This Week in Hardcore - 3/27/08

Welcome to the first 2008 edition of This Week in Hardcore! We'll get you ready for the new season of Hardcore League action by rounding up the offseason moves and giving you a list of what to watch for this season. Be sure to check out our quick tour around the league as we break down each club's major free agent signings.

Last weekend wrapped up the offseason signing and trading period for the league, and what a period it was. While the spending didn't quite live up to the hype, there were a few surprises in the market and a couple of teams changed from "Pretenders" to "Contenders" overnight. There were also three trades, two of them blockbusters, to catch you up on. All this and more in This Week In Hardcore!

Trade Talk

The talk of the league was the deal between the Thunder-Guts and Uncle Teddy and the Revolution that broke just before the free agent signing period. The Thunder-Guts, looking to restock their farm system, sent All-Star catcher Russell Martin to the Revolution for Jason Saltalamaccia and the eighth pick in the upcoming draft, who turned out to be Carlos Triunfel. Other owners were shocked at the news, immediately claiming that they would have given more for Martin. The front office of the Revolution has to be happy with this one.

The other big trade this week sent Justin Verlander to Champ for Chris Duncan and $3mil in cap space. The Snake Charmers were looking to clear some cap room to make a run at some key free agents, but the price was steep, as Verlander was looking to be quite a deal for the upcoming season. The Snake Charmers were able to sign their target, but we'll see how it plays out during the season.

The third trade involved the Revolution again, this time sending Matt Garza to the James Madison Gang for Howie Kendrick. This was another salary dump, as it provided cap room to the Presidents. Kendrick is signed for the next three seasons.

Signings

Matt Holliday was the big winner of the day, cashing a $12mil deal from the Snake Charmers. He will join Alfonso Soriano and Carl Crawford in what media outlets are already calling the 30 Million Dollar Outfield. Other Viagra Falls signings of note are Ryan Zimmerman and Dustin McGowen.

The Champ Is Here opened up the checkbook for Jake Peavy to the tune of $9.25 million, making him the second highest paid free agent. Ironically, Peavy still takes a pay cut in the deal. Champ was also able to pick up outfielders Alex Rios and Eric Byrnes. Rookie Chase Headley was acquired for $1.75 million.

2 Piece and a Biscuit kept with the outfield restructuring theme, adding Carlos Beltran and Magglio Ordonez for a total of $14 million. Chone Figgins and Chipper Jones will split time at third. Rookie Steven Pearce inked a $2 million deal with the Fighting Fried Chickens.

Last year's champions, The Channel Four Newsteam, picked up Victor Martinez and BJ Upton for $6.25 million each and also brought in second baseman Robinson Cano for $4.25 million. In a speculative offer, the C4NT made Barry Bonds a token offer of $750,000 to see if he will come out of "retirement."

Brandon Webb might end up being the steal of this offseason. The Revolution were able to pick him up for a meager $7.25 million dollars. Carlos Pena was rewarded with a $5 million deal to play first for Uncle Teddy. Chris B Young was brought back after the club was able to renegotiate his contract down to $4.5 million for the '08 season.

The Taintstains snagged Fausto Carmona for $5.25 million, which could be a bargain if he can duplicate his breakout 2007 campaign. With little cap money to go around, the Taintstains' biggest offensive signing was Jeremy Hermida for $3.25 million, while adding Tim Hudson to the rotation for $2.5 million.

The Lousy Street Weasels bolstered their offense with the signings of Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen. The pair cost the club $10.25 million. Chein-Meng Wang was the most notable pitcher added to the staff this offseason. Rookies Geovany Soto and Jason Heyward combined for $4 million in salary, helping the club with a rebuilding effort.

The Thunder-Guts top signee, Kelvim Escobar, blew his arm out in camp and will miss the entire season. Jamie Shields, Ben Sheets, and John Maine were also added this offseason and will hopefully shore up the pitching staff. The club spent $10.75 million on the four starters, one of which will not throw an inning this year. Adrian Beltre was the top offensive signing of the offseason for the Guts. Rookie Johnny Cueto was signed for $1.25 million.

Death Ro locked up Brad Hawpe and Joe Mauer for a total of $9 million, solving a catching situation that had club brass looking trade earlier in the offseason. Rich Hill joins the club as the fourth starter and Takashi Saito will anchor the bullpen. Edgar Renteria signed a $2.75 million deal to be the team's everyday shortstop.

Brian Roberts, Corey Hart and Roy Halladay were the big signings for the James Madison Gang, each getting $4.75 million for next season. Roberts and Hart will try to help an offense that was the worst in the league last season. JJ Putz, Bobby Jenks, and Mariano Rivera form a revamped bullpen for the Gang. JR Towles was the only rookie signed to a major league contract by the Madisons.