rician blast

Apparently it's obvious because he says it is.

I'm for parity, even if it means the Red Sox will have greater competition from teams that are currently not able to contend due to the payroll disparity. Set a ceiling and set a floor, take care of the ancillaries, and may the best run organization win.

Philly had a payroll of approx $100m last year..hardly a small payroll. They also don't have a team within their division outspending them by $80m. As for TB, c'mon..they had a great year...but they've competed for a title exactly once in their history. Small payrolls can compete...once in a great while. However, that ability to contend will not last if they can't retain/pay the players they've developed. The "look at TB" argument is only telling as to how few times a team with a low payroll can contend.

Fenway is a shithole. It's outdated and as Mr Crunchy would say, the seats were built for 1918 sized asses. That said, I'd have no problem pushing the button to blow it up. But who's gonna pay for a new stadium? Boston ain't the Bronx and there's not an abundance of politicians or taxpayers willing to give the Sox the kind of economic blowjob the Yankees receieved.

they'd figure something out. Platoon them between 1b and dh, whatever it took...if they want the guy, they get him...period.

Savard has improved by leaps and bounds defensively. Still sometimes takes a bad hooking penalty and such, but he's a much better two way player than we've seen in the past. I was not a big Chiarelli fan the past year or two, but some of his additions are paying off now...I'd give a lot of the credit to Julien too as he's assembled a system that seems to work...and I'd guess he helps identify players who'll fit that system. For instance, the Ryder signing had quite a few fans chuckling, but I really think he brings more to the table than can be measured by goals and assists.

At what cost? They made a very, very solid offer, and if you read most of what's being written now, the consensus seems to be that teh Sox knew they wouldn't be a factor because Kotexeira was showing little interest in becoming a Red Sock...so should they have paid $190m to trump the Yanks $180m offer? And what if the Yanks came back at $195...do the Sox go to $200m? They set a target...his asking price exceeded that target. They are...and it'll probably be approx. an $80m disadvantage again. There are 17 owners of the Boston Red Sox...some of them want a return on their investment. The FO can not simply go out and pay whatever it costs to attract or retain players. They are not the Yankees. I think this is something Sox fans need to accept and with it understand that the Yankees will continue to try and buy themselves a championship...and that the Sox have to operate differently. And potentially would have impacted whatever plans they have long term.

Great effort by the Bruins last night, they really stuck to the system and won a tight game. Good to see Timmy rebound with a solid performance. Krejci played a nice two-way game and continues to impress.

f***ing Rangers and Lundquist are killing me lately.

I wouldn't count the yankees out either...nor would I consider them done in terms if pitching...I could still see them make a push for Lowe or Sheets.

I'll take Subway or Blimpie over MacDonald's, BK, Wendy's etc. Processed turkey and ham may not be a delight, but the burger places f*** with my stomach big time.

I think they will do something along those lines...maybe at least keep him out a month, then have him start skating again.

Bergeron is out after suffering another concussion. Word is that he'll be out at least a week (which I believe is mandatory in the NHL with a concussion)...my guess is it'll be longer, even if the concussion was mild and he rebounds quickly, based on the previous (severe) injury. It's a shame.

he's asian. foot long=inch long.

Who on here is "Diamond kings"?

ESPN radio had someone on last week (sorry, didn't catch who it was and can't remember who the host was) that said they LOSE money...and also said that the FO doesn't like it to be known that they're losing money. Anyone know if this is true? Do the Yankees run an operating loss? Edit: Per the article below, they did lose $ in 2008. http://www.cnbc.com/id/25677773 Oh, and 2005 and 2006: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2557770 However, apparently they turn a profit once YES operating income is included. YES was jammed down our throats years ago, and as I recall one year my bill went up for one reason and one reason only...carrying cost of YES increased. So they f***ed me then...and apparently are f***ing all of us again to the extent federal funds, a;beit indirect, are being used for the stadium build.

Going up against #1 in our league this week...hopefully the Holiday layoff slows down some of his guys, I'm up against it for sure.

I believe I saw a massive f***ing hold on the long Ward run in OT...I know a lot of s*** goes uncalled in a typical game but this one looked pretty blatant and was costly. Then again...if Carolina gains another 7 yards or so on their drive in regulation, they likely win, but they played it like pansies.

Anyone know if there is a neon choke sign above ARod's locker? Or how about neon green $$$$$$$$ signs all over the fkn place?

He was REALLY bad. Manny was very good. I'm sure the FO is waiting to see how each performs the rest of the year...they're the same age so one will stay one will go...only time will tell who.

I don't believe the B's have much cap room...if any...but next year there are some interesting players who are eligible for FA. Included are: Backstrom - G Gaborik - RW Bouwmeester - D Erik Cole - RW Garon - G Cammalleri - LW And most notably, 3 top Detroit forwards: Franzen, Hossa and Zetterberg My guess is Detroit will retain, at minimum, Franzen and Zetterberg. I think Minny will do whatever they can to keep Backstrom, but I've read Gaborik might be looking at a contract at around $7+m per year, assuming he stays healthy the remainder of the year...I think he's likely trade bait as the trade deadline nears in March. The B's likely don't have the cap space to afford these top guys, although they'll have $4.3m coming off the books from Fernandez alone. To afford a top tier guy in 2009-2010, the B's would need to trade someone and free up cap space. Bergeron would be an option but he isn't worth the approx. $5m per year he's being paid, so not likely to find many takers there. Moving Sturm might be an option...I think he makes around $3.5m. Complicating matters is that the cap is projected to be DECREASED for the 2010-2011 campaign: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2008/12/13/salary_cap_will_likely_take_a_hit_in_2010_11/ Edit: I think they also have Glen Murray coming off the books, so maybe there is more room than I thought...of course Kessel is an RFA next year, so that could cost a few bucks to lock him up.

Agree, he is still playing quite well...in fact in some ways better, as I think he's a more solid 2-way player now. I think the B's still need to look ahead, as he'll be 33 at the time his deal ends...yet likely will still be very productive. So let's say he's looking for another 4 yrs at $5m or so...someone may be willing to pay that, but to do the B's go that route and make him their #1 center in a deal that takes him to age 37? I think they've got to entertain the idea that he may be in a position to bolt for more money/years than the B's are willing to offer and plan for that possibility.

rocco ballsmelly.