Happy Holidays

I know this year has had fewer posts than those previous, but I promise that I am still alive.

Happy Holidays!

You really can't ever win if you are a General Manager...

Sign Andy P, you get praise.

Let Hideki Matsui slip away, people crap on you. Allow me to pile on.

I don't doubt that Mideki Matsui will be in the Hall of Fame - not so much for his numbers - which are solid but not Hall worthy, but for how he changed the game.

When Matsui played in Japan, he was the best player in the league by far. A three time MVP, he hit over 300 home runs. But, its Japan, right? The equivalent of "solid" AA baseball in North America. It is true. He was the Japanese Babe Ruth - if for no other reason, he was 6'2 and 230 pounds. His Nickname, Godzilla, is because of his size and an unfortunate skin condition. But in Japan, 6'2, 230 sticks out a little bit.

But, then he left Japan. He signed with America's team, the New York Yankees. I remember joking at the time that it was the newest Japenese import, and about as durable.

He wasn't the first, and when everything is said and done, he won't be the best - an honour reserved for Seattle's Ichiro (who is probably going to end his career in the top five total hits of all time) - but he was the biggest deal. It was the Japanese equivalent of Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. In fact, to this day, advertizing prices peak and the Japanese media follow Mr. Matsui where he goes.

And oh yeah - he can flat out play. Sure, he can't play outfield anymore - but he can still hit. He gave the Yanks a solid seven years. And, they let him get away for less than half of what he was making this year? Whaaaaa? he only signed a one year deal- we couldn't chance a one year deal?

They say it was because of his knees- that he wasn't durable.

Winning the world series MVP? Game Changing. I am not sure the Yanks have had a better clutch hitter in the past decade.

I am pretty sure that Matsui will play in Japan again. He will go back and be just as dominant as he was when he left. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for his play in Japan, and being the man who made playing in the MLB a Japanese dream. He is as much of a trailblazer as other players who came before him to break down barriers.

Thank you Mr. Cashman (aptly named)

For giving Andy what he wants

Now, if you can only momentarily pull your head out of your ass and remember what won you the World Series. Pitching. So trading two pitchers (one young, one tested) for an overhyped centre fielder while the World Series MVP and Japanese Cash COW Hideki Matsui, and less impressive, but equally clutch, Johnny Damon are not signed must be a great idea.

There are two different problems with this deal. On the one hand, we get another bat when the one thing we have is lots of bats. On the other hand, we gave away two very good chips which we could have put into the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. Halladay, Sabathia, Pettitte, Burnett - holy mother of god what a rotation that would be. Hands down the best in the majors - probably best in a couple decades - possibly best ever.

Now, don't get me wrong, if the Yankees traded for Roy Halladay it would be the last step in the creation of a salary cap in baseball- which would be bad for baseball, and horrible for the Yankees. But, Coke and Kennedy were solid, and could be traded knowing that they could be counted on for serious innings. Instead we got a prima donna who has not demonstrated to be all that much better than what we have NOW. And we gave up a great outfield prospect in Austin Jackson. AND what are we going to do with Brett Gardner.

I honestly believe that if it wasn't for George's wallet - which also routinely gets us into trouble - we would be worse than the New York Knicks for making deals. At least we can spend our way out of trouble.

Petit Pettitte, Redux

Pay him what he wants you bastards!

West Block v. GreenPeace

So, a bunch of idiots from GreenPeace have scaled the West block towers to demonstrate in favour of a strong Canadian position at Copenhagen.

I hope they don't trip over all the asbestos up there.

401, I hate you, Redux

Oh, let me count the ways.

I pledge to not drive on you until you have a lane for people who are not from toronto that isn't the 407.