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A quick round to get your Monday going right…

• News out of New York reports that Mariano Rivera will sign the 3 year offer with the Yankees after all. Like I said on Friday, the deal to make him the highest paid closer in baseball is a great one. Now that the Yankees have re-signed their own players (except Pettitte), they need to focus on improving the team. Essentially, they have committed 300+ million to guys they had last year during their “disappointing season”. Now the business of improvement begins.
• The Yorvit Torreabla deal with the Mets fell through for some reason. Neither side is willing to comment, but it seems that Torreabla had second thoughts about coming to New York. I think this saves Omar Minaya from making a big mistake. The Mets should look for a one year deal with a defensive minded catcher or make a deal for Texas Ranger, Gerald Laird.
• Tom Glavine agreed to a one year, 8 million dollar deal with the Braves. It’s a nice story and all, but I don’t think the Braves helped themselves. Glavine seemed to be on the downside during the second half of last season. Maybe he’s rejuvenated by going home, but I’m skeptical. I’m sure Mets fans will have plenty to say when he returns to Shea next season.
• Eric Chavez had his third operation in the last two months. Hopefully, Chavez will be fully healed and ready to reclaim his status as one of the best third basemen in baseball. Chavez has fallen off the radar in recent years due to injuries and the fact that he is on one of the most boring teams in baseball. Fact is, if Chavez was in a big market, he would be a star.
• The Mets, according various reports have agreed to a 4 year, 25 million dollar contract with second baseman, Luis Castillo. Castillo performed well for the Mets and is a solid player. His presence at the top of the lineup, most likely in the second spot, will be key for the Mets gaining some bit of consistency.
• The Toronto Blue Jays dealt two hard throwing, yet suspect, prospects in Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey to Oakland for utility man Marco Scutaro. Scutaro has gotten a lot of playing time over the past few seasons due to all of Oakland’s injuries. Oakland made this trade to free playing time for Donnie Murphy and shed payroll, while the Jays land a valuable guy off the bench and a possible starting shortstop should John McDonald fail.
• Gut feeling—Mark Mulder has a good year for the Cardinals. He got hit hard during his comeback, but with a full winter and spring, Mulder could be the ace the Cards need.
• Another gut feeling–Miguel Cabrera will be an Angel. The halos need a bat behind Vlad and they have the prospects to deal. Howie Kendrick, Joe Saunders, and two prospects for Cabrera and Dan Uggla should get the deal done.
• The Twins and Tony Clark are rumored to have met to discuss a contract for next year. Why? What are the Twins thinking? Rumors are usually rampant during the winter so let’s hope this is just one of those.
• The Cubs are in need of a right fielder as they have dealt/cut 15 million dollars worth of right fielders from last season. Smart move by the Cubs to find takers for Jones and Monroe. Now they need to find someone productive. Matt Murton doesn’t seem to be an option now, but there are worse candidates than he.
• The Yankees are said to have waning interest in Mike Lowell. Perhaps sanity has prevailed. One story has them thinking of a Giambi/Duncan platoon with Wilson Betemit an option as well.

That’s it for a Monday. Enjoy the day. Fire back!