ORS

I'd go as high as 170 or so this year. He pitched 148.2 between AA, AAA, MLB last year and 129.2 the year before that. He's a horse, so don't take a step back in the development of his stamina.

The thread title is way off. It lists them as defendants, but that doesn't mean they will be charged with anything. They will be defendants in a civil case, not a criminal one.

David Wells says, "Hi". Pull the wool off your eyes and recognize that you being a Yankee fan doesn't make you full of virtue, it makes you full of s***. EDIT: The you in this case pertains to this jerkwad and this jerkwad alone. It is not a generality meant to be applied to all Yankee fans in here. If, however, you tend to agree with this line of thinking, then it probably applies to you too.

I'm aware of the costs to get Beckett and Marte. ARod's claim that it doesn't make sense to trade Sanchez and Hanley if they are retooling is baseless because of who they acquired in the return deals. They upgraded over both of them. I can understand if you don't like the move, but they are consistent with a team trying to build something down the road.

Nail meet hammer, hammer meet nail. This is spot on. Marte is a definite upgrade over Hanley, and Beckett is a definite upgrade over Sanchez.

For every report I've read about him just wanting to play close to home, I've read one that says George lowballed him to begin with and the final offer that was bigger than Houston's and Boston's came too late. I've read several articles that state the Boss had doubts about his durability. Take away the last second offer, which was probably made to save face, and it is the exact same situation. The Yankees knew a good offer would have to be made to convince him to stay away from home, just like the Sox knew Damon would probably just follow the money. Both dragged their feet, intentionally if you ask me.

This FO is four years old, so try and realize that any discussion of negotiating "tactics" shouldn't extend beyond 2002. The Yawkey's and Dan Duquette are long gone and have no place in the discussion. What happened with Damon is very similar to what happened with Pettitte, so you may want to look at those glass walls surrounding you before you cast that stone next time.

I wouldn't say it backfired because Damon leaving to the Yankees was going to generate a backlash no matter what. Either way they come off as buffoons, or they come off as callous businessmen that will ship a player out of town as soon as they've gotten what they want out of them. Both are unappealing ways to be perceived, but only one will significantly deter future players from wanting play for their team.

I'd hardly call it elaborate. If it suits your take on the matter, I'll change the name and call it a lie. People are ready to march on Yawkey Way now with pitch-forks and torches, and this is with the FO "bungling" the affair in their minds, imagine if they thought this happened intentionally. The backlash was minor for Pedro because he went to the NL NY ball club, make that the AL club, and the honest answer probably doesn't cut it.

Gladly. If drafting has a high level of attrition, as it does, aren't more picks better than less?

I think the "We never got a chance to match" story is just a ruse. They aren't stupid. There is no way a big part of RSN accepts "Johnny doesn't fit in our future plans". Sure they wanted him, but they wanted it to be on the cheap because at big money, he'd be even more of an albatross in 2008/2009 to the Sox than he will be to the Yanks.

I'm going to have to disagree here. Look at the moves made this offseason. They acquire a 25 y/o prototype power pitcher (Beckett) with 4 years MLB experience. In the move they gave up two good prospects, but they replaced one with a top-5, ready to play this year, prospect (Marte), who they got by trading away an overpaid SS (Rent-an-error). Sure they threw a little cash the Braves way to get him out the door, but that money doesn't go toward the Sox cap figure, and it clears money for use in coming years. These moves scream "We are trying to build a 5-7 year run powerhouse, it just won't start in 2006" to me. If that's the goal, letting Damon go makes absolute sense. He's good, but he's not a fit after 2006/2007. Cheaper, younger talent will be able to man the CF/leadoff roles. The veterans on the team at that point should be big bats that play the corners, and Johnny doesn't hit well enough to take a corner spot. So they let him walk and picked up two high draft picks. Good move IMO. Note About the June Draft: The Sox pick 7 times before the Yankees make their 3rd pick.

I've picked with my brain, not my heart, the last two weeks by taking the Cowboys and Giants over the Redskins. 35-7 win last week, now up 35-20 this week. Might as well just pencil me in for an Eagles pick next week.

Tejada's Career Splits Apr/May/June: .273/.332/.456 ----- .788 OPS Jul/Aug/Sept/Oct: .279/..347/.485-- .832 OPS One year does not make a trend.

I agree with you there Pinstripe. The "Idiot" won't fit into the cookie-cutter mold argument is a pretty weak one. Although, if I were a Yankee fan, his lust for camera time might be a cause for concern in a clubhouse where he's the 8th or 9th biggest star. I can easily see him pulling a Millar with his media time, being too honest and saying off the wall things to the detriment of the team in an effort to attract more attention. Although, some limelight off of the bigger names may allow them to focus on the game more. It could go either way, time will tell.

I'd like to echo John's greeting to 700 and say it's good to have another member here that was watching the team before I was born. I would also like to say I think 26/6 deserved whatever tongue lashing he got here. In his little universe the Yankees fans/FO always honor their heroes, while the Sox fans/FO always run them out of town, and despite this not being true, he uses it to look down his nose at Sox fans. Therein lies the problem, his condescention suggests that he thinks being a Yankee fan is more virtuous than being a Sox fan. As long as he displays this kind of attitude here, on a Sox board, then whatever grief he gets from Sox fans are just desserts IMO.

Not likely. Most of Boston's moves thus far have improved the post-2006 team more than the 2006 one, which suggests a forward-looking FO, IMO. Toronto is acting very much like a "win now" team, and those types tend to offer more to get the deal done.

I think you'll be singing a different tune in a few years. The D-Backs are loaded with corner IF and OF prospect talent, and Byrnes just added some middle IF talent into the mix while opening a hole for Chad Tracy. This team will be good in a couple of years.

I found this link over at BB-Fever, it's worth the time. My Sensible Reaction to Johnny Damon Signing with the Yanks

I'm already in good spirits, but thank you for the good tidings. Merry Christmas to you too! http://www.1001cartes.com/perso/images_perso/bebe_noel4.jpg

Internet, print media, tv, radio, tape, digital media, face-to-face, whatever......stupid is stupid.

When you a trying to be a smart-ass, but your attempt at wit fails and you sound like a stupid-ass, then people are going to call you out on it. Get used to it.

Challenge the definition to avoid the topic? Is that the tactic? I think you know very well that "on top" refers to fielding a playoff caliber, legitimate WS contending team in this discussion. I also think you know as well as I do that it is unlikely that the Yankees win 8 straight division titles if there is a salary cap. Just like it is unlikely that the Red Sox win the Series in '04. I have a question for you ATG13, what are you a fan of first, baseball or the Yankees? Please answer honestly.

No s*** sherlock, hence my mocking faux-emoticon that acknowledges it as a joke. It would sure be nice if you actually read my posts, so I wouldn't have to constantly draw attention to the fact that your assertions are complete garbage.

I'm wondering how this even remotely compares to the current situation? Ruth was 24 at the time, not 32. :people that laugh at their own jokes should be sterilized: