Javier Vazquez took a step closer to becoming a Detroit Tiger by demanding to be traded. (In the interest of honesty, it should be stated that Vazquez moved a step closer to joining another team, not necessarily the Tigs. Why quibble over technicalities?) His current employer, the Arizona Diamondbacks, now have until March 15th to move the veteran righthander or face the prospect of Vazquez becoming a free agent.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Rafael Furcal probably moved off the Tigers radar screen with his request to a ten million dollar a year free agent deal. Oh, how I would have loved to have Furcal at short and Carlos Guillen at third on Opening Day. Alas, it is not to be.
Bobby Valentine appears close to staying in Japan. Everyone cheered.
I just don't see Jim Beattie getting the Red Sox gig. If he does, I'm not sure I envision him succeeding. It's just a hunch, though.
I'm not a big Jayson Stark fan, but I completely embrace his concept of a Rollie Fingers Award for closers. Uncle Bud, do this now.
Rocco Baldelli inked a new deal with Tampa. I don't know if Baldelli is future Hall of Fame material, early evidence leans against that theory, but I like Baldelli for some reason. I don't know if it's the name or what, but Baldelli is a Beyond Boxscores favorite.
SI.com's John Donovan doesn't provide much insight into the Tigers off-season, but if your interested in a general overview of each MLB team's off-season shopping list, check this out.
Pudge Rodriguez enters the Texas Hall of Fame.
Mark Becthel, another at SI.com, ponders the fate of Theo Epstein and Paul DePodesta. Bechtel wonders if the young Moneyball-era G.M.'s might be great at assembling teams on paper, but struggle with the politics of the job, team chemistry issues and other items that can't be evaluated on a PC?
Ugie, Ugie, Ugie. That Placido Polanco deal looks better every minute, doesn't it?
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