Et tu, Brute?  Oh….a dagger in the heart of Red Sox fans everywhere.  Johnny Damon, heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox, and the leadoff hitter/sparkplug of the Boston offense, has jumped ship.  The turncoat has signed a 4-year, $52 million deal with the rival New York Yankees.  He fills the one glaring hole in the Yankees’ lineup at center field, and provides a leadoff hitter to bat in front of Derek Jeter.  The Yankees lineup is now projected to be: Damon, Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano and either Bubba Crosby or Kenny Stinnett as DH.  I made a prediction that whoever landed Damon would win the AL East, and now I must hold to that prediction, for I believe it to be true.  With Damon, the Yankees get that much better.  Sprinkle a little Octavio Dotel, and the Yankees look primed to win for an 11th straight season.  Meanwhile, the Sox have been stabbed right through the heart.  Word is they are looking into landing Jeremy Reed from the Seattle Mariners as a replacement, but no one can replace what Damon offered.  The Evil Empire strikes again…and you thought they weren’t going to make any moves.  Til’ next time, dear readers.

De Lao, out.

     Deals all around as the hot stove is still going crazy.  First, a breaking news item.  The New York Daily News is reporting that the New York Mets have solved their catching dilemma, acquiring Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins, in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez, and a player to be named later.  Lo Duca finished this past season with a .283 average, 6 home runs, and 85 RBIs.  Not quite a power threat, Lo Duca is still a solid player who usually puts up good numbers.  The move is interesting, considering that there were two other prime catchers on the free agent market, in Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez.  Perhaps a deal could have been reached with either one (both of whom are younger-Lo Duca is 33), and Hernandez could have been saved for another deal.  As for the Marlins, the departure of stars continues.  Lo Duca now joins Carlos Delgado, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell as a former Marlin.  He is also the second to be dealt to the Mets, along with Delgado.  What happens next?  The Marlins have a deal close to ready that would send center fielder Juan Pierre to the New York Yankees.  The Marlins want Robinson Cano, though, so this deal is not ready as is.  Count on Pierre to be the next to go, though.
    Elsewhere…the Cleveland Indians signed Paul Byrd to a 2-year, 14.25 million dollar deal.  Byrd did a great job with the Anaheim Angels last season, and looks to bolster the Indians rotation even further.  Wow, can’t wait to see Cleveland/Chicago next season…Another division rival gets dealt with a blow.  Rafael Furcal has shunned the Atlanta Braves and signed a 3-year, 39.5 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Braves will now need to hunt for a new shortstop and leadoff man…til next time, dear readers.

De Lao, out.

    In 1997, the then-World Series Champions were dismantled in a horror show that was worthy of being re-aired on "Monsterfest", with Joe Bob Briggs doing a frightening narration of all the stars that were unceremoniously dumped.  I was not too into baseball at the time, so I was not able to realize the tragedy of what occurred with the Marlins.  Now, a mere 8 years later…the horror has returned.  Watch as the names fly away from southern Florida…Carlos Delgado…Josh Beckett…Mike Lowell…and now, Luis Castillo.  Even as a Mets fan, I still can take no pleasure in seeing this divisional rival become dismantled in a way that is worthy of Jigsaw from "Saw."  Today, the Minnesota Twins were the benefactors of the Marlins’ "Buy all while supplies last!" sale.  ESPN’s Peter Gammons reports that Luis Castillo was acquired by the Twins in return for two pitchers, Travis Bowyer (24 years old, right handed reliever) and Scott Tyler. 
    Now, it is true that the Marlins did pick up some big prospects.  Hanley Ramirez will make it to the big leagues, and is expected to become a big-time player.  Anibal Sanchez, Yusmiero Petit, Jesus Delgado, and now Travis Bowyer (expected to become a closer.)  They have stocked up on pitching, and may become a force in years to come.  That, however, is putting a nice face on an awful situation.  If any Marlins fans are reading this, please leave comments.  I really want to get a feel for what Marlins fans make of the situation.  Perhaps there is something that’s not readily apparent about the fire sale.  From an outsider’s perspective, though…this unloading of major talent from a team that could have been in shape to contend was brutal to witness.
    Elsewhere on the Hot Stove…Brian Giles signs a 3-year, 30 million dollar deal, and remains with the Padres.  Who will the Yankees look to now for the outfield?  A deal is rumored to be ready with (big surprise) the Florida Marlins for Juan Pierre…Speaking of the Yankees, the first big deal of the Yanks offseason is prepared to occur.  Kyle Farnsworth is rumored to be ready to sign a 3-year, 18 million dollar deal.  Not so fast, though; the Texas Rangers are said to have entered the fray, and are offering a deal close to the Yankees’ offer.  The Yanks better pull the trigger on the deal, because…The Philidelphia Phillies have replaced their closer, signing Tom Gordon to a 3-year, 18-million dollar deal…The Cardinals have made their first offer to A.J. Burnett, according to Buster Olney and St. Louis Today (Cards Make First Offer).  The deal is at four years and 40 million.  The Blue Jays remain the biggest offer on the table, with 5 years…The Big Hurt with Luis Castillo?  Rumor goes that the Twins are looking towards going after free-agent Frank Thomas…Please don’t trade Benson to the Orioles.  There is nothing good about the deal rumored to be on the table for reliever Jorge Julio.  It would be nothing more than a salary dump, and better players could be acquired for Benson (especially with the thin starting market.)  But the trade rumor alone indicates that Minaya does have something up his sleeve.  Why on earth would Omar Minaya dump more salary?  Hmm.  Makes one wonder, doesn’t it?  Until next time, dear readers.

De Lao, out.