MLB Weekly: Mark Teixeira Signs With Yankees, Randy Johnson, Jason Giambi, & More

Mark Teixeira: The biggest news of the week was obviously the surprising news that the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira. Teixeira fills a huge need for the Yankees, who needed a middle of the lineup bat badly to help out A-Rod, because we all know he needs some support. Teixeira is also an excellent defensive 1B, which will give the Yankees a much needed upgrade over the defense of Jason Giambi for the past several years. The addition of Teixeira also leaves the Yankees with a glut of outfielder/DH types, which means that the Yankees will be looking to make a trade, and rumor has it that they want to trade 2 of the following 3: Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, & Nick Swisher. I would imagine that Matsui should be one of those two to move since he probably is only a DH at this point in his career. Also, maybe I'm jumping the gun on this, but if the Yankees trade 2 of those 3 that would leave them with Johnny Damon in left, either Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera in center, and the remaining player from that group of 3 in RF or DH. Now that still leaves one spot open in either RF or DH, so if the Yankees do trade 2 of those 3 players, then I'm thinking for sure their next move would be to sign Manny Ramirez. Maybe I'm just crazy or maybe I'm onto something here. Either way if the Yankees trade 2 of their 3 OF's, then look for them to make another move shortly after that.

Randy Johnson: The Big Unit signed a 1-year deal with the Giants. I think this is a great move for Johnson because he gets to stay in the NL and pitch in a big ball park in San Francisco. He will also remain pitching in the NL West, which is full of big pitchers parks, except for Colorado. Johnson will be looking to win the 10 games he needs to reach 300 wins and I think he will be able to do so barring injury. The Giants rotation is now looking pretty solid with reigning Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, along with Matt Cain, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, and Jonathan Sanchez. However, their offense is still extremely suspect and there are also rumors that the Giants might be willing to move Sanchez. The Yankees and Giants might be able to work out a deal for one of the Yankees' extra outfielders.

Jason Giambi: I've ragged on Jason Giambi in the past, but the truth is that he actually was productive last season and does have some use for a team looking for a DH. The A's and Rays are in somewhat of a standoff with Giambi and several other players including Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, and Pat Burrell, because neither team wants to be the first to sign one of them since they are both bargain shopping. I wouldn't expect any of these guys to sign any time soon with the Rays or A's, the more likely scenario is that someone else jumps in and snatches up one of these guys first. The A's are looking at Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson as backup plans for Giambi, but honestly who knows how this is going to shake out. I'm shocked that there hasn't been more talk about the Angels going after Giambi, Abreu, Burrell, or Adam Dunn. They need a bat badly and anyone of those goes would improve their offense. I think they will end up with one of these guys, as will Oakland and Tampa Bay. That still leaves 2 of the following, Abreu, Anderson, Burrell, Dunn, and Giambi without a team. We could see one of those players signing late in the offseason for a bargin price and making some team very lucky. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants jump in on one of these guys as well.

Other MLB News:

- The Reds signed Willy Taveras to a 2 year deal to play CF for them. The Reds believe that the additions of CF Willy Taveras and C Ramon Hernandez, to go along with SS Alex Gonzalez and 2B Brandon Phillips, will substantially improve their defense up the middle. However, I had never heard much talk of Taveras being a superior defensive CF and it appears the Reds might be overrating his defense. Offensively, well if the most similar player to your career to date is Alex Cole then that pretty much sums everything up doesn't it? Yes I said Alex Cole, and yes Taveras actually has a lower OPS+(72), than Cole did in his career(91).

- The Red Sox signed pitcher Brad Penny to a 1-year deal. Penny struggled with shoulder problems last season going just 6-9 with 6.27 ERA. This is a low risk, high reward signing for the Red Sox, who are hoping Penny can come close to matching his 2007 performance, when he went 16-4 with a 3.03 ERA.

- See how many MLB teams you can name in 3 minutes or less.

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