Deep Thoughts

It's like an Andy Rooney segment!

• If given the choice between improving their favorite team's pitching staffs or their favorite team's positional player situation, the majority of fans will choose to improve the pitching. It doesn't matter the team's actual needs or present roster construction because it seems that most fans think that pitching is 75% of the game and offense (and defense from a positional player) is 25% (defense being a mere 1% of that 25%). I'm of the opinion that the Yanks should make Mark Teixeira their number one priority over CC Sabathia because of their positional needs now and in the future. That said, I was not shocked to see that most fans disagreed on a NoMaas poll, and by a margin that's even greater than our current presidential race.
• Derek Lowe's four-year, $36 million contract is probably the best contract value-wise signed by a pitcher in the last eight years. It's ironic (probably not the word I'm going for. But for all intensive purposes it does the job, which begs the question "Isn't it ironic, doncha think?" (wink)) that the one he will sign this off-season will be one of the worst contracts over the next four years. Pass. (I should write that the underrated Josh Beckett has a very nice contract as well. I meant Lowe's is the best contract signed on the open market.)
• Jason Bay batted over .400 in the ALDS. He was a .290 hitter with the Pirates. Ergo, Bay didn't start trying until he got to Boston. Jason Bay is a troubled con man. Boston should let him walk after 2009.
• Saw a rumor on WasWatching about a Cano for Beltran deal. Apparently, the Yanks would take on Beltran's contract, pick up the remainder of Cano's, throw in Bruney/Veras and add IPK to the mix. Cashman would then have to massage Minaya every weekday during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Hey, I'm not going to be able to pay for a Yanks ticket anytime soon, so I say go for it! It's someone else's money. One question: Who plays second in Cano's place?
• Do you shop Johnny Damon this off-season to see what you can get in terms of young players? Does he have any remaining value in the trade market? He might since he has one year left on his contract, he can still hit, and he could make the difference for a team that is close. But I'm not sure I know what team fits that description.