Banghart

Unfortunately it was Nightengale who even gave the glimmer of hope there.

From the outset I've acknowledged that I am both not rational on this topic and that I will be disappointed.

I am not prepared to be rational about any potential Ohtani sweepstakes. There is no price that is not worth it to bring this one of kind of player to Chicago and I will be disappointed when the inevitable happens.

Don't think it is weird to say and think it is pretty easy to argue it is a big deal with how early the course of the season is going to be set with this bunch.

It never fails.

It was a very nice play and does make a difference. But man that is a hard sell that to have a better bat available got that slot wouldn't produce a greater impact. That said I wouldn't be opposed to Hosmer putting up an Eric Karros type season for us to fluke our way I ti a fun season.

Well that was an impressive second inning of work and back to .500.

I am aware of the broad strokes of Everton's plight and it is why the way Newcastle has managed to do it so far has been so impressive. They actually haven't gone overboard and while there were big spends in the last few windows, it was always spread out on upgrading 3 to 4 spots versus buying names. But Everton does seem like barring some major hiccups should manage to survive once again. And then another shot at getting it right finally.

As a Newcastle fan since the days of Shearer, I can relate to this sentiment so hard. There is a drama with avoiding relegation that is hard to explain in the context of North American sports that makes it so meaningful to just stay in the league, and racing to get 40 points and safety did make for intriguing watches while a Scrooge owned the team. Have to admit though watching blood money build a Champions League qualifier is a lot more fun though.

I only have second information but legendary six tool player by all accounts I've heard.

K-Rod will be their setup man. His vesting option for next year is for $17.5 mil and kicks in at 55 games finished, so the Brewers won't want to be on the hook for that and is the reason the Mets wanted to deal him. Seeing as they got cash in the deal, it's not an awful trade for the Brewers, depending on the players they gave up. Actually the magic number is 54. The option also kicks in if K-Rod closes 100 games between 2010 and 2011. He finished 46 games in 2010. He only needs 20 more to get to that 100. So this really hurts my fantasy team to lose one of its closer....

I think age makes this a viable question because it is possible that he could grow out of the position. I don't think he will, but it isn't unheard of guys to get bigger at this point in life. Right now he has the range and definitely the arm to play SS. Leave him where he is at because he is more valuable to this team playing SS than any other spot.

Why would the Yankees want Castro? They have Eduardo Nunez. Who after listening to the Fox and ESPN broadcast I know is the second coming... of Derek Jeter...

Slider? It looked like a splitter that was the out pitch and pretty good so far today.

Two huge splitters for strikeouts to get out of the inning.