Signing guys like Russ Branyan hasn't really been their M.O. in Anaheim (err.... Los Angeles?).... although paying Gary Matthews Jr. 9 million plus was a bit stupid (and he isn't the best guy at making contact either). I guess a guy like that is good to have around when he isn't expected to be much more than a piece to the puzzle. Branyan isn't a major league fielder at this point (if ever) and his strikeout numbers are quite high if you want to be using him as a pinch hitter. His defensive value is not there, no matter how many positions he plays. Being bad at OF, 3B, and 1B does not make a guy more valuable. It just makes a guy bad at many positions instead of one.

At this point the M's need a superstar with power. Beltre's power mysteriously disappeared after he got his huge deal, Sexson is gone (thank goodness), and with Raul gone the M's have no power to speak of. Clement has possibilities, but I don't see it happening this year. With no protection in the lineup I think Beltre will be lucky to hit 18-20 homers. Get somebody that can hit the longball and maybe we'll all start to be a bit more positive.