D-backs finally snag Garland in rotation

Well, it wasn't easy....but the D-backs were able to get back with Jon Garland today and sign him to a 1-year deal with an option for 2010. This will definitely help the rotation with the loss of the Big Unit. No specifics were available on the money, but believe to be in the $6 - $8 million range. Not too bad. Although Randy did sign for $8 million with San Francisco, the front office obviously sees more value in the 29-year old Garland.

Garland has never been able to reproduce his 2005 World Series winning season with the White Sox where he went 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA (although he did have a 18-7 and 4.51 ERA in '06), he is certainly a durable pitcher when you look at his innings.

Thumbs up on the move Josh Byrnes.

New MLB network

Gotta admit...seeing the new MLB network come to life on my cable system on Jan 1 was better than any Xmas present I could have received. For die hard seam heads like myself, I can't get enough of it. Although, I still have to challenge my four and seven year old kids between the Disney Channel and Game 5 of last year's World Series, I'm winning at least some of the time.

The Hot Stove show has caught my interest the most thus far. It's just the kind of junkie outlet that I can turn to at various times in the day. And the classic World Series games are truly epic...especially for somebody like myself who grew up watching the Game of the Week on NBC in the late 70's...seeing these old time games is awesome.

So, many thanks to MLB for putting this network on the air. It is already starting to fire me up for Spring.