Starting with the Marlins, there are a couple of quick things.  Plans for their new stadium are staring to be finalized, and they intend to keep  their home a pitcher friendly park.  Not a bad plan, since free-agents pitchers certainly have few of those places to choose from and that can be a deciding factor in landing them… just ask Philly.  The Marlins also claimed pitcher Dan Meyer off waivers from the Athletics over the weekend.  Meyer was picked up by the A’s from the Braves in the Tim Hudson trade.  He hasn’t had much success in the last few years at the major league level as a starter, but has been lights out at AAA, and the Marlins think he can be an effective reliever.  Since word is that they are interested in trading Kevin Gregg or Scott Olson for one of the Rangers Catchers, all the replacement relievers can’t hurt.

One funny thing, quite ridiculous but shows sports writers will write anything if they have space to fill in the paper, is the article out of Dallas, where Tim Colishaw actually suggested that the Rangers go and sign Manny Ramirez.  First they have one of the best offenses in baseball without Manny, second, they need to spend that money on pitching… if you are going to overspend, spend it on Sabathia, which, come to think of it, would be a great fit.  Does this Colishaw guy not remember the ARod era?  And I believe, Hicks knows better than to spend money like that before the fanny’s are in the seats.  The good news is that, I believe, both Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels have a great idea about what the Rangers need and Manny won’t be happening.  The other great thing for the Rangers is that they have put themselves in a wonderful spot because they have 4 catchers all who are major league ready, and it is  a season with out strong catching free agents.  At least one of those catchers- Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Gerald Laird-  have drawn interest from Boston, Florida, Detroit, Kansas City, San Francisco, NY Mets, and Cincinnati.  Many of those teams have some fine pitching to trade, so the Rangers are sitting pretty to change their luck.  I bet on them a couple of years ago to go far, well, their time is almost here.

For Blue Jay fans, Cathal Kelly’s column gives you an overview of what’s on your list for Santa.  Kellys view is a little glass half-empty, but really the days of the Jays competing in the East have slipped away without some big moves and some luck.  GM Ricciardi needs to make something happen, or he will be out of a job, and really he has done pretty well over the years, so don’t count him out.

Lastly, Tracy Ringolsby does a great overview of the NL West- the division which fooled everyone last off-season in to project them as the toughest.  Its a great ’state of the west’ piece showing where talks are with all the different teams.  Rigolsby is right that it is shocking that the Giants are claiming interest in Pat Burrell… no defense in a park that needs some.  Rigolsby also ponders the decision by the Padres to exercise the 2009 contract of Brian Giles for $9 million while they have to trade Jake Peavy to virtually cut the budget in half.  My guess is that Giles will be their only offense and his best in baseball OPS will make him a very good trade candidate next season which will give the Padres some players back for the part of the $9 mill they pay.