Dan Gould

Breaking News: Looks like Sheffield is reunited with his old Marlin manager. Very interesting, because it was reported that while the old manager apparently liked him, GM Dumbrowski, who was in charge for the Marlins at the time, didn't exactly love him. But I guess time heals all wounds, cuz they dealt three pitching prospects for Sheff, and signed him to the two year extention he wanted. So I guess Sheff is happy, too. I find it really interesting that they didn't ship him to the NL and instead shipped him to a team that may not be as successful as they were this year (the rookie pitchers, especially, will probably decline a bit) but are clearly one of the elite teams, and a team that is greatly helped by Sheffield's bat. Even if they decide he can't play RF anymore, they've got a fine DH. So now the Yanks are setting themselves up to get pummelled by a pissed off Sheffield? Those pitching prospects better be topnotch.

ESPN News doesn't have it as breaking news, but I am hearing that Buster Olney is reporting that the Red Sox submitted the high bid for the Japanese pitcher, somewhere between 38 & 45 million. Tremendous news, if its true, although its an enormous amount of money to pay when Boras expects probably a minimum of 11-12 million a year to get him signed. My only problem with the report is the fact that nothing has come out of Japan that his team has accepted the bid. If its really that high, and they were scheduled to have an ownership meeting yesterday, how can they not have accepted it? That is, unless Boras and Matsazuka or however you spell his name have made it known that unless the Yankees win the bidding, they won't come to an agreement and will wait a year to be free agents. In which case the whole posting process is back to being a sham. But oh, if it is true ... Schilling, Matzazuka, Beckett and Papelbon? And 2008, Matzazuka, Beckett, Papelbon and Lester? I smell dynasty.

I think so, too, Conrad, but Theo has loved this guy before. Frankly my hope would be that Coco is the guy on the outs. His contract is cheap, including control over what should be his first year of free agency. That makes him relatively easy to trade. One question for Matthew is, where did J.D. bat in the lineup? Assuming that they don't use him to replace Manny, I doubt he'd be in a position where he's the bat, so without the pressure to produce, maybe he plays a little more consistently. I don't know, my impression is similar, lots of skills that he's never lived up to overall. But if he's sensitive and doesn't want the pressure, Theo should stay far away.

Conrad, have you tried this site? It has a full compendium of commentary and rumors for every team, from just about every American paper. Even tells you if the link takes you to a site that requires registration or not. Its one of my regular morning stops while I'm drinking my coffee.

Breaking news: JD Drew has voided the last three years of his deal with the Dodgers. This definitely surprises me, but obviously he believes that if Aramis Ramirez can get a better deal in this market, he can beat the three years/33 million he's got coming. Amazing. This potentially complicates the Red Sox outfield decisions with RF up in the air and questions about Coco's suitability in CF. Drew can play both decisions, and the Red Sox have expressed interest before, mostly, I suspect, because they like his OBP. Injuries have to be a concern, but I think I read that recently he's been averaging 140-150 games played, so maybe he's over that tendency. If the Sox go for him, that has to mean that Wily Mo or Coco is on the way out. Interesting thing to consider is that Wily Mo clearly showed better CF skills than RF. Does he become the starting CF and Youk is the permanent answer at lead-off? Decisions, decisions ... Man I wish something would break on that Japanese pitcher! My understanding is that his Japanese club is holding a meeting today regarding the number that was presented to them by MLB (the team isn't supposed to be given, only the dollar figure). They officially have five days to accept or reject, but I expect they'll accept immediately, given what the reported range has been. So I'm hoping the news will break later this morning if the Japanese team makes an announcement and we might know when we wake up tomorrow.

so did I, and he was a friend of jazz. RIP.

It's called "bait and switch" and it is illegal in virtually every state. Regrettably, it is showing up on even the most legitimate online sites. The next Elliot Spitzer is going to have a field day with these guys one of these days! Whatever Caiman may be guilty of, its nothing that can be described as 'bait and switch". Do they get you into the store or site by offering discounts on non-existent merchandise, and then try to steer you to what is in stock and they make big bucks on? No. That is the definition of bait and switch, and it has nothing to do with what Caiman does. Furthermmore, no one can accuse them of inflating a "regular" price to make their prices look extra special. Anyone can look at the Amazon page for a particular item and see an Amazon price of, say, $17, and a Caiman price of maybe $12. Even with the fixed per-item shipping cost, that is a better deal, and most importantly, there is no inflation of regular prices. The simple fact is that anyone who wants to believe that an item they know is long gone can be magically had by a retailer offering a big discount deserves the inevitable disappointment. Aside from those situations, Caiman offers excellent pricing and decent communication on the status of your order. The greatest complaint is their per-unit shipping charge and no discount on multiple orders. I figure their only way of offering the discounts that they do is to get some money back on shipping.

Big Al may take solace in the fact that Hicks wants to make a splash, has lots of money, and has thrown it around foolishly before. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if they are the winners, either.

The only mix tape that I could see working would be the mix I made several years ago, "Sidewinder and Sons". Took Sidewinder and all of the Sidewinder-inspired BN singles and put them together. I'd expect it would keep your ass moving on the treadmill.

And speaking of Sheff, did he let it fly to reporters yesterday or what? I particularly enjoyed these statements: Gary Sheffield's How to Make Friends and Influence People - the ultimate gag Christmas gift. In stores now! Hmmm ... six or so years younger, steals more bases in a month than Sheff will in a year, higher OBP, and he's not a pain in the ass everytime he opens his mouth. Who would you prefer? One thing's for sure, Sheff's ego is still healthy! And the quote Yankee haters will enjoy most ... If that's not a guarantee that the "middle men" will send him far, far away, I don't know what is.

Speaking of the Japanese pitcher, I have to say I am surprised that no one has broken the story of who won the bidding for the right to negotiate. I think the odds are pretty low this guy is "Fat Pussy Toad" Irabu all over again, but there are risks involved. Specifically, Japanese lineups aren't filled with sluggers swinging from their heels, as he'll especially face if he goes to the AL. The other factor is work load, I believe Japanese pitchers throw much more both in games and in between, so there's the risk of overuse or just plain wearing down. He's also not exactly a Clemens/Papelbon physique, much more like Pedro's, and we know what happened eventually there. Edit: don't want to get ahead of myself, but its being reported that the rumor making the rounds of the baseball writers is that the Red Sox have won the bidding. Oh, if it were only so ...

I never scroll through individual forums to see "new response" icons. I just click on the "view new posts" link which always seems to work fine. Actually, I have noticed that the Blindman's Blues Forum, which uses the same software but an earlier version, seems to clear old "new posts" with each new visit so I truly see what is new. Whereas, here, if I haven't looked at new posts in a thread I don't bother with, that thread will still list as new posts even when nothing is new since my newest visit. And no, I am not keeping an active Organissimo window open.

I don't want to answer for Chuck but I don't think that even covers a CD pressing run, when its apparent he isn't even at the point of having a new master completed.

I think Dave was referring to the flak directed at me.

Wes Anderson in a trio sounds cool!

Nope. Just looked it up in the State election code and it clearly states that unopposed candidates shall not appear on the general election ballot. Unbelievable, but there it is.

Obviously I don't think that he will be outvoted. It is the principle. A Congressman is being elected today without receiving a single vote on election day.

I went to the Palm Beach County Elections website and found an email and sent a message. We'll see how they respond. Next I am going to search the Florida Elections code to see what it says about unopposed candidates. Whatever the law, its obvious to me that it is wrong to have an unopposed candidate be elected by acclamation. Wexler is going to enjoy another term having received precisely zero votes from his constituents. Let's see him put that on his next flier.

I just got back from doing my civic duty and I am so angry I can barely see straight. Chalk it up to me being somewhat uninformed, but I was under the impression that my US House district was Mark Foley's. Turns out it isn't - its Democrat Bob Wexler's district, and he is running unopposed. Here's the infuriating thing: There was no spot on the ballot to vote in this "race". Now, obviously, with no formal opposition, Wexler wins. But aren't we supposed to actually vote? I told the man in charge. "what if I want to write in my vote?" and he says "write it in!" but the seat doesn't even appear on my cockamamie electronic machine! And yet, there were other seats which showed a single official candidate and a spot for a write-in. This is just plain wrong as a matter of basic small "d" democracy and I'd like to hear from other people if they agree or disagree and if they encounter any other such foolishness. Regardless, thanks for listening to my rant.

My experience has been similar. No. NO! Don't you know you're doing everyone a disservice by plugging for them?

Am I the only one who thought that he carried "White Christmas" better than I remember him singing in his "prime"? Though the Rod Stewart outfits were a little disconcerting, I presume he's not actually planning to start recording "My Funny Valentine".

The Sam Lazar is a pretty good date and not easy to find. LPs go for a pretty high price, so I'd be interested in this just for that session ... even though I would prefer if it were the Grant Green/Gene Harris BN session instead. I think that MG is correct, too, that this is an odd combination to be a legitimately licensed reissue. Unless Groove Hut is located in Andorra.

Hey Dave, did you find it amusing, like I did, that Sheff gave the Yanks a list of teams he'd "prefer" to be traded to? As if he has a limited no-trade clause, or that the Yanks are going to pay any attention to where he wants to go. Once he's gone he's someone else's headache, and I am betting that he will be shipped to the NL - the Phillies perhaps, if they can't get any of the younger free agent bats, or maybe the Cubs - so that the Yanks won't face his wrath on the field.

That's hysterical that they are doing that. If I go, I'll be the one singing "I say vote 'yes'!" ahead of the "Sit down, John" replies.