Lammycat

Just reminding that MIN apparently has a choice to pick up Ellsbury. Same thing.

According to the blog link above, Ellsbury was offered in one of the two packages to MIN.

Blog on the dealings/potential dealings: Of note is the potential BOS/MIN deal, Tiger's/Marlins (Dontrelle and Cabrera) possible?, Bedard possibilities, and BOS/Mike Lamb: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...winter_meetings

"Serious negotiations" between BOS/MIN: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basebal...ticleid=1048739

Bank it, folks. I'd be impressed if he actually stuck to his guns about the self-imposed deadline, however if an oppportunity to get Santana opens (and is in the arena of what he offered) and he doesn't jump on it he'll be drawn and quartered in NY.

On the bus this a.m.: Todd Snider- Colorado Demos.

If this happens, (and there are still plenty of factors to queer the deal at this point), I can't imagine why any NYY fan would be happy to see their team have to face a rotation like that 19 times next season. And, you omitted Schilling.

At what point does Hank step in and rescind his "deadline" by offering Kennedy? Also, Jose Guillen to sign with K.C.: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3140604

The Patriots should only have to play on Monday nights.

Great game.

Santana is still under contract with the Twins. Steinbrenner publicly announcing that he wants Santana, by name/calling him out/whatever, could be construed as tampering. It's a stretch, though, considering Selig has looked the other way in the past when things like this come up in the press.

Oops: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?p=282 And Pettitte back to NYY. Impact on possible Santana dealings...? http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-y...p&type=lgns

Tito was quoted in August after the incident during the NYY game when his attired was called into question during the game (during an at-bat, actually) as saying he wears the attire (which has official MLB logos on it) due to his poor circulation medical issues. He also said Bob Watson ok-ed it, and that he also wears several undershirts/long johns, etc. because of the health problems. Pretty damn absurd.

And to accompany Francona's 'honor," Bob Watson enacts the "Francona Rule" for "proper" attire while managing MLB games. Brilliant: http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/r...-francona-rule/ The winter meetings kicked off this a.m., too....

At the end of the day it's the players on the field who make the game what it is. This does not detract the hand a manager plays in contributing to the success/flaws of a team. I'd say Francona deserves both part of the blame for the collapse towards the end as well as the re-surgence in the post season. So yes, he should be partially credited for the team's success. Which is what the "award" from Baseball America is, pretty much: crediting the manager on the best team in baseball last season as the best manager overall.

Come on. So he should be penalized because he manages a team with a high payroll? That's horseshit. As stated above, he's had a hand in and been a factor in the teams success the last 4 years. No doubt. I'd go so far as to say he's the best manager the Sox have seen in 40-50 years. Managing involves more than what happens during the game, as you know. Francona has shown tact and diplomacy in handling his roster of mega-stars and duds alike. He's shown patience and tact with the relentless Boston media. He doesn't bad-mouth his players. Etc., etc. Give the guy some credit. If you think a

Yeah, the award is a little silly, but it's recognition for a job well done nonetheless, and an honor well merited: best record in baseball, AL Championship, completely dominant in the playoffs, second WS in 4 years, and he's managing in a hyper-sensitive baseball town where every time he sneezes it's analyzed. Baseball America certainly is not the first entity to recognize he's doing a hell of a job in BOS. Not to get into the "effectiveness/lack of effectiveness of a manager" deal again, but I think it's cool to honor managers for their work if they are a part of successful clubs. It's nic

Terry Francona, Baseball America's MLB Manager of the Year: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/major...res/265293.html

Ellsbury has been offered as part of a deal with MIN for Santana, apparently (thus removing Lester from the package, as well). Santana has said he will quash any trade that would send him anywhere but BOS or NYY. Sox also looking into Dan Haren and Ben Sheets as possibilities should the Santana deal not happen: http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_...12.27e46cb.html

Well, Steinbrenner, Jr. has said he'll pull the offer of Hughes, Melky, and a prospect after Monday from the Twins. This is the same guy who said he absolutely would not have A-Rod back after he opted out. Where's Cashman in all this, anyway? "As much as the Yankees want Santana, Steinbrenner insisted they do not plan to go back-and-forth with Boston. 'I don't really care what the Red Sox offer, to tell you the truth,' he said. 'The way I do things is, I make a strong offer, take it or leave it.'" http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spyanks1203,0,399845.story

Of course the Sox would like to keep Ellsbury, but they'd also like to attain another Cy Young caliber pitcher. I believe BOS would be prepared to deal either Bucholz or Lester, as well. I think a rotation with Schilling, Beckett, and Santana in it would obviously bode well for BOS and scare the shit out of division rivals, notably the NYY whom they face 18-19 times per season. Santana is only 28 years old, too. He's got the potential for a continued bright future, as well. A lefty of his import and skill doesn't come along all that often. I don't think BOS should toss anyone at MIN to acqu

MattZ. Have a good one.

Cheers to you, good man!