Twas the night after the Winter Meetings

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Nation,


Finger pointing, frustration… the Shaun Marcum situation;

Our Blue Jays were hung by the Yanks and Rays last year,

Now Cashman’s wheeling and dealing for another title next year;

Anthopolus was nestled all snug in his bed,

While visions of low risk, short-term deals danced in his head;

Beeston in his ascot, and John Farrell in his old Sox cap,

Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the ice there arose such a clatter,

Public skating today?… Did a scalper’s wallet get fatter?

Away to Blu Jay Way we flew like a flash,

Tore open the gates, …then we heard a big crash.



The Rogers sign on the crust of a 4-day-old snow,

Gave luster to the fallen object by the blue line below,

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

Paul Beeston, with skates on, but sprawled out toe to ear,

Watching was his wife, so lively and slick,

We knew in a moment, Paul tripped on his stick. ( Still no socks !)



Less rapid than a Zamboni, he called them by name,

Paul whistled, and whispered, he wanted the Leafs to start a game:

"Now, Dion! now, Giggy ! now, Kessel and Wilson!

On, Aulie! on, Mitchell! on, Kabby, put Burke in!

To the center ice line! And let’s see a good brawl,

Now dash away! I’ve got cash to make! Slash away all!



So how ‘bout those Blue Jays, will Romero win the Cy?

And have you seen his curveball? Rickey must be quite the guy;

But who’ll start at first base? Who’s our new guy at third?

Will we miss Johnny Buck? Should we give his agent the bird?

And then in a twinkling, we heard a fan screaming

At his prancing and pawing, she thought she was dreaming.



As she drew in her head, and was turning around,

Down the runway our new first baseman came with a bound.

Lind's hair is so long, it grew over a foot,

And his jersey was dirty with pine tar and soot;

His old jersey # was stamped on his back,

He bought it off e-bay as soon as he unpacked.

His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard was back on his chin don’t cha know;





Then next spring in Dunedin, with his deal signed and sealed,

With new sunglasses on, he strolled out on the field;

He takes off his shirt, the girls start to scream,

He smiles just like Aaron Hill, a pink hat fan’s dream.



He spoke to the media, and went straight to his work,

He went into the cage; he worked on a quirk;

Then he turned on a ball, his arms coming around,

a loud crack of the bat, the ball took off with a bound;



It’s our old friend Hilly, Aaron’s bat was so quick,

Balls lined one by one, looks like he's made out of brick

He was signed for three more years, Alex just had to bite,

To bring back the ’92 spirit, we’ll see less idiots tonight!



And there stood Vernon, finally fit and trim,

The $125.1 million treasure found his way to the gym;

VW showed up early and looked ready to play,

He won’t make us forget Bell, he’s a fan of the K., and the DL



And then just like before, Lyle made the ball fly,

Snider grinded away, Gonzo hit hard line drives;

With Wells in center, And Esco at short,

They're fine up the middle, still need run support;

Molina had the old stroke back, when he hit ‘em they flew,

They all batted around, Arencebia too !!

The crowd sprang to their feet, to the team gave a whistle,

Jose circled the bases, Cecil threw another missile;

A new year is upon us and our Olde Towne ballclub,

"WHO NEEDS MANNY RAMIREZ! PENNANT FEVER STILL GRIPS US!"

A Winter of Discontent

Crawford signs with the Red Sox, and they also dealt for long sought after Adrian Gonzalez, and oh, will have a healthy Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis in their line up.        So who said we have a limited window in Toronto ? 

It just shut tight, and by the way, by the weekend they will be weeping in Arlington that Cliff"the mercenary" Lee signed with the Pin Stripers of New York.

The only team that should feel worse than us is Tampa, but they believe what is left after Pena, Crawford, Soriano and Benoit have departed is strong enough to compete.

C'mon man, they had a hard time scoring with Crawford and Pena in the line up, and they just dealt Jason Bartlett to San Diego for minor league arms, to pave the way for Reid Brignac and a career average of .260 and 9 home runs.         

Turns out Reid can play defense, and Bartlett costs more to boot.

Winter meetings just concluded, but the world of blackberries buzzes onward, and signings will cresendo just about the 1st week of January, when the money starts drying up.


That should be when the street sweepers of GM's come back out, looking for what the rich free spenders did not take, and like American Pickers, they will look for bargains.

Last year, the Jays got Alex Gonzalez, and he turned in 3 wonderful months, and I expect Anthopolous and TB GM Freidman will be like others looking to table scraps after the big boys are stuffed and waiting for spring training.

I will tell all you loyal readers that you can expect the Jays to grab one reliever, maybe long rumoured Canadian Jesse Crain, and who knows Russell Martin might opt for playing time and sign in Toronto, hey that would give us 3 potential Canadians that could break camp. Scott Richmond, Crain and Martin, maybe they can create a local identity on the Jays.

Martin is a long shot, and he may not be able to catch, and he has to sell versatility, as his bat has slid south of late. Otherwise, what the Jays have with the metriculation of youngsters in the pen, we have 95 % of the players, maybe 97 %.

If you are buying the Zack Greinke crap about Toronto, I am not buying it, and neither should you. He is both expensive and has not had success playing in eastern power areas like Fenway and Yankee Stadium, so why jump to Toronto and the middle of a street fight, where your guys have sticks, and the other guys have machette's. Not quite the fair fight, better to toddle around in the Central where non descript fans in KC, Cleveland, Minny watch you play with quiet mid western family values still are practised.

To those of you still buying the Rogers bullcrap, I am sorry for you, as some of you are probably Leaf and Argo fans too. 

As read from Shakespeare,

Richard III :


" Now is the winter of our discontent

Made glorious summer by this son of York;

And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house

In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. "

This winter may yet bring spring fruit, but expect bitter harvest...Jim McCullough,

The over under on Jays wins now stands at 79, sorry fans, a bleak house doth we now inherit......

December in Florida

Winter Meetings

It would be lovely to be in the Dolphin Hotel in Orlando this week, for all the obvious reasons. Weather is better, and the GM's are all making baseball deals, and free agents are signing. Still waiting for Cliff Lee to lift the logjam and cause all the ripple effect.

Back here in Mississauga, we just read about what the Jays are up to, or speculated to be up to, and more speculation than facts.

Young Jays GM Alex A is into his 2nd winter meeting, and has now dealt 2 opening day starting pitching. Watch out Ricky Romero, you may be next. Much baalyhoo has been made of the Marcum deal, and while I always like getting cannot miss prospects like Brett Lawrie, I am in the "show me camp" on Lawrie.  What position does he fit ? Is he a head case ?, does he have a major league bat ?.  Alex answered all those questions to his own satisfaction, and sent Marcum, a year back from Tommy John surgery, and a very fine bounce back to Milwaukee for more "future" stock pilig.

I see many agendas here, one is Rogers have told Alex to monitor the payroll and because they know they have to pay big $$ to Wells, they also see more cash going to Jose Bautista, so this saves some money from what appeared to be a $ 60 million area payroll.

No Encarnacion, no John Buck, no Lyle Overbay, no Scott Downs, and no Kevin Gregg, and no Fred Lewis.  They have been replaced by JP Arenceibia, David Purcey, Rajah Davis, and some internal candidates for Shaun Marcum's rotation gig.

I think Lind will move to 1st , and Hill may move to 3rd, and Davis is the new 4rth outfielder. Jason Fraser, Purcey and perhaps Jesse Crain ( if he signs ) are the back end, with Camp, Janssen and a lefty for the middle, with Romero, cecil, Morrow, Litsch, and Drabek or Richmond or the Zepper rounding out the rotation, or as long relief. 

I think the year Rogers will allow real dollars to be spent might be 2012, since there are not enough bums in the seats yet, and perhaps the Rogers folks have other major aquisitions on their minds ( MLSE )

Meanwhile Jays fans dig their way out of snow drifts, and ponder what is going on in Disney World, will they get all Goofy or the next deal, or are they going to get a Mickey Mouse approach to what should be division chances.

Adrian Gonzalez, plus a healthy Pedroia, and Youkilis will vault the Sox back into contention, despite Josh Beckett's arm, or Papelbon's worst season, as the Rays are in sell mode again, watch out Baltimore, they are the Rays are taking that express elevator to the basement again.

The Yanks hope to sign Cliff Lee, because honestly they have to. After Sabathia, their rotation was pretty crappy last year. Plus the re signed Pinstripe Jesus to play shortstop, until he turns gray.  I am sure at some point if the Yanks get Lee, he will ( as a ground ball pitcher ) wonder if he made the right choice. Elvis Andrus or Derek Jeter.

Jeter, according to the Yankees press machine is the best defensive shortstop, based on how many he got to that the ball went in his glove....okay..that's like saying I am best at getting on an off an elevator, it's the balls he cannot get to more and more, and sooner than later, the slower of foot speed will reduce his range to a phone booth size area.

In London, Ontario they have a job getting rid of the snow, in Florida, we are getting more a snow job from the Jays. Sorry, but I think we are not making the efforts we should right now.

Trip Notes and the Off Season

Scouting Trip

I was on a 11 day - 5 island Carribean cruise, and as you can see the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking for a new manager, another stooge they can blame things on when they 70-92 next year.  The guy to left doesn't look much smarter either, so maybe their choice was better.

A great vacation folks, the wife and I were very happy, and are hoping to plan another one for 2012 I am guessing.  In gthe interim, back to reality, baseball in it's silly season, awards all handed out, and to the right players and managers.

Now we begin with the Cliff Lee dance, but at least there are only 2 teams, NY and Texas, and if he signs in the next 2 weeks, the winter does not drag on wondering what happens to all the other pitchers who have to wait out where Lee lands.

If he gets a 7 year deal from the Yanks, I cannot see Nolan Ryan matching, but 6 years, $130 million , well maybe, with bank financing as well.

Nutzy crazy Derek Jeter is trying to pretend he has any leverage against NY, and CA$HMAN at least has the good sense to try and limit the term to 3 years, and $ 15 million, still too much for a diminishing skills player. Even theYanks knew when to say goodbye and farewell to Babe Ruth.  The modern day Bombers are using the media the same way that Jeter's camp is, playing it tough , he has not place else to go, and will be 40, and a very old slow 40 or older when he completes the next and last deal, so who does Derek think he's fooling.

Who pays $ 17 million for 5 years, I mean c'mon pal, it's the Yanks, or nobody, take the money, show up in Tampa in February and try and wipe that smirk off your face, you still hosed New York.

Later on this month I plan on really looking hard at free agents, new playoff structure, and maybe a few Christmas rants and raves.

Off now, Grey Cup Sunday, Go Green Roughies

Let them eat cake

Every Dog Has his day

Tomorrow I celebrate another anniversary of the day I was born, and I never forget for one minute how damn lucky I am.

Family will be there and that is what's important to me. Presents are nice, but uneccessary, as my best present is life and what you experience in it.

In terms of what life has brought me, it's a wonderful 28 year relationship with my wife, a 26 year marriage, and my kids.

The fact that my father is still going at 88, and my 2 sisters have good families of their own. My workmates enjoy my company, and my company respects my talents, so what else is there ?

Well we can hope for our fave teams and players to do well, win the odd championship, but I have had 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Grey Cups, and 6 Super Bowl wins from my teams, plus of course 2 World Series wins, and fantasy baseball, I have 2 Hockey and 2 Baseball championships to boot.

I have everything I could want, so let me use my birthday wish for the following;

1.  How about 10 days of no murders in North America
2.  How about the end to this crap in Afganistan, bring the Canadian boys home for Christmas
3.  While we are at it, can I not offend anyone by saying " Merry Christmas " ??
4.  Can Rob Ford stay on his diet for 2 weeks, the guy looks like a heart attack waiting to happen.
5.  Can the Leafs win enough to make the last month interesting again.
6.  A light snow on Christmas day.
7.  A few more day baseball games
8.  A new puppy in 2011, please....

Playing Catch Up

I had a lot of time between the last blog due to a nice 11 day cruise, whereupon much happened during my absence, so let's try and play a little catch up.

The SF Giants won the series, in 5 games over the Texas Rangers, with relative ease.
The Blue Jays announced a manager, and he in turn announced his complete staff, welcome back Pat Hentgen.
MLB began handing out hardware for Gold Gloves, again to that over hyped guy in New York that plays shortstop.
Manny was sighted in Toronto sparking many tongues wagging about a Manny signing.
Cliff Lee started planning his exit strategy from that sweltering heat in Texas, gezzus christ Cliff, doesn't $25 mill a year buy a peck of AC units.
Brian Cashman trying to live up to his last name, backing up the Brinks truck for said FA Lee.
The game lost a real treasure in Sparky Anderson and then broadcaster Dave Neihaus.

A lot seems to happen when I leave for vacation, but ya know, have to keep the wife happy.

I correspond routinely with Fantasy guru Glen D, now touring France chasing Elliott Murphy from venue to venue. He e-mails that the Toronto Sun report the Jays may be trying to deal with KC for Greinke and Alex Gordon for "can't miss prospects",  does that mean Snider and Drabek ??? C'mon Glen, you're on freakin holidays, lay off the internet.

Chris Bosh continues this Toronto rant with the one about enduring bad cable channels, ah tell this motor mouth to shut the hell up already, he has gone way past annoying, and he's approaching heemoroid territory.

Also of note we see that Jose Bautista can bargain with his Silver Slugger Award in tow, are you paying attention Alex, opening bid is now $ 12 million for 5 years, and if wins the MVP , the $15 million per annum awaits.

A few routine signings, releases, and manager carousel of course in Metland, Pittsburgh and other exotic locales, while Timmy Lincecum has his photos taken in Orlando with Goofy, Mickey and the Duke, no make that Donald Duck, his fave. The G-Men looked like the team with all the mojo, winning with the bat boy in the outfield and the trainer on 3rd, jsut as long as The Freak, Cain and The Beard were pitching, you could have had McCovey at 1st, and Tom Haller catching, and they would have won.

The Rangers edge throught the playoffs seemed to depth of rotation, and timely hitting, and big innings, none of those did they enjoy in the World Series.

Have to say quickly I am enjoying a book called Crazy 08', a time period baseball book my son downloaded that is not a history lesson of 2008, but 1908 no less. A great walk throught the new century's first decade and all the changes that actually began during that year, withn the backdrop of a 3 team National League wire to wire pennant fight between the Pirates, Cubs and John McGraws Giants.

So far it is far from a baseball standard offering, and has capured the spirit of the times, the politics, the race riots, the workers struggles, and how all those elements were mirrored in baseball.

I will write reams on the loss of Sparky, or Captain Hook as he was called during his time as skipper of 2 time Series winner in Cincy. ( 75 and 76' ).

I look at the clock and that means it is time to sign off for now, back to the grind, but will back soon banging on the keyboard with off season speculations, and Free Agent news and notes,

Stay tuned !!

Back fighting the good fight

World Serious Time

Last night the American League and the National League began their annual ritual for the ultimate in baseball prizes, the World Series, and baseball supremecy.

Each team sent it's ace pitcher, the unfatiguable Cliff Lee, the undefeated on, versus the kid they call the Freak, Timmy Lincecum. And they even call him Timmy. Age versus youth, best against best.

The Rangers have the hitters, the Giants have the beards, moustaches, and weird lingerie, so the story lines go.  A game started also when it was still light out, a novel twist for those of us that can recall day baseball.

The game began with all the fanfare, the aged Giants from the past, Monte Irivin at 91 tossing out the first pitch, a strike, as called by Rick Sutcliffe ( still the Charlie Sheen of baseball broadcasters ).

The final score was 11-7, an neither ace lasted even 6 full innings.  The stuff of legends, hah ! Not even close.  MLB was quietly seething as these teams from such places as Arlington and San Francisco mugged for camera time, and the networks pined for New York New York final. Someone tell the Mets about this.

It was a spotty first game, errors, base running gaffs, and it made for more of carnival atmosphere than a traditional World Series game. But that's what we get more of these days, bread and circuses, not 1-0 games picthed by guys named Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson and Orel Hershiser.  We got parity now, and $ 55 million of payroll ( in Texas ) does buy you a nice trip to the west coast.

I am rooting for the Giants, ans I can here Tony Bennett beginning to loosen his pipes and singing about where he left his heart, not because of any hate for Texas, but this Non Barry Bonds squad is just way too appealing with it's collection of great front line pitchers, and odd balls like cast off Cody Ross, red thonged Aubrey Huff, Juan "I hope my belt does not break" Uribe, and rookie catcher Buster Posey, they aren't your fathers' Giants of McCovey, Marichal and Willie Mays, but they have game.

The other interesting side story is that of Ranger ( and ex Giant ) Bengie Molina.  So get this straight, no matter who wins, Bengie gets a ring. He played enough time for both team. He gets a ring even the Giants win. Sit down for that one.

The one story I still laugh over is the one where as the Rangers beat the Yankees, it was suggested that the ALCS MVP was none other than Bud Selig.  Come again ??  Bud Light for MVP, because as you see, when the Rangers were trying to complete the deal for Cliff Lee, they were held in trust ( prior to their sale to Ryan and Daniels ) by MLB. So they needed approval from Buddy. They got it, Lee won every game in the ALDS and ALCS, so if MLB had said no, would the Rangers have beaten the Yankees ?

I am now off until the 12th of November, so likely no blogs until the Series is over.