Fetish for M

By the way, did you ever notice….

M – Martinez

M – Manoguayabo (the town in the DR where he was born)

M – Montreal (won his first Cy Young there)

M – Money

M – Millions

M – Minaya

M – Mets

M – MRI

M – Midgets

M – Mangos

Someone named Pedro has a ‘Fetish for M’

More thoughts on Pedro

This article by Jason Stark is a must read…..Pedro was a weasel in this negotiation….what BS.

This Stark revelation about the torn labrum is nothing new. I remember quite well watching one of the talking heads during the winter meetings last season, cavalierly mention that Pedro had just pitched the 2003 season with a severely torn labrum and that everyone in baseball knew it. So he has now pitched 2 seasons with this injury. Do you think Omar can call up Dr. Morgan and get a copy of the MRI?

Pedro went for the money. Good bye and good riddance. Give Theo $50 million and lets see what he can do with it. And to save John Henry a little money, maybe I recommend sending Pedro his World Series ring COD to Shea.

Curt Schilling is on Dennis and Callahan on WEEI right now….he just said that AJ Burnett has the best arm in the bigs! That is news to me. He is disappointed in Carl Pavano. Thinks Theo will put together a great rotation to defend the World Championship. Really likes Matt Mantei. Mantei and Timlin and Embree through the 7th and 8th to Foulke = Game over!

Schilling on his rehab…he doesn’t think that he will be able to start on Opening Day. Won’t be able to throw for another month at least. Ouch! That news really ruins a Tuesday.

Adios Pedro

So I guess it is about the money…..we’ll send you your ring COD, Pedro!

This is what we are hearing in the Nation right now, Pedro to the Mets. Sox will still need to score a number 2 starter, preferably younger. AJ Burnett is being thrown about….Hudson is probably not possible. This is a big hole right now….I am pretty worried about our favorite nine right now without a #2 starter, a shortstop, and a catcher. This is a tough time. In Theo we trust, right. Need to keep the faith.

Monday Musings

I am so confused….no shortstop yet. Who is it? Renteria, Cabrera, Lugo. I have no idea. Please sign somebody, I am going crazy with all the Kerry-esque flip-flopping!

Come on Pedro. Make a freakin’ decision.

The latest weird rumor I head: Manny to the Mets for Cliff Floyd so the Sox could sign Renteria and Delgado. Delgado? That is really wacky.

I am a big fan of the Roberts PLUS Kim for Vasquez and Payton trade with Theo’s old mentor Kevin Towers and the Padres. If Theo could get rid of Kim, that would be colossal.

And to top of the weekend…..

A pic of yours truly and the World Champion Trophy from Christmas at Fenway 2004! 

Saturday Spinning

My head is spinning…Theo and the Winter Meetings are moving to fast for me…. let’s recap and analyze.

• Pavano is off to the NYH, hopefully he’ll be as good as Vasquez was last year.
• David Wells is coming…I guess I can be wrong every once and a while. If the two-year, $8 million deal with $10 million in incentives is too be believed, I kind of like this deal.
• John Halama…that is a waste of time and money.
• Renteria!!! Not too shabby. Thanks for your time OC.
• Pedro and Varitek by the end of the weekend. WOW!

By Monday morning, hopefully the world will stop spinning and we can put a total on this spending spreee.

WWTD – What Will Theo Do? (12/9/04)

A Pre-Winter Meetings “What Will Theo Do?”

Unfortunately, it appears that Brad Radke is no longer an option for St. Theo (See story). That makes the Pavano sweepstakes all the more important to get that #2/#3 guy (depending on Pedro). I was reviewing Bill James’ 2005 Handbook, admiring Schilling and Pedro’s 2004 seasons, finding their names among the top 10 in so many AL pitching categories, some categories that I had never heard before, but I happened to notice that Radke’s name was also all over the leader’s pages. A lot….maybe not like Schilling’s or Santana’s, but he was very good and has been very good and reliable and consistent for the Twins. It would have been nice to add him to the rotation, and $18 million for two years is a reasonable price.

The past couple of days have been busy, offering arbitration to nine guys and getting reliever Matt Mantei on board. Adding Mantei, and offering arbitration to LHP Mike Myers, really gives us a look at how the bullpen will look. With 6 spots out there in the pen, you’ll have Foulke, Timlin, Embree, Mantei, Myers and a long reliever. With Foulke’s ability to pitch multiple innings, I fell pretty comfortable with this bunch. Hopefully, Mantei can stay healthy.

As for the rest of the baggage that Theo carries with him to Anaheim this weekend….

• it is looking more and more like Pedro will be back in the fold.
• with Lieber, Leiter, and Radke all signed, attention will shift to Pavano. A lefty starter would be useful as well…..don’t count on it being David Wells, as rumored. He hates Fenway.
• all talks with Billy Beane will heat up over the Big Three. Most likely Hudson and Zito are on the block. I just don’t think the Sox are willing to give up enough to grab one of these guys, but if Pavano goes somewhere else, the talks will heat up.
• Varitek and the Sox are getting closer….I don’t expect this to go to arbitration.
• One of the first baseman (Doug or Kevin) and Dave Roberts could be trade bait for either a utility shortstop type, middle reliever, or a cheaper outfield reserve. Roberts can start on a lot of teams, so there might be some interest.
• I don’t expect Theo to sign Glaus anytime soon….if he does, it will signal that Varitek is gone.
• Theo still has about $30-$35 million in the budget for 2005, but that goes away quickly if you sign Pedro ($12m), Tek (around $10m), and Pavano ($8m). Especially since he still needs a shortstop. This makes any dealing for Hudson and Zito less likely, as Theo would need to move a salary (Mientkiewicz, Millar, or Mueller) to make this work out and stay in the budget. I don’t really see that happening either. These are not need areas for the A’s. Maybe they get a third team involved….who knows?

Theo…have fun in Anaheim! Remember to bring John Henry’s checkbook.