And So It Begins...

In an attempt to get a headstart on the Yankees in competing for next season, the Fraud Sox traded for former Marlins' outfielder Jeremy Hermida yesterday.  Yes, that Jeremy Hermida, the same guy who hit .259 with 13 HRs, 47 RBIs, and a .740 OPS last season.  The same guy who the Marlins have been hoping will put it all together since the moment he began playing for them.  When you're trying to compete with the suddenly head-and-shoulders above you New York Yankees, I guess you have to jump at the chance to trade 2 prospects for a guy with questionable heart and dedication issues and who you could have gotten in free agency after the Marlins dumped him.

Not to be outdone, the Angels decided to re-sign Bobby Abreu to a 2-year, $19 million deal.  You remember Bobby, right?  He's the same guy who hit .265 with 0 HRs and 3 RBIs in the postseason, .160/.276/.240 in the ALCS.  Call me crazy, but I wouldn't be shelling out that much for a 35-year-old outfielder who is deathly afraid of the outfield wall and has somehow managed to get through his career without a serious injury.  The Angels struck gold with their $5 mil deal last season, and were rewarded with 103 RBIs, but I wouldn't count on "Mr. July" putting those numbers up again next year.

I give props for each of the Yankees biggest "rivals" trying to jump early at the chance to improve their teams while the Yankees are cruising the Canyon, but if these are the moves they're going to make, they might as well just forfeit 2010 right now.  Everybody saw what Cashman did last offseason and at the trade deadline this season; the dude is playing fucking Bobby Fisher-level chess right now while the Sox and Halos are playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos trying to match him.  28 could come easier than we think.