Ok Sabathia is in the fold.  I’m not going to complaint about the money or length of contract.  The Mussina deal worked out (although I recognize Moose kept himself in shape).  We all knew the price would be high and that this was the man targeted.  Done deal.

The Yanks are in discussion for Sheets.  I agree with our Manager that when he’s on the mound, he’s very, very good.  The trouble is getting to the mound.  They better do their due diligence medically on this one.  But, like alot of other guys (Bedard, Peavy, Burnett) there’s some concern for the arm.  The choice is basically do you want the upside of Sheets or the durability of Lowe? 

John, you’ve got Manny in that lineup.  Basically your thinking is that Texeria goes to the Red Sox and as a checker on a checker, the yanks sign Manny.  Not a bad thought.  The Ankiel thing is welcome.  The guy can play (Mike will especially like that signing if true).  And the lineup you project is perfectly fine with me – given that rotation.  Interesting…. Hughes does not fit into your equation.  Although we know that you can never have enough pitching so that when Sheets goes down, perhaps Hughes can slot right in.  The team you lay out, I would feel very comfortable with as an opening day lineup.  Although our friend Joe would have something to say about the acquisition of Manny.