THOUGHTS WHILE AWAITING REAL BASEBALL

***PADRES LOOKING FOR PITCHING***
You gotta know it's all about the Benjamins. The Padres own Jake Peavy, one of the league's top pitchers and they've done everything to try and get rid of him but sit him alongside I-5 with a "For Sale" sign around his neck. Yes, he will make $6.5 million this year, but even in this economy, it could be considered a bargain. Giving up a 1st round draft pick also enters in to this. Good luck, Padres.

***PEDRO TO THE DODGERS?***
Is Torre trying to thumb his nose at the Yanks by bringing in former Red Sox. Two guys who beat up old men: Joe is welcome to them.

***PAYBACK IS A B---H***
Buster Olney reports that a current unnamed free-agent is wondering why he can't get an offer. A few team executives say that his agent would not return phone calls back in November & December. Picasner thinks some agents are getting a hard lesson in economics.

***NO LESSON NEEDED HERE***
In spite of some blips in the radar this year, Scott "Mystery Team" Boras, still strikes fear in the hearts of General Managers. Writer Matt Taibbi says, "Talking to Boras about baseball executives, is like talking to a lion about red meat."

***I TOLD YOU SO***
In today's column, Bob Matthews mentions that over the last 10 years,"...better than 50% of the previous years winners, repeat the next year." Someone has been doing some research in preparation of their 'startling' predictions for this year. Just post last years final standings, Bob, we'll understand.

***MARCH MADNESS BEGINS IN EARNEST***
I thought the Villanova-Pittsburgh game was great, but... Will there be a better game the rest of the year than Syracuse-Connecticut? Picasner thinks, not. 6 OVERTIMES! Unbelieveable! I think it will be very difficult for Syracuse to beat West Virgina tonight with oxygen tanks strapped to their backs. Congrats to both teams.

***MANNY POINTS A FINGER***
Manny, to Matt Kemp: "You're late. I was here at 6:30."
Matt Kemp: "I was here three weeks ago."

***IN CASE THERE IS NO POSTING TOMORROW***
Happy Birthday to "The Cas". I won't say how old, but Social Security has kicked in.