Patrick Newman of the Japanese baseball website NPB Tracker discusses a story in Nikkan Sports regarding the Red Sox interest in Hideki Matsui. According to the insider, Matsui is considered as a viable alternative to Jason Bay. Obviously this is simply a rumor, but the Yankees and Red Sox have shown interest in each others players before. I have my doubts about Matsui being a fit in Boston. Although he put a comparable offensive season statistically to Bay I can’t imagine him handling ... Read Full Story

Vince Gennaro author of the book “Diamond Dollars” will be joining me tonight on NYBD Radio. Vince talks in his book about how building a baseball team is “part art and part science.” I will ask him if “moneyball” and modern business principles are not prevalent around major league baseball. I will ask him if small market teams, especially in this economy, can realistically compete against the likes of Boston and New York. We will also talk about salary cap... Read Full Story

Yesterday it was Edwin Jackson and now today there are reports that Curtis Granderson has been made available by the Tigers. We all know the economy is going to hit some markets harder than others and I am starting to get the feeling that Detroit might be one of the “have nots” this offseason. Michigan’s unemployment rate is around 15% and Detroit has been in the high twenties this year. Obviously disposable income is scarce in the motor city and that is sure to impact the b... Read Full Story

More nuggets from Chicago: - Many thought that Brian Bruney would be non tendered this offseason, but reports indicate otherwise. Bruney is in line for about a 20% raise from his current 1.25 million dollar salary. You can never have enough power arms, although I was told this summer that many believe Bruney’s elbow is a “ticking time bomb” waiting to go off. On a side note I was in Trenton the day Bruney went off on Francisco Rodriguez. That was Subway Series weekend and al... Read Full Story

You just know that Roy Halladay and the Yankees will be a storyline this offseason. Many, including me, have speculated that Toronto would be adverse to dealing Doc in the AL East. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald debunks that theory by quoting Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos as saying that it “won’t be a stumbling block.” Before you celebrate I will caution that Anthopoulos said “if the return is acceptable.” That is always the million dollar question when the Ya... Read Full Story

The discussions and rumor mills are in gear. Who should the Mets sign in this subpar free-agent class? Outfielder Matt Holliday and pitcher Ray Halladay appear to be the players Mets fans covet.  Maybe they should look beyond these two. First, let’s shelve Halladay, unless the Mets are willing to send newly minted No. 1 prospect (Baseball America) Jenrry Mejia, No. 4 Ike Davis, a player off the 25-man roster, lefty Jon Niese and loads of cash to Toronto.  If Mets GM Omar Minaya wants Hallada... Read Full Story

The reporting on the Ponzi scheme that Bernie Madoff perpetuated has been thorough- with the clear understanding that the Securities and Exchange Commission failed to exercise its regulatory authority many times over. But the most concrete clue that Madoff would equal disaster came from his to-be-auctioned satin Mets jacket, now for sale by the U.S. Marshals at this weekend’s auction of Madoff material. The jacket, just like the one Doc Gooden used to wear after getting a base hit, has ... Read Full Story

Joel Sherman quoted an AL GM this morning who wondered “if the Angels tepid interest in John Lackey is a red flag for prospective buyers.” Earlier in the offseason we have heard about the Mets concerns about offering John Lackey a multiyear deal. This is the same type of talk that followed A.J. Burnett last winter. During the show Howard and I always talk about how strikeout rate is a good first indicator of negative downward trends for a pitcher. In the case of Lackey he has drop... Read Full Story

Right now Omir Santos and Josh Thole would be the Mets backstops if tomorrow were opening day. As much as I value great game calling and defense, two of Santos strengths, I believe he is more of a backup than everyday catcher. Josh Thole seems to have a promising future, but it appears his defense requires a season at AAA. So far names like Bengie Molina, Rod Barajas, Chris Snyder, and even Jason Varitek have been mentioned. I think the best choice would be the “almost Met” Yorvit... Read Full Story

Contrary to published reports, the Yankees are not, I repeat, not satisfied with standing pat with the rotation as currently constructed, and will not rely solely on internal options to fill any voids. We contacted our main Yankees source down in Tampa on Tuesday night, who reiterated that the team is “ready and willing to add a veteran presence to the rotation.” One of the reasons the Yankees are looking to add a veteran starter is the status of Andy Pettitte. We were told that t... Read Full Story