Young has lost a step, perhaps, but he WAS in the "wait for the HR" lineup with Texas and likely didn't get the green light as often. He was pretty valuable to that team in that he filled in at all positions except for 1B. He was especially useful for them when Soriano went down for the year. Nonetheless, he has been more consistent than Lofton, which San Diego nearly got for David Wells at the waiver deadline last year.

Drew would be a good one for SF, as long as he is healthy. That is always a big "if" for him, so i don't know that i take that gamble. At least he would give Barry some MUCH needed protection. He's looking at a contract of at least 5 years, 8-9 million per. I don't know that i give him any more than 2-3 years on a contract though. He was a godsend for the Braves, filling the void left by Sheffield and it was tough to see him go, especially with all the guys the Braves gave up for him. Stupid one year rentals. But, apparently Boras has been up to some crazy shenanigans with Drew and Millwood. Apparently the Braves offered both of them contracts, but Boras wouldn't return any phone calls. Cute. Aside from Andruw, i am looking forward to a "non-Boras" roster.

Jacque wouldn't cost the Braves ANY prospects if he isn't tendered a contract. I'm sure Schuerholz is hoping that it ends of that way, otherwise i doubt he makes a big run at him. Last i heard though was that the Twins didn't plan on paying him the $6 million (potential) that he could be awarded in arbitration. Who knows, though...

In the "WTF" move of the offseason, Mulder was traded to the Cards. Why do that after the Hudson trade? Oh well. Beane has lost it, although he has received some good players from ST Lou. in Danny Haren and Kiko Calero.

Looks like its rebuiling time in Oakland again. Give 'em a year or 2 they'll be back in it. Especially, if they have the pitching arms that those A's fans seem to think they have in the minors.

The Giants definetely need someone to bat behind Bonds, but I don't think they're looking at anyone. I think they're mainly going for a Center Fielder and some relief pitching. Pesonally, if I was a GM iId avoid Boras clients. You usually wind up overpaying. I can't wait for the day when he blows a couple of huge deals and all the top talent goes to other agents.

As far as I know the Twins are still planning on offering him a contract, but Ryan seems to be not really giving much info out. I think he's playing the Jones card to work out another deal or maybe offer him a contract just to trade him away. We'll see, TR isn't going to let him go for nothing, unless he can let him go and use the $$ to sign another player or 2.

Let's face it TR is one of the top GM's in the game. He has next to no cash to work with and still puts together a division winning team. Not to mention the shrewd moves he's worked out in the past couple of years. The AJ trade was pure genius. Hmmm, I wonder how he likes Northern California?

Yeah, TR uses the money wiser than anyone. Baltimore wonders why they can finish higher than third? Stop signing mega-bucks free agents. Did they really think that re-signing Ponson, getting Javy and Miguel, not to mention Palmeiro, would actually get them over that hump? Miguel i could understand as being a cornerstone, but when you have less money than the Twins ($51 million vs Twins $53 million) you need to spread the money in areas of need. Not re-signing BJ Surhoff.

They resigned Palmeiro? Why? Because he was in the HR derby?

Or because he uses Viagra and has that extra "spring" in his step?
If you use Viagra, you're TOO OLD to be a ballplayer.

I was referring to their moves last year. Baltimore had a payroll similar to MN yet they tied up $20 million to 4 players. Actually, that is pretty generous, considering all those players (with the exception of Palmeiro) have contracts that escalate each year.

You'd think Baltimore's GM would have learned from Sabean's mistake on Ponson. I mean they should have been able to sign him for a six pack of shlitz and box of twinkies, and BJ Surhoff??? Let me guess his contract incentive was lifetime supply of Geritol.

Hmmm, let's look into this Viagra use, maybe it's a PED. That's it put a asterik next to all of his stats and ban him from baseball!

No, I'm sorry. Purple is the color of Tinkie Winkie, Barney, The 2nd favorite color of Elton John, and the color of the jumpsuit Freddie Murcury was frequently seen in.

Gay, gay, gay, gay. period. Purple is a gay color.

oh, and I'm with you on the whole packers colors comment tho, ack. green and yellow, the 2 colors of rot and mold.

That may be another reason I like the raiders. my 2 favorite colors. silver and black.

I'm waiting for Glen to have a conniption about the Freddy Mercury comment.

BTW Big U. it's pretty gay that you know the name and color of a Teletubby. Are you hiding something?

Ryan, it appears you dreams of having Jacque Jones in ATL have been dashed. He signed a 1-year deal with the Twins yesterday. Also, I believe I predicted this a few pages back, the Giants did NOT tender a contract to useless utility infielder Cody Ransom.

Yeah, and the Dodgers stopped the Big U from bording that train to Overpaid Celebrityville. (i.e. new york yankees)

And there are 2 reasons I know that teletubby's name. 1. I have 2 kids, age 4 and 8. 2. Remember a few years back when Jerry Fallwell (PIG!) Was trying to get Teletubbys yanked from the air because Tinky Winky had the upside down triangle on his head (gay symbol) was purple (gay color) and carried a purse (gay action)?

oh, and one more thing. The ribbon for gay rights is PURPLE.

My dreams of Jacque? LOL! I don't think i ever said i would approve of the move, but that it was just a likely maneuver. Hell, the Braves don't need to Jones' that put up similar numbers. (.250ish average, a ton of Ks)

I can't say I'm suprised the Dodgers stopped the trade, it would have killed their team. Not that I would have been upset in the slightest. I am, however, somewhat glad that Johnson isn't going to NY. The Yankees don't have much of a pitching staff right now. I am sure Steinbrenner will overpay someone to fill out the starting roles. I wonder if Steinbrenner has taken out a hit on DePodesta yet?

Big U: I do vaguely remember something about Falwell and the teletubbies, but when a self righteous idiotic blowhard such as Falwell opens his mouth I don't pay a lot of attention. As far as the kids go, well you have my condolences.

Malmstrom: Oh come on you know you wanted 2 Jones's that can't lay off anything.

I still wouldn't rule out Johnson going to NY. They have worked to hard to let that deal fall through completely, even if the teams in between change now that LA is out of it. Their rotation CAN be very good, but health is gonna be a real concern. Fluke seasons also can be brought into the equation. Look at this:

Johnson- he'll be his typical self if he avoids injuries that can be a part of being on the wrong side of 40
Mussina- coming off injury
Pavano- 1 good year? Please...
Brown- always an injury risk
Wright- fluke season. Wright = Jeff Weaver Implosion

IF they all go out and prove that they are healthy and consistent/dominant, they'll have a good rotation. If not. Ha-ha!

I'd rather have Jacque Costeau play RF or LF, thank you.

I dunno man, the rotation looks real weak without Randy, and looks just ok with him.

Johnson is Johnson and will have a stellar year as long as he's healthy.
Mussina's has been wishy washy and doesn't make for a solid #1
Pavano-Can't agree with you more, Flash in the pan comes to mind.
Brown-Not too reliable, not a bad #4 or #5 starter but wouldn't want him any higher in the rotation than that.
Wright - Again flash in the pan

This rotation has mediocre written all over it. If the Yankees don't get another starter they're screwed. They'll still make the playoff, but i don't see them making it past round 1 with this staff.

I still think Jacque Jones is midseason tradebait. I don't see him finishing the season with the Twins.

So, it appears that the Johnson deal it almost done, and that the Yankees are in the lead in the Beltran race. If both happen their payroll woud be over $220 million. 5 players over the next 2 seasons would earn over $200 million. Not to mention the yankees combined luxury tax & revenue sharing was $86 mill last season that's higer than the payroll from 22 teams. So combine this sesons payroll with the taxs from last season that's over $300 mill payed out by the end of next season.

So what kind of team do you get for $300 mill.

Here's your batting order:
SS Derek Jeter: Has a career .315 batting average.
CF Carlos Beltran: Scored a career-best 121 runs in '04.
3B Alex Rodriguez: At the age of 29, has 381 career home runs.
RF Gary Sheffield: Led the Yanks with 121 RBI in '04.
LF Hideki Matsui: Was second on the team with 174 hits last season.
DH Bernie Williams: Had a .360 on-base percentage in '04.
1B Jason Giambi/Tino Martinez: Could be in a battle for playing time in spring training.
C Jorge Posada: Has hit 20 or more homers and driven in 80 or more runs for five straight seasons.
2B Tony Womack: Had a career-best .349 OBP in '04 for the Cardinals..
(that's the scariest batting order in my lifetime)

A rotation of: Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright & Kevin Brown. (a total combined age of just over 175)

A bullpen with: Mike Stanton, Tanyon Sturze, Paul Qunatrill, Tom Gordon & Mariano Rivera. (still the weakest part of the roster)

Jesus, this just seems wrong on soooooooo many levels.