THE SILLY SEASON

If you'll recall, "The Silly Season" is how Picasner refers to the off-season, a time of wild rumors, crazy, over-analyzed trades and the optimist ramblings of enthusiastic General Managers. Well, this year is no different.
But first, an interesting sports poll, courtesy of ESPN:
Which players best season is better?
Player A: Lead-off LF, .330 BA, .429 OBP, .526 Slugging %, 50 SB (5 Caught Stealing), 123 Runs, 68 RBIs, 18 Homers
Player B: Middle-of-the-Order RF, .287 BA, .328 OBP, .568 Slugging, 11 SB (3 CS), 90 Runs, 137 RBIs, 49 Homers
ESPN results at the end of the blog.

***STILL NO LEFT FIELDER IN THE BRONX***
I just find it hard to believe the the Yanks opening day lineup will have Brett Gardner in LF. In spite of Cashman's protestations about Matt Holliday, most analysts and writers are saying the same thing: "I'll believe it when he signs with someone else." Unlike Boston, whose romances are all over the sports pages, Cashman keeps a very low profile with players they are after, so who knows?

***THIS IS THE WILDEST RUMOR OUT THERE***
This one showed up this morning: Albert Pujols to the Yanks. They are referring to next year's free agency, I believe. There is still a potential Joe Mauer signing next year, too. I can hardly wait for Cashman's take on this: "I've been mandated to keep the payroll under $450 million." I can see another seat price increase on the horizon.

***A POWER SHIFT IN THE WEST?***
Seattle is quietly putting a decent team together on the West Coast, while the Angels have lost 3 valuable cogs from last year's team: Lackey, Guerrero and Figgins while adding Hideki Matsui. Doesn't bode well for the Halos.

***THIS IS A PUZZLER***
I wonder why the Yanks haven't negotiated with Annie-O's favorite, Jose Molina? They must feel that Cervelli is ready and don't want to carry 3 catchers. 3 catchers isn't a bad idea, especially when one is a soon-to-be a 39-year old with deteriorating defensive skills.

***THIS IS A PUZZLER, PART II***
Why would a team with a spacious outfield and deep fences sign a home-run hitting outfielder with marginal defensive skills? I don't know either; let's ask Omar Minaya and the NY Mets. Omar has taken such a beating in the press last year, I guess he had to sign somebody noteworthy, but I doubt the Jason Bay will lead the Mets anywhere. They have no pitching (Johann Santana, notwithstanding), no 1st baseman, a shortstop who spent more time on the DL than on the field, a star (?) 3rd baseman who has obviously let the dimensions of Citifield (used to be Shea Stadium) get in his head and a centerfielder who acknowledges that he would have preferred to sign with the Yanks. Good luck.

ESPN Poll results: 59% Player A, 41% Player B.

Only 44 days till Pitchers & Catchers.