All of the focus during these winter meetings is on the big moves: signings of K-Rod and CC Sabathia, a JJ Putz trade, Jake Peavy rumors, etc. Just because the focus is elsewhere, that doesn't mean that the smaller market teams aren't active. It's just harder to notice. Take, for example, the Pittsburgh Pirates (shocking that picked them, I know). Their rumored Jack Wilson to Detroit trade fell apart this week, but that doesn't mean that GM Neal Huntington go nothing done in Vegas. To the contrary, he shipped off former "catcher of the future" and current malcontent Ronny Paulino (known to Pirate fans as "Joggin' Ronny" for the way he runs the bases) to the Phillies for AAA catcher Jason Jaramillo.
Not excited yet? After scaring the crap out of fans like me with some rumors of a David Eckstein signing, the Bucs also appear close to signing utility man Ramon Vazquez, formerly of Texas. He's not bad for a utility guy and may even start, should the Pirates find a new home for Freddy Sanchez or Jack Wilson this winter. And if that's not titillating enough, they drafted Donald Veal in the Rule 5 draft. A big lefty who throws hard but can't throw strikes!
Yeah, maybe it's best that the big moves get all the attention.
