ORS

I think they finish this year with Manny, and they should. In the last few days we've seen how much of an impact having the Dominican Duo can have on the offense, and this is without them both going bonkers with the long ball, which can and will happen. Manny is auditioning for a new contract right now. He knows his option isn't getting picked up, and he knows there are questions about his professionalism at this point. I think the chances he pulls something immature and tanks on his team are slim. He's got his last big contract, one that he wants (why else would he be so upset about the options), to consider. For next year, it may be worth it to give Brandon Moss a look as an everyday outfielder. He's hit well in his time with the big club this year with limited regular playing time. He's looking like he has legit 25 HR power, and he'll play much better defense in LF (or RF with Drew upgrading LF). The downside is he will make the middle of the order very LH, but with some creative lineup construction and Youk coming into his own in terms of power, they may be able to mix it up some. Try that to start the year. If it's not working out, look to pick up Holliday at the deadline, because Colorado will be looking to maximize return as he approaches his FA offseason. That, or beat the Yankee offer to sign Dunn.

Reports are the wrist is still bothering him. Might be spin, might be true. But, he's never been this bad anywhere he's played before, so I'm inclined to think he still has some lingering issues with it to work through.

Looked low.

He did a good Mussina impression tonight.

This team blows against good baseball teams right now. They've won 4 of their last 12 against good teams (TB, MIN, LA, NY) with the only wins coming against the weakest of the bunch and Sidney Ponson. They'll probably make the postseason, but I don't like their chances this year.

Umm, foul?

4 and 6 for 6. Hunter too. He kills us.

Clustering. Five hits on the game, 3 this inning. And, what the f*** is up that chihuahua Izturis. The guy is a flaming bag of suck, but he's all world against this team.

Keg with legs, Matt Stairs, takes Shields deep. 2-1 Jays.

Next time, do something big for your team.

OBJD Do something big, young Jed.

Laser for 2.

Wall ball double!

Weaver got an extra 5" on the outside corner for the called strike 3. EDIT: This was for Manny's AB. The called 3rd to Jed was a strike.

Is Moose's internal clock in the central time zone and he thinks it's time for batting practice?

Kevy Kev! Millar isn't fooled by the soft serve. 3-0.

Or, as I mentioned earlier, it's possible that Boston still held Drew in high regard, knew his agent would get him to use the option, and punted until the offseason. There is a plausible reason why the Red Sox would stay out of the deal with Philly.

Was it collusion when they got Abreu? I don't think it was. The clear motivation there was salary relief. I do find it curious that the lone projectable player Philly received, a first round draft pick in 2005, was released one year later by Philly. He didn't even require protection on the 40 man roster, as it was after only his 2nd pro season. Guess who signed him to minor league contract? That part is kind of fishy. What that has to do with the Pirates trade is a mystery to me. Is your point that a previous trade looked to be more on the up and up, so therefore this one must be too? What a complete non sequitor. Come on, you have to be able to do better than that. Told you you'd step on your junk.

Please help me out here. What is Seibu's motivation for kicking back funds to Matsuzaka, if and only if Drew gets signed for more money than an arbitrary figure you think is fair? I can understand why a kickback would be in their interest. They get nothing if Matsuzaka doesn't sign with the Sox, but then again neither does Matsuzaka. I don't get why Seibu gives two turds about Drew's contract and it would be a condition for them protecting their interest?

Well said, and I'll add on. The players are the stars. They are who we pay and tune in to see. Yet, I invariably get the sense that the other humans involved fall victim to their human nature and want to be part of the show. You see it all the time, like it's scripted. The bases are loaded with 2 outs for the home team pitcher. The game is close and late. The fans are on their feet and making noise. A pitch comes in, it's not really a strike, it's like a borderline call just to get it to borderline, but the monkey with the gray pants, black shirt and mask on can't contain himself. He launches into his patented third called strike schtick a la Lt Frank Dreben (aka Enrico Palazzo). Happens all the time. I have no problem removing that part of the "show".

It certainly isn't, but a tampering case has a tough obstacle to overcome in the person of Scott Boras. Particularly when that person went into his negotiations with the Dodgers knowing full well that the Red Sox, the #2 spending team in the league, coveted his player but couldn't justify a signing at the time while Trot Nixon was still under contract. Is it any wonder that the opt-out clause took effect in the same year Nixon's contract expired? Sure, you could make your case there, but I suspect you'd have a hard time getting around that. Present me with an equally difficult obstacle to a collusion charge, and I'll gladly drop the discussion.