thoughts: Lackey, M's, Oliver

Just some tidbits:

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I can understand Lackey testing the FA market. I can understand that him getting as much money as he can. I can even understand him following that money to Boston (though I don't like it). What I can't understand is comments that indicate he wanted to go to Boston (and that he and his agent worked hard to convince Theo). I get that the RedSox win a lot (at least in this decade), but don't you think its a big FU to Halo Fans when you say things like "I was always interested in coming here. Winning was definitely my first priority of a team to go to." He's in a tough position - trying to win over RedSox fans, who have definitely disliked him for a long time, (remember he said that the Angels were the better team after '08 ALDS loss) is probably quite hard. But while he's doing that he's alienating Halo fans. It's like he can't wait to burn that bridge between Angels fans.

I'm beginning to really dislike players creditting their wives for helping them make FA decisions. I thought that Teixeira's comment that his wife told him to be a yankee was absolutely stupid. Sure, the NY fans are gonna love her, but now you basically unleash the hatred of 3 fan bases on her. Instead of owning up to your decision like a man, you let her take the responsibility. It seems like Lackey has taken that route too, mentioning his wife's northeastern roots and her family's RedSox fandom. Sure, its gonna endear you to BoSox fans (and help convince Theo you're serious about coming to Boston), but man, it makes it easier for bitter Angels fans to spread the hatred.

You can read the transcript of Lackey's Boston press conference here.

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The M's traded Carlos Silva to the Cubs for Milton Bradley. CRAP! Really, what kinda magic does Jack Z have this offseason?? Bradley's a risk of course, his craziness is well documented. But if you think about what they gave up, its a reasonable risk. Silva wasn't gonna be doing ANYTHING for the M's. So they basically gave up a worthless piece for something that might go either way (good or bad). I obviously don't agree with others who think it was a bad deal on the M's side. Sure, Bradley might (or will, depending on who you talk to) combust, but then the M's really haven't lost much. But they have some things that might tip him to the good side: Griffey Jr., the laid-back fanbase and media, and the fact that Bradley's career is at a crossroads. So in the terms of risk and reward, I think its a good, calculated risk.

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The news this morning is that Oliver signed with the Rangers. Yeah, who would've guessed that a 39-year-old reliever from Texas (who said he wanted to spend more time with his kids) would leave the Angels? (I DID. Though to be fair, a lot of others speculated that too.) This adds another blow to the FO offseason and the already-really-really-bad Angels bullpen. I wonder if the FO can pull out some magic to rebuild the bullpen or if they really think that Shields's return will be enough. Whereas Lackey's departure weakens the rotation, at least there are 4 other young arms that can step up. I don't see that kind of strength in the bullpen.