Contrasting the Yankees and Red Sox, it seems like the Red Sox have more stars.

It seems like whomever the Red Sox continue to pursue, even if it is for their bench, the ballplayers tend to be good solid players. Their latest pursuit includes Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz, It appears that trading Manny Ramirez has helped the Red Sox acquire more overall talent spread around the field, even when it comes to the bench.

As for the Yankees, after signing AROD, CC, and AJ Burnett, who combined will cost the Yankees over 65 million a year, it appears that they don't quite have the payroll flexibility to just sign solid players, especially for the bench. Certainly not as good as Rocco Baldelli or even a healthy Mike Lowell. Heck, the Red Sox are allegedly trying to acquire Hanley Ramirez! Perhaps besides losing Manny's contract, what has helped the Red Sox is the emergence of many fine young prospects from their own minor leagues, including young relievers that don't cost much money.

If a team has a payroll of 150 million or higher, that suddenly works out to 6 million per player, so if a team with a super high payroll avoids putting a large chunk of it into two or three players, they suddenly can put really good positions players all over the place, especially when that team also has players making the league minimum because they came up in their own farm system.

Carl Pavano signs with the Cleveland Indians, wow!

This is a shocker, Carl Pavano signs with the Cleveland Indians. What would be really amazing is if Pavano actually lasted until Jake Westbrook returned. What I'm saying is even if Carl can't make it a year without some sort of injury, imagine if he lasted just long enough until a proven vet like Jake Westbrook returned. Then anything after that would be a bonus.

I still wish the Indians and Bartolo could both come to terms, with Bartolo really working his tail off to get into shape. Pavano's signing is surely a typical Shapiro surprise, nobody quite expected it, and we won't know if it was solid or not until the end of the season. So be it.

Bartolo Colon, aka Java the Hut, sits back and waits for his next juicy victim.

I followed Bartolo Colon's career. Year after year he would get slightly fatter, and apparently stronger in the legs. It became the "excuse" for Bartolo's annually expanding girth, "He has strong legs". I guess for several years Bartolo was able to move his mass forward under the direction of his powerful legs, the excuse even being that his strong legs actually made his pitches go faster and that sometimes in the late innings his pitches got even faster.

Then Bartolo's injuries started, and yes, Bartolo's weight played a part in those injuries. Yet Bartolo shouldered on, never once really going on any kind of a noticeable diet. So here we are in 2009, and Bartolo Colon could actually resurrect his career, if only he would lose some weight.

Instead, Bartolo, it appears, will play the role of Java the Hut, welcoming those who would venture into his den and overpay for an overweight "athlete" who appears capable of insulating himself from what would make him better, being in better shape. The Indians did right by Bartolo Colon, even when they traded Bartolo to Montreal.

Because Montreal was a team in desperate need of a starter and his presence there was appreciated by the Montreal fans. Bartolo's effectiveness in Montreal helped land him a four year deal from the Angels, of which at the most he earned 2 years of. Bartolo spent more and more time on the DL during his four years in California.

More rehab followed, and now, instead of having started a physical fitness regimen to show he is serious about the game, apparently Bartolo Colon is content to sit back and wait for his reputation and past success to wrest another one year contract from a desperate team. If only Bartolo could embrace the adventure of going back to Cleveland, especially after the departure of CC Sabathia, and actually being the pitcher the Indians needed to bring them over the hump in 2009. But I guess that is asking too much of a pitcher, to actually visualize their own success when all that really matters is a fat contract.

Cleveland Indians should try and get Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins before the Red Sox do...

Now is the time for Mark Shapiro to step to the plate and finally solidify his team by trading for Hanley Ramirez. Why Hanley Ramirez when the Indians have Jhonny Peralta? Because the Indians seem stuck between third and short when it comes to Jhonny Peralta and they could probably give Florida an interesting mix of players, and as an added bonus, they prevent Boston from getting even better than they already are.

How about Hanley Ramirez for Jhonny Peralta, Josh Barfield, Matt LaPorta, Edward Mujica, Tony Sipp, and perhaps some cash if necessary. The Marlins would instantly gain the best offensive shortstop from the A.L.. Jhonny Peralta's 2008 numbers are BETTER than Derek Jeter's 2008 numbers and he should have won the silver slugger award for A.L. Shortstops. Matt LaPorta is really a potential superstar who will probably be ready for the majors by the beginning of August. Mujica and Sipp will contribute in the pen, and Josh Barfield goes back to the National League where he previously flourished with the San Diego Padres.

The Indians FINALLY get a blend of speed and power from both the outfield AND infield positions, something they have been lacking for quite some time. This is the kind of trade that thins the Indians out for the long haul, but instantly elevates the Indians offense on par with anybody else's offense, and also keeps the Red Sox from getting Hanley Ramirez as well. The Indians are still short one starter but having a solid infield and outfield defense may add a few extra innings to the starters totals, which would help the bullpen get by on the days when the back end of the starting rotation is having a tough day.

It would be a daring trade for both clubs, and both clubs could end up benefiting from this trade as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants pursue Manny Ramirez, mirroring what the Yankees and Red Sox did in pursuit Teixeira.

The Los Angeles Dodgers face a scary situation. The biggest problem with losing a prized player to someone who plays in the same division is the head to head competition. If the Dodgers lose Manny Ramirez to the San Francisco Giants, the swing in productivity could favor the Giants 10-15 games while losing the Dodgers 10-15 games.

If Manny Ramirez can swing three of the eighteen games to the Giants that would have gone to the Dodgers, the net gain is SIX games, not three, because the three games are head to head competition. In the course of 18 games, yes I could see Manny Ramirez being a difference maker at least 3 games, resulting in a six game swing between the Dodgers and Giants. Then factor in what happens in the other 144 games each team plays. If Manny is a difference maker for the Giants 10 more times, and not having Manny causes the Dodgers grief ten extra times, the Dodgers could lose a total of 16 games to the Giants in the upcoming season.

If the Giants also pick up a Joe Crede, and he is healthy and performs, the Dodgers could be in a situation where suddenly the Giants are breathing down their necks the entire season, and the Dodgers may not even be in the playoff hunt. Would the Dodgers really want to face San Francisco late in the season with their playoff hopes on the line and Manny Ramirez coming up to bat?

Now lets talk attendance. The presence of Manny Ramirez could result in an average of 5,000 more fans per game, because Manny's presence almost guarantees that the Dodger games in September will still mean something. When Eric Gagne was cruising to the record for consecutive saves, Dodgers fans actually looked forward to staying for a Gagne appearance. How many fans will stay an extra inning or two just to watch Manny's final at bat of the night, that sure helps the stadium's concession coffers fill up.

What the Dodgers are going through is the agony the Yankees were going through. The Yankees simply could not afford to lose a player of Teixeira's ability to a division rival, and the Dodgers similarly cannot afford to lose Manny to a division rival. About the only difference is the Red Sox already had a better line-up than the yankees, whereas the Dodgers will fall back while the Giants gain massively.

I recall hearing a rumor that the McCourts plunked a really big wad of money into their Malibu diggs. Wouldn't it be ironic if the McCourts splurged one year too early on their own real estate desires and as a result could not sign the ONE player that would probably have helped pay off their huge Malibu investment?

Have the McCourts really done enough to earn the right to have such an opulent home when it could actually cause them to not have enough left in their operating budget to invest in the ONE player who would probably ensure the type of success worthy of the home they are already creating?

It would not surprise me if Boras creates a 10 million dollar gap between the two teams. Whatever the Giants offer Manny, the Dodgers will have to beat it by 10 million. It looks like Manny will get a four year deal, worth anywhere from 90 million to a 110 million. Wow.

Creating a 26th man on the roster for older baseball players.

There are many 35 and over vets that actually have some game left, but just can't be justified for the 25 man roster. I think it could spice the game of baseball up a bit if a 26th spot could be kept open for ball players that are 35 years of age or older.

In 2006, (Todd Hollandsworth's final year in the majors) Todd Hollandsworth made a spectacular ninth inning throw that nailed a runner trying to tag up and score the tying run from third. The ball blew in all the way on a fly and the runner, who by all accounts should have been safe, was out as Vic Martinez caught the ball just before the runner arrived. Any sort of bounce at all and the runner would probably have easily been safe. It remains a memory for me because the throw was so expertly and forcefully delivered from a pretty good distance away.

Todd Hollandsworth is the kind of vet who could probably come into certain late inning defensive situations and perhaps make another magical throw home. Other than his prolific arm, Hollandsworth might not get much playing time. As it stands now, Mr. Hollandsworth's Major League career ended after the 2006 season, even though Todd still has something to give to the game of baseball.

Trot Nixon is another example of a player who can still hit, but just can't really be justified taking up a precious roster spot on a 25 man team. I love to see Trot handle the bat even at his "advanced" age. Fouling off pitch after pitch, maybe just to work the pitcher for a walk, or a seeing eye single. Watching any Trot Nixon at bat sure beats watching a rookie get behind in the count and then meekly swing at strike three because they had no idea what pitch was coming next.

Fred McGriff, who nobody would ever mistake as a steroid user, fell just short of 500 home runs (493). It sure would have been neat to see the crime dog get number 500 without having to take up one of the coveted 25 regular roster positions.

Curtis Pride is another ballplayer who spent 95% of his career in the minors. Born almost completely deaf, Curtis would have been an ideal 26th guy and it would have been a great reward for a ballplayer who languished so long in the minors because he loved the game.

Look at the way it ended for Kenny Lofton. 90 feet away from being the tying run in the 7th game of the Red Sox / Indians 2007 championship game. Kenny was probably erroneously held up on what should have been a game tying single. Was that really the last we will ever see of Kenny Lofton. Kenny still looked good even at age 40 and still had base running speed as well. Kenny Lofton would make an ideal second half player for a team headed towards the playoffs, but once again, probably not on a 25 man squad, but most likely on a 26 man squad.

Every baseball city, every team, has a story of a veteran player who still had something to give his team, but was put out to pasture because the 25 man roster could not accommodate him. It might sure add some humility to the rest of the roster to see what it's like to be older and talented and willing to take a very part time job just for the love of the game.

Major League Baseball Network Premieres in 50 million homes Today.

If you would like to contribute what channel you found Major League Baseball on in your area, please do so in the comments section. Time Warner in the Los Angeles area had it on channel 276.

Indians Make Trade for another "over 30" third baseman...

After the Andy Marte Experiment, the Indians have gone back to the established, over 30 years of age vet third baseman with today's trade of three pitching prospects in exchange for Mark DeRosa of the Chicago Cubs. Ever since Jim Thome could not handle the hot corner to the Indians satisfaction in the early 90's, the Indians starting third baseman have all been at least 30 years old, with the exception of the Andy Marte experiment.

This trade will probably help Cleveland in 2009 as De Rosa had the third highest OBP for a 3rd baseman in either league, just barely trailing the number one and two guys. It is a bit scary to see the Indians trading three prospect pitchers when so few pitchers from their own organization ever make it to the majors as an Indian. Factor in that Mark Guthrie got away and one wonders if any of the three pitchers that were traded will come back to haunt thoe fans who like to focus on the ones who got away.

Assuming Carmona and Lee pitch well, and Reyes can last the season without getting injured (a BIG if), the Indians will be just one starting pitcher away from being a legitimate contender. The Indians have assembled several "grit" players in De Rosa and Jamey Carroll in the infield, Grady Sizemore, Shin Soo Choo in the outfield, and Kelly Shoppach behind the pitch. Grit Players tend to run out every ball they hit, and aren't afraid to get their uniforms dirty, and this probably is the grittiest the Indians have been in a long time.

Just imagine if CC Sabathia had made good on his vow to bring a championship to Cleveland and had extended his stay in Cleveland a couple more years. The Indians would go into 2009 with back to back Cy Young Award Winners in the same starting five rotation, with Carmona, Reyes, and the midseason return of Jake Westbrook, what a solid pitching rotation that would have been. CC Sabathia on the 2009 Indians team, that's how close the Indians came to being a certified contender in 2009 rather than one of the dozen or more bubble teams that could go all the way, or end up mired at .500 or less.

Milton Bradley is Headed to the Cubs, Multi-Year Deal offer may be a Mistake.

Bradley prides himself on being a good teammate, but eventually Bradley ends up being either restrained, defended, or shown the door by his managers. It's always something with Milton because Milton Bradley has a narcissism complex.

If you want an example of Bradley's narcissism, just go back to the 2008 All Star Game. Bradley was fawning all over Josh Hamilton during Hamilton's prolific home run derby debut in which he hit 28 dingers in round one. Nothing wrong with the fawning, however, while Bradley was mopping Hamilton's brow between home runs, Bradley also managed to ignore the 71 year old pitcher on the mound, Clay Council. When Milton posed with Josh and then took a picture of the two of them, once again, he ignored Clay Council.

Milton Bradley has been unable to relate to anyone older than himself for probably his entire career. His obliviousness towards a 71 year old pitcher who threw over 50 pitches to Josh Hamilton in round one of the All Star Home Run Derby shows Milton still has some growing up to do.

However, the real reason Milton Bradley should not sign with the Cubs is Bradley seems to get nagging leg injuries practically every season. In the American League, Bradley, could DH during the nagging times, in the national league, he either sits on the bench or risks making a minor injury into a major one by playing through the injury. There are a few instances of nagging injuries getting worse because Bradley continued to play in the field.

Then there are the fans who have the ability to get under Milton's skin. If Bradley's team is going on the road and it is a given that Milton will be treated shabbily by the opposing team's fans when he is in the outfield, a couple of days at DH is not such a bad option. Milton Bradley should be playing in the American League, it suits his game more.

Catch as Catch Can, the Baltimore Orioles don't have a catcher on their 40 man roster.

Gerry Fraley of Sporting News has astutely noted that the Baltimore Orioles don't have a catcher on their 40 man roster. Wow. I've never heard of that before.

It is interesting to see just how varied some teams approach their catching situation. Texas still has a glut of catchers even after trading Laird to Detroit. Boston is sort of meandering in the catcher position, signing Josh Bard while still not having re-signed Jason Varitek.

The Cleveland Indians have an interesting situation with two potential All Star Catchers in Vic Martinez and Kelly Shoppach, one of whom can play first (Vic). Shoppach would be a natural fit back in Boston, (the team that traded Shoppach to the Indians to begin with).

Unrelated sequences could create a do over of the Coco Crisp / Andy Marte - Kelly Shoppach trade from a couple years back. Coco has already been traded by Boston, if Kelly is traded back to Boston, and Andy Marte probably doesn't make the Indians team out of spring training, it would an undoing of the original deal. The key is, should the Indians risk having Vic and Sal Fasano as their catchers for this year by trading Shoppach, and what would the Indians get back from Boston? Boston tends to hold on to their pitching prospects tightly and the Indians are short at least one starting pitcher.

At some point, it would seem that catching rich Texas and prospect pitching Baltimore come up with a trade. I look at the catching position as sort of the quarterback on the field. They play most of the games, catch most of the starting pitchers, and if the main catcher goes down, the back up really needs to have some polish to them.

If you want to know if your team believes they can contend this year, see how much they value their back up catcher. Teams that may feel they are in a rebuild mode may not see the need to carry two catchers that could both be considered as everyday players (lol, with the exception of Boston and the Josh Bard signing). Baltimore appears to be in a rebuild mode, and that may explain their wait and see attitude when it comes to the catching slot.

Yankees Save Major League Baseball by Signing Mark Teixeira, Seriously.

The Yankees Saved Major League Baseball by outbidding Boston for the services of Mark Teixeira.  One look at the Boston Red Sox line-up reveals just how devastatingly good Boston would have been had they acquired Teixera.

Start with Jacob Ellsbury, a clone of Coco Crisp, however with more speed and the likelihood of stealing twice as many bases every year with a higher On Base Percentage.  Boston's line-up then features Dustin Pedroia, the first lightweight MVP (and I mean that in a complementary way) going back several decades (Nellie Fox in 1959 was the last second baseman to win the MVP award).  Add in Gold Glove winner as well, and we are still only two deep in the line-up!

Next is the Youk, as in Kevin Youkilis, who manages to pound out a .390 OBP with the appropriate power for a man of his brutish make-up.  These three table setters at the top of the line-up successfully blend speed and power, and the fun is just beginning,  JD Drew and Jason Bay provide plenty of power and offense and once again, very respectable On Base percentages.

Which brings us to David Ortiz, who should be back and healthy after a wrist injury "limited" Ortiz to "only" 23 homers and 89 RBI's while missing over a third of the season (59 games)!

These six ballplayers on their own could easily carry the Red Sox to a solid offensive season. Just imagine if this line-up featured Gold Glove Winning and offensive force Mark Teixeira anchoring it!  That would have been seven stud players all in a row.  All that would be left is a possibly healthier Jason Varitek at catcher, and any bonus production from shortstop.

Speaking of the shortstop position, the Red Sox were trying to reacquire Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins!  Hanley Ramirez Trade Rumor.

Keep in mind that On Base Percentage is usually what fuels a teams offensive success.  Most of Boston's line-up is capable of anywhere from a .360 to .400 OBP, and that makes Boston scary. 

Now imagine two gold glovers on the right side of the field, a defensive speed demon in center field, and the green monster and a jutting left field stand that ricochet's it's portion of doubles down the left field line into short leftfield singles, and the Boston Red Sox defense would have been perfectly structured for Fenway Park.

Even trading Coco Crisp netted Boston a sleeper reliever from the Kansas City Royals who probably will be another in a successful series of young relievers the Red Sox have uncovered in recent years.

So, the Yankees, by wresting away Mark Teixeira from the Red Sox, may have just weakened the Red Sox enough to make it possible to believe the Red Sox can be beaten in a playoff series, and for that, the rest of the American League can breathe a sigh of relief. 

I definitely would have to give the Yankees a "cooler heads" award for realizing that gaming the final piece of the Boston Puzzle away from Boston was a move that may pay for itself over and over for the next several years.

As for those of you who may bemoan how much New York has spent this offseason in retooling their team, The Yankees are not a young team, and that much money spent on only two pitchers can sometimes backfire.  The Yankees will be good, probably as good as Boston.  Now imagine how much better Boston would have been with Teixeira, and less imposing the Yankees would have been without Teixera, and it is easy to see what a great move this was by the New York Yankees.  Pops should be proud.

Welcome to COOLER HEADS Prevail.

This blog will be dedicated to all Major League Baseball Teams.  The first story will be about how the Yankees may have saved Major League Baseball when they signed Mark Teixeira.  Yep, the obscenely rich Yankees did the right thing for ALL of Major League baseball when they signed Mark Teixeira to a very rich and very long contract, and I'll explain why.