2009 Offseason: The stove gets cookin’

Now that aribtration offers have been handed out, GMs have gotten busy patching holes before next week’s Winter Meetings. Here’s a short run-down:

Greene traded to the Cardinals

It’s no secret that the Padres have been trying to dump Khalil Greene and his $6.5M salary for 2009. They finally matched up with St. Louis, who sent back two pitching prospects in the deal. Greene has very good power for a middle infielder, and now that he’s finally free from PETCO Stadium, he might actually be worth drafting, if he can stay healthy.

2009 Projection: Khalil Greene
.268/.312/.444 with 16 HR, 60 RBI and 5 SB in 472 AB

Giants sign Renteria, Howry

The San Francisco Giants have signed Edgar Renteria to a two-year, $18.5M contract. There’s a third-year $9.5M option. He’s below average defensively, so that will pretty much cancel out some or all offensive gains they see over defensive whiz Omar Vizquel. He’s almost ten years younger than Vizquel, and it isn’t a long-term deal, but they do have to give up a second-round pick for this Type A free agent. As a rebuilding team, I’d have looked for a cheaper, defensive-minded alternative to support their pitching staff.

2009 Projection: Edgar Renteria
.306/.362/.405 with 11 HR, 58 RBI and 12 SB in 534 AB

I like their signing of reliever Bob Howry much better. This bullpen looks like it is actually going to support their starters some this season, and that’s very good news for Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. After Chicago failed to offer him arbitration (why on earth not?), they got him for $2.75M with incentives that could put him above $4M if he finishes a lot of games. If the Giants continue to stink, they can trade him at the deadline for a young player.

2009 Projection: Bob Howry
77 IP, 75 H, 10 HR, 17 BB, 67 K, 3.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP

Braves trade for Vazquez, add Ross

The Atlanta Braves, in desperate need of starting pitching, have acquired one of the game’s premier innings eaters from the Chicago White Sox. And I mean that in a good way. Vazquez will do a lot to shore up the Atlanta rotation, and may even shine again. I like him as a potential breakout player, and he’s signed relatively cheaply for two more years. Good acquisition for Atlanta. They did have to give up Brent Lillibridge, but since they kept Yunel Escobar this offseason, he wasn’t really needed there anyway. Also going to the rebuilding White Sox are Tyler Flowers, Santos Rodriguez and Jon Gilmore, decent prospects but not considered to be top talent.

2009 Projection: Javier Vazquez
211.1 IP, 14 W, 197 H, 20 HR, 55 BB, 204 K, 3.31 ERA and 1.19 WHIP

2009 Projection: Brent Lillibridge
.245/.309/.392 with 11 HR in 436 AB

The Braves apparently also got Dave Ross as a backup catcher, giving him a two-year, $3.5M deal. Ross has good power, and is a decent NL catcher. Good insurance policy for Brian McCann.

2009 Projection: Dave Ross
.248/.343/.481 with 11 HR and 30 RBI in 233 AB

Boston announces Tazawa, extends Pedroia

As predicted, young Junichi Tazawa lands with the Red Sox. Don’t expect to see him in 2009, however, as he’s just 22 years old; he’ll start in Double-A.

The Sox locked in MVP Dustin Pedroia for six more years and $40.5M. I’d do the same thing if a player won all the awards he’s won in his first two seasons, no matter how small he is. Depending on who you read, the estimates are that Pedroia left somewhere between $15M and $30M on the table with this contract. Whew!

2009 Projection: Dustin Pedroia
.316/.368/.462 with 12 HR, 62 RBI and 12 SB in 561 AB

Reds ink Lincoln

Walt Jocketty re-signed pitcher Mike Lincoln to a two-year, $4M deal to bolster his bullpen. Lincoln is a decent reliever who appears to be healthy after TJ surgery, but I’m not a big fan of building bullpens through mediocre vets. He seems to be a little better than replacement level at this point.

2009 Projection: Mike Lincoln
63.2 IP, 55 H, 9 HR, 22 B, 52 K, 4.50 ERA and 1.21 WHIP

Astros re-sign Brocail

One year, $2.5M for Doug Brocail. There is a club option at $2.85M for 2010 as well. He will be 42 years old next season, but he still appears to have it. If he manages to stay healthy, this could be a good signing for Houston.

2009 Projection: Doug Brocail
58.2 IP, 52 H, 6 HR, 18 BB, 43 K, 4.02 ERA and 1.18 WHIP

Mariners land Branyan

The Mariners got Russ Branyan, a third baseman with power but lots and lots of strikeouts. He’ll provide insurance against Adrian Beltre’s injury, and could see some time at DH against righties.

2009 Projection: Russ Branyan
.234/.336/.505 with 12 HR and 27 RBI in 179 AB.

MLB Trade Rumors lists non-tender candidates

These guys could become free agents at the end of next week. There are some nice names there.