As position players disperse, focus turns to pitching

On the day that the Mitchell Report is set to be released naming approximately 70 to 80 players with links to steroids, it has been a pretty active day in the Hot Stove League. So far we've seen the disintegrating Orioles deal their disgruntled shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Astros in return for a 5 player package of major league ready but hardly impressive prospects including outfielder Luke Scott and pitcher Matt Albers. It kind of makes me happy that Miguel Tejada didn't really work out for the Orioles because if you'll remember back to a couple offseasons ago, the M's and the O's duked it out to sign the then free agent Tejada. Wooo that was a close one! Could you imagine... well, don't try to imagine; it's been bad enough watching Beltre and Sexson underperform.

But I digress. Today, we've also seen the Giants sign outfielder Aaron Rowand to a 5 year / $60 mil. contract, Andruw Jones officially tie the knot with the Dodgers, Crag Monroe hook on with the Twins, the Cubs and Fukudome agree to terms, and the Rays come close to signing Cliff Floyd to a one year deal. What does all of this mean? Well with position players being traded and snatched up, the focus for most teams will surely turn to starting pitching. The pursuit of pitching should be aided by the fact that the non-tender deadline is tonight and teams could be making room and setting themselves up to make a splash in the market. How this will end up for the Mariners is yet to be seen and a lot could be at stake tonight; there is a possibility that the Mariners will decide to non-tender Ben Broussard effectively making him a free agent as well as the possibility that the much anticipated decision from Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will come in the next 24 to 48 hours. Hopefully Bill Bavasi plays OUR cards right and does something that will benefit the team.

Stay on top of things in the next couple days; check back with Mariner Nation for everything you need to know.