Finally, someone let me out of my cage
Now, time for me is nothing, 'cause I'm counting no age
Now I couldn't be there
Now you shouldn't be scared
I'm good at repairs
And I'm under each snare
Intangible
So long, Anaheim. Hello, Rogers Skydome and press conference to introduce Corey Koskie this afternoon. Paging Matt Clement....
Jays' winter meeting wrapup (S. Fordin) -- The Jays are still looking for one more bat, and Erubiel Durazo's name has been mentioned, but personally I can't see how or why Beane would let go of his famed Holy Grail. It's probably down to Toronto, Anaheim and Boston in the Matt Clement sweepstakes. The Jays have a legitimate shot, but my gut tells me he's going elsewhere. I hope my gut is wrong.
Koskie leaves Twins with a heavy heart (J. Blair) -- "While Ricciardi waits for Clement to make up his mind, sources close to the Jays GM say it's possible the team will start the regular season with a payroll above the budgeted $52- or $53 million. Even with Lee and his $8.5-million salary out of the picture, Ricciardi might opt to spend more to firm up Toronto's bullpen." Ehhhhx-cellent.
Canuck Koskie heads home (R. Griffin) --Today's column includes the second reference in as many days to "beleaguered GM J.P. Ricciardi." Have I been missing the beleaguering? Is there a beleaguerer trailing after Ricciardi that I'm not aware of? Has someone contacted the Anti-Beleaguering League?
Comparing Ricciardi's winter meeting success (R. Griffin) -- An almost complimentary R-Griff column! I do think Griffin lets the subsequent season's results colour his impression of the previous meeting's success, however; I actually think New Orleans was JP's best meeting so far, despite the debacle that followed.
Doc likes the new-look infield (B. Elliott) -- Team leaders Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells chime in positively about the Koskie acquisition. Wells: "It's easy to be a general manager when you spend $100-$200 million a year." Yup.
Martinez goes to the Mets (AP) -- Even if it does mean the Jays lose Matt Clement to the Red Sox, I'm glad to see Pedro out of the AL East. The Mets, who always seem more interested in January headline victories than August wins on the field, did stick it to George Steinbrenner (who briefly courted Pedro last month) this time. Is this a good investment for them?
ChiSox swap Lee for speed, pitching (AP) -- Carlos Lee, we hardly knew ye.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20041214093310999