While we’re in the midst of a lag between baseball seasons, there’s been a considerable amount of action worth discussing. With a number of exciting names in the mix, this should come as no surprise.

Many signings during the winter can have a profound impact upon the season to come. After all, look at what the Yankees were able to pull off last season.

By signing CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, they finally bolstered a pitching staff that needed that extra touch. Then there was Mark Teixeira, who added some huge bats to the mix to help them to the best offensive stats in baseball.

Many are wondering if any team will pull off what New York was able to accomplish last year. After looking at some of the major free agent transactions we’ve witnessed thus far, we’ll probably have a better idea.

The Red Sox made a Yankee-like move this winter, signing perhaps the biggest pitching name in free agency. John Lackey is a big name pitcher with big game experience, having logged dozens of games for the Angels in the post season during his career.

Lackey has a dangerous mix of power and finesse, and has the endurance to last into the late innings of baseball games. This will be particularly valuable once the later parts of the season roll around.

One may be surprised by the fact that a competitive team like the Angels somehow let Lackey go. While this is obviously an unfortunate blow to the franchise, all is not lost. Having signed Hideki Matsui, the balance of power slightly shifts away from the Yankees and in favor of the Angels. The man who many credit with having won the World Series for New York will now be playing in Los Angeles.

Matsui’s role as a fielder will be just as valuable to an Angels team that could stand to benefit from some more stellar defense. This helps to dampen the blow that they’ll feel from the loss of their star pitcher.

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