Jon Garland Likes California

Jon Garland has signed with the San Diego Padres, opting to stay in the Golden State for another year. The club may have gotten away with a bit of a steal here, signing the right-hander for just $4.7 million for one year with a $6.75 million option for 2011.

Garland, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, left an 8-year career with the Chicago White Sox behind when he was traded to the Angels in 2008. He then went on to play in the National League, splitting up his time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers last season, going a combined 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA.

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We Can Love Jim Thome Again!

Jim Thome has had an awesome career, and is completely loveable, but for most of his career,  American League Central fans have had to hate him. Well, they may now rejoice, because he's out of the AL again. (Well, rejoice, unless you are a Rockies or Giants fan...)

Thome was traded by the White Sox to the Dodgers last night for minor league infielder Justin Fuller. The Dodgers also aquired right handed pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later. The Dodgers are looking to beef up their roster due to the Rockies and the Giants all of the sudden lurking up on them in the standings - as of this morning, both teams are only 5.5 games behind the Dodgers.

It's still unclear what position Thome will actually play for his new team. He's been strictly a DH for the last couple of seasons, and hasn't played first base full time since 2004. I'm sure they'll figure it out somehow, they need his bat (and his 564 home runs).

Welcome back to that little place in my heart, Jimmy.

Orlando Cabrera is Chicago Bound

For one brief shining moment, focus shifted from the Cabrera down in Miami to the Cabrera over in Anaheim, as the Angels swapped the Golden Glove of shortstop Orlando Cabrera (plus cash) for the dependable arm of Jon Garland from the White Sox.

O.C. isn't the first SS the Pale Hose pursued this offseason: they previously worked on a deal for Edgar Renteria- but failed to sign him. Instead, the Sox re-signed their own shortstop Juan Uribe just two weeks ago-- he must be thrilled with this latest development.

As for Garland... HE GONE! (It had to be said.) Jon is from the L.A. area, so the move out West is probably a welcome change for him. I'm sure the switch from the cellar of the AL Central to the pinnacle of the AL East doesn't hurt, either.

Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar or Brandon Wood can step in and play SS for the Halos-- or they could be in the market for Miguel Tejada. The Angels are also linked to the trade rumors surrounding the Other Cabrera, of the 3B variety.

Juan Uribe could move over to 2B, or just be used off the bench as a utility infielder.

[Chicago Tribune]