At age 28, Alex Rodriguez had his least productive season (.286/.375/.512) since he was 21, and he was moved to third base to accommodate Derek Jeter. Still, the question about Alex is not whether he will be a Hall of Famer, but where he stands against the very best who have played the position.

Anything interesting going on?

Rotoworld is reporting a trade between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres.

Dave Roberts, a fourth-outfielder type heads west. Jay Payton and his 3.5 million dollar salary (according to Dugout Dollars), infielder Ramon Vazquez, pitching prospect David Pauley and 2.65 million dollars (that's right for the "cash-strapped" Red Sox).

Instead of using my own laziness as an excuse, I'm so cold that I can barely type. What's out there in Blue Jays news today?

Here's your Jay winter league report:
Puerto Rican League-Caguas
Rob Cosby- .263/.309/.434
Miguel Negron- .228/.365/.329

Venezuelan League
Zulia
Guillermo Quiroz- .245/.359/.491
Lara
Rodney Medina- .309/.377/.400
Oriente
Jorge Sequea- .241/.365/.443
Ismael Ramirez- 35.2 IP, 31 H, 9 W, 28K, 2 HR allowed, 4 HBP, 3.71 ERA, 5-1

As you may have read, the Jays were in the hunt for pitcher Matt Clement until the last minute. (Or maybe the fourth-last minute. Or maybe 11:07 or something.) The question: how much would Clement have helped the team had he been signed?

ESPN has reported that the Jays have signed two of their major league players to contracts:

Justin Speier will receive $1.9 million in 2005 and $2.25 million in 2006. He made $1.6 million last season.

John McDonald will receive $400,000 in 2005. Last season with the Indians he made $324,400.

We now know that Matt Clement won't be a Blue Jay, as he signed a 3 year, $25 million dollar deal with the Red Sox. At that price I'm quite happy the Jays didn't try to top Boston's offer.

Saturday Roundup:

Peter Gammons of ESPN has reported that Mark Mulder has been sent to the Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Danny Haren and Kiko Calero, and catching prospect Daric Barton. (BBRRS: Treacle) So over the last two days the A's have:

Lost
----
SP Mark Mulder
SP Tim Hudson

Gained
----
SP Danny Haren
SP Dan Meyer
RP Kiko Calero
RP Juan Cruz
OF Charles Thomas
C Daric Barton (minors)

We're generally looking to cut back on the roundball talk hereabouts, so there won't be many Boxing Out threads. But today's news that the Raptors have traded Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks merits an exception. Who won? Who lost? Who wants to start a pool on the when Vince rips the organization/teammates/city/fans in the New York press? Have fun.

With great sadness, we report that we've just learned that Bobby Mattick, the symbol and soul of the Blue Jays franchise, passed away last night at the age of 89.

For those who might not fully appreciate the role Bobby has played in the Blue Jays' franchise, consider these quotes:

"He means what the Blue Jays stand for since 1976." - Paul Godfrey
"I don't know where this organization would be without him." - Paul Beeston

Bobby, who filled virtually every important position on this ballclub from the day he joined it as an expansion team, spent 71 of his 89 years in baseball as a player, scout, manager and executive. The Jays have named their top minor-league awards and their spring-training facility in his honour. Gabe Paul once called him the finest judge of free agent talent ever. The list of players he recruited, signed and developed includes Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, Vida Pinson, Rusty Staub, Don Baylor, Tommy Harper, Bobby Grich and Dave Stieb.

We extend our deepest condolences to Bobby's family, friends and colleagues throughout baseball and especially with the Blue Jays, and our appreciation for all he has done for our favourite team. Please share your memories and appreciation of Bobby Mattick in this thread.

You know the drill.

Pedro to the Mets. Tim Hudson to Atlanta. Troy Glaus to Anaheim, Adrian Beltre to the Mariners, Corey Koskie to the Blue Jays. Maybe even the Big Unit to the Bronx. It's been a pretty amazing off-season already, and we still haven't seen where the likes of Carlos Beltran will end up. We'll ask this question later again this winter, but for now:

QOTD: Which trade acquisition or free-agent signing will be considered the best investment by the end of the 2005 season, taking into account salary, length of contract, and player and team performance? Which will be considered the worst?

You know that NFH is a poor substitute for the regular Rounduppers when he makes you do all the work yourself.