Pelfrey To Twins, Drew To Red Sox

While R.A. Dickey dawdles over moving to Toronto, we’ll catch up on other things steaming on the hot stove.

For one, former Mets first-round pick Mike Pelfrey signed a one-year, $4M contract with the Minnesota Twins. This comes just days after the Twins sign fellow righthander Kevin Correia to a two-year, $10M deal. I know many Mets fans say “good riddance” to Big Pelf’s move to Minnesota, but with the imminent exit of Dickey, I have to wonder if it might’ve made sense to re-sign Pelfrey.

Yes, Pelfrey’s coming off Tommy John surgery, and though he’s slated to be ready by spring training, one never knows. But one year at $4M isn’t that expensive for someone who eats about 190 innings per year — look at what Joe Blanton just received, for example. The problem, of course, is that we fans could never look at Pelfrey as a back-end innings-eater — to us, he’ll forever be the eternal enigma, and a disappointment. Pelfrey should fit in well in Minnesota.

In other news, the Red Sox have signed shortstop Stephen Drew to a one-year, $9.5M contract. A good move for them, as it allows defensive whiz Jose Iglesias to develop at his own rate. It’s usually better for a kid to push himself into the starting lineup, than be pushed.

Also, a transaction that happened under the radar over the weekend: the Braves signed former Yankees infielder Ramiro Pena. Ho-hum, right? One would think so, but there’s this annoying hint in my subconscious suggesting otherwise. The slick-fielding 27-year-old isn’t much of a hitter, but he can ably play 2B, SS, 3B, and the outfield, and is a “heady” ballplayer with good fundies. In other words, a perfect fit for Atlanta’s organization, as we already does things “the Braves Way.” Why do I get the feeling that the half-dozen extra-base hits he swats next year are going to be game-winners against the Mets?

I think that’s it for the moment. Let me know if I missed anything.