The Four-Seamer: Ramblings

Ramblings

The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Vernon Wells both admit an offer for about $126 million over seven years is on the table. The contract, as mentioned earlier on The Four-Seamer, would be one of the biggest in the history of professional sports. Bigger than the deal the New York Mets gave Carlos Beltran two years ago and bigger than the deal received last month by Alfonzo Soriano (ironically, all outfielders). But, Rotoworld thinks Wells could be offered $20 million-type numbers if he waits one more season and becomes an unrestricted free agent. Will he take the quick money and insurance for the next eight years (would last until he is 36 years-old), or risk trying to up his stock for another year? Time will tell. But in baseball's continually inflated market that deepens in terms of its insanity winter-by-winter, the smart decision might still be to wait.

Not often things break to the media this way, but Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro claims he's been dealt to the Seattle Mariners (is it me, or have the M's been at least weakly a part of EVERY rumour this off-season?) for outfielder Chris Snelling and relief pitcher Emiliano Fruto. Snelling and Fruto are younger and arguably have much more upside. The flame-throwing Fruto could be a future closer in D.C. and Vidro makes a hell of a lot more money. Funny, the Nats stood their ground and forced Soriano to play a new position because they were adamant about leaving Vidro as their second baseman. Now Soriano's gone, and they deal Vidro? I guess the offer was just too good to be true. Save salary and bring in some talented youth.

In the face of "block-from-the-Bombers" conspiracy theories, the Boston Red Sox locked up pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka for the first six years of his major league career. It only cost them $103.11 million. After paying $51.11 mil for his rights one month ago, the Sox spent $52 million more today, to ensure the gyroballer plays in Beantown until at least 2012. Matsuzaka will be 32 years-old and possibly still in his prime when the New York Yankees pick him up for the 2013 season...

Never mind being a glorified running back, at one point today it appeared Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick would give tailback a try this weekend if the team's two feature backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood (down with calf and knee injuries respectively) weren't able to go. It now appears Dunn, and maybe even Norwood, will have a shot at playing Saturday night when the Birds host the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, Atlanta signed former NFL back Jamal Robertson in case of emergency. Fullback Justin Griffith also showed Sunday he can step in and handle the duties. Vick said later he's a quarterback, and only a quarterback (even if he's not a very good one).

Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby now have something in common. They had, thus far, the biggest nights of their respective careers Wednesday night. Bargnani hit five three-pointers and led all scorers with 23 points as the Raps upset the Magic in Orlando. Crosby netted six points to lead the Pens over the lowly Philadelphia Flyers 8-4.

Rest in peace, Mr. Lamar Hunt. The AFL's founder and one of the main reasons why the NFL is what it is today, died Wednesday night at age 74.

# posted by BG : 1:29 AM

Comments:

I stil think Boston did not want NY to get him...This was a block and sign type of deal imo

# posted by

TH : 6:15 PM