The parade through the canyon of heroes is not far from starting- a very exciting event in New York, but elsewhere, in baseball 2009 is over.

Free Agency began yesterday, and the numbers of players exercising that option was big.  What’s also interesting is the number of trades and signings that are already happening.  Last year, everyone was very cautious to see where the market went.  This year teams are trying to set the market so they don’t get caught in spring training wondering who is going to play right field.

The Angels may have been the big beneficiary of last year’s crazy market, getting Bobby Abreu on the eve of spring training for $6 million.  Yesterday, the team signed him to a two year $19 million dollar contract with an option for a third year.  That contract is in the Raul Ibanez range, and better than Pat Burrell received last year (which it should be based on production.) Abreu showed he didn’t want to be in the same situation as last year, and avoided trying to nickel and dime a team, the Angels showed they want to get a few things figured out and fast- since they have several key positions that need to be filled, including the role of #1 pitcher.

The Rockies also signed two journeymen type pitchers to bolster their bullpen.  Both had roles with the team last year, and were not consistent throughout the year, but were near the end.  While they aren’t the arms the Rockies can count on next season, they guarantee depth and are short term risks with their one year contracts.  That’s a sign that the marginal players aren’t looking to cash in.  The agents want to get those players signed in order to make sure they have jobs.

Teams also got busy with some trades, which clearly they had been working on for the past few weeks, but couldn’t be announced until the conclusion of the World Series.  The Marlins sent Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox for two minor league pitchers, one of whom could contend for a Marlins bullpen spot.  Hermida seems to be set to fill the fourth outfielder role, with the possibility of becoming an everyday player- or perhaps a trade deadline piece that can be moved to get some other piece the Sox need at that point.   Though Epstein apparently referred to this as a blockbuster- its not quite that. Still, teams are wasting no time in finding the pieces they need so they know what they have and still want.

This is going to be a busy off-season- which makes my job seem a little more fun.  Trying to give you the overview of moves as they happen should keep me pretty busy.  Hopefully, you continue to get some things you may not find elsewhere.

If I am not writing about your team enough, don’t hesitate to call me on it.  Sometimes I gear this towards the folks I know are reading, so if I am not writing for you- its because I don’t know you are there!