It has been a busy offseason for Major League Baseball this year. I’ve been taking some time off from this blog recently and since my last post there has been a lot a things going on. So here are my three cheers to the stories that I think deserve them and three jeers for the stories that deserved to be pooped on.

Cheers to Frank Wren: Did you really think I would pick anyone else to open up this section? Wren’s goal this offseason was to add a power bat and to solidify the bullpen. He’s done both and did so without breaking the farm system or the bank. The Uggla for Infante and Dunn trade was a bigger act of theft than Cam Newton’s heisman trophy. Yeah that’s right, as a Gamecock fan I’m still a little bitter. But back to the Braves. Wren also did an excellent job bringing back Hinske and getting Linebrink and Sherrill as voices of experience for guys like Kimbrel and Venters. Here’s to you Frankie!

Cheers to Cliff Lee: Yeah I know I’m a Braves fan and I’m supposed to hate all things Philly, but I got to tip my cap to the Phillies and Lee. They have assembled an elite rotation and while it still isn’t better than the one the Braves had in the nineties, it is awful close. I’m giving Lee cheers because he turned down a higher offer from the Yankees and chose a place that him a his family felt comfortable being. So cheers to you Cliff Lee because the next taste you experience will the be taste of defeat when Uggla takes you deep. 

Cheers to the Red Sox: The Red Sox have had a heck of an offseason. They started it off with a bang by signing Carl Crawford, then just days later officially trading for Adrian Gonzalez. They also added solid pieces to their bullpen by signing Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler. It all adds up to a hard time for the Yankees, which always makes me feel warm and cozy. Here’s to you Red Sox Nation!

Jeers to the Nationals: Can someone tell me exactly what was going through the Nationals’ front office staff’s heads when they decided that it would be a good idea to sign Jayson Werth to a $126 million, seven-year deal? The Nationals will be paying a guy who has never hit .300 when he is THIRTY-EIGHT years old. Let’s not forget that Werth’s power has always been while in the little league field known as Citizen’s Bank Park. If that weren’t enough, they traded Josh Willingham away and re-sign Chien-Ming Wang. Spend money on player development and scouting? Heck no! Let’s pay Jayson Werth until he’s 40! Good call Nationals!

Jeers to Barry Stanton: You might be asking yourself: “Who the heck is Barry Stanton?” He’s the news editor for ESPN and he is also the moron who did NOT vote for Bert Blyleven, Roberto Alomar, or Barry Larkin for the Hall of Fame. He instead felt that Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, and wait for it…B.J. Surhoff were more qualified! It’s guys like you Mr. Stanton who make a mockery of the H.O.F. You obviously aren’t taking this awesome privilege seriously. Jeers to you ****** bag!

Jeers to the Rangers: I really hate to do this because the Rangers is an organization that I have admired for several years now. I love the new-old approach that Nolan Ryan has taken to their pitching staff. Yet, I have to give jeers to the Rangers for the signing of Adrian Beltre. I’m jeering you because Beltre isn’t worth the $96 million, six-year contract (he’s not by the way). No, I’m jeering you because you are asking the face of your franchise to change positions for the second time in two years. Michael Young has already done so much for the Rangers over his time there and again they’re pushing him aside for someone younger. Most guys would be angry, but not Michael Young. He told the Rangers he would be happy to move to DH or “Super Utility” if they wanted to sign Beltre. That in itself makes this even more sad. Young is a team player who is letting his legacy and H.O.F. credentials take a hit to benefit the team. That a way to take advantage of a good guy Rangers! Jeers to you!