Free Agency moves--some signings

Today the Pythons announced the signings of a couple of needed Free agents.

The human eyechart, Doug Mientkiewicz was signed to be the starting firstbaseman of the Pythons. The slick fielder will be welcomed by the pitching staff as part of a fine fielding infield which should help the starting pitching improve their whip's.

Also signed was versatile OF Marlon Byrd. Capable of playing all 3 OF positions Byrd will team with recently acquired Jeremy Reed to give the Pythons good backups to the starters of Damon, Monroe and Bradley. Plus Bradley has been known to be a bit fragile at times, so Byrd or Reed could be called into starting duty and the Python Braintrust has complete faith in both of them.

There are a couple more Free Agents on the Python radar and some other moves could be made as the season gets closer.

December Rants and previews

So far it's been an interesting off season for the Pythons. New GM Hill had a bit of trouble with the 40 man roster, teeming it with 25 pitchers, making some trades necessary. However, after a few deals the team is shaping up nicely.

Tentative opening lineup....fielding wise
C-Rod Barajas
1b--up in the air
2b--Brian Roberts
3b--Hank Blalock
SS--Rafael Furcal
LF--Craig Monroe
CF--Johnny Damon
RF--Milton Bradley

SP--Carlos Zambrano
Paul Byrd
Scott Olsen
Josh Johnson
Josh Fogg
RP--Brad Lidge closing
Chad Qualls
Matt Wise
Trever Miller
Jason Grilli

The Pythons are also chasing some Free Agents....to fill some platoon positions and solve the 1b mess. Got some good pop in the lineup and also hoping Carlos Zambrano will repeat his .333 with 4 homers from the 9th spot that he did last year.