I'm less than an hour late, but Christmas and New Years fell on Sundays, so I have to respect and wait. Today on SS, we'll look at the offseason's top 10 moves (you'll see a few teams repeat on the list). The order will be the 10th best to the best.

10. Cubs: Juan Pierre and Jacque Jones
Like most of the top 10, some will have a team and their biggeest acquisitions (if there's a tie on importance). These 2 players aren't going to boost Chicago in the standings, but should make a perfect 1-2 lefty punch in front of Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. They fill out the outfield and allow top prospect Felix Pie to produce even more.

9. Luis Castillo to the Twins
The Marlins fire sale continued, and this time they sent off gold glover Luis Castillo. As the Marlins rebuild for less money, they look at the years ahead. Castillo wasn't really blocking any top prospects, but he was making enough money to send him on his way. This move gives the Twins a legit leadoff hitter and a very good 2B.

8. Carlos Delgado and Paul Lo Duca to the Mets
More for sale! Delgado blew off the Mets in the 2004 offseason because of how they tried to use his Dominican heritage to lure him to Queens. The Mets' 1Bs last year were the worst you could find. This gives the Mets a great middle of the order power hitter. Also, to top things off, they get a guy who is used to replacing Mike Piazza to become their new catcher: Paul Lo Duca. Lo Duca replaced Piazza in LA, then came to Florida (whre Piazza was traded so LA could play Lo Duca) and they were both traded to the Mets. However, this time, the Mets have a better team.

7. Tom Gordon signs into brotherly love (Philadelphia)
Gordon has been a setup man for a few years, but still has a closer's mantality. Gordon should be a very good closer, if he has any leads to save. The Phillies still haven't stocked their starting rotation, and Gordon may not get a lot of save chances right away. Also, since he hasn't been a closer for awhile, theres no telling how he'll fit back into the role

6. Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Guillermo Mota traded to Boston
Team for sale, once again. This trade brought in a lot of great prospects from Boston, in fact, Boston may regret making this trade in a few years. Not only did Florida real in Hanley Ramirez (Boston's top prospect), they also realed in several good arms to compete for the 2-5 spots in the rotation (obviously, D-Train is the number 1). Boston does get a very good 2 or 3 man for their rotation, makes a few pitchers expandable, gets a power hitting (and gold glover) at 3B, and to top it off, they get a very good setup man (who has setup for Eric Gagne, Armando Benitez and Todd Jones).

5. Edgar Renteria traded to Atlanta for Andy Marte
Edgar Renteria was booed so much in Boston, he should have borrowed Rafael Palmeiro's ear plugs. Andy Marte is a 3B, and only a 3B. He CANNOT play any other position, so he was blocked by Larry Jones. This trade opened up SS (funny, they just traded their top SS in Hanley Ramirez...told ya they would regret that trade). They added a very good looking 3B in Marte, and when Mike Lowell walks in 2 years, Marte will have an everyday job at 3B. Renteria will, however, be glad to get out of Boston. He goes back to the NL, and to a winning team.

4. Closers: BJ Ryan signs in Toronto and Billy Wagner signs in New York (Mets)
This was about even. These 2 closers were the most sought after closer on the market. The Blue Jays get BJ Ryan, who has only been a closer for a year, but looks to be a future great in the closers role. Billy Wagner, on the other hand, is a great 100 MPH closer, and will be the huge stopper in New York that the Mets have wanted for a long time.

3. Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay traded to Toronto
These 2 players make Toronto VERY happy. Glaus' bat and Overbay's bat and glove will definently help the Jays. They also make Corey Koskie, Eric Hinske and Shea Hillenbrand expandable, as one will be traded (all 3 are 3Bs and DHs, Hinske and Hillenbrand can also play 1B).

2. AJ Burnett signs in Toronto
I said some teams will make more than one appearence. The Jays overloaded their team this year, and will be a huge contender in the AL East. Burnett, folks, is the icing on the cake. He gives the Jays the huge number 2 that they have needed. He'll be the second ace behind Roy Hall'of a'day and be in front of Ted Lilly, Gustavo Chacin and Josh Towers. Also, with BJ Ryan closing out the games, expect that 1 game under .500 record of Burnett's to rise.

1. Johnny 'Captain Caveman' Damon signs in New York (Yankees)
Yes folks, the Johnny Damon saga is OVER! Cleanshaven Johnny was introduced to New York a week and a half ago, for $52 million dollars. He leaves the Red Sox (who are now without a CF and a SS, an unhappy Manny and about 8 starting pitchers) and joins the 'Evil Empire'. Damon is number one on the list because he gives the Yankees the following lineup:
CF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Jason Giambi
RF Gary Sheffield
LF Hideki Matsui
 C Jorge Posada
DH ***Unkown                      (It is yet to be seen who will be the DH. Either Giambi will be if
2B Robinson Cano               they sign a new 1B, or a newcoming signee will be)

And that folks in the Top 10 offseason moves. Failed to be mentioned would be Billy Mueller, Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra going to the Dodgers. Check out the 4th week of Sunday Shakedown next Sunday (Jan 8)!