BudLight

You've made your points, you are convinced there is a scandal, no one will change your mind. I respect your point of view and your statistical analysis, however slighted it may be. Translations are not necessary and are very comparable to the "personal insults" you have professed to dislike from others. While on the subject, can someone explain to me why Larry Lucchino took a trip to Japan in December 2006 to meet with the Seibu Lions?

"In which year did the latest Yankee dynasty stop holding 1st place in the AL East standings on July 31? 2005. No connection there, right?" I took that statement to imply that the Yankees were no longer a threat to be in first place on/after 31 July, as a result Cashman was making the one-sided deals. The result of those deals has not brought another championship to the Bronx. Deduction: While Cashman was out there "cheating" since 2005 the desired results have not been realized. So, what is the big deal. The Yankees keep spending money, and no hardware to show for it.

ORS - agreed that under the terms of his contract the Sox did not "owe" Manny a decision on their 09 option for him at this point, however, when a team has a talent such as Manny and two WS championships in the last 4 season due in large part to his talents, they could have spoke to him privately and which way they were leaning. What could have happened: if the Sox said they were not picking up the option Manny would have either retreated into his shell or he would have played to the top of his game knowing that he needed to finish strong to get the $$ he would be seeking for next season. On the other hand if the Sox told him they were leaning toward picking up the option, he would have been a happy camper for the rest of the season.

*********WARNING********FOR THOSE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO MAKING FUN OF SOMEONE'S MISFORTUNES IN LIFE, PLEASE SKIP THIS POST************************************* Youk needs to grow a pair - plain and simple. The only guy on the Sox with a pair is Lowell! Now before you all start firing off poor taste comments - read the archives here for all of the Munson and Lidle flying lesson jokes!!

I'm not foolish enough to believe you would drop your discussion, but here's a scenario: Six days before the end of the season, Drew told Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register that he was happy in Los Angeles and had not thought about the opt-out clause. He said he did not plan to use it. “At some point,” he remarked, “you make those commitments and you stick to them.” (sometime in early December 2006) Larry Lucchino, the Red Sox chief executive, went to Japan to meet with Matsuzaka’s team, the Seibu Lions, for the stated purpose of establishing a working agreement between the teams. MLB has read with interest Boras’s view that there is no rule barring the Lions from sharing part of the posting fee with the player, thus making it easier for the Red Sox to sign him for less of their own money. Did Boras and the Sox have an under the table agreement that if the Sox signed Drew at $3M more per year than the Dodgers that he would ensure the Seibu Lions "kicked back" some the the $51.1M to Dice-K, who would then in-turn lower his salary demands with the Sox. What other teams made a salary offer to Drew???? None that I know of.

Okay, still an honorable practice.

Would that be collusion as in - J.D. Drew signs with the Red Sox

Odd they haven't won, yes - they have been the best team on paper, to bad they don't play the game on paper. The Yankees spend freely because they have the $$, but spending like that guarantees nothing, especially when a good portion of that $$ is spent on players' past performance instead of future potential.

C'mon Schill you know you started bitching the first time you donned a Red Sox hat

Maybe because Joba would serve his suspension during his "rest days" and Youk would actually miss some games. The AL East is extremely competitive right now and I don't think the Sox would want to be missing one of their starters for three or more games at this point, not to mention any injuries that could occur as a result of a fight. Besides, Youk would have to deal with not only Joba, but get through 6'2", 215 pounds of Molina first.

The trade may have been inexplicable, but not unheard of: Cubs trade Lou Brock, Jack Spring and Paul Toth to Cardinals for Ernie Broglio, Bobby Shantz and Doug Clemens in 1964 Mets trade Tom Seaver to Reds for Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, Dan Norman, and Pat Zachry. Orioles trade Curt Schilling, Steve Finley and Pete Harnisch to Astros for Glenn Davis in 1991. Phillies trade Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa to Cubs for Ivan DeJesus in 1982. Pedro Martinez was traded to Montreal in a straight-up deal for second baseman De July 31, 1997 – The Seattle Mariners trade pitcher Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek to the Boston Red Sox for closer Heathcliff Slocumblino DeShields. July 21, 1988 – The New York Yankees trade outfielder Jay Buhner and prospects Rich Balabon and Troy Evers to the Seattle Mariners for first baseman Ken Phelps July 30, 2004 – The New York Yankees trade pitcher Jose Contreras and cash to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Esteban Loaiza

If a middle aged, balding, somewhat fat guy living in the Midwest is your fantasy --- you really need some help dude!!

A three way tie for the AL East top spot by the end of the weekend and Moose won't even have to throw a pitch

What a bunch of ungrateful pricks! First we take two from the Rays on 8 and 9 July to help the RSox get within striking distance of first place before the AS break. The Rays go on an extended losing streak and the Sox go into the break in first place - You're Welcome!! The Sox then proceed to hand first place back to the Rays after the break and the White Knights from the Bronx once again step in and help the Sox in their battle with the Twinkies for the WC standings - Again, You're Welcome.

So where does that leave the Mariners??

Moose pitches another strong game today. Hawkins blew again and tried to give it up. Sucks that Girardi had to call on Mo to close it out today. He should still be well rested for the series this weekend.

No complaints recently VA

Losing a switch hitter in that line-up hurts. Having Molina at catcher is a significant improvement defensively, but having him and a combination of Gardner/Christiansen batting 8 and 9 in the order really weakens the team offensively. It's tough to give up two outs every three innings and remain competitive.

If Taylor retires after the 2008 season, as he as stated in the past, then this was a bad deal for the Skins IMO. Miami is rebuilding through the draft and took a big step yesterday in that direction. Taylor was not making many friends among the new regime in Miami and had worn out his welcome. An injury/missed time by Taylor this season puts the Skins back in the same situation, with no apparent backup, but now they will also be a few draft picks lighter.

I was curious because of the comment your made: "And like I said, if it was Sox fans doing that in the same way in the same circumstances, I'd tell those Sox fans they were douche-bags just like I'm telling the current twits. It implied to me that you have never seen unwarranted harsh treatment of yankee players, at Fenway. Nothing derogative towards you, just curiousity on my part.