Of Cabbages and Kings.

Word is Covelli is a physical shy of signing to play, presumably, center field for Oakland next season. While it's a move that keeps Coco, at least, a little closer to home, it's not a move that really seems to make much sense for the Athletics. They already have Rajai Davis and Ryan Sweeney who are very similar to Coco in that they're defensive assets and about average with the bat. And they also have Scott Hairston who was only acquired half way through last season. And they just got prospect Michael Taylor from Toronto (after Toronto received him in the Halladay trade.) Admittedly, Taylor needs more time in triple AAA but it's a crowded outfield. They might consider platooning Hairston and Davis but one of them might just as likely be available for a trade.

Also, might Pedro be thinking about a return to Queens? Given the way things seem to be going for Minaya this off season, I wouldn't put it past him.

Also, the Padres who were looking to trade for a catcher (which might have made some sense of the Max Ramirez for Mike Lowell trade) have filled that need by trading for the Tiger's Dusty Ryan.

And this is what happens when there is anything interesting to write about.

But Which Is Theo?

Busy Day.

I like John Lackey. I like John Lackey. I like John Lackey. I figure that if I start repeating it to myself now, I'll be able to convince myself of it by spring training. If Manny and Papelbon can be charming, then so can Lackey, his ugly mug, and his hissy fit throwing ways.

It's a good move, though. (Even if it is, seemingly, superfluous.) Dependent on the health of his elbow, he's a good pitcher; easily a top of the rotation starter on most teams. He's a fierce competitor, if the past ALCS is any indication. And it frees up Theo to move Buchholz for a bat, if necessary. I like Clay but if he becomes all that he can become, how much better than Lackey will he really be? Plus, it keeps him away from the Yankees--which, while it should never be the main motivation of making a move--is always a nice bonus. And it's a kick in the teeth to the Angels.

All that money on Lackey (and five years does seem like a long time) almost assuredly means that the Sox have moved on from Bay. But this Mike Cameron rumor, coupled with my love of slick fielding centerfielders almost makes up for it. Maybe.

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain.

An agent's job is to blow smoke; effectively muddle up the situation enough that the front office-types can't tell their asses from their elbows so that his client gets exactly what he wants. It does, of course, work both ways with the front office-types trying to give the player as little as possible. In the end, the sheer amount of smoke in such a room would cause an emphysemic to hack up a lung right on the carpet.

To that end, Bean Stringfellow (a man who clearly just strode out of a Wodehouse novel) told the Herald:

"I just visited with Billy and his family the other day and I can tell you this much: Billy thoroughly enjoyed his time in Boston. It was one of the best experiences he has ever had in baseball. So, does he rule out accepting arbitration? No, he doesn’t."

He might not rule it out but I have a hard time believing that he would accept it. (Which, given my history with prognostication, probably means that he does and the Sox end up with an $8 million set up man.) Wagner has stated two goals: 1.) Get 400 saves and 2.) Win the World Series. There are clubs where he could have a chance to meet both of those goals; since both Philly and the Mets are out, LAAAAAAAAAAA should probably be looking for a reliable closer, or St. Louis, should Franklin fall back to earth, might be a suitable destination.

Soup's On.

So Bud Selig wants to push the World Series into November? Fine. We'll just have to start the hot stove season the day after it ends.

The Sox announced today that they've acquired Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. The question is: Why?

Hermida is a former first round draft pick who hasn't really lived up to expectations. He had a nice year in 2007 but has been less impressive since then. His numbers last year may have been hurt by a strained oblique. He does have pretty good plate discipline, I guess. Hermida has played mostly right field in his career but played fifty-one games in left last season; either way, he's better defensively than Jason Bay (which isn't saying much) but he isn't fabulous.

I don't know. He does fit into Theo's dream roster filled with players whose names begin with J.