YFSF

Yank-ing Their Chain

Hmmm.

Mark Teixeira sat down with his wife on Dec. 12 to have dinner ... And finally, she said, `I want you to be a Yankee.' So that's when it was done. And once we got the contract figured out, it was a no-brainer." ...

The timing of his decision might be news to the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, who also sought to sign Teixeira. He met with Red Sox officials on Dec. 18.

"When everyone's kind of around the same contract, there was no rush for me to make a decision," he said. ...

On Dec. 22, Cashman called Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, and the following day made a $160 million, eight-year proposal. Cashman thought until 11 a.m. on Dec. 23 that Boston was the favorite, then told co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner after hearing Boras' questions that the Yankees were the "lead dog." By 1:30 p.m., he had a deal.

Boras said the Red Sox had no cause to complain.

"I think Boston knows that they got good-faith proposals and they were given proposals, which means if accepted, the player would have signed the proposal," he said. "If teams reject them, they cannot in any way suggest that they were strung along."

Unless, of course, Boras invites the Red Sox to Texas under the pretense of making a deal, then gives them an offer he knows they won't accept six days after Teixeira has already made his decision.

Boy, that new Yankee sure gets more and more likable every day, doesn't he?

The Answer

In the ongoing Battle for Supremacy between the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox, Boston has answered the Yankees' Mark Teixeira swoop-in and Kevin Cash steal with a theft of their own.

Nick Green, welcome to Boston.

Brian Cashman, you've just been served.

Diehards at the Fens

This is a picture my mom recently found, of Fred Lynn (as if any Sox fan of the past 40 years needs that pointed out!), my childhood friend Amy S., and me, at the Fens.  It hung on my wall, above my bed, for the bulk of my junior high school, high school, and college years and was mothballed when my parents re-did my room after I moved out, with my Sox and Bruins pennants and most other sports paraphernalia banished to the attic. Luckily this one survived.

For a few years running we were able to get down on the field via the Sox' press secretary, a friend of my grandfather's, and get a picture snapped.   In 1974 at the age of 5 I got a moment with Yaz (Mom needs to start digging to find that one, though I know it still exists!), in 1980 it was Freddie during his last year with the Sox.   Lynn was, with Pudge Fisk, in my top two, though a pretty distant second.

Sartorially the Sox uniform still does the trick, quite obviously.  Amy wisely chose an outfit that easily stands the test of time, conservative and mature.  But what the hell was up with my choice of a wide-banded white-collared navy blue cardigan?  Fenway security should have turned me away -- for the Yankee colors alone.

What Does Amalie Know?

The Red Sox will count on nothing of the sort. Instead, with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Daisuke Matsuzaka ahead of him in the rotation and Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden getting ready behind him, the Sox will not be relying on Penny. They will, though, take what they can get, especially if that resembles at all the Penny of 2006 and 2007 rather than 2008.

Tim Wakefield's name is conspicuously absent from today's story on Brad Penny by Amalie Benjamin.  Is this just an oversight?

Beltran to the Sox? Joel Sherman Thinks So

This morning on his blog Joel Sherman puts on his GM hat and presents a trade idea that he thinks could help the Red Sox.  As he states in his article "This is not something I am actually reporting as a fact. IT IS NOT BEING DISCUSSED. I am merely throwing this out there to stimulate some debate and to get everyone to play GM for a while."  His idea: "Beltran to Boston for Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jacoby Ellsbury."  While I understand his core thinking, the trade that he proposes makes little sense if you are the Red Sox.  Sherman thinks this is a good idea for the Sox "Because Beltran has much in common with Teixeira. He is a switch-hitter with power and patience from both sides, and is an excellent defender. Beltran is three years older, but his contract term is five years shorter than would have been necessary for Teixeira, plus he provides speed that Teixeira would not."  Sure the Red Sox could probably use another middle of the order guy like Beltran, but at what cost?  The Red Sox strength going into 2009 is their pitching staff.  Beckett, Lester, Daisuke is as formidable a "Big Three" as there is in the game.  By pulling off this proposed trade they are weakening a strength, adding to the payroll and getting older just so they could add some middle of the order punch.  Why not sign Adam Dunn?  There has been little to no interest in Dunn, he's two years younger than Beltran and the Sox would get to keep their staff strong, stay young and keep their payroll reasonable.  Another option is Milton Bradley, sure he's a head case, but he can hit.  He too would come fairly cheap.  The second part of Sherman's plan would have the Red Sox sign Derek Lowe to replace Daisuke.  Derek Lowe will be 36 in June and posted an ERA of almost half a run higher in the weak hitting NL West.   

Friendly Advice from a Yanks Fan

It appears the Red Sox have just begun their off-season. Yes, they were one of the first teams to make a move when Epstein traded Coco for Ramon. But a lot of time passed between this move and their next. During this hiatus, the Sox swung and missed at Teixeira (aka "Plan A") and watched as the Yanks spent gazillions, thereby rebranding the Bombers as the team to hate (and this is different from before how?) and the team to beat (but not really). The Sox signed Brad Penny to what appears to be a low-risk high-upside deal. This in itself is not enough. It's simply not enough. Just think for a second. The Yanks added freaking CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, AJ Burnett and Nick Swisher (Nick Friggin' Swisher!) and the Sox counter by adding Brad Penny?! Red Sox Nation, sit down for a minute and internalize that. Stop what you're doing. Breathe. Now is a time for you to act. Theo and John Henry have spent but a penny of all the money you have given them in ticket purchases and costs of Nation membership. They have so much more money to spend. Shouldn't they actually spend it?!

Here's what I want you to do. Take out a pen and a blank piece of paper. At the top of it, put the words "Red Sox Nation's Wishlist for the 2008-2009 off-season. Make it Happen!"

Now take down these names and the arguments in their favor. You will mail this list to Red Sox headquarters to Theo Epstein's attention.

CNN/SI: Boston Wanted Ramirez Back

...

Ok, not that Ramirez. The other one. Still don't remember? Jon Heyman and Tom Verducci relay this fun rumor:

The Red Sox made a play to re-acquire Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez  after losing out to the rival Yankees for star free agent Mark Teixeira, league sources tell SI.com. But while the Marlins listened to Boston's overtures, Florida isn't anxious to trade its best player, and talks apparently have been aborted after no agreement could be reached.

The Marlins were said to be most interested in a center fielder, and discussions apparently centered on Boston's promising youngster Jacoby Ellsbury, talented pitching prospect Clay Buchholz and others in a package for Ramirez, who began in Boston's organization.

I'm telling you. Let bygones be bygones. The Sox want to upgrade their offense. Why else go for a no defense/all-offense star like Hanley and be willing to give up so much talent? There's another guy who fits that description and his price tage is falling. Make it happen. Hug it out.

Penny Wise...

Reports indicate the Sox will sign Brad Penny to a 1-year deal. The big righthander had shoulder problems and lousy numbers in abbreviated work last season, after two solid campaigns for the Dodgers. By my quick count, this is player number 7 from the 2003 Marlins World Series championship team drafted into The Rivalry. Results have been mixed, to say the least. 

A Little Something for the Sox Fan in Your Life

Still hunting for that last minute gift for a Sox fan on your list?How about the whole team, and a regional sports network thrown in for good measure? There are 11 days left to Christmas, and the New York Times is looking to move its 17.5 percent stake in the controlling New England Sports Ventures, originally purchased for $75 million. It's a sad sign for the paper of record. Worse still: Is there anyone outside of Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia who can afford to bid?

The Morning After

Ok, what is it Sox fans?