So finally, the first trade of the Hot Stove season has been made...hold on, make that the first two trades! And the Las Vegas Rat Pack is at the center of both of them.
The first trade had Placido Polanco going to the Rats from Vancouver. Polanco was signed as a backup to Chase Utley last year, but was deemed expendable in the offseason. Polanco slides in as the new starting second baseman for the Rat Pack and Vancouver gains a boost in their draft picks. Polanco spent six years in the starting lineup of the Columbia/D.C. franchise before being left unprotected and undrafted last season.
The first deal may have been small potatoes, but the second deal of the day was a blockbuster. Philadelphia sent starter Erik Bedard and 2006 and 2007 Eckersley Award winner Francisco Rodriguez to Vegas in exchange for first baseman Mark Teixeira and a 3rd round pick. Bedard broke out this year with a 17-9 record and 3.94 ERA for the reigning Morris Division champs. Teixeira has emerged as an offensive force the last two years. In 2007, Tex hit 37 homers with 134 RBIs and an .882 OPS for the Pack. Teixeira will likely bump Albert Pujols to the DH slot and take over first base for the Animals.
Lots of other rumors are still flying around, so no doubt we'll see more deals coming soon. Monday we'll cover our final team review and look for the announcements of the award winners coming next week as well.
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