MLB Preview: The Biggest Moves of the Winter

Every year, great players change addresses in the Majors, changing the landscape of the league.

This year, there were a ton of moves during the winter, and even a blockbuster or two.

Spring training has begun, and the parts that moved during the off season are now becoming acquainted with their new teams. Here are a few that could impact their new teams more than others for the 2008 season:



OF Kusoke Fukudome (Japan to Chicago Cubs)

What the Cubs have been lacking the past few years in the outfield, Fukudome more than makes up for.

After signing a four year, $48 million contract to jump the Pacific, Fukudome will take over right field for the sorry platoon of Jacque Jones and Cliff Floyd. At 30, he does have some mileage on him.

However, the guy is an “Ichiro-Matsui Hybrid” by all accounts, which is something the Cubs surely will want to drive to the postseason.

Look for him to have a stellar year; a little pop in the bat and some speed on the paths, and just enough energy to get Chicago back to the playoffs.



3B Miguel Cabrera and P Dontrelle Willis (Florida to Detroit)

When you give up nary a big leaguer and get two superstars back in return, things are looking damn good. Just ask the Detroit Tigers, who unloaded up and coming talent, for here and now talent.

If we were to look 10 years down the road, there would be a select few players who will still have their footprint on the game.

Miguel Cabrera will be one of them.

The Tigers gave up studs Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin in the deal, but it’s a win-win for both sides. Florida is amazing at utilizing talent, and will get the most out of the two youngsters.

Detroit will get on the large back of Cabrera and the arm of Willis (slated to be a third or fourth starter) and could be on their way back to the World Series.



P Erik Bedard (Baltimore to Seattle)

Finally, we can take baseball seriously in the Emerald City again.

The Mariners have spent and spent and spent the last few seasons, with nothing to show for it.

Adrian Beltre, Richie Sexson, Jarrod Washburn, Jose Vidro. All fairly big names, yet none has had the impact the M’s were hoping for.

That may change with the addition of Erik Bedard.

Giving up one of the games great young players in Adam Jones, Bedard stablizes the rotation, giving them two front line starters along to go with Felix Hernandez. He also can help the maturation process of Hernandez by taking the pressure off of him as a #1.

That could be the biggest key.

Right now, the M’s and Angels are painstakingly close to one another in all aspects of the game. The AL West is now up for grabs.



P Eric Gagne (Boston to Milwaukee)

The former Cy Young Award winner has derailed in the last few seasons.

A balky elbow and a bad back have sent Gagne falling from grace. A link to steroids hasn’t helped the cause either.

The Milwaukee Brewers are sending a message with this deal.

They are contenders.

Taking a $10 million chance could be a steep one. But if Gagne can get back on track, so can the Brewers.

They have a great young team, and Gagne at the back end of the bullpen could provide huge dividends down the road as they fight on with the Cubbies.



P Dan Haren (Oakland to Arizona)

You’ve heard the one about Johan Santana going East.

But the real key off season deal could lay in Arizona, where young Ace Danny Haren was shipped from Oakland.

The cash-strapped A’s have fielded an entire all-star team in the past decade, gettin zero out of it but a few playoff wins. Haren is the latest in line to go elsewhere.

This is Arizona’s gain however.

Putting Haren in the two slot behind Brandon Webb gives them a formidable combination in the rotation.

The D’Backs made it to the NLCS last year and haven’t changed a thing. Except bringing in an amazing pitcher.

Look out.



OF Delmon Young (Tampa Bay to Minnesota) and Matt Garza (Minnesota to Tampa Bay)

A great talent of the Rays organization, Young was dealt due to a logjam in the outfield.

The Rays traded Young for Matt Garza, a good looking pitcher who could give Tampa something they sorely need.

Another working arm.

The Rays have failed to make that next step, largely due to their inability to get guys out. They have the offense, so can Garza step in and give them 200 innings and maybe 13 wins?

They sure hope so.

As for Young and the Twins, he could be the face of this franchise in the next few seasons now that Johan and Torii are gone. Look for big numbers, if not this year, certainly next year from Delmon Young.



Brad Lidge (Houston to Philadelphia)

Albert Pujols.

Nightmares.

Those two words are synonymous with the fall of Brad Lidge.

The guy can absolutely still pitch in this league. But Albert Pujols sure wrecked his psyche.

After seeing that ball smashed to the Gulf of Mexico back in the ’05 playoffs, Lidge has had some trouble on the mound.

New GM Ed Wade realized that maybe a change of scenery would do him and the franchise some good, so he shipped him to Philly for a few kids.

Lidge could be the main force behind another playoff run for the Phils. If he can do what Brett Myers did last year in the closers role (besides get hurt), then the Phillies could be back again.