FREE AGENCY: LET THE BIDDING BEGIN

OK- SO, free agency is in full swing and all of baseball’s royalty is now in Las Vegas at the opulent Bellagio Hotel and Casino thumbing their collective noses at the financial difficulties of the country. Players, agents and the collective brass from all teams have arrived and are looking for that perfect gift to bring to home just in time for Christmas– "just in time for the holidays" as the ads usually read.... The lobby of the Bellagio is a buzzing hotbed of media, agents, led by the avenging agent of them all: Ebeneezer Boras. All involved are in sin city to buy/sell players to get maximum dollars and fill team needs. Boras and other agents will gather all their information and mis-information about their players and author novels listing the reasons why each client and his abilities will make the perfect fit for your team and the next coming of Sandy Koufax or TY Cobb.
As we all know, thus far the rush to shop seems to have been a little slow in getting underway. Why is that, do you think?

The economy has been cited as a major factor. Teams seem to be more willing to light their Christmas trees on fire than to throw 8 year contracts worth in excess of $100 million at any players.

Collusion? Puh- lease! I have three words for you: Manny Freaking Ramirez. If you remember it was Mr. Ramirez along with Ebenezer Boras who conspired and orchestrated their way out of Boston this past season. Manny earlier in the year assaulted a 64 year old traveling secretary- for which he later apologized - how magnanimous! Then, during a crucial series against the Yankees could not play on the Friday night of a weekend series. Only some behind the scenes arm twisting by Sox management got Manny on the field for the ensuing games. More carefully orchestrated shenanigans, with Boras as the master Pupetteer, finally got Manny out of Boston ( and Boras free to negotiate and cash in at season’s end) Remember- Boras would have gotten zilch had Manny’s options been picked up because he ( Boras) was not the agent who signed Ramirez to the Sox 8 years ago. Once traded to "Mannywood" Ramirez’ knees miraculously heeled and one would see him go first to third on a single and steal bases, and hit over 400!
So – I say– if a player and his agent can conspire to get what is financially beneficial to them then let the teams do the same thing for their financial motivation.

Many speculate that once the first domino falls then the others will soon follow. And, speaking of the first domino that leads us to C.C. Sabathia and "The Evil Empire" known as the New York Yankees.

Rumor has it the Yankees are in Vegas to buy a pitching staff to compete in the powerhouse AL East. They have had a $140 million contract on the table for C.C. Sabathia for the past month. Hey Yankee fans, wouldn’t he look good on Christmas morning under the tree?- just hope he doesn’t hang around for dinner. Imagine that– you’ll be the first and only kid on the block with a CC under your Tree!

The Yanks are also said to be very interested in Derek Lowe AJ Burnett and Ben Sheets.
Whatever happened to the "kids" Ian Kennedey and the next Roger Clemens: Phil Hughes. With Brian Cashman at the wheel Yankke fans are in for a real wild ride.

Can anyone say "Carl Pavano" , "Jose Contreras", or Javy Vazquez"- just the mention of those names causes Yankee fans to curl up into the fetal position . Let’s not even mention Jeff Weaver, who the Yankees traded for the immortal Kevin Brown.

Seems Cashman is at it again in Vegas at the tables and willing to gamble BIG TIME.
Now not to bum any one out but lest we think a team can buy a pitching staff let’s take a look at some of the most recent Free Agent signings- you be the judge.
Last year Carlos Silva- never to be confused with Bob Gibson- signed a 4 year 48 million dollar deal with the Mariners. At that point in his career Silva had a 55-46 record - not exactly "Koufaxian"
Silva proceeded to produce a 4-15 record with a 6.46 era and lead the M’s to a 61-101 season; the second worst record in baseball. Only the Nationals were more inept. Oh BTW he has 3 years left on his contract Merry Christmas!
In 2006 we saw some real bargains on the FA pitching Market emerge
- Miguel Batista– 3 years for $25 million ( he of the 20-25 recordd and ERA of about 5).
- El Duque- 2years for $12 m ( by the way he did not even pitch for the Mets last year)
- Kei Igawa- 5 years for $20 million + 25 posting fee – A "missing person" report has been filed as to the exact where-abouts of Mr. Igawa. He was hardly seen or heard from since his arrival- only kidding no report was filed but where the heck IS he? Maybe his 2-4 and 6.66 have him in the witness protection program.
– Ted Lilly- 4 years for $40 million Lilly has been, what coulfd be tarmed a "bargain" with a 32-17 record and ERA of about 4.
– Mark Mulder- 2 years for $13 million - He’ pitched in a total of 6 games during the life of his contract- enough said!
– Daisuke Matsuzaka- 6 years for $52 million plus $51 million posting fee (which averages out to a cost of about $17 million per year) 33- 15 3.72 ERA. He’ll drive you crazy by throwing 100 pitches in 5 innings but at least his numbers are good.
– Gil Meche- 5 years for $55 million - remember how we all thought that KC was crazy to give him than money? He has actually pitched fairly well with a 23 -24 record with an ERA of about 4.4 - on a lousy team.
And the whopper of them all..........

– Barry Zito - 7 years $126 million 21-30 with an ERA of about 4.4. Ya think the Giants would like to launch him into McCovey’s bay?

We haven’t even touched the hitters who are out there. You know who they are: Mark Teixeira, Manny "the Dread-locked Dufus- Ramirez, et. al. Be sure to check back later, we may have some opinions to share with you then.

So let the bidding begin in earnest. Hopefully your favorite designated shopper, also known as the GM of your favorite team, finds some real bargains. But beware of the pitcher under the trees with the red bow and bloated ERA. It’ s just like when you buy a new car-shining in the sunlight with that new car smell. After a year or so the luster wears off and that "new car smell" is replaced with a curious stench of fast food french fries, dirty socks and chicken bones and you're left stuck with payments for the next 4 years. That player may look new and shiny now but in a year from now who knows? And remember, unlike the new car there are no 3 year 36,000 mile warranties with players.

-Steve