A's Land Cabrera

The Oakland Athletics found a replacement for oft-injured shortstop Bobby Crosby in the fleet footed Orlando Cabrera:

The A's deal with Cabrera is worth $4 million. He was said to be looking for about $9 million earlier in the offseason.

Bobby Crosby, Oakland's incumbent shortstop, is entering the final year of a deal that will pay him close to $5.25 million this year.

According to multiple published reports, the A's are also close to signing Nomar Garciaparra to a one year deal. Nomar would be expected to play a utility role, backing up at first and third base.

If the A's decide to trade Crosby, Nomar would likely fill in at shortstop as well.

Fetch an Old Dog New Digs

Some of baseball's ageless wonders seem to have found themselves in new uniforms for the upcoming season. And we're glad that the names Clemens or Bonds will be stitched on any of them.

Kenny Lofton has been talking with the Cincinnati Reds as of late. According to rotowire.com, if this move happens, Reds outfielder Jay Bruce will likely start the season in the minors.

Tony Armas signed a minor league deal with the Mets, leaving him with a very outside chance to crack the team's rotation.

Baseball's slowest pitcher Steve Traschel, signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles and received a spring training invite. Traschel started last season with the O's, before being traded to the Cubs in late August.

The Pirates signed defensive wiz Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league deal. Mientkiewicz
will be competing for the backup first base job/pinch hitter role left open by Josh Phelps departure to St. Louis.

The Royals fan favorite Mike Sweeney agreed to join the Oakland Athletics, accepting a minor league deal and an invite to spring training.

Licking My Wounds

My Lugnuts. My Fantasy Team. My Bastards. You break my heart.
Last week of the season before playoffs and you decide to catch fire.
Too bad we were eliminated from playoff contention five weeks ago.
I should file a restraining order against Nick Swisher, I feel like I'm being abused.
But I love him anyway.
He ruins my fantasy team for the entire season, and just after I write about how there's no way he'll be wearing the Lugnut Cap next season, he has to go and catch on fire.
Three dingers in three days.
How do I justify leaving him now?
Scott Kazmir, you little runt you. I love you to death, but every morning, I flavor my coffee with tears because I can't stand the fact that you're bullpen steals 50+ wins from you every season. You're about as useful to me as a long inning reliever.
But I love him anyway.
Joe Mauer, you represent everything that is good and wonderful with the human race.
Too bad that's not a stat in my league this year.
Last season he's leading the league in batting average. The kid hits and no one can stop him.
Then he puts on a Lugnuts jersey.
But I love him anyway.

Barry Bonds. You're foot is hurting.

You'll never wear a Lugnuts Cap, no matter how many records you break.

You'll never have the opportunity to ruin one of my fantasy baseball season.

I hate you.