I am a NYY fan and from the beginning have sought to support A-rod. He always struck me emotionally to be a like a large-breed puppy that couldn't get out of the way of his own feet, but he never seems to grow into his feet. One of his Rangers' teammates said after he left "I don't know how we'll be able to remember to run to first base without A-rod telling us what to do from the dugout." My take was that he was a dorky rah-rah guy which is annoying but forgiveable with those numbers. I also appreciated his willingness to discuss going to therapy etc publically.

It was a breath of fresh air, but after awhile, even supporters like me started thinking "Buddy, STFU and play." My God, if you gave johnny damon's unfettered psyche A-rod's physical talent? you'd have the second coming of Lou Gehrig (the greatest baseball player of all time.)

Plus, if being the highest paid athlete of all time in any sport isn't enough for you, fuck you and the horse you rode in on. I hope he goes to Boston just for the fun of watching all those freaking dumbass Red Sox fans falling over themselves to explain why it is right to hate him before, but now they love him (as long as he's hitting).

Now, for the Yankees, we're trading Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy for Johann Santana. We're also signing Mike Lowell. Then we're surrounding those two with all of our homegrown young talent and veteran expertise and -- jujst going on a limb here -- I think we'll cruise to a 94 win wildcard spot again. Then, the season really begins.

ps- is it pathetic that i LOVE hot stove league? it's so full of promise; like the night before Christmas for three months. Do other markets have a weekly hot stove league TV show like the YES network does?

"Now, for the Yankees, we're trading Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy for Johann Santana."

And the reason why the Twins make this trade is?

Well, there are a number of reasons actually. The first is that Santana accounts for almost 20% of the Twins' salary and they are going to lose him after 2008 anyway. So why not get some young value for him now while the getting is good.

The Twins need a CF to replace Torii-with-two-i's. Cabrera is (statistically) better than Hunter was at the same age and is almost ten years younger. He also makes 4% of Hunter's salary. So clearing Santana's $13 million and Hunter's $12 million while locking up Cabrera, a very young player who may be a future super star.

Kennedy is a very good prospect who makes next to nothing. He's 22 years old, climbed three minor league levels last year. Her may not be Santana now or ever, but he has a 94 mph fastball and three other pitchers and he's young. Maybe he's not what you want, but then Alan Horne maybe.

Either way, the point is that MN doesn't have the money the big clubs do and would be stupid to let Santana walk next year without getting anything back. The Yankee have a very deep farm system again and will be using it (and piles of cash that Cashman trips over in his office) to rebuild.

Santana is the jewel in the crown this year. Hank wants to make a splash. I put the odds at 50-50 that we see the big man in pinstripes next year.

okay, so I can't say Gehrig is the greatest player ever because it might be some Negro league player, right? well, it might have been some pre-1900 guy from Venezuela as well for all we know.

Traditionally, when one makes a statement about someone being the greatest ever, it is of course understood that this is not 'proveable' one way or the other. it is usually a good natured way to start a debate about how one values different players and different eras.

But of course you knew that. You just have to be a dick.