Rex Hudler

Only on the third Thursday of the month, Steff....

Do we even know if this is true for sure? I haven't seen any reports other than what Rome was reportedly talking about. Could this have happened a couple of years ago and just now being brought back up?

I guess just because he is getting older. Wasn't he hurt some last year? I thought the comment about Schilling was strange too.

why confused?

I know it is fun to talk, but allow me to reiterate that all that article was is continuing the speculation that has gone on for at least a month now. There was no new infomation in there.

Juan Cruz is 25. He was caught lying about his age, previously. He aged two years in one offseason a couple of years ago. His correct birthdate is 10-15-78. Wilton Chavez and Francis Beltran are the only other Cubs players I have heard of that had to correct their age. The Sox only had 9 players (plus Pacheco before he got here) who had falsified or incorrectly reported their age. Ruddy Yan is the only notable one.

Not drastically different because they would have dumped salary in the form of Manny, Nomar and others.......

Acutally Alfonso got off the island to go play in Japan and then came to the US. He was not like a typical Dominican signee. He has already played professionally overseas. Could be Rafael Soriano, but I wouldn't think Rome would make much of a deal out of him.

LOL It wouldn't hurt my feelings if the Rangers demanded another prospect be thrown in. Perhaps a mid-level pitching prospect?

There were questions about his age when he first signed with the Yankees and started in the Minors.

Don't go searching for your free beer UNS. That's tomorrow. This is today.

Damn, I was just thinking of starting the rumor that Buehrle is damanding a trade to the Devil Rays. Something about wanting to live it up like a Spring Breaker during Spring Training.

You mean that is not how all the big deals work, Steff?

LOL...... you would be ecstatic if he were sigining with the White Sox tomorrow.

I thought the war was over? ;-)

Is that so wrong?

I guess it is a good thing that I have no idea who Avril Levign is. LOL

I'm with you Brando...... I'm with you.......

I'm sure the union would shoot for $140 million cap and $80 million floor. They would cite the phase in period and force the owners to account for increases in salary up to that time.

cw, I have to disagree with you to an extent. I am not sure that a salary cap is the only answer, nor am I confident that if one is implemented it will be in a format that will work well. But baseball has not always been this way. Yes the Yankees have pretty much had an advantage over everyone else and money was always a factor. In many years there were a few teams that didn't really have a chance going into spring training because of the inequities. But look at the current situation. The Red Sox have the 2nd highest payroll in baseball at about $20 million higher than the next closest team. The Yankees is $50 million higher than that and seems to keep growing. The gap between teams has never been wider than it is today. Yes, other teams have an opportunity to win the WS or have a great year. But to me there is more to the game than just hoping some team can knock off the Yankees. Unfortunately, I do not have the answer, but as someone who is very familiar with the game and its history, I am not comfortable with the direction the game has taken. Baseball is very resilient and will likely survive anything in the long run, but I just don't like the way it is heading. It seems like there are tremors that we need to stop ignoring before a real earthquake hits. I am not talking just about money woes, because I think they are only a part of it. But I do believe that the money in the game now has contributed to most of the game's problems. Remember, in the 50's the players made good money, but they made nowhere near what the player makes today compared to the average person. They should be paid and paid well, but it has gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

tomorrow never comes....... You know, like when promised free beer tomorrow!

Your line should have been "Don't think. It can only hurt the ballclub" Seriously though, I understand people's position on this board, but I would much rather see him go to the Cubs than the Yankees. And I believe he will.

I don't fault the Yankees. It is the system that is in place that allows them to make such moves. Credit Brian Cashman and Steinbrenner's braintrust in Tampa for being creative. Of course, creativity is much easier when you have $$ behind it. That said, I am a bit depressed with all of this. I just don't see it as being good for the game itself. Whether it is salaries, a strike/lockout or steroids, I have a bad feeling this sport is headed for some big troubles.

You are correct JimH. The Sox in total will have a 1st round pick, two sandwich picks and three second round picks in the upcoming draft. Finding players that can play, yet are signable and will not try to break the bank will be important. Not signing several of these players would hurt in a big way. But we have to be realistic in that they will have to be judicious in who the draft to avoid that from happening.

cw, I don't think that was meant so literally.