The State of Sports Nov. 17th

-Baseball

-Sox concerns at Center Field
What do the Red Sox do about the center field position. Something I never mentioned when I brought up my thoughts on needs the sox need to adress. Fact is do the Sox overpay for Damon. I mean do they want to chance it with the 32 free agent? He is calling for a 7 year deal for 84 Million. The Sox have offered 27-30 million over three years. Sox would have to sign him before December 8th, or else they have to offer him salary arbitration.

Meanwhile, the Yankees look like they are really interrested in filling their gap in centerfield. Scott Boras says Damon would make "the Yankees would dominate with Johnny Damon on their team. The key component is, how do you maximize A-Rod and Jeter? [Damon] makes A-Rod, Jeter and Matsui better. (according to ESPN Insider). I dont see the Yankees signing Damon because they have a very pressing need to get younger, and another high contract might put them in the red.

If the Sox dont sign Damon, what will they do? They really dont have any prospects they can use. Do they want to trade for Juan Pierre (who is arbitration eligible) or Torrii Hunter? Do they sign Brian Giles, who has played 46 games in center in the since '03? Or sign the ever aging Bernie Williams. And do the Sox want to part ways with any one of their young pitching prospects to replace a center fielder, when they can just resign Damon. There is really very little in the free agent crop to choose from this year.

The payroll is not a problem for the Red Sox. They get revenue from all over the place. If I remember correctly, they were second in revenues, only to the Yankees. I dont think money is a problem. When its all said and done the Sox will sign Damon, and it will come down to the wire, just like last year with Sox Captain Jason Varitek.

Yes, we may be dealing with the devil in Scott Boras, but maybe its the best move for them to make. Center field is definately something every Sox fan should be concerned about because you need a playmaker out there. I may be pissed about Damons comment, but its something id like to see adressed before the end of the year.

-Possible crazy trades ive heard/thought of:
How about Ramirez for Puljois. I still am trying not to laugh. The Sox are so going to not trade Ramirez because his value has plummetted with him being a 10-5 player, and just being too hard to handle. I really dont see him going anywhere, unless the Sox move his large salary for someone with another big salary.

Something crazy like a three team deal with Colorado and the Mets/some other team. Where we get Helton, the Mets/some other team gets Ramierez, and the Rockies save the franchise with prospects from the Sox and some other team. I like this one, because Sox need a big bat if they try and trade Ramirez.

What about trading Ortiz. My best freind said that they should trade Ortiz's low salary for a top tier pitcher so while his value is high. He then accuses me of being to attached when I said he was crazy. I told him his idea was way off. Fact is, he knows the Sox wont trade Ramirez either, so why not trade the next best thing. I also told him I thought Schilling, Clement, and Fouke would work out in the offseason and make contributions next season. He said I was the one who was nuts.

-Other views:
-Yankees overpaid for Matsui. But, he wasnt on the cheap for a very consistent bat either. He's their starting center fielder next year. No doubt about it. He is average, but they really need someone to anchor the outfield. He was really consistent out there during the second half, and who knows who the Yankees will replace in left field.

-I think Burnett is going to either Baltimore or Toronto. Both will overpay because they have money to just burn on the free agent with the 98 MPH fastball. He has great stuff, but has never pitched in the American League. I just think its amazing how teams in the last few years have just been signing pitchers with mediocre career records for big contracts. Last year it was Pavano, Kris Benson, and Matt Clement. This year its Burnett and maybe Jeff Weaver.

-You have to love the closers on the market right now. Just crazy strait out of my rear-end predictions: Billy Wagner-Philly; Trevor Hoffman- Cleveland; Wickman- Florida; Koch to setup for Cubs and they just might want to sign Gordon; and Ryan goes to a team not named Red Sox or Yankees. I see Sox signing Guardado to replace Myers as the key leftie in the pen, but not as the specialist.