Sunday, December 21, 2008

IF THERE'S NO STORY, MAKE ONE UP

***TEIXEIRA AND BORAS***
The sports media is trying very hard to make the Yanks players in this soap opera. Since Red Sox owner John Henry told Boras to take his negotiations and...well,'store them in a dark place', the rumors have been flying that the Yanks would "swoop in and steal the thunder". Some writers even claim that NY is the BMT (Boras Mystery Team).
PICASNER'S TAKE: No way this happens, at least not at $185-$200 million that Boras is asking.

***MANNY AND BORAS***
Manny claims the Yanks are ready to step up and offer 3 years at $45-$50 million per year. Actually, Boras probably won't let Manny sign until the Teixeira situation is settled. With Teixeira signed, it sets up Boras' favorite situation: a desperate team (Angels, Dodgers)versus the needy Yanks bidding for Manny.
PICASNER'S TAKE: Doubt the Yanks will go any more than 2 years unless really pressured. There is one other teeny, tiny problem with Manny: if he's forced to sign for something under what he thinks he's worth, how long before he shows his displeasure by slacking off? If he does that in NY, the fans will be throwing those $2500 seats onto the field at him.

***BORAS AND...BORAS***
One sports writer has nailed it: Boras is looking for that ONE DUMB OWNER, like maybe the Washington Nationals. It won't take Boras long to convince Teixeira that it doesn't matter where you play, as long as you make the most money. However, two years in last place has got to wear on someone that talented (See A-Rod and Texas). I don't think that lesson is lost on Teixeira.

***THE NAY-SAYERS***
The Sourgrape League (writers with teams that didn't get the 2 pitching aces) have started in criticizing Sabathia and Burnett. Most of the criticism centers around their ability to perform on the big stage.
***Sabathia never pitched well in NY. C'mon, Sabathia never pitched well against the Yanks, whether it was in NY OR Cleveland. Some teams match up well against certain pitchers; others don't. The Yanks could never beat Frank Lary of the Tigers in the 60's, the rest of the AL beat the crap out of him.
***Burnett has a fragile personality. The Yanks couldn't beat him in NY and the Red Sox couldn't beat him in Boston. Doesn't sound too fragile to me.

Let's wait and see who shows up. Picasner thinks the Yanks signed a couple of aces.

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