It's not goodbye...

...it's see you soon! This is the last of the required blogs I must write for class - but fear not loyal readers! I will continue to give you the latest news from the world of Baseball, and will throw in some opinions and predictions along the way.


We are now about four months away from the start of the 2008 regular season, and there is still so much left to happen. Trades, free-agent signings, and ultimately Spring Training will all lead to the commencement of the 2008 season.

• Center fielders are topping the free-agent class of this offseason. Seven-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter has signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves and Aaron Rowand from the Philadelphia Phillies are still seeking center fields to roam.


• Two-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana is undoubtedly the biggest name on the trade market. With his contract up after 2008, the Minnesota Twins will be hard-pressed to sign the talented young lefty. So instead of losing him for a couple of draft picks, the Twins may try and deal him for some proven major league talent, along with prospects. There a lot of teams that would surely benefit from this top-of-the-rotation arm, and the New York Mets are one of the teams that will actively pursuit that arm.


• Another hot commodity on the trade radar is Florida Marlins' third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Angels are said to be the biggest suitors for the 24-year old power hitter, though with the Angels close to signing Hunter, they may be out of the equation. The Marlins will be looking for young pitching in return, and perhaps a young hitter as well.


• On Tuesday, the Mets swung a deal that seem to have come out of nowhere. Upon ceasing talks with free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, the Mets acquired former All-Star catcher Johnny Estrada from the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Guillermo Mota. And to replace Estrada, the Brewers are close to signing free-agent catcher Jason Kendall. One could say the Brewers seem to be writing off 2008 already, as Mota is not the pitcher he once was, neither is Kendall the catcher.
• What will Andy Pettitte do in 2008? He declined his player option to return New York Yankees, but has also said if he pitches in '08, it will only be in pinstripes. He is still deciding whether or not he wants to retire.
• And some sad news out of baseball - left-handed pitcher Joe Kennedy passed away early Friday morning. Cause of death is still uncertain, but early reports are suggesting either heart attack or brain aneurysm. Kenny was 28 years old, and pitched for the Rays, Rockies, A's, Diamondbacks, and most recently, the Blue Jays. He compiled a 44-61 record in 222 major league games. He is survived by a wife and a 1-year old son. Kennedy was reportedly in Bradenton, Fl to be the best man at a wedding.