A.J. is too much of a question. At his highest potential he’s a absolutely great pitcher, but I can see him crumbling under the pressure from us fans. That’s why seeing how well he does in his first year in New York is important.

The only stat that really matters for an offense is runs. Giambi had 96 RBI batting behind Damon, Jeter and Arod. I know all three of them were hurt at some point, but his bat won’t be missed. Matsui should be more than able to drive in as many runs, whether he does it with the long ball or by hard hit doubles is irrelevant. He will put the ball in play, and most importantly he will continue to do that in high pressure situations. You can’t be a great clutch hitter if you aren’t a great hitter. How many games might have been pulled out last year if, with men on we had a guy capable hitting to all fields with less power than Giambi and his golf/pull shot. I would take Matsui and/or Posada (depending on how much time either can be in the field) driving it to the gaps consistently over Giambi’s all or nothing approach any day.

because I posted the article that Furcal resigned with the Dodgers? or is it because your video game trades **isn’t going** to come true so you post it up and feel special about it? Yeh sure, I will shut up.

I also talk for much of the post about signing cameron and pettitte over tex – for the same amount of money next year and the lack of a better option for right field in the free agent market in 2010. Tex is nine years and the two above is only one but tex lowers the age of the team, improves defense, atheleticism, lineup, balance, power, obp, pitches/PA, depth of bench and various other tangible and intangible measurements. Pettitte and cameron can be easily replaced in house by far cheaper and likely just as decent options. 20 million IMO is far far too much for 1 year of an aging center fielder with some defensive prowess and a little power and a fourth or fifth starter. Tex represents an upgrade in almost every category for the same price in 2009. He is 28 making him 36 by the deals conclusion still fully capable of playing solid ball. All tex’s indications of success have been gradually improving every single season despite his fluctuation among teams, leagues and opposing pitchers. His K total is decreasing while his walks have risen drastically. His OPS+ has risen from 102 to 131 to 151 within 5 years. He has had 4 seasons with more than 300 total bases and hit at least 30 homers every season since his second. Despite slight decreases in homeruns, his doubles have improved to over 40 per season so his slg remains constant. He likely would have won three or four gold gloves had he stayed in one league the last two seasons. Then, of course there is his post season performance with the angels last season- 467 avg 550 obp in 15 at bats. Small sample size but he clearly was not intimidated in his playoff debut.

shut up.please.

thank the lord you’re not standing next to me.