Doesn’t look like the whole A-Rod thing will go through. I’m sure the Yankees are sighing in relief. Now you have two of the Sox best players, Manny Ramirez and Nomar, unhappy with their situations. Does anyone have the feeling that the Blue Jays are going to sneak up and win this division next year?
Tigers signed Al Levine. Not a bad pickup, as he had a decent year last year, and spotted at closer for Troy Percival the year before that. Like Vina and White, I’m not doing cart wheels, but Levine should be able to help us.
Rumors abound that Rich Aurilia wants to stay in the NL. Rich had one really good year, and little else. Of course anyone would be an upgrade over Ramon Santiago and his 29 RBIs in 444 at bats. I think I’d rather see Santiago and Infante square off again to see who plays short, then the Tigers signing Deivi Cruz.
Was Baseball Prospectus correct in predicting Pete Rose would be reinstated by the end of 2004? Things are pointing towards an affirmative. Rob Neyer is the latest to pipe in on this one, but it looks like Pete Rose’s book is coming out two day’s after the next Hall of Fame class will be announced. Rumor has it he’s going to admit he did bad things, and all will be forgiven.
It also looks like we’re going to have one more year of Brandon Inge, as the Tigers signed backup catcher Mike DiFelice. I think we can give Brandon one more chance, but I have a feeling that if he doesn’t show us something this year, he’ll be relegated to a career backup at best.
I’m going to see Return of the King tomorrow night. Very excited. Sandwiched between the two installments of Lord of the Rings was Pirates of the Caribbean, which was a great movie. Definitely Johnny Depp at his best.