The slow free agency continues with a couple trades, an international signing, and a retirement.

- The Phillies traded away 23-year old OF Greg Golson for 25-year old Rangers OF John Mayberry Jr. I have heard many arguments suggesting that this is a bad move for the Phillies, to trade away a guy who just had a .282/.333/.434 season for someone who is two years older and only a level above posting a .263/.316/.474. Well, here’s what’s behind the numbers - Golson may be two years younger, but he projects as a 15-20 HR guy, who has never taken more than 34 walks in a season and has struck out in 30% of his career Plate Appearances. He also has been in the minors one year longer than Mayberry and has a career .265/.309/.406 line. Mayberry on the other hand, is a year removed from posting 30 HRs. While he may post similar average and on-base percentages to Golson, he has a clear advantage in power - and he also strikes out less. His career line is .255/.330/.472.

- The Red Sox traded Coco Crisp for KC’s Ramon Ramirez. Coco Crisp had a disappointing tenure in Boston, after coming over from Cleveland in their 7-player deal in January 2006. Crisp had posted back to back strong seasons in Cleveland, followed by 3 sub-par injury-filled seasons in Boston. This trade may make DeJesus tradable, despite the fact he has had a better career offensively and is only one month older. Boston receives reliever Ramon Ramirez, who posted a 2.64 ERA in 71.7 innings of relief this year. He struggled in 2007 after a decent debut for Colorado in 2006. Not a bad move for Boston, who pick up a potentially solid reliever for an expendable and unhappy center fielder.

- The Chicago White Sox made a splash in the international free agent market, signing 19-year old Cuban infielder Dayan Viciedo to an $11 million dollar Major League deal.

- Mike Mussina officially retired, and the “Hall of Fame” discussions noxiously continue. I’m not sure how many articles I will have to read to find one that doesn’t discuss his win total as being the most important factor to him being or not being in the HoF. Let’s not make mention of his 11 200+ Innings seasons, 57 complete games, 23 shutouts, 2813 strikeouts, 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, being on the Cy Young ballot 9 times, and five all-star games. Personally, I’m on the fence on this one. No matter how I look at it, not winning a Cy Young and not winning 300 games will ultimately kill his HoF bid, as these are two key factors looked at by the statistically challenged.

Free Agency