Even though we're still in the postseason, the hot stove is already heating up. Here's a look back at the week that was:
- The Padres hired BoSox assistant General Manager Jed Hoyer as their GM. In an effort to fill the void left by Hoyer's departure, Boston has extended offers to former Padres GM Kevin Towers and ex-Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi. Earlier this month Towers said that he wasn't sure if he'd want to be an office where he wasn't the GM.
- Multiple teams are in pursuit of troubled Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley. The 31-year-old is owed $21MM over the final two years of his contract.
- After months of speculation, 18-year-old lefty Yusei Kikuchi announced that he would sign with a team in Japan's Nippon Baseball League rather than make the jump to the United States. Eight MLB teams met with the highly-regarded prospect but ultimately the youngster felt that he was better off staying at home.
- Ben Sheets plans to pitch in 2010 and could end up returning to the Brewers. Based on GM Theo Epstein's comments, it appears that the Red Sox will also have interest in the 31-year-old.
- Having missed most of 2009 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Tim Hudson's 2010 was in limbo as the Braves held a $12MM option on his contract. Rather than pick up the option, the Braves may ink Hudson to a multi-year extension as they have begun talks with the pitcher and his agent.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith kicked off the "Trades of the Decade" series by taking a look at the swaps that landed Dan Haren in Oakland and Erik Bedard in Seattle. There are more to come but you won't see these deals featured as they just missed the cut. With deals of that magnitude on the cutting room floor, this is going to be an exciting series.
- Tim Dierkes brings us a look ahead at the Tampa Bay Rays offseason.