a700hitter

Don't assume that the guy is dumb because he comes from Louisiana. People made the same unfair assumption about Terry Bradshaw. Papelbon doesn't come from an uneducated family. Quite the opposite.

Under your theory, I guess the Red Sox must have read paps mind and concluded that he wasn't coming back and that's why they never made an attempt to contact him. Certainly Pap would not tell them that he wasn't coming back. That would not be smart from a negotiations standpoint. Even if he had no intentions of signing with the Sox, he would never tell them, because he would use them to help his market value. The yanks and Sox have been played in this manner by numerous agents. BC was quoted in the paper more or less telling him to take an offer if he got it. It doesn't sound like they had any interest in keeping him. Papelbon didn't have to read any minds. Their actions (or inaction) spoke volumes.

If we sign Madson for a large contract, in order to pat ourselves on the back we would also have to assume that the Phillies are stupid. They are not.

Maybe the Sox can pry Sean Marshall from the Cubs as the compensation for Theo.

I think that's right.

If he had the surgery in June, I don't think he'll be able to give us anything meaningful in 2012. Maybe he'll get a few innings in September.

Your theory is that he hated Boston... that he had such a burning love for the city of love, Philadelphia? It's not like Philly is so much more convenient for him to visit his home town. What is your theory on his burning desire to get out of Boston? If he hated the manager, he's gone. If he hated the GM, he's gone. The theory that he just wanted out makes no sense to me. What makes sense is that Boston didn't want to pay him the long term contract and they made it known to him early on. There is not one press report that they attempted to contact Papelbon or his agent about his future with the team. If they had any interest, they would have picked up the phone just to keep the lines of communication open.

When did Dice K have the surgery?

Do the Cubs still have Marmol as their closer? They could be in the market for Madson. They have the money. Theo has been spending money in recent years like a drunk sailor on shore leave.

The Mets are strapped for cash, but they need a closer. Parnell doesn't have what it takes.

It seems that the relievers are getting a premium price this offseason. Look at the 3 year contract with an option and he is already 34 years old. Earth to Ben, there are no bargains. There are long shots, but they carry a high risk of failure. Good pitchers on the open market don't decide to take a lot less than they are worth. They have agents who know their value.

Madson and Papelbon might be pitching in the same league in 2012, but they are not in the same class. 4/44 for Madson would be a ridiculous contract.

Camden Yards is a great place to see a Sox game. While in Baltimore, vist Mo's Crabhouse in Little Italy and take in the sights on East Baltimore street if you like some seedy fun and you are not a wuss.

You are hurtful young lady.

Maybe KMart will run a Blue Light special on closers. They missed the black friday deals on closers. I heard that the Dollar Store gets some irregular closers. They are just as good as regular closers, but with tiny imperfections. Sometimes they only have 9 fingers or 1 eye. It's no big difference. It looks like the Sox FO is going to have a tough time rebuilding the bullpen. If they are scouring the league looking for bargains, it seems to me that they didn't have a very well thought out plan. A good plan would target certain guys and you pursue them. This seems like they are waiting until everyone leaves the dance hoping that there is still a pretty girl left-- with low self esteem. It doesn't happen.

Giving a huge payday to Madson after letting Papelbon walk would be colossally stupid.

After 2009, we hoped that he would redeem himself, and the same story after 2010. Here we are again hoping for him to make a comeback-- this time from TJ surgery. Hopefully, the FO isn't planning on getting any contribution from Dice K, because I doubt that he will be useful if he pitches at all.

Isn't it funny how you can remember exactly what a card looks like that you haven't seen in decades. I had a collection from my childhood '65-71. It stayed in boxes in my parents house until 1982. I was at some outdoor flee market with my wife and there was a memorabilia stand. I bought a book on baseball cards. I started thumbing through the book. At the beginning of each year or series they had a picture of one of the cards. I spotted this Roberto Clemente 3D card. It was part of a limited edition of 13 or so cards. They were inserts in regular packs --I think with the 1969 set. Anyway, when i saw the picture of the card, I had remembered having it as a kid. I checked the price column. In mint condition, it was $500. I ran to my parents home barely said hello. I asked my mom if she had touched any of the stuff that I had left in the closet in my room and ran upstairs. I found the Clemente card and two others -- one being a Willie Davis. They were worth face value $1,000. I was a Law student at the time and $1,000 would come in handy. It was before the days of the internet so it was hard to find a dealer to get a good price. I got $300 for the 4 cards. It's funny how the pictures on old cards are burned into my memory after all these years.

When Wakefield and Tek are battery mates, they have to pump up the music to drown out the noise of their creaking joints.