"Wait - the White Sox traded how much for me?"

A Time for Rebuilding

For nearly a decade, the Oakland Athletics have had contending teams, including eight consecutive winning seasons and an appearance in the American League Championship Series. Coming into the off-season, the A’s believed that their current roster could contend once again if they could stay healthy, but when the Angels went out and signed free agent Torii Hunter, they had second thoughts. With a team built better to win in the National League, general manager Billy Beane has decided that its time to try to rebuild his team. When the winter meeting ended Beane decided to take his current talent and use them to get younger. A’s fans may be in for a couple of rocky years, but should see improvement in the next five years.

• Three weeks after sending ace Dan Haren to the Arizona Diamondbacks for six prospects, the A’s continue to sell major league talent for minor league prospects. On Thursday the A’s sent one of their best hitters Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox for three minor league Prospects. Swisher last season hit .262 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI in 150 games. Swisher also earned 100 free passes, which was good for a .381 on base percentage. Swisher’s ability to earn walks will help the White Sox improve on their league worst .318 OBP. In return for the center fielder the Athletics received the White Sox top-pitching prospect Faustino De Los Santos, minor league strikeout king Gio Gonzalez, and young left fielder Ryan Sweeney.

• Now that the Oakland Athletics have gotten rid of their ace and their center fielder, they may be willing to deal Joe Blanton for some pitching prospects and a major league ready center fielder. ESPN the Magazine’s Buster Olney believes that the Mets could land Blanton with an offer of Carlos Gomez, Aaron Heilman, and Kevin Mulvey. Joe Blanton last season went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Blanton in 2007 saw career bests in almost every major statistical category. If the Athletics move Blanton into the weaker and easier National League, he will become a great pickup for your fantasy league roster.

• Other players to watch for in the trade market:

• Eric Chavez could be on the block if he can prove that he is healthy in the first half of the upcoming season;


• Mark Kotsay could end up going to a team in the hunt for a center fielder;


• Huston Street could be on the move soon – while he is signed through the 2010 season, he could fetch significant quality for the A’s, especially when one looks at the package the Diamondbacks got for Jose Valverde, who is not in the same caliber as Street.

Nomo Going for Comeback

The Kansas City Royals and Hideo Nomo agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training earlier this week. Nomo has not pitched in the majors since 2005 and has a history of shoulder problems. If Nomo makes the team this spring, the Royals could use Nomo as a spot starter or in middle relief. One of the biggest reasons to sign Nomo was to come in and help Japanese rookie Yasuhiko Yabuta adjust to the American culture and the style in which the game is played over here. In Nomo’s last two seasons in the big leagues, he posted the number one and number two worst ERA’s in recent history.

Angels Shopping in Windy City

The Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox are openly discussing a trade concerning first baseman Paul Konerko. In 2007, Konerko hit a meager .259 with 31 home runs and 90 RBI.  The Angels made a move for Konerko in the 2005-2006 offseason during free agency, but he decided to sign with the White Sox. If the Angels are going to pull this deal off, they may have to give Chone Figgins, Ervin Santana, or Howie Kendrick. Figgins might be the best fit for the White Sox even though he is a third baseman; Figgins’ speed would help him move to the outfield while Swisher moves to first base to fill the whole left by Konerko. Just imagine the Angels lineup with Konerko, Torii Hunter, and Vladimir Guerrero batting three, four, and five.

Cards Ink Clement

Veteran pitcher Matt Clement and the St. Louis Cardinals agree to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. This deal could turn out to be one of the Card’s better moves this off-season, if Clement can find the magic he had before taking line drive to the head. The only problem with this deal is the Cardinals are putting their trust in Matt Clement, Mark Mulder, and the ace of the staff, Chris Carpenter, all of whom are going to be recovering from surgery to their moneymakers. Matt Clement should have a solid 10 to 15 win season but nothing to make him a must have in the upcoming fantasy season.

Lieber to Wrigley Again?

Jon Lieber and the Cubs are reportedly discussing a reunion between the Lieber and the cursed Cubs. In 2001, Lieber won 20 games for the Cubs only to down to injury the following year. The Cubs will likely offer the veteran a one deal around the one or two million-dollar range. Another team that could be a dark horse to pick up Lieber would be the Mets. Wherever he lands Lieber will probably be a number four or five starter. Look for Jon Lieber to eat up five or six innings a game and win around 10 to 12 games.

Noteworthy News

• The Cincinnati Reds claimed former Orioles outfielder Jeff Fiorentino off waivers.

• Infielder Aaron Miles remained with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing Friday to a $1.4 million, one-year contract.

• Washington Nationals right-hander Luis Ayala was hit in the left forearm by a shotgun pellet during a hunting trip but is expected to be able to participate when spring training begins next month.

• The New York Mets have acquired outfielder Angel Pagan from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Corey Coles and pitcher Ryan Meyers.

• Left-hander Mike Megrew agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on Thursday and was invited to spring training.

• Outfielder Jeff DaVanon agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on Thursday and was invited to spring training.