Sources tell me that A-Rod went to Mexico at the same time as Madonna did, but controversy erupted over his visit.
Brian Cashman said no to arbitrations for all of the Yanks� free agents in an effort not to spend ridiculous amounts of money (MLB.com), but then John Smoltz wouldn�t get one, either. The Mets would give Oliver Perez one.
Rickey Henderson and David Cone were among the Hall of Fame�s potential candidates for 2009. I�d definitely go for Rickey, with his base theft record and all that.
12.3.2008: Greene a Cardinal
According to ESPN.com, Khalil Greene was sent to St. Louis, so no more Padres days for him.
The Mets would keep Nelson Figueroa for �09, and Pedroia received a great Christmas present: a 6-year contract extension with the Red Sox Nation. Figueroa, in fact, was a gem in the Winter League as the Aguilas whipped los Tigres� butts in the Dominican Republic. Ditto for Tatis in his part of the Dominican Leagues!
Citi Field wouldn�t be renamed �Citi/Taxpayer Field� after all, but simply �Citi Field.�
12.4.2008: A Christmas Gift for Boston
Boston got Junichi Tazawa � a smart move because Boston needed a closer to back up Papelbon in his bullpen. Besides, �Dice-K� and Okajima were force enough in Boston�s rotation and bullpen.
Talk of C.C. Sabathia being a Yankee resumed.
In other news, not that this chick matters, but Happy 44th Birthday to Marisa Tomei! (She was born in �64.)
12.6.2008: A-Rod to Represent Dominican Republic in WBC
�Nuff said.
Meanwhile, Scott Boras and C.C. Sabathia met up in Las Vegas. And Oakland offered Rafael Furcal a $35-40 million contract to play in her club, but he didn�t want it. Shit�if some team offered me a contract like that, I�d take it!
12.7.2008: Happy Birthday Tino!
Tino Mart�nez was no Lou Gehrig, but he turned 41. Happy Birthday also to Eric Chavez of Oakland, who turned (???)!
Omar Minaya and Francisco Rodr�guez met in Las Vegas. Does this mean �K-Rod� just might join the Mets after all? The Mets offered �K-Rod� a $24 million contract, but we�ll see.
12.9.2008: �You�ve Got the �Wright� One, Baby!�
Yes, Francisco Rodr�guez, I�m talkin� to you! You joined the Mets� club, and Omar Minaya would pay you $37 million for three years. I think that amount is a bit too much, but I hope you prove yourself worthy of it, �C-Rod!� (Implying that he was signed prior to Citi Field�s opening)
Besides, Billy Wagner would miss the 2009 season, and the Mets were in frantic search of a closer. �K-Rod� was the answer to their Christmas prayers.
Meanwhile, Boston wanted to get Mark Teixeira. And Cashman went to San Francisco still in hot pursuit of C.C. Sabathia, trying to sign him.
Powerhouse FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ Being Signed to Mets
12.10.2008: America�s Newest Cash Cow
At long last, Cashman got hold of C.C. Sabathia...and won the fight over him. The Yanks would sign Sabathia for seven years and a pitcher record $161 million, beating out Johan Santana�s $137 million salary and placing Sabathia as the second highest paid athlete only to A-Rod.
The Yanks made another offer to A.J. Burnett: they wanted to pay him $91.5 million for five years. And speaking of the Yanks, Jeter would participate in the World Baseball Classic even if Matsui wouldn�t.
And Rick Ankiel was the apple of the Rays� eyes. Could St. Louis send him to Tampa Bay, where he could become part of that sexy new league of stars? Something tells me he will!
The Mets got J.J. Putz, and traded Endy Chavez and others, by way of a 9-player, three-team trade with Seattle and Cleveland.
In other news, and speaking of mega-offers, the Washington Nationals wanted to get Mark Teixeira even if it meant fulfilling his wishes of receiving $200 million: the Nats offered Teixeira a $180 million contract for eight years. If Teixeira were to accept the deal, he, not C.C. Sabathia, would be the second most paid athlete after A-Rod being the first. Geez�what�s with these money hogs these days? At least Rafael Furcal had heart enough to decline what he felt was �too much money.�
Greg Maddux? He retired after 18 successful years of pitching.
All info sourced from www.mlb.com.
Powerhouse C.C. SABATHIA Putting on Yankees Uniform at Record Price
12.11.2008: Hamels, Too?
Oh, so Philly�s once again talking yak about the Mets? This time it was courtesy of Cole Hamels. Still, David Wright said he wouldn�t let it get to him this time, not like the trash talk from Jimmy �Blabbermouth� Rollins.
Yadda, yadda, yadda. Jimmy Rollins this. Ryan Howard that. Say what you must, Philly, but you won�t be laughing first if �K-Rod� helps whip your butt! Ms. World �Fucking� Champion Diva!
12.12.2008: Handsome A.J. BURNETT Donning Pinstripes
A.J. Burnett of Toronto turned down the Braves� offer and took the 5-year, $82.5 million deal that the Yanks offered him, so now he joined Sabathia, Swisher, and others on the �Yankee Newbies� bandwagon.
Bernie Williams would represent his native PR in the WBC.
12.15.2008: Pedroia WBC-Bound
He would represent the USA in the WBC.
And Pujols won the This Year in Baseball �Hitter of the Year� Award.
12.16.2008: Is Tex Boston-Bound?
Boston offered Mark Teixeira a tremendous contract�mainly in an attempt to beat the Yanks and the Nats to getting the sexy slugger.
12.17.2008: Powerhouse FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ Trying on Mets Uniform
He sure did, so welcome to the Mets, �K-Rod.�
Speaking of the Mets, Citi Field would welcome the Boston Red Sox in her first two games.
Atlanta was well beyond angry when she learned that Rafael Furcal ditched her offer and would remain in L.A. for the next three years and $30 million.
12.18.2008: Two SEXY N.Y. Yankees Pitchers Being Presented
The Yankees introduced their newest ace talent as Sabathia and Burnett donned the pinstripes for the first time.
Meanwhile, Atlanta got stuck signing Greg Norton for 2009. She wouldn�t make further negotiations with other agents, but Greg Norton was said to be one of the more prominent performers in MLB. Hey, Atlanta, count your blessings. At least you got Mr. Norton.
Personally, I think Atlanta was just mad because she wanted to improve her rotation and bullpen, but found herself forced to let the good guys get away.
Chipper, McCann, and others would play in the WBC.
12.22.2008: Handsome DAVID WRIGHT Joining WBC Bandwagon
Although the Mets had Latinos in the first World Baseball Classic�s lineup, David Wright would represent the USA in the second WBC.
Jon Lester�s May 19, 2008, no-hitter took the TYIB honors as �Best Single-Game Performance of the Year.� I agreed because with Lester�s no-hitter, he hit immortality at the very moment where death was staring him down.
In other news, the New York Giants of NFL clinched home field advantage with an OT touchdown over Carolina.
12.23.2008: A Blue and White Christmas for Teixeira!
Boston who? Nats who? Those clowns lost the fight! Mark Teixeira ditched their offers in favor of the Yankees� 8-year, $180 million offer! Teixeira was the 19th person ever to sign a contract for $100 million or more, and the 9th such player to play for the Yankees! He, not C.C. Sabathia, was the second most paid player in the Yankees organization after A-Rod. But hey�the Yanks can afford it.
Handsome MARK TEIXEIRA Getting Best Christmas Present EVER
The Yankees would charge only 25 cents for the least expensive tickets at their new ballpark, for their Spring Training exhibitions with the Cubs. This was the same as the 1923 inaugural game. Opening Day tickets would be priced as high as $2,500.00.
Finally, Aaron Boone ought to have rejoiced to find this gift under his Christmas tree: his 2003 ALCS walk-off home run was voted by Yankees fans as the Stadium�s best moment ever.
Still, with the $400 million the Yanks spent just on Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira, the Yankees were dissed for their overwhelming expenditure in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
12.26.2008: Ugly KEVIN YOUKILIS Joining WBC Party
Kevin Youkilis accepted the invitation to play for the USA in the WBC.
12.28-12.31.2008: Johan Not in WBC; Ichiro, Andruw NYC-Bound?
According to several sources, Johan Santana wouldn�t participate in the World Baseball Classic after all due to an operation. Ichiro Suzuki was in the eyes of the Yankees, and Andruw Jones would be a potential Met after his horrendous season with Dodger Blue. You should have kept him, Atlanta!
Brad Penny? Boston got him!
Bernie Williams? Based on an article I read on Las Mayores, he injured himself in the Winter League � which would likely put an end to his playing career. His second album would be released in April 2009, but that�s off the subject.
That�s all the news I could take down this year. Let�s hope things get a little more youthful.