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Wow, the Yanks are apparently going to sign Travis Lee for $2 million. That's a lot of money for a backup first baseman. But, I guess if money grows on trees, then it's a solid move. It protects them if Giambi gets hurt and allows them to DH Giambi every so often (and give Lofton a day off). I guess Tony the Tiger's Yankee career is over. Oh well, just $750k wasted on him.
You could make a very good argument that Seguignol would have provided just as good offense as Lee, if not better. Of course, Lee is much better with the glove.
It's really hard to evaluate Yankee moves because they're the only team that doesn't seem to have a budget.


I actually think the Padres have a shot at winning the West this year. Yes, they were the worst team in the league last year, but the West is wide open. The DBacks and Dodgers weren't that great last year, and each lost one of the best pitchers in baseball (Schilling and Brown). The Giants are still largely a one-man team, so if Bonds misses significant time or somehow comes back to earth, they could be in trouble. Plus, they lost Cruz and Aurilia (who they're replacing with Neifi Perez).

Here's a very rudimentary look at the NL West offenses based on EQAs from last year for their starters (.260 is average):

Giles .322
Loretta .291
Nevin .289
Klesko .287
Payton .278
Burroughs .275
R.Hernandez .272
K. Greene .232

Total = .281 overall

Bonds .420 (maaaaaan)
Snow .290
Pierzynski .285
Durham .284
Grissom .276
Alfonzo .262
Tucker .253
Neifi .224

Total = .287

LGonz .308
Big Sexy .308
Finley .284
Cintron .280
Hammock .271
Hillenbrand .262
Alomar .250
Bautista .247

Total = .276

Roberts .248
Trammell .270 (2002 #, he played so little last year)
Encarnacion .264
Green .289
Lo Duca .257
Beltre .251
Cora .225
Itzuris .216

Total = .253

Helton .345
Walker .300
Wilson .279
Burnitz .267
Castilla .262
C. Johnson .252
Clayton .225
Aaron Miles .240 (MjEQA based on minor league #s)

Total = .271

To summarize:
Giants .288
Padres .281
DBacks .276
Rockies .271
Dodgers .253

I think the Padres are one of the 2 best offenses in the division, and could wind up the best. Of course, the Giants probably have better pitching, but if the young guys (Peavy, Eaton, Lawrence) have big years and Wells stays healthy, the rotation could surprise. And the bullpen is very solid with Hoffman, Beck, Witasick, Osuna, and Akinori Otsuka.