Manny, please take notes . . .

Mr. Ramirez,

Please get out a pen and paper and start taking notes. Your fellow Dominican Miguel Tejada has "requested" a trade, but please take note that he has not demanded a trade nor mentioned that he would not show up for spring training if one was not made. Although he is "even more upset now than when he first floated the idea of a trade three weeks ago", Mr. Tejada did state that if he was not traded, he would still "respect the game as I have always done."

Although he had made recent comments that seemed to have put some fans' worries at rest, Mr. Tejada told the Associated Press on Thursday, "Now, I am more upset than when I requested the trade because it's been a month and they haven't done anything." Again, please pay specific attention here, Mr. Ramirez, because his request comes from a desire to win, not from a desire to make $20 million a year and never have to sign a frigging baseball for a fan!

Sir, there are several more opportunities to learn from Mr. Tejada. Although he has expressed frustration with the Orioles lack of major offseason acquisitions, he has carefully clarified that he has no problems with the Orioles recent signings of catcher Ramon Hernandez, first-baseman Jeff Conine, or outfielder Jeromy Burnitz. He simply feels that these moves are not what the club needs to win. He also states that he's "not asking for a team of superstars, [he] only wants a good group that helps [him] to win."

See you in spring training?

There's no crying in baseball

What wonderful timing for me to begin my American League East blog. I have told most of my close friends as well as mentioned in my posts that I was going to try to keep this blog focused on the entire AL East division rather than get hooked into commenting on every move the Sox make, or complaining about certain actions taken by the Boston media. As Beth mentioned in her post of December 13, 2005 (subheading "When you can take the mouse from my hand, little blogger..."), I don't want to be JASB.

Johnny Danmon now plays center field for the New York Yankees. There, I said it! Yesterday, I created an online survey at www.zoomerang.com designed to poke fun at one particular co-worker who has been crushed by this development. Here are the results of that survey:


What's the worst thing about being a Red Sox fan right now?


Much of what I am hearing since the big news, though (from both Red Sox and Yankee fans), is leading me to believe that both factions are unhappy with the switch. Red Sox fans just can't believe he "turned on them." Yankees fans either feel they paid him too much or they still see him as the enemy. I would consider these reactions from both sides as deviating from the norm. Of course, there still are those on both sides reacting in more typical ways . . .

Cheryl has already bought herself a Yankee's hat. Funny, though, I seem to remember she was swearing allegiance to the OTHER New York team around this time last year!

Paul, my Yankee fan co-worker friend, has had this to say since the big move.

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Ya’ll know that I can’t resist!

Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Wiccan Day, Nihilist Day, Atheist Day, Agnostic Day & Felice Navidad!

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/376894p-320176c.html - The New Curse Story

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/376897p-320063c.html - The “He’s the Savior” Story

Pablo – Gloating while I can!

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More damon stuff

And there’s more!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10566007/

Pablo

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Here's my advice to fellow Sox fans for dealing with this difficult development. Up here in New England, we are prone to overreacting. Think back to February 16, 2004 when the Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez to play third base. Talk about feeling slapped in the face!!?? We hated A-Rod (STILL DO!), Commissioner Selig, Sox ownership, and even Rangers ownership. All we did in the wake of the Yankees signing Rodriguez was win the World Series. I'm wondering if I've been in a coma for 85 years, because the state of Red Sox Nation does not seem too different from what it was when we were entrenched in an 86-year World Series drought! So, let it go. Keeping Damon in center field would have been awesome. It sucks that he decided to play for someone else. And it sucks that he decided to play for the Yankees. But:

1. He only did it because they offered the most bucks. (How many of you would give, say, your current employer a "hometown discount?")


2. Now, the Sox know they need to find a centerfielder.


3. There's no crying in baseball. Change is inevitable

What's the worst thing about being a Sox fan right now?

Please take this survey now. Tomorrow I will report out the results.

Thank You Johnny Damon

Let's first deal with the most difficult reality we must face as Red Sox fans. Johnny Damon's career with the Red Sox is over. To continue a tradition started last week when Billy Mueller left for Los Angeles . . .

Thank you Johnny for:

1. A 2004 World Series Championship, the first in New England since 1918, a drought that spanned 86 years.
   
2. A .311 OBP with 4 home runs, 18 runs scored, 8 stolen bases, and 13 RBI in 132 postseason plate appearances spanning six playoff series.


3. 2002 & 2005 All Star selections.


4. Leading off for some of the best Red Sox batting orders ever.


5. Scoring more runs, 461 (344 + 117), than any other player between 2002 and 2005


6. Recording the most hits in an inning (3) of any MLB player on June 27, 2003.

I hope this is the last one of these I have to put together for a while!

Among all the Reasons to be glad you are not a Red Sox fan, here's another . . .

If you haven't had a chance to read The Chief's Dan Shaughnessy Watch (we read him so you don't have to), take some time now to do so. If you are a Red Sox fan, there's a pretty good chance you knew what was coming. If not, please refer back to the title of this posting. In his most recent post, The Chief lists 22 different Dan-isms, quotes from Shaughnessy that either contradict one another outrageously or totally fly in the face of common sense.

"How could anybody miss that butt?" (on Shawn Estes' attempted beaning of Roger Clemens, Boston Globe, June 16, 2002)

In his most recent column, Shaughnessy really has the pulse of Red Sox Nation with some breaking news:
"The betting here is that the Sox won't trade Rami­rez and he'll arrive late in Fort Myers. We'll write a million stories about the disgruntled Manny, and at the end of September he'll have 40 homers and 130 RBIs to go with a .320 batting average."

I wonder how many hits he received on Google when he was trying to figure out what to predict about Manny's behavior and stats next season. I wouldn't exactly classify that search as a googlewhack, people! (There's my plug for googlewacking. It's kinda neat, a decent way to waste a half hour online.)

OK, back to Shaughnessy. I must say, he does bring a newsworthy story to us today. It seems that Manny is not only selling his condo at the Ritz-Carlton, he has also sold a bunch of his Red Sox stuff to a local memorabilia merchant. Here is what the merchant, Phil Castinetti, had to say to Dan about his visit to Manny's condo:

"Anyway, the guy called me and I went to Manny's house and Manny was there. I got the house tour before anybody else and he had stuff everywhere. Game-used jerseys and bats and gloves and cleats and baseballs. What a place. Manny's wife wasn't there. I think she'd already gone to Miami. Manny said he's been approached by a New York collector, but he wanted to keep the stuff around Boston. I asked him if he wanted to leave the Red Sox and he said, 'No, I'm staying right here.'"

Red Sox fans, let's take that for what it's worth!

Who's Playing in the World Baseball Classic?

Since you're all just dying to hear the latest on the World Baseball Classic, I have an update. Below is a list of the participants from the AL East teams with the country they will represent. Most notably, the Yankees have two players that will not participate. Alex Rodriguez, the 2005 AL MVP, will not participate because he cannot decide whether to play for the United States or the Dominican Republic. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the US, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either," said Rodriguez.

The Yankees have also said that they will not allow Jorge Posada to represent Puerto Rico in the event. According to the Star Ledger, teams are allowed to file objections to their players' participation. These objections are then heard by a technical committee. This committee upheld Brian Cashman's objection to Posada playing. According to a person familiar with the workings of the WBC, the Puerto Rican baseball federation did not fight the objection because of its depth at that position: Sandy Alomar Jr., Ivan Rodriguez and the Molina brothers, Bengie, Jose and Yadier.


Blue Jays

• Burnside, Adrian: Australia
  
• Catalanotto, Frank: Italy
  
• Halladay, Roy: United States
  
• Koskie, Corey: Canada
  
• Ryan, B.J.: United States
  
• Wells, Vernon: United States
  

Devil Rays

• Cantu, Jorge Mexico
  
• Colome, Jesus Dominican Republic
  
• Crawford, Carl United States
  

Orioles

• Bedard, Erik: Canada
  
• Cabrera, Daniel: Dominican Republic
  
• Chen, Bruce: Panama
  
• Loewen, Adam: Canada
  
• Lopez, Rodrigo: Mexico
  
• Matos, Luis: Puerto Rico
  
• Mora, Melvin: Venezuela
  
• Stephens, John: Australia
  
• Tejada, Miguel: Dominican Republic
  

Red Sox

• Lowell, Mike: Puerto Rico
  
• Ortiz, David: Dominican Republic
  
• Ramirez, Manny: Dominican Republic
  
• Varitek, Jason: United States
  

Yankees

• Cano, Robinson: Dominican Republic
  
• Jeter, Derek: United States
  

Around the Division

Tampa Bay
The Devil Rays announced on Thursday that they will spend $10 million before the 2006 season opener (April 10) trying to make Tropicana Field more appealing. Is that all it costs to bring in a team to play INSTEAD of the Devil Rays? Since the D-Rays had the lowest home attendance in Major League Baseball last season, the team hopes the improvements will "give fans a better experience - and . . . draw more of them to games." New principal owner Stu Sternberg also plans to spend another $10 million over the next few years on other upgrades, including a new scoreboard.

Toronto
With their most recent acquisition of Lyle Overbay, the Blue Jays have made Shea Hillenbrand worry a little about what position he'll be playing for them in 2006. Hillenbrand found a computer program that "breaks down the swings of the game’s top offensive players, allowing him to study certain traits and adopt them." Hillenbrand says, “I’m very confident that it’s now going to allow me to become a player who can hit 30 home runs and drive in 100. I’ve been in this game a certain number of years and I felt it was time to take things to the next level. You can quote me on that: I think I’m going to hit 30." He qualified his remarks though, "Of course, it’s one thing to say it and another thing to go out and do it. But that’s how good I’m feeling.’’

New York
Even as the Yankees continue to be among four teams on Nomar Garciaparra's list, newest Red Sox-turned-Yankee Mike Myers is making a push for Johnny Damon to join him in New York. And according to the Bronx Pride, everyone in New York except Robinson Cano has personally spoken to Nomar about coming to play in the Bronx. The only Yankees fan I associate with (no choice, he works with me!) sent me the following email yesterday:

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10464742/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10452580/

The New York Red Sox??? What’s happenin’ to my team??? Hell must be freezing over again!

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So, it sounds like he dreads the possibility as much as we Red Sox fans! Add to that the possibility of Roger Clemens returning to the Yankees, and you're talking about a nervous Red Sox Nation.

Baltimore
Should He Stay or Should He Go Now? David Steele asks, "Why is it so hard for Orioles to just say no to Tejada trade?" He makes a pretty darn good argument. I agree that for a team that made a run at the AL East Division title with a record of 42-28 through June 21 and then finished the season 14 games below .500, trading your franchise player could end up being a huge mistake. Following the problems the Orioles dealt with in 2005 with Palmeiro and Ponson, "players like Tejada have to stay." Or, as Dan Connolly says, the "Orioles may be left with one option: Deal Tejada." He points out that "Tejada's tremendous ability can't magically rub off on his teammates," and "his fervor for winning can only take the team so far, like first place in early July."

Boston
Perhaps the biggest news in Boston over the last few days is that there has been no news about Theo's return. Then again, Christmas ain't here yet! The Red Sox are on the short list of teams interested in trading with the Orioles for Tejada. However, the Sox did "balk at dealing a pitcher with Ramirez," reports Michael Silverman. The lastest on The Buzz over at The-Boston-Globe-owned-by-The-New York-Times is that the Red Sox are waiting for the Indians to sign Nomar Garciaparra so they can trade newly acquired prospect Andy Marte and reliever Guillermo Mota for Coco Crisp. Reportedly, the Indians are interested in getting Bronson Arroyo in the deal.

Keep Checking Back

This is the birth of a blog . . .

I want to encourage everyone to bookmark my blog and keep checking back daily because we're experiencing some pretty radical additions to the page lately. Even though this is a relatively slow time for major league baseball, (I SAID RELATIVELY!), I am going to attempt to post every day.

I think the coolest new addition here is the sidebar section for AL East Team Blogs. I am not sure how extensive I want to make this listing, but I've started with at least one blog for each AL East team. (If any of you D-Rays fans know of another blog, please let me know!) At some point, I may decide to switch to a pull-down list for each team, since I am sure I could find 15 to 20 active Red Sox blogs and most likely 10 active Yankees blogs. I have also considered rotating through active blogs for teams with more than 3 or 4.

As you may be able to tell from my first two posts, I am huge into linking out to other websites. The only catch is that I will always do this into a NEW browser because I obviously believe that my ranting and raving is more valuable to you than anyone else's! I want you to stay on my page until you have exhausted all it has to offer.

Another feature I would like to add is to accept guest posts from interested AL East fans. Of course, this feature would probably be more active during the season. Being a Red Sox fan, it will be difficult for me to keep my bias from creeping into my decisions about what to write. And, it will be a struggle to not always write about the team that is in first place. [ :-0] By allowing people to contribute who are as fanatic about the Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees, and Devil Rays (should I be using people, in the plural, for the D-Rays?) as I am about the Red Sox, perhaps I can maintain the blog with a little more balance.

Thank You Billy Mueller

I wanted to try something different with this blog. Considering that there is a plethora of Red Sox Blogs out there, I thought I would expand my blog to cover the entire American League East division. I'll do my best to keep my Red Sox bias from creeping into my posts, but every once in a while (like this post) I'm just gonna do it, so live with it!

Thank you Billy for:

1. the 2003 AL Batting Championship


2. our first World Championship in 86 years, a world series in which you batted .429


3. hitting .303 during your 3 years in Boston, second among third basemen only to Baltimore's Melvin Mora. second among switch hitters only to Detroit's Carlos Guillén


4. becoming the first player to hit a grand slam from both sides of the plate in the same game. you added a third homerun to bring your RBI total in that game to 9, a career high

Since the Season Ended . . .

Let’s take a look at what’s happened in the AL East since the Red Sox and Yankees were ousted in their respective first-round playoffs.

We all knew this would be the year for the Blue Jays to start throwing money at players. But, HOLY SHIT! Is B.J. Ryan worth $47 million over five years? That’s a steep price for any closer, much less a closer with a measly 47 career saves. “He stands among the few pitchers in baseball worthy of a five-year contract," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. He then turned around and signed A.J. Burnett for $55 million over five years. Goodness, that’s pretty darn good money for a guy whose win-loss record is 49-50. But, let’s give Ricciardi the nod on this one, because Burnett’s career ERA is a fine 3.73. Rounding out their off-season acquisitions, the Blue Jays traded for first-baseman Lyle Overbay, expanding their payroll from $45 million to $75 million with just three major acquisitions.

In Boston this off-season, every move, every hint of a move, each and every inkling that a move may take place (GET IT?) is mentioned in the context that the Red Sox are still looking for someone to replace Theo Epstein as general manager. It was announced this week that the Red Sox have appointed co-GM’s for an indefinite period of time. The dynamic duo of New Hampshire natives Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer will split the duties of general manager. Of course, this all happens with the possibility of Theo’s grand return looming. Anyhow, onto roster developments.

Taking advantage of the Florida Marlin’s housecleaning, the Red Sox traded highly touted prospect Hanley Ramirez and change for Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and Guillermo Mota. Previously, they had begun shoring up a questionable bullpen by signing Mike Timlin to a one-year contract extension. The Red Sox also traded Doug Mirabelli for second baseman Mark Loretta. (Sorry Timmy W., time to start breaking in a new catcher.) Most recently, rumors have been a dime-a-dozen about to whom they can trade Manny Ramirez and for what. Perhaps their best chance materialized when Miguel Tejada spoke up about his frustration that the Orioles have been quiet this off-season. Some heard him saying that he wanted a trade, but I think in the end, the Orioles convinced him to stay. (btw, this is all I’m going to say about the Orioles here.) So, let’s keep looking for someone who wants Manny . . .

The Johnny Damon lottery is about to heat up between the Red Sox and the Yankees. The Red Sox have an offer on the table of $40 million over four years and the Yankees have told Scott Boras they are willing to give Damon a “strong” four-year deal. The Yankees have also reportedly spoken to Nomar Garciaparra about playing first base. Three years ago, the three premier shortstops in baseball were Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Nomar Garciaparra. Now, these three may comprise 75% of the Yankees infield next year? Why stop there, Mr. Steinbrenner? I think Miguel Tejada would be a great fit at second! By all accounts, though, this has been a quiet off-season for the Yankees so far. They bolstered a strong bullpen anchored by Mariano Rivera by first signing Tanyon Sturtz to an extension, then signing free agent Kyle Farnsworth for three years and $17 million, and finally adding lefty Mike Myers.

The biggest news out of Tampa Bay this off-season is that Lou Pinella will not be back as manager in 2006. The Devil Rays new manager is Joe Maddon, signed for two years with club options for 2008 and 2009. Perhaps most striking is the lack of action in Tampa. It has been rumored that several teams may be interested in shortstop Julio Lugo and first baseman Aubrey Huff. I guess the Devil Rays are looking at what is taking place to their south in Miami and saying, “No thanks. We’ll keep our talent around and try to compete next year.”