s it. I’m done. And by the way—Happy New Year.

I don’t think there’s any doubt that the baseball games we watch today are vastly different than those ten years ago. Well, maybe a bit longer. The point is that the game has changed.

I enjoy it even more now than I did then. And believe me, I loved it then.

How and why has the game changed?

There are countless reasons. I’ll share a few that I think are pertinent. You will likely have many more. But for me, these are the most obvious reasons things have changed in the game we love.

For me, one of the most prominent changes has been the increase in use of the “cutter.” The cut fastball, used by pitchers to get late life on a pitch from the pitcher’s glove side has made a tremendous difference in the way in which a pitcher approaches a hitter. The cutter comes on fastball counts. It comes at any count. And it has that late bite that differentiates it from a slider or a fastball. It’s an awesome pitch. Thank you Mariano Rivera for making it an art form.

Teams employ many more individuals charged with keeping players healthy. More trainers. More specialists. Nutritionists. Mental health experts. Motivational personnel. Each plays a part in keeping a player on the field. And healthy. Fitness and core conditioning are crucial. More today than in the past.

Research and the availability of data has changed the way teams deploy and obtain their players. Especially on defense. “The shift” has taken away common hitting zones for many guys with consistent tendencies. Defensive shifts will increase. They will continue to be impactful.

Research guides teams to players that fit the team’s goals and objectives. Every possible statistic is available instantly. Advance scouting is as simplified as pulling up a computer screen. Knowledge is power. Teams have knowledge.

Showcase and travel team events have exposed players at an earlier age and for a longer period of time than in the past. It is not unusual for a player to be involved in 120 games a year if the player is serious about his future and is on the radar of professional scouts. Marginal players can increase their skills markedly by being involved in games and leagues beyond those available on their high school team’s schedule.

By the time a pitcher is selected in the First Year Player Draft he may have an untold number of innings on his shoulder and elbow. That may be good in some cases. Very bad in others. There is no way to get the toothpaste back in the tube. That is not going to change. Pitchers will come to professional baseball with loads of innings pitched. It’s actually scary. And perhaps why we see so many pitcher injuries.

On the positive side, hitters come to the game having had many, many more at-bats than in the past. Repetition is crucial. Repetition and seeing live pitching refines hitters.

While we have always had good coaches, we have coaches now that are much more aware of the components required to become a good baseball player. Sure, there are bad coaches. But for the most part, ask a professional player about the baseball influences in their lives. “My dad and coach…….” Baseball dads know the game. Coaches know the game. Believe it or not, they may be even more involved today than in the past. And yes, they were involved in the past. But today-playing games in junior high school and high school trumps eating for some families.

Conditioning. Nutrition. Awareness. Most good athletes know what is going in their body from a nutritional standpoint. The research, information and availability of natural foods has helped young athletes mature in a stronger and healthier manner.

Social networking, the internet, and sharing of information between and among peers and coaches has never been as important or more prominent. That won’t change. Sharing of information and learning from one another is here to stay.

Finally- back where I began. Pitching. Relief pitchers throw in the high, high 90’s. In the past, only a few could do that. Most power pitchers were starters. Today, we have power pitchers in the pen that blow hitters away with fastballs in the high 90’s and then throw in the cutter or slider along the way. They have awesome arms.

And yes, it seems to me that pitchers are getting even bigger and stronger. Bigger, stronger and with better command and control. Tougher to hit. Big guys are hitting fewer home runs.

Yes-I agree. Many of these components existed before. But it is the depth and intensity and commitment that I believe has changed our game. For the good. And oh yes, don’t forget the cutter.

Follow me on MLBPipeline.com and MLB.com as well as on twitter @BerniePleskoff.
And as always, thanks for reading my work.

That’s it. I’m done. And please, please have a healthy and Happy New Year.

Like most sports, baseball is a game of momentum.

The Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates are four teams that captured some momentum last season after time spent in previous season trying to be competitive.

Perhaps the stars aligned for them. But more probably, astute business and baseball related decisions put each of those four clubs in the mainstream of baseball conversation. Their fans were energized and renewed. Their front offices were rewarded for making good decisions in most cases. Not all, but most. Money was spent. Tough decisions were made.

Now, fast forward a year. Those same four teams seem to be challenged once again.

Each of those renewed franchises seems to be running in place while their division opposition sprints towards the starting blocks of a new season.

Consider that the American League East Yankees now boast a lineup featuring former Red Sox star Jacoby Ellsbury. Not to mention the addition of catcher Brian McCann and the outstanding Carlos Beltran.

In the American League Central, the Tigers have lost Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta and pitcher Doug Fister, but they made some significant additions to fill unmet needs. They now have premiere closer Joe Nathan to lock the door in the 9th inning. Ian Kinsler can set the table for Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, who all remain. Rajai Davis has joined the club as a possible platoon in left field with Andy Dirks. We need not feel sorry for the Tigers.

In the National League East, virtually every club will be impacted by the already strong St. Louis Cardinals adding Peralta as their shortstop and Peter Bourjos in center. I do feel the defense of Bourjos coupled with the offense offered by Peralta will make an almost perfectly balanced Cardinals attack even stronger. Not to mention that Randal Grichuck could be a real sleeper in the deal with the Angels.

My point? At least one, if not more teams in the AL East, Al Central, and NL Central where the Orioles, Indians, Royals and Pirates hang out got significantly better. All while the four clubs in question decided to play the hands they have been dealt.

We are not in the privacy of the conference rooms. We haven’t heard the discussions with ownership. We can only surmise that each general manager has made a case to knock the door down now while the opportunity exists. We can also surmise the payroll money was not made available or the team’s philosophy didn’t agree with the requests.

It’s not our money.

However, the game has changed. Even the greatest of front offices can only come up with so many rabbits in their hats before the bigger, badder and more prosperous teams in the same competitive environment, playing under the same rules, come and lick the platter clean of the best available players.

General managers in markets that do not choose to spend freely are fortunate when they make a great decision on one “outlier” type player. But more than one per season? That’s a real stretch. There are just so many Scott Kazmir rebounds available. Just so many Jason Grilli type closers to be discovered hanging around. And then those reclamation projects get pricey. But someone else pays that price. Always.

For each of the four teams in question, the window closes a bit more with each new free agent signing or great trade made by an opponent.

For each of the four teams in question, the window closes a bit more when a Justin Masterson hits free agency and may go the way of C C Sabathia, Cliff Lee, or Victor Martinez.

For each of the four teams in question, the window closes when realization hits that a Chris Davis/Matt Wieters combination in the future may cost the club so much of their payroll that signing them long term is deemed an unacceptable option. No Joe Mauer situation for the Orioles. I don’t see that coming at all.

For each of the four teams in question, the window closes when a club realizes that a brief rental of Ervin Santana helped a pitching staff bolstered by the acquisition of James Shields, but now must return to “hope” instead of confidence. Santana lengthened the rotation. I’m not sure Jason Vargas will have the same impact. But maybe.

And so it is. The teams on the cusp of hoisting a championship trophy next fall continue to remain competitive and strive to improve. The teams that saw their candle brighten for a season or two may well be looking at a mere flicker as December turns to January which turns to February and ultimately turns to March. And then reality arrives.

Where did the off season go? What happened to our window of opportunity? Why didn’t we slam in the door and play with the big guys?

There are still free agent pitchers and players available to help many, many clubs. So, we wait. We wait to find out. Will those four stand pat?

So alas, dear friends. The off season isn’t over. Hope remains. One thing is certain, however. Reality is lurking in the shadows. Roster construction is just a few months away. And that’s when roster reality becomes, well….roster reality.

Follow me on MLBPipeline.com, MLB.com and on twitter @BerniePleskoff. As as always, thank you.

 

I didn’t file a blog yesterday just to find out who’s paying attention and who isn’t. I hope you missed me.

Anyway-here I am again. The final day in Orlando. But there are some crumbs remaining from yesterday that still must be swept.

The Seattle Mariners have been feeling great pressure to change their fortunes. And they are spending a fortune to make those changes.

After signing Robbie Cano, the Mariners have picked up both Logan Morrison from the Marlins and Corey Hart from the Brewers. Both are slated to play in the outfield, leaving Justin Smoak to continue playing 1B. Of course, that may change during Spring Training.

Morrison cost the Mariners promising right-handed reliever Carter Capps.

I am a fan of the hard-throwing Capps. I think he has upside as a late inning reliever. If he refines his command, he might even become a closer one day. He’s only 23, but he struggled on the big league stage last season. He needs more time to develop.

Morrison is a big guy at 6-foot-4, 235-pounds. He hits left-handed.

Hart is the big prize in my opinion. The Brewers really wanted him back. He suffered from injuries to both knees and will be working hard to regain his prior form as an impact right-handed power hitter. He can be a game-changing bat in the middle of the lineup. But he will be faced with a vast home field that doesn’t play well for power hitters.

Incidentally, Morrison also had two knee surgeries himself.

So in a very short time, the Mariners have added some impact bats to their arsenal. Both coming off bum knee issues and both looking for a fresh start.

The deal is not yet official.

The Hart deal sends the Brewers back to the drawing board to find their first baseman. It could very well be former Rays hitter James Loney, himself a free agent.

For me, the three new Mariners represent an upgrade on the overall roster, but it also leaves roster questions. Who goes or loses a job when Morrison and Hart are added?
With Morrison and Hart at the corners, does Dustin Ackley stay in center? That might not be the best defensive outfield we’ll see this coming season. I’m trying to be kind here. Do they try to re-sign the fine fielding Franklin Gutierrez to patrol center? Can he stay healthy? He’s been put on the shelf in winter baseball due to illness. What happens to Nick Franklin? Is he now just a spare part infielder? Or do they trade some of the guys on the edges?

Yesterday there was a luncheon with managers. I sat at Kirk Gibson’s table with three Dbacks public relations guys and 4 other writers. It was fascinating to watch Gibson get the opinion of those at the table without giving much information in return. I came away convinced the club is still chasing a top notch starter, but it may not happen here at the Winter Meetings or this week. I think they want Matt Garza.

The afternoon was highlighted by a Scout Of The Year reception. 4 awards are given, spread throughout the country. I was thrilled that my mentor from my time with Seattle, 92-year-old Bill Kearns won an award. He’s a wonderful man and he taught me a great deal. I have never-and I mean never-heard Kearns say a bad word about anyone.

They had some nice food at the reception. But for some reason, I haven’t been hungry. I nibbled on turkey and had a great chocolate chip cookie. Actually, I’m hungry right now. Haven’t eaten yet today.

They served the same meal at the manager’s lunch that I had the day before at the MLB Awards lunch. Some type of pasta with tomato sauce and frayed chicken. Yikes! The rolls were great because they had sunflower seeds on them. I just nibbled at the pasta. Generally, I love pasta. But not this type.

Last night the boss took us to a great Cuban restaurant in Celebration. It was more food than I can eat. But the stories of our MLB.com veteran reporters were legendary. I just sat there and listened and laughed. Believe me when I tell you these guys could stay up all night and reflect on their days on the beat. Just great, great writers. And wonderful guys.

I drove to the restaurant. It took me 15 minutes to find my rental car here in the hotel. I was embarrassed, but finally found it. Thanks to Siri we found the restaurant.

This morning was the Rule 5 Draft. Not much action. And most players don’t stick that are selected in Rule 5. But it’s fun to watch. It’s like a lightning round on a game show. Blink and you’ll miss a selection.

I leave this afternoon for my home in Phoenix.

It’s been a great four days here at the Winter Meetings. I’ll continue to write the blog and post scouting profiles on MLBPipeline.com and MLB.com until Spring Training. Then-I’m off to Florida as well as watching spring games at home in the Valley of the Sun.

So keep up with he. And as always, thanks. And I hope you’ll follow me @BerniePleskoff on twitter.

That’s it. I’m done.

 

Day two of the Winter Meetings featured a blockbuster deal between the White Sox, the Angels and the Diamondbacks.

I invite you to read my take on the deal on MLB.com.

For now-here are my comments that I didn’t have room for in the article.

Almost to a person, my twitter followers don’t like the deal for the Dbacks. They feel Trumbo strikes out too much and has a very poor on-base percentage. They think giving up Skaggs and Eaton was a hefty price to pay.

White Sox fans don’t like the deal because they are looking for more than Adam Eaton to solve their woes.

Angels fans have really not come forward either for or against the trade. Maybe I don’t have lots of Angels followers.

Chase Field is a hitter’s paradise. If a hitter can hit a pitcher’s mistake (cookie down the middle or high fastball, for example) the ball will fly out of the park. Think of Trumbo with Prado, Parra or someone else on base. Then Goldschmidt following him. It could be 90 homers between Trumbo and Goldy.

I don’t think Eaton helps the White Sox much immediately. He has to get on base to run. He has to take charge in the outfield. He will get better. I think the guy that eventually helps the White Sox is Avisail Garcia. In two years he’ll be a real force. He and Eaton will grow together. I think Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo are both vulnerable. I look for one, or both, to be traded.

The Angels will give Santiago a chance to make the rotation. It will give them Jared Weaver, and C J Wilson, as anchors and then Skaggs, Santiago and maybe Garrett Richards as the back end of the rotation. Not bad. They improved their pitching. But the price was steep. G M Jerry Dipoto indicated Albert Pujols being healthy and Josh Hamilton finding his swing will make a difference this coming season.

Look for Kole Calhoun to be the right fielder.

On another topic, the vendor exhibition hall was crazy busy today. But I did score myself some of those ice cream “dots” in some type of banana flavor. Also picked up some new luggage tags. Why? Because the airline lost my great luggage tag that I got at the 2011 Winter Meetings.

My friend bought a sandwich here today for $21. It didn’t include lettuce. I think there must have been gold leaf on the bread. Me? I scored half a hot dog at the vendor fair. I’m not fooling around here. The guy cut the hot dog in half and split it between me and another guy. I don’t know if I got the better half. I had no time to pick up lunch somewhere. But I was ready to pay….if I had to.

Dinner last night was at a very nice steak house here in the hotel. The entire National MLB.com team was together. We started dinner at 9:30PM. It was really, really loud and my head was pounding from the noise. I like quiet. The room we work in here by day is quiet. Nobody talks. But man—they talked last night. Left there at midnight with a headache.

I can see the Swan and Dolphin statues from my room. The room overlooks a lake. Unique for me because my home is in a desert. My wife is with me and she had a great day riding the water taxi. It must be Lake Buena Vista. Or maybe Lake Buena Vista is just a catchy name.

Drew Pomeranz is still young and has upside remaining. It will do him well to leave Colorado. Tough place to pitch. When I first saw Pomeranz with Cleveland I thought he could be a star. He needs self-confidence and a couple good outings. Oakland is a good landing spot for him. That was the other trade of the day.

I’ll be back in this space tomorrow. And thanks for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff.

That’s it. I’m done.

 

There wasn’t anything earth shaking at today’s Winter Meetings in Orlando.

Let me set the scene for you.

Think of hundreds and hundreds of people walking around talking about one thing. Everywhere. No-not about their unfinished Christmas shopping. But they’re talking baseball. And for a baseball junkie like me, it’s heaven.

The halls are crowded with signs and cameras. Television sets pop up here and there. Guys can be heard talking over one another from radio booth to radio booth.

In the evening, the center of the hotel is loaded with shoulder to shoulder people with beers in their hands. Guys in blue blazers and nice white shirts stand around trying to stand out in the crowd. Why? They’re looking for a job. One can overhear sentences like…”Are you kidding me, they over paid for that stiff.” And so it goes on and on, well into the night. While I’m tucked in bed happy that I can tell a dolphin from a swan and return to the correct hotel after an evening stroll.

The media room is loaded with men and women pounding away at their computers writing the day’s story about their team. Generally, it’s rumors. Like these:

The Indians are hoping to sign Grant Balfour. The Mariners are in on Nelson Cruz. The Yankees aren’t finished. The Tigers will sign Shin-Soo Choo.

And I’ll believe it when I hear it and see it.

Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre are going into the Hall of Fame. Well deserved.

Salty is a Marlin.

My friend Joan McGrath won an award today as the Rawlings Female Executive of the Year. She has been with the Arizona Fall League since the inaugural season.

At MLB.com we have our own work room, right off the main sea of media in the ballroom/turned media location. Our tables are filled with quiet people trying to bring the best and most current news to our readers.

I went downstairs to the mammoth trade show that happens every year. They sell everything from peanut contracts to stadium seating. Of course, they have samples of the peanuts. Even though it’s a circus, there are no elephants. Just clean fun walking around and kicking the tires and meeting people. Happy to report several confided to me that they read my work. Of course I thanked them and then said yes when they offered me a promotional pen or in one case…a harmonica. Yep, a little baby harmonica.

I’m hoping that tomorrow I can share some excitement with you. I’ll tweet it as it happens and then review it in this blog.

Please follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and read my articles on MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com. And, as always. Thanks.

That’s it. I’m done.

This will be my last blog prior to baseball’s Winter Meetings in Orlando. I’ll be providing a constant update on events during that week.

We have seen some very major moves in the past couple of weeks as well as some less “glitzy” transactions that could prove to be important.

With the acquisition of Peter Bourjos in St. Louis, is it possible that Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras will be given more development time prior to being summoned to the big leagues? With Matt Holiday in left, Bourjos in center and Allen Craig in right, wouldn’t it be good to have Taveras make up some missed Minor League at-bats (injured in ’13) early in the season? Then, if the need arises, Taveras will be even more prepared.

In the Cardinals configuration, it appears Matt Carpenter moves to 3B and rookie Kolten Wong will start the season at 2B. Craig may figure to be a fill-in back at third if he’s needed.

The Colorado Rockies have two very dominant pitchers not many people outside Colorado talk about. Keep an eye on right-handers Jonathan Gray (2013 draft) and Eddie Butler (2012 draft). They are impressive pitchers that I’ll be watching and writing more about beginning this spring. While it’s tough to pitch at Coors, these two guys may really be helpful in the future.

The Twins got better with the signing of Ricky Nolasco. It makes great sense for a starting pitcher to try to find sustained success in pitcher-friendly Target Field. I look for the club to make a serious run at Phil Hughes. That’s an ideal place for a fly ball pitcher like Hughes. While home runs may still hurt him on the road, they won’t be as great an issue at home.

I still think Carlos Beltran will get a three year contract from a club looking to put his bat in the middle of their lineup. In my opinion, whatever team gets him becomes instantly better. But he fits best where he can be a designated hitter and spot outfielder. The knees just aren’t what they once were.

Curtis Granderson would make a formidable addition to the White Sox if that’s where he lands. Few places can offer him the home run environment he enjoyed in Yankee Stadium, but U. S. Cellular Field may come close.

The Cubs have come up with the clever and catchy name “Cubs Park” for their Spring Training home. It won’t be long, however, until the name is changed with a corporate sponsor coming forward. The park is ready and waiting for the February 27th game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks to open the spring slate.

I think the Cardinals Randal Grichuk may prove to be a real surprise and “sleeper” in the deal the club made with the Angels. Grichuk had a very fine season at Double-A Arkansas where he hit 22 home runs. He is on target in his development as a former 1st round draft choice.

The Mariners had been counting upon pitchers Danny Hultzen (surgery), James Paxton and Taijuan Walker to be rotation starters, probably by the coming season. As it looks, it may be only Walker with a chance to help in the rotation sooner than later. The situation is similar to the one the Royals faced when they thought Mike Montgomery, Danny Duffy, John Lamb and Chris Dwyer would lead them to consistent winning seasons. That’s why a team can’t have too much pitching. Both starters and relievers.

The Cardinals front-load of Jhonny Peralta’s contract is pure genius. Perhaps if the club wishes to part ways with Peralta for one reason or another in the last couple years of his deal, it will be much easier to trade the contract. And that’s just another reason the Cardinals are a great organization.

I credit Joe Maddon and the Rays front office and coaching staff with changing defensive baseball. They study spray charts and know where the opposition tends to hit the ball. With that knowledge, they move the defense accordingly. It’s not a trend anymore. It’s a way of managing a game. Now the hitters have to adjust.

I was pleasantly surprised with the overall defensive play of Giants 1B Angel Villalona in the Arizona Fall League. For a big, big man he moves very well. Good hands and quicker feet than one might imagine. And he crushes fastballs.

I think Anibal Sanchez is on his way to a Cy Young type season.

The Marlins have to find some protection for Giancarlo Stanton. Same with the Diamondbacks and Paul Goldschmidt. Can you imagine what those two guys will do with if they see some decent pitches from April thru September?

I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. And believe me-I am thankful for you. I am thankful you read and support my work here and on MLBPipeline.com. Please follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.

That’s it. I’m done.