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that sounds more of a speculative trade idea than an actual legit trade proposal. don't get me wrong, it could help both teams tremendously but since atlanta is operating as small market team with a fixed budget (since the team is for sale) i find it hard to believe they are willing to spend that kind of money for both manny and foulke instead of keeping the younger andruw jones who really was their mvp since chipper went on the DL multiple times last season. they would have to be really desperate to think they had no shot to resign him and taking a 20 mil. a year player + foulke is a better alternative.

i don't think they'll get 'steamrolled' on x-mas. they may lose, but i think it'll be a good game. if anything the team is better this year than last year and is alot more competitive when they don't beat themselves. last i checked kobe is entering his prime and shaq is already past his. the heat haven't exactly kept up the pace with detroit this season (yes so shaq was injured and out of the lineup..so what?) and it should be a competitve well fought game that'll probably go back and forth. kobe took over this game after the lakers allowed t-mac to score the game winning lay-up uncontested. he said in multiple interviews he was so angry over that loss that he was going to single-handedly gonna make the next team they play pay for that loss. as far as assists go...big deal, the dude was on fire and feeling it...how many times to players who are on fire keep getting the ball from their teammates. what did you actually expect him to pass up a shot when he was clearly in a zone? c'mon!

the point is his age and obvious wear and tear would have been a concern, but the difference is we didnt become committed to a ridiculously inflated contract. 4yr/40 mil is a fair deal for what he's done and contributed to this city...not necessarily an indication of the production you think you'll see out of him.

HOF please do yourself a favor and take off those rose-colored glasses you obviously have on and see that the money saved on keeping Damon can be better well spent than an aging 32 yo CF with no arm and serious wear and tear. The only reason he didn't go on the DL for an extended period of time was that it was his walk year and he didn't want to negatively affect his value too much. He was definitely an icon in the city and good player, but I'm not going to say great. His power numbers have been on a steady decline and keeping doesn't make sense if the team is making all these moves to compete in the future instead of now. I think I'd rather have a shot at Andruw Jones than keeping an aging Damon. 2nd of all Loretta is more than capable of leading off and if not, I have faith a deal will be made to bring in someone who can. For Christ-sake, quit acting hysterical...last I checked its still December. And at this point I'm not even 100% positive Manny will still be here if an all-star CF/SS become available through a trade.

i think it mentioned in that same article on FSN that Toronto and the Angels are both in the looking to pry Glaus out of Arizona. I heard on the local station today XTRA, apparently the reason the Angels haven't made a move for Manny yet was because they were still in shock they couldn't land Konerko even though they made a better offer than Chicago. Supposedly he had had so far as give Scoscia the impression he was definitely signing here in SoCal. And now they are considering possible making a play for Tejada and might be willing to give up a combination of O-Cab, Santana and Kotchman to get him.

um, not really. its a good short - term fix for the yanks, and an even better long-term one for the sox.

i know it sounds greedy but i'd have preferred sanders to lofton in the OF. not too thrilled with picking up Tomko (great another ex-gnat) but i guess we'll have to see how that works out. he's been pretty s***** lately with the exception of '04.

ok. logically i understand where you're coming from but i have to completely disagree with your assessment why Boras is not the devil. I will admit making him the scapegoat for everything that is wrong with baseball may not be entirely correct. Might as well blame capitalism for making players turn their backs on the fans who spend their hard-earned $$ to see them play a kid's game. But you seem to miss the point that as this is a fan-based board (fan=short for fanatic) and as such, emotion and logic rarely go hand and hand. To alot of the RSN faithful, Damon was more than just a player, his personality, his desire to give it everything he had...the intangibles he brought to the table really transcended his status from just another player/mercenary to a reverred symbol and face of RSN. While people do have the right to change their minds, on his own he uttered the statement he would rebuff attempts from NYY to take more money to switch sides after playing in Boston and winning a championship here. Considering the rich history and rivalry with our nemesis, going back on his word makes him out to be a pariah. As a man, nevermind an athlete and role model, all you have is your word. What does it say about you that you can easily turn your back on those who have given you the opportunity to be the person you are today for the almighty dollar. Secondly, Boras does what he is paid to do...and he does it very well...always at the expense of the fans. Far be it from me to dictate a player's worth...if someone is willing to pay you X-dollars and the check doesn't bounce by all means. But I'd like to remember a time when fans didn't have so much pent up hate/jealously for todays rich and spoiled athletes. How dare you say it is so inconceivable to think a player should take a hometown discount if that player truly wanted to stay where he was loved, and had a chance to be a part of a dynasty? I'm not going to use a hypocritical excuse and say we don't have money, but compared to NY, management needs to be more shrewd in building a winner for years to come and not blowing the entire budget to keep 1 or 2 players. Its a team-first mentality that a player has too look himself in the mirror (Tom Brady anyone??) and decide he'd rather continue being a part of a winner and an organization he's called home for several years at the expense of making every single penny he could possibly earn on the open market. As a baseball fan who has suffered the effects of his previous negotiations with the Dodgers, I don't begrudge Boras from getting his clients the best deal possible. I do absolutely HATE the way he goes about conducting his business and the damage he inflicts on the organizations and total disregard for the fanbase who inevitable end up paying his and his clients salaries.

the thing that sucks about those kind of players is that they tend to be a feast or famine kind of guys that usually have a habit of taking the collar or otherwise unable to come through when you need them to get that clutch hit.

that reminds of those idiots who 5 - 10 games into a new season say, "ya know, if the season ended today, ____ team would:___." a.) be in 1st b.) be in last c.) win the division -sorry just another pet peeve of mine, but i'm sure you get the point. despite the complete facelift done by the FO so far, I find it hard to believe this is lineup we can expect next spring. wishful thinking is one thing, but delusions of grandeur re: our trading prospects is something else completely.

HAHAHAH! thats what we need...a 37 year old has been punch & judy hitter w/no power and last won his gold 5 years ago! if that's the case, Erstad has almost the same numbers with the ability to play both CF & 1B, and is only 31. I understand Snow is a FA and Erstad isn't but I'd rather go after Adrian Gonzalez if Youk isn't going to the chance to play 1B. About the only thing you can see management doing this offseason is making a concerted effort to get younger and retool for the future...something our counterparts in New York aren't familiar with.

i still think boras is the devil here. this puppetmaster has a history of manipulating his clients into not only chasing the money and going to clubs that aren't necessarily the best fit personality-wise, but on top of that, i am starting to think its also much more of an ego trip. i mean s***, most of his clients are either on major-market teams, or he's trying to break the bank just to prove a point and im sure squeeze a little more of a commission for himself. i think he'd die from shock if he ever had a client tell him no thank you, i don't need an extra 12 million, me and my family are perfectly happy and comfortable and dont need to move. and yes, we will take that home-town discount.

ditto. i f***ing cant stand it when the cannons bring his ass on...makes my ears bleed just listening to him. at least plaschke 'tries' to be funny but fails miserable more often than he succeeds. simers is just a bitter douche who is pathetically trying to cash in on his appearances with the cannons and publicize his s***** weekend show with his daughter...ahahahha f***ing loser. :rant:

uhh correction...texas bent over and took it from Boras in Chan Ho's FA year. Yes, we did get screwed by the Dreifort/Brown signings (oh wait ny thanks for bailing us out on that one) but i'd like to think we've learned our lesson dealing with Boras by not signing Weaver to an inflated contract (cough...johnny damon...cough).

dude i seriously couldn't agree more. not that the sox are in a hurry to trade manny but i still think we'll be fine in the end. if nothing else we just saved $40-52 mil. over the next 4 years. you gotta think something else will open up. i doubt this is going to be the lineup we go to spring training with.

ROFL! yeah a Boras client taking a hometown discount...i seem to remember a player who finally had a breakout mvp caliber season in his walk year only to take the money and run...Adrian Beltre anyone? I haven't had a chance to read all the other posts just yet, but I fail to see how this means the Yankees have a spot reserved next year in the WS. As hard as it is for me to admit it, I still think Chicago is deeper and all-around better. I personally thank him for helping us get to the promised land, but at 32 and weak arm, I'm glad the Sox weren't falling over themselves to sign him to a ridiculously long and expensive contract. The Yankees obviously have money to burn, and outside of their rotation/bullpen their only glaring weakness was CF/leadoff hitter. Typical NY goes for short fix instead of thinking long-term.

the more i think about it, while initially thought the fix was in w/texas to draft bush, it does make more sense if they can essentially do what san diego did a couple of years back and package the pick for either mulitple 1st or 2nd round picks + players in order to address their needs. while they have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory more than once this season, they have showed flashes that they can be consistently more competitve with maybe a couple key additions. while san fran could use several players as well to get more talent at key positions, do you really think they'll pass on bush? if anything, having bush might help alex smith's learning curve with less pressure on his shoulders. and if houston trades the pick, who do you think might be desperate enough to think they are 1 player (bush) away from the superbowl? while the raiders might* be willing to take a chance on leinart, i think new orleans takes him (which would definitley suck for him) since it appears aaron brooks' days in new orleans is numbered.

LOL! You'd think Miggy was A-Rod and Jeter in one. He's a great player, but he isn't exactly Babe freakin Ruth!

I wouldn't get too excited about assuming Garland is going to stick around...I heard he was on the trading block even before they aquired Vasquez, and now that they got him, Vasquez will probably inherit Garland's spot in the rotation. As to where he'll go and what they'll get in return...I have no idea... but I can tell you that a rumor of trading for Tejada is just that...speculation likely from enthusiastic local fans/media since other media reports indicate Tejada is ONLY leaving in a nearly one-sided blockbuster deal where the Orioles get 4 - 5 players including top tier prospects, an all-star caliber player and above average every day players. No offense, but Garland's 1 good breakout year does not come close to the body of work of Manny Ramirez's career stats, and yet he's not considered enough for Tejada.

I read on FSN the Orioles are demanding too much for Tejeda in the way of top tier prospects plus all-star/comparable talent...in other words no Manny for Miggy straight up deal.

No offense to NY, but right about now, I'd be extremely shocked if Nomar signs with the Yankees. After having a good meeting with Dodger GM Coletti on Thurs., he decided to bring the wife along to a 2nd meeting Fri. with Dodger owner Frank McCourt. From what the local AM SportsTalk station XTRA reported, he was offered a 1-year, 6 million dollar deal to play 1B/LF with an option for a 2nd year plus a bunch of incentives. Personally I thought he'd end up with the Halos before signing with the Dodgers, but he did grow up in Whittier, CA (near LA) and has a house in Manhattan Beach, CA (again, near LA)...factor that with the opportunity to play for his hometown team and assuming money being equal or comparable with other offers and I think he's staying here. It's been reported that he's soured somewhat on playing on the east coast (given his past with the intense media exposure) and other than LA, I think Houston is the only other serious contender since I believe that is where is wife is from. I wouldn't be surprised if the NY talks were just a way to leverage more interest/$$$...Either way we'll find out soon-

While the Jets can seriously use an effective, healthy QB, the only reason they wouldn't take Leinart is because they are CHEAP! I wouldn't be surprised if they traded down to get multiple picks in the mid to late 1 round and early 2nd round. Sad to say, but i think barring a miracle, Pennington's career as a starter may be over. Its a lock houston will take Bush (after the last minute field goal wide left last weekend - CMON!). David Carr isn't doing that bad a job to make them draft another QB, especially considering he was so ineffective for most of the season since was either on his back or running for his life behind that sieve of an O-line. As far as Houston taking an O-lineman w/1st pick... not in this draft. I agree with Red Seat they will either keep the pick and take Bush or trade down like the Jets in order to secure cheaper picks to address multiple needs. As much as I think Leinart was a great college QB, I don't think he translates into the 1st overall pick - talent wise - so I doubt team like Houston and Green Bay who already drafted young QBs last year will be tempted to waste a pick on him, unless they were gonna draft him and trade him to a team willing to give up players and multiple picks.

OC might not have had the best numbers, but I still prefer him in the clutch over Renteria. But since he's not coming back, I'd sign Graffy and see him compete for the full-time starting job. Like O-Cab when he came for half a season, Graff put up numbers while he was in the lineup.

Look, not to be harsh, but I'll forgive your obvious enthusiasm for our kids and supposed other can't miss prospects by making a completely asinine comment. Which team do you honestly think we have? Last time I checked this is THE BOSTON RED SOX, not the KANSAS CITY ROYALS, since when is it acceptable to ditch proven MLB GOLD GLOVE ALL-STARS for kids? And to answer your question...NO, I wouldn't be thrilled, I'd be disgusted. Somehow Marte, (whatever we'd get for Lowell), Youk, Cora and Pedroia doesn't = Yankee infield or even playoff spot for that matter. Let me qualify my pessimism coming from the Dodger organization, where after supposedly having the best or one of the best, deepest amount of talented kids we still have s*** to show for. I'll believe it after they are productive for at least a year, and not at the expense of going to the WS just to break some kids in.

I agree completely. I don't care that publicly sox management will not move him to another team. This better be the beginning stage of another move because you do not give away Renteria for a PROSPECT. Marte can have all the unreal minor league stats he wants, but so what....that is not a valid indicator of how he'll play at the mlb level. s***, if thats the case, then you're gonna tell me its ok to move Manny for a couple of promising prospects?