12/11 Hot Stove – Thing’s Things
The Winter Meetings came and now their gone with only a few teams really making moves to help themselves going into 2010.
Big surprise that the Yankees didn’t just sit back on their laurels and enjoy their Championship; they went out there and got the first real centerfielder they’ve had since Bernie Williams. Curtis Granderson will be a dangerous player for them, especially in Yankee Stadium.
To try and climb out of the gutter in the AL East, the Orioles made a move. By getting Kevin Millwood, the Orioles have a veteran guy who will help a young rotation mature. Millwood learned from some of the greats in Atlanta when he was a young guy, and now he can pass his knowledge along to Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz and Brad Bergesen.
The Phillies went out early – like signing Raul Ibanez last year – and got their guy at the hot corner. Placido Polanco solidifies the powerful Phillies infield for the next three years. I really thought Adrian Beltre was going to be the guy, but I guess they just thought he wasn’t consistent enough even though I think he’s plays good defense.
The Astros made a little noise by signing Pedro Feliz, who is an upgrade offensively and defensively from Geoff Blum. They also went out and traded for Matt Lindstrom.
Here’s the thing about Lindstrom: I don’t know if they are planning to have him replace Jose Valverde, but he’s he same type of guy, just not as good. He has a good fastball, but nothing to back it up with.
On the Network today, we’ll have much more to talk about on Hot Stove at 6:00 p.m. ET. Baseball’s Seasons 1993 is on at 4:00 p.m., and I’ll take a little look at it. It was something of an eventful year for me. – Mitch Williams
MLB Network 
As a former catcher, and a coach, I agree with you Mitch. A catcher’s FIRST job is to call a game and to be a WALL!
I think the reason Girardi DIDN’T catch him in every game in the post season was because Posada is NOT a good defensive catcher. He pokes at balls. He is one of the most spastic catchers I’ve ever seen behind the plate in MLB!
The commentators praised him for going to the mound to “clear” things up with the pitchers. Yogi never went to mound AT ALL during the perfect game and Larsen only waived off his pitch selection when Yogi told him to! THAT’s how a catch calls a good game. Posada goes to the game so often because he and pitcher can’t get on the same sheet of music! That’s POOR communications!!
Posada is also a stabber, NOT a blocker. I tell my catchers that they are blockers first and catchers second!!! I’m sure Ruiz at Philly would agree!