An embarrassment of riches...

So, first things first. Albert Pujols is officially with the Angels now. Who saw that coming? Apparently no one. Even though the Angels were not in the running at all, I have to say that I'm glad he will be in the AL next season. According to reports, the Marlins lost out on Pujols because they would not give him a no-trade clause in his contract. Wait, WHAT? Just because that wasn't needed for Reyes, Bell or Buerhle does not mean that Pujols shouldn't get one if he so chooses. Hello, he's ALBERT PUJOLS. I didn't expect myself to be as annoyed by that as I am, but I guess I am. If the Angels are looking for a boost in attendance (though I think theirs is pretty solid), they certainly will have it for 2012.

Although there must be a lot of sad Cardinals fans today. A lot of people are probably asking, "Where the loyalty?" After ten years, I would think that Pujols' love for St. Louis was pretty solid. How many other teams can say they'd had a future hall of fame slugger on their team for ten years? And he certainly went out with a bang.

Not long after that, it was announced that CJ Wilson signed with the Angels, getting a nice 5 year/$75 million contract. I guess compared to Pujols' 10 year/$254 million contract, that's small pickings. I happened to catch an interview with Wilson on MLB Network today (where else!) and he said that despite liking Miami, he wanted to be closer to his home in LA. The thing I found most interesting about Wilson's interview was the topic of how his former teammates feel about his departure, especially to a division rival team. He said that he got text messages (that's all baseball players do, it seems, is text each other) from a lot of his former teammates wishing him well and giving congrats. Wilson also said that he got a text from David Murphy asking if they were enemies now that they were on rival teams. I appreciated Wilson's honesty in saying that he didn't know yet. If nothing else, this move will make the race for the AL West division a lot more interesting!

I would imagine that Mike Scioscia is pretty happy with the potential starting rotation for the Angels next year: CJ Wilson, Jared Weaver and Ervin Santana. Not too shabby!

While that was the biggest news from this week's winter meetings, the news that Huston Street went to the Padres is, I think, something worth noting. It's also a nice move for the Padres, who may have had to part with Heath Bell, but picking up Huston Street is pretty damn nice. I just wish he weren't a closer so I would know which games he would be pitching in advance. Alas.

Despite no actual moves having been made yet, it seems many teams are interested in the top three pitchers on the A's rotation: Andrew Bailey, Gio Gonzalez and now possibly Trevor Cahill. I would be happy for any of them to make more money elsewhere, because they all deserve it. I have nothing against the A's, mind you, I just worry about their payroll. And that no one goes to actually see them pitch at home. So sad. As long as they don't go the way of Barry Zito, it's all good. However, since none of them will be going to the Giants, chances are, they will do fine wherever they end up.

Speaking of the Giants, I heard possibly the greatest news (to me) all week. Alex Gonzalez signed with the Brewers and not the Giants. What does this mean, though? Do the Giants suddenly have more confidence in Brandon Crawford? Or were they too broke to snatch him up? It's hard to say. I'm hoping it's the former.

Quite a lot seemed to happen during the winter meetings this week. Some interesting things, some not so much. As much as I've enjoyed keeping up with all of the news, I'm relieved that it's over. I think the fact that I watched pretty much every single playoff game this season (except three, I think) is catching up with me. I won't make that mistake again. Oh wait...yes I will. It's a sickness and I don't foresee a cure. Bring it on!

the Marlins are still the Marlins and other truths.

Having lurked in the forums on mlbtraderumors.com recently, I've come to an interesting conclusion: either I don't know jack about baseball or I should be glad that I come up for air once in awhile. Those forum posters mean business! Sure, there's always more to learn about in regards to just about everything, but this is a whole other ballgame (so to speak). I'd like to think I know a thing or two (or three, or four) about baseball. I'm fairly confident in that stance. However, now I feel like my status as a baseball junkie is in jeopardy. How much more can my brain possibly process and retain? I've never been good at pacing myself and tend to hit the ground running with most things - which is why I often get tripped up along the way. Maybe I can think of this as being served a slice of humble pie. Except the pie is oliberry. And I hate oliberry.

My long-winded point is that I want to learn as much as I can about baseball, without it further encroaching on my life. I have to say though, that not knowing who Chris Iannetta (former Rockies catcher, recently acquired by the Angels) was is something I'm not proud of. I mean, how many of us can name former Mets players without (really) knowing who is currently in their lineup? I certainly can and I have no idea why. My brain must still have plenty of spongue-absorbing power left. I think. Anyhow.

Apparently, the world of baseball is not far removed from the world of politics, at least not as of late: Albert Pujols may be lying about his age and if he does not produce a birth certificate, he can forget about getting offered more than a $200 million/nine-year contract.

If I were Pujols, I wouldn't really give a crap. I'd still be Albert Pujols. And I think I'd be pretty damn happy with that Cardinals offer anyway. I don't know think we will find out suddenly that he's 35 instead of 31. Because we all know that 31 is ancient. I guess in baseball it's kind of getting there. I digress.

So, Jose Reyes is officially a Miami Marlin. Like some baseball insiders I've been following, I would love to know where all of this money is coming from for his $100+ million contract. Sure, they probably haven't spent a ton of money on payroll over the last few seasons, but they are still going after CJ Wilson and/or Mark Buerhle. Obviously, neither of those pitchers will command a small salary and they shouldn't. The Marlins might have a new name and ballpark, but they can't escape the fact that they are in Miami. Florida is a college football state, not a baseball state. I remember reading a quote once that basically said, "Florida would rather see Shamu than Mike Cameron". I think that general sentiment still applies today.

I'm also finding it amusing that the two teams who have signed the most players so far are the Marlins and the Dodgers. Bankruptcy should not equal aggression on the free agent market! At least not to me. I guess we'll see what the winter meetings produce this week.

The final topic I want to mention is the news that Pedro Martinez is retiring.

While not necessarily a favorite of mine, Pedro has more than sealed his place as one of the best pitchers of his generation. And if it weren't for that pesky strike during the 1994 season that axed the World Series, he would probably have more than one championship ring to show for it. Not that he needs it. Regardless, I tip my hat to him for his many achievements. And for his tendency towards fighting, which I just think is fun. Rar!