Major free agent signings

Let's start with the most obvious. Yankees reach preliminary agreement and are on the verge of signing CC Sabathia to 7 year $161 million contract making him the highest paid pitcher in history. Was anyone really surprised? This is what the Yankees do. Throw as much cash at a new superstar every year. Normally it doesn't ultimately improve them as a team. I'm not saying that will change. But they obviously addressed a major need of theirs, starting pitching. Sabathia, if nothing else will be a solid starter for them. However, I think the season he had with the Brewers is gonna just add to the already tremendous amount of pressure on him. As the younger and whinier (if that's a word) Steinbrenner will basically be expecting that type of performance from him on a consistent basis. And if he doesn't deliver, there could be hell to pay. Not just from hank but obviously the New York media as well. Maybe he won't be under quite as much pressure as A-Rod was when he became a Yankee because he's a pitcher. But the fact that he'll be making 23 mil a year it'll be plenty of pressure. the sad thing is the Yanks might not be done as apparently they're still making a play for Burnett.

The Mets sign K-Rod to 3 year $37 million deal. I think the one reason the Mets should be grateful for the Yankees is the fact that the Yankees completely overshadow the fact that the Mets tend to spend a lotta $ on star players as well. Just not like the Bronx Bombers do so maybe it's slightly overshadowed. But they do and it ultimately hasn't worked out well for them. But this time going for K-Rod was exactly the move they needed to make. If they had someone half as decent as K-Rod in their pen, they would have won the East and we would have seen a different champion crowned this year (still not the Cubs though). I don't think there's much reason to be skeptical because what else were they supposed to do. A talented team is going to waste again if they don't make this move. If K-Rod doesn't have a record breaking season last year, then the Angels don't win 100 games last year. This is gonna be a huge asset to the Mets and one that could finally allow them to come out on top over the defending champs in the East.

And now the ex-Cub watch. Kerry Wood signs with Cleveland for 2 years. Didn't catch how much he'll be making. Obviously Wood never achieved his potential as a starter for the Cubs but he ended up becoming a decent closer. Apparently, the Cubs felt it was time to let him go and move on a move which upset a lot of Cubs fans. While ultimately the memory I'll have from Wood is what could have been, I hope he does well in Cleveland and the fact is this could very well be a solid signing for them. I think this Indians team will be a team to watch out for this season as they will be getting healthy. The Sox have already gotten rid of a lot of their outfield as well as the awful Vasquez. The Twins will be competitive again but I don't think anyone was impressed by their performance last year. So I think Cleveland especially getting Carmona back will be solid and the signing of Wood will ultimately help them. However, while he might not be on the Cubs anymore, the Sox fans will definitely still hate him since he is on the Indians.