SILLY SEASON - 1/27

We're getting down to it, boys and girls. The rumors now start flying wildly off-center. They either get more realistic or crazier.

***CAN SEATTLE IMPROVE ON 61 WINS?***
You would think it would be hard not to, however, they have an outfielder no one will talk to (Suzuki), and a catcher no one will throw to (Jojima). Their off-season 'acquisitions' are now settling on a 39 year old outfielder with a bad knee (Griffey). Picasner doesn't know where they'll finish, but they certainly lead the league in first names: Ichiro, Wladimir, Endy, Yuniesky, and Kenji. I hope the broadcasters were working on their diction over the winter. By the way, all of these names showed up on my spell-checker.

***ABREU IS GETTING MORE REALISTIC***
He's no longer asking for $48 million over three years. He's down to $30 million over three years. When one GM was asked if that made a difference, he responded, "Who?".

***MANNY'S NO CLOSER***
According to insiders, Manny and the Dodgers are a mere $55 million apart. We'll never going to know who blinks first since it's obvious both sides are wearing blinders. All this after 3 whole months of 'negotiating'. Scott, you better do something. Manny's in his third reruns of cartoons.

***HERE WE GO AGAIN***
Now Radomski is throwing PED accusations around. "I sold them to Justice. I took a urine test for Gooden." Both denied, of course. The urine test is dangerous in a different way. Picasner took one for his wife and now she has to take female hormone shots. She's not happy.

***FREE AGENT LIST***
Of the 171 free agents at the end of last season, 55% (96) are still unsigned. Some, like 42 year old Moises Alou and 39(?) year old Orlando Hernandez, you can understand, but there are still a few big names left. Picasner thinks there will be a lot of disappointed players (and agents) at the start of the season.