With only a couple of weeks left until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, there are some moves that have been made that really puzzle me. There are also moves that haven't been made that raise concerns as well.

I have tried to understand why Toronto flipped Mike Napoli to Texas after acquiring him along with Juan Rivera from the Angels for Vernon Wells. Congrats to Toronto for moving a huge salary and getting something in return. But Napoli would have really helped Toronto. He could have filled a gaping hole at 1B. Or he could have caught upon occasion. Certainly he could have become the designated hitter. That would have moved Adam Lind to 1B (he may still wind up there.) As to the acquisition of Frank Francisco from Texas for Napoli.... Why another bullpen arm when that was already a strength of the club? Francisco has gotten hurt the past two seasons. Toronto already had Jason Frasor, Octavio Dotel, John Rauch, Carlos Villanueva and possibly David Purcey to use in the pen. All sound arms. Purcey is out of options and he has to go somewhere. Maybe the pen is the place. At any rate, now they have an even better bullpen and holes at 1B, 3B and possibly one OF position.

The Cleveland Indians are rumored to be looking for additional help at 1B behind Matt LaPorta. The name being mentioned? Casey Kotchman. Yikes. It brings back last year at this same point in time when the Tribe signed a wounded Russ Branyan to play 1B. He didn't swing the bat in spring training and when he did play, he was hurt. It helped cost LaPorta development time. So far, just rumors. But where there's a lousy acquisition to be made, never count out the Indians.

Dusty Baker has indicated that Scott Rolen is the man at 3B. He will get most of the at-bats and playing time at third as long as he's healthy. That means Juan Francisco waits a little longer. Francisco is quite a talent to grab on long-term keeper league teams. Rolen can still play. I've always liked him, but I sure can't wait to see Francisco hit big league pitching.

I agree that the Brewers are a much better team with the acquisitions of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke, but they really paid a price to get both those guys. Alcides Escobar is going to be a top flight SS for years to come. Only now those years will be with Kansas City. He will provide tremendous defense when the young stud pitchers finally get their chance in KC. I know, I saw his errors this past season. However, I've seen what he can do in the field. He's outstanding and he'll get much, much better with experience and age. Not to mention that Lorenzo Cain is also a Royal after the trade for Greinke. He's a top prospect with speed and a fairly good bat. He can play defense. The other big loss will be Brett Lawrie at 2B. Toronto is getting one fine prospect. He could have become a C, but he wanted to try his lot at 2B. He's a very good prospect with upside. If Rickie Weeks falters, Eric Farris becomes the first option at 2B for the Brew Crew. But I don't think Weeks will falter. In fact, I think he'll have an outstanding year and build on last season when he was healthy.
For now the Brewers have to live with Yuniesky Betancourt at SS. But no doubt about it, the meat of the lineup with guys like Hart, Weeks, Braun and Fielder combined with the new Brewers pitching staff should be enough to keep the team in the Central race. I think Ryan Braun is going to have a monster season.

The Diamondbacks have signed Armando Galarraga to compete for the last spot in the rotation. If he wins the job, it could mean that Barry Enright returns to the minor leagues. I'm not nuts about that development. Enright should be facing major league pitchers after having experienced the big league club and doing fairly well last season. Galarraga will be challenged by Chase Field, as is the case with all pitchers. However, like Edwin Jackson before him, he will have to sharpen his command and control or he'll be living in misery.
And Galarraga doesn't have Jackson's stuff to fall back on.

I have no concerns at all that Jose Bautista can repeat his outstanding power output for Toronto. While he may not get as many fly balls to leave the park, he's a force at the plate and one of the true AL power sources. His career track reminds me a bit of Nelson Cruz. Late start and then BAM!

I'm surprised that Ozzie Guillen is talking about moving Dayan Viciedo to the OF this spring. It seems Guillen is very high on newcomer Brent Morel. Guillen also wants to give Mark Teahen a chance to win the job. The odd man out seems to be Viciedo. I'm still high on Viciedo, and he reminds me a bit of Pablo Sandoval. Viciedo is very young and his time will come. I'm not sure he can play in the outfield.

I think Andy Pettitte will pitch for the Yankees this season. I just don't know when.

Baltimore is said to be interested in Vlad Guerrero. Why not? He had a less than outstanding 2nd half for his standards, but he can be a force in Camden Yards. With the club for sale, it might be good to draw some crowds to attract interest. Vlad can please the people in the stands. Just watching him swing is worth the price of admission.

I'm concerned about all the good starting pitching of the Rays going to waste if the bullpen blows leads and coughs up games. They lost some very good arms in Wheeler, Soriano, and Qualls. And of course they don't have Crawford and Pena any more either. I wonder if they'll be able to keep the club in Tampa?

Today's questions for you my friends:

Who will be the first manager fired?
Would you trade for Zambrano if you were the Yankees?
Would you have made the Vernon Wells deal if you were the Angels?
Feliz=starter or reliever for you?

The first spring training game in Arizona is February 26th when the Rockies and DBacks meet in the new spring training home for both clubs.

And by the way-have you ever tried Salt and Vinegar chips? Outstanding. And now you know the secret of why I look the way I do.