2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball Season Is Just Warming Up, Again
Josh Marx
Issue date: 12/10/03 Section: Sports and Wellness
Though Spring Training is months away, many teams have already begun preparing for the 2004 season. A number of trades, as well as other potentials, are changing the power structure of Major League Baseball:
- The Boston Red Sox traded pitchers Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon and Jorge De La Rosa as well as Michael Gross for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling. This trade strengthens the already potent Red Sox pitching staff and also issues the first challenge to the New York Yankees this off-season in their ever-present rivalry.
- The Chicago Cubs acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Florida Marlins for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and a minor leaguer to be named. Don't worry though, Marlins Fans. This is not the beginning of a 1997 repeat. The Marlins are intent on keeping the core of the team that won the World Series last season, as they are currently negotiating on terms with Ivan Rodriguez's resigning and have already agreed on multi-year contracts with second baseman Luis Castillo and third baseman Mike Lowell.
- The New York Mets signed Japanese star shortstop Kazou Matsui to a three year, $20 million contract. Matsui is highly coveted for his defensive prowess, and the Mets are extremely happy to have signed him
- The New York Yankees traded first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and pitcher Randy Choate to the Montreal Expos for pitcher Javier Vazquez. This trade is an attempt by the Yankees organization to plug some holes that existed in last year's bullpen.
- The Oakland Athletics acquired outfielder Mark Kotsay for catcher Ramon Hernandez and outfielder Terrence Long of the San Diego Padres. The Padres are fishing to get any help they can in order to have a chance of winning more games this coming season.
- The Philadelphia Phillies made two trades in the attempts of strengthening their pitching staff. The first was acquiring Billy Wagner from the Houston Astros for pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Taylor Bucholtz, and Ezsequiel Astacia. They also traded catcher Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto and a player to be named for pitcher Eric Milton from the Minnesota Twins.
- The Boston Red Sox traded pitchers Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon and Jorge De La Rosa as well as Michael Gross for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling. This trade strengthens the already potent Red Sox pitching staff and also issues the first challenge to the New York Yankees this off-season in their ever-present rivalry.
- The Chicago Cubs acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Florida Marlins for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and a minor leaguer to be named. Don't worry though, Marlins Fans. This is not the beginning of a 1997 repeat. The Marlins are intent on keeping the core of the team that won the World Series last season, as they are currently negotiating on terms with Ivan Rodriguez's resigning and have already agreed on multi-year contracts with second baseman Luis Castillo and third baseman Mike Lowell.
- The New York Mets signed Japanese star shortstop Kazou Matsui to a three year, $20 million contract. Matsui is highly coveted for his defensive prowess, and the Mets are extremely happy to have signed him
- The New York Yankees traded first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and pitcher Randy Choate to the Montreal Expos for pitcher Javier Vazquez. This trade is an attempt by the Yankees organization to plug some holes that existed in last year's bullpen.
- The Oakland Athletics acquired outfielder Mark Kotsay for catcher Ramon Hernandez and outfielder Terrence Long of the San Diego Padres. The Padres are fishing to get any help they can in order to have a chance of winning more games this coming season.
- The Philadelphia Phillies made two trades in the attempts of strengthening their pitching staff. The first was acquiring Billy Wagner from the Houston Astros for pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Taylor Bucholtz, and Ezsequiel Astacia. They also traded catcher Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto and a player to be named for pitcher Eric Milton from the Minnesota Twins.