If you read these very slowly, maybe they'll last until Opening Day!
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson has a terrific Q&A up with Nationals President Stan Kasten. Among the topics covered: will Stephen Strasburg make the Opening Day roster (almost certainly not) and early returns on GM Mike Rizzo (positive).
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark provides an entertaining look at just how certain Derek Jeter is to stay with the Yankees, even though his contract is up at the end of the season. Stark quotes one Yankee official as giving Jeter's chances of leaving as "zero", but then amending them to "none and none".
- The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham describes just how well the Billy Wagner trade has worked out for the Red Sox. In short: the 20th and 57th picks in next year's draft belong to them, they got fifteen terrific appearances from Wagner, and all they gave up were a pair of low-level prospects. Abraham also covets Adrian Gonzalez for the Red Sox here.
- Ryan Franklin is considering retirement after the 2011 season, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Mark Buehrle might, too, according to Chicago Breaking Sports.
redsox4120
The Red Sox will be the W.S. Champs if they get Gonzo.
putzoo
Yup, and Barney Fwank will marry Lady Gaga.
BentoBox
Lady Gaga actually wears something decent.
the_show
Ya and I will run naked through the streets if I bang Andy Roddick’s wife
redsox4120
How could you argue that they won’t have the best, most balanced team if Gonzo were obtained? You’re just naive if you think that they won’t be one of the best if not THE best.
Taskmaster75
Oh let’s see. Their division contains the WS winner who has far as I’m concerned improved during the offseason. You are relying on Beltre to bounce back, you lost your main RBI and HR guy, so that accounts for some loss in chemistry.
ReverendBlack
Chemistry? Are your projections also based on Astrology?
Taskmaster75
…Indeed. The stars are aligned for the Yankees to get to the WS. I can see it!
(I see the Cardinals winning obviously :D)
Ricky Bones
Raymond Domenech used tarot cards to pick the line up for his French throughout the 2006 World Cup campaign. Got them all the way to the finals.
Just_MLB
I think u need to redirect those questions to good ol Jeff Wilpon…who only wanted to save the 1 or 2 million dollars he owed Mr. Wagner
icedrake523
The Pirates will win 100 games before Jeter leaves the Yankees.
Guest 1877
I think theres a better chance that the Cardinals trade Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, Matt Holliday, and Chris Carpenter for Oliver Perez than the chances of Derek Jeter leaving the Yankees.
Taskmaster75
Let the Mets rumors begin….:)
Ricky Bones
The Cardinals would also pick up the balance of the contracts.
JohnLucarelli
“The Mets didnt receive any prostects in said deal. Bad move by Omar. Fire him!”
SheShouldBeUpset
I look forward to next year when the report comes out that Boston checked in on FA Derek Jeter. It will be a classic. Boston should offer him 40 mil for 2 years.
tigers22
No way… the guy’s got enough money. I don’t even like the guy, but he seems way too loyal to do that
bomberj11
Yeah, even as a Red Sox fan he is very classy and will stay with the Yankees.
Taskmaster75
That would be probably the most hilarious signing I have ever seen.
alphabet_soup5
It would be epic if Jeter signed with the Red Sox. A-Rod was actually supposed to be traded to the Red Sox for Manny back after the ’03 season, but it got called off.
start_wearing_purple
Jeter signing with the Red Sox would be the equivalent of seeing all 4 horsemen of the apocalypse. Also it should be noted that the potential ARod to the Sox deal also had Lester going to the Rangers.
Aaron 15
The Sox should offer him that deal with like 10 million in incentives. That would be epic. I can just imagine how much coverage Sports Center would give it. People would be outraged.
Triteon
The Cardinals can’t win with a Mitchell Report guy as their closer. Don’t wait until 2011 to retire, get out sooner Franklin.
Taskmaster75
Nah, I’m holding judgement on him. It could very well have been mental as well as physical fatigue at being in a role he isn’t used to all year. Besides, who the hell will replace him?
darthvader87
I hope with the 20th pick (it’s the 20th right?) the Red Sox go for Nick Castellanos. As someone else who put it better than me said. “3rd baseman/shortstop with some good power that should get better as he fills out (6’4″, 185 right now.) He won the UA Home Run Derby in Wrigley with wood bats, and hit 4 doubles in the All-American game part of the event.”
bomberj11
If Strasburg makes the Opening Day roster, Mike Rizzo can add that to a long list of fails.
Ricky Bones
Maybe he’ll do it for the lulz.