I was hoping to generate some general baseball discussion about the offseason happenings.

People still care about baseball, right? Even if there are a few moral concerns??

I'm not gonna lie, even if I'd like to boycott games to express my opinion and make a difference regarding the steroid issue, I couldn't stay away. So I might as well talk about it.

Actually, what inspired me to do this was when I came across an old post made by our good friend, Don Sicilia:
Link
I guess this was back when he cared so much about baseball that he couldn't even get it off his mind in December...aww!

Anyone care to share news on recent trades or free agent acquisitions?

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Our new GM, Ed Wade, is doing more than I could ever imagine. I'm stuck between feeling excited and disappointed, appreciative and annoyed, about some of his actions.

The Tejada deal coming out the day before the Mitchell Report was pretty sad - as our Chronicle journalist put it, the Astros were either "stupid or arrogant."

From that, we got rid of a great defensive player in Everett, along with a few pitching prospects. We need pitching!!

And an article I read today pointed out that only five guys remain from the 2005 World Series team. Doesn't seem sensible. Then again, it wouldn't be sensible to stick with the same team that's done less in the years to follow.

As soon as I heard about the Tejada deal I thought of you, gina. Good deal for you guys.

I hear Hanky Panky (Steinbrenner) is opening the door for Johan Santana (again). I hope that door hits Hanky in his ass.

I'm excited about Tejada, but a bit worried about team chemistry - Berkman's feeling the same way, and he's the guy who seems to get along with everyone. He even came out saying that he hoped our newly acquired closer Valverde's "antics" on the mound would be controlled.

We really needed to get a quality starter added on, but there's apparently not much to get. We're looking to get Prior, but first thing I notice on MLB's site is that 11 teams are interested.

Roger Clemens is available. I bet he'd like to end up with a Texas team.

Awww...you cut me deep there, SC.

Ughhh...it makes me sick to think about it.

(Sorry.... after remembering the images you resurrected in plaw's thread I couldn't resist).

I was gonna use one of his lines on you, but it didn't come to me until after I made my post...

A knife to my heart, SC. A knife to my heart.

God, that one never failed in its guilt endeavor!

Don't worry Gina, he's only bringing Vitamin B shots.

You're a funny guy, CS.

So....who are you rooting for in the upcoming season? Surely you've made a decision about who you'd like to latch on to. Or do you need my guidance?

You mean other than the players on my fantasy team??

Let me see... Gina's guidance... I can't even venture a guess as to what team that should be.

By the way, I don't know if you should really want Mark Prior. That guy's arm is done.

Here in Chicago, the Cubbies have signed Kosuke Fukudome (you can stop giggling, JG ), a Japanese outfielder/on-base specialist. The White Sox haven't signed anybody of note.

Sorry DS I had to giggle

Oh, the endless fun this name will have in the fantasy games.

You mean we can count on you for another full season in BBC?

Should I give you some time to figure it out?

That's what I was thinking. Earlier, I saw an article about how he was being pursued by another club, and I actually laughed, just thinking of his time on the DL - remember that Onion article about the DL wanting him back? Anyway, when I saw later that we were pursuing him, it was like the joke was on me.

Oh, now isn't that just making it too easy?

Is that his name or is it the stadium where he plays?

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one still excited for baseball to start back up. Everyone I know, understandably, is pissed about the steroid issue. Their reaction surprises me a little because it's not like this is sudden shocking news. It is something everyone has known for a while now.

Even with the steroid issue I am excited! Even with my Giants destined for another horrible, although finally a rebuilding, year. I don't know why but I just feel happier during Baseball season. Maybe part of it is because it coincides with better weather and right now it's a little miserable outside.

What saddens me right now a little more than the steroid issue is that it looks like the rich teams continue to distance themselves from the rest of the league. The Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers... and now apparently the Tigers. These teams are the most likely to gobble up any good free agents, who are going for insane prices the last two offseasons, while the rest of our teams have to do with what our farm systems are providing. I wish something could be done about keeping a level playing field for all teams.

I'm rambling. Anyone care to comment before I go crazy here?

You hit on the real problem with baseball. This is a more significant problem than steroids. Baseball has been more complacent on this issue than the steroids thing. They've tried to disguise the unfairness through the luxury tax and the wild card system, but there are teams in the league whose existence is merely to feed the bigger teams.

Marlins' stadium in Downtown Miami has been approved.

I still really don't care. What a waste of money for the city. $500 Million, and an additional soccer stadium!? Ridiculous.

I didn't want to start a thread just for this, but I thought it was funny.

His dog ate the ball.

Closer's dog reportedly chews historic ball
FOXSports.com

Jonathan Papelbon's dog didn't eat his homework. It ate his baseball, according to the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American.

The Red Sox closer told the newspaper that Boss — his dog, not Yankees owner George Steinbrenner — found the baseball that catcher Jason Varitek gave Papelbon after he struck out the Colorado Rockies' Seth Smith to clinch Boston's second World Series title in four years.

"He plays with baseballs like they are his toys," Papelbon told the newspaper. "He jumped up one day on the counter and snatched it. He likes rawhide. He tore that thing to pieces. Nobody knows that. I'll keep what's left of it."

It's not the first time the Red Sox have had issues with the last ball of a championship season.

After the 2004 World Series, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz claimed custody of the ball that produced the final out of Boston's first World Series title in 86 years. The Red Sox wanted it for themselves. Eventually both sides elected to give the ball to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The question now is, after Boss reportedly tore into the latest Red Sox historic artifact, would the Hall of Fame even want it?

That's a funny story, Beth. Only in the world of baseball do things like that happen, so it seems. Maybe a small piece of the Curse of the Bambino lives.

That was in my paper today!! I thought it was hilarious. Freaking Papelbon. He's too funny.

Joba gave an interview about Clemens and the steroids. He says that he can't believe it's true. Someone pat that young man on the head and give him another bedtime story.

Joba seems like an innocent, good natured, soft spoken kid, who's very likeable. On the mound he's merciless.

Why do you think it is a waste of money? The stadium they play at now is ugly.

Are there a lot of Marlin's fans? Of the last four expansion teams I know the Rockies and Diamondbacks are doing well and building a good fan base, but I don't hear much about the Marlin's or Devil Rays (I guess they are just the Rays now?).

People still will not show up to games. They drew 900 people at a game last year. 900.

You can't make that kind of fandom up.

Pitchers and Catchers report in 5 1/2 weeks!!!

gina, what do you think of tejada batting third? i'd rather have berkman third since he's the best overall hitter on the team. wade said the lineup was going to be bourn matsui tejada berkman lee pence wigginton towles pitcher.......I'd rather have it be bourn pence berkman lee tejada wigginton towles matsui. I'm not sure how this team is gonna do, but they'll certainly have a much better offense than they've had the past few years. Might be a bit more exciting to follow.

I'm gonna have to get a closer look at Matsui, and I've really lost touch with Wigginton even - but I like that you brought Pence, Berkman, and Lee up. It's going to be really interesting to see what all the changes will bring us. I'd bet things are going to be a lot more solid all around, no matter how the lineup's arranged...I got so sick of, in past years, our guys being completely dead towards the bottom of the lineup. It was almost impossible to get through the guys down there and keep an inning going.

SB, glad to see you've got the countdown spirit!

At this point San Francisco would gladly take probably any players from the Astro's lineup. I was just reading that the planned 3-4-5 hitters for the Giants will be Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, and Aaron Rowand.

I'm excited to have Rowand on the team though with his enthusiasm. It's something that has been missing the past few years with Bonds on the team. Not that Bonds didn't care about the game, it just seemed like it was hard for the team to function as a "team" with him and his posse always around and the focus on his records.

I'm really starting to get the baseball itch. Especially knowing that this is the start of a new era for the Bonds-less Giants. Nice and fresh regardless of how bad they will be.

We're actually watching Game 3 of the 1978(??) World Series - Yankees vs. Dodgers. That's how desperate we are for baseball. Just a few more weeks to Pitchers and Catchers!! Although I think it's mean that they're making them report on Valentine's Day!!!

I've been going through my 1992/1993 World Series DVD. I am in baseball withdrawal too.

Who played in the world series those years?