Five, Six, Seven Years - Who's Counting?

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae if she is checking in.

The 2006 off-season is officially a bust for the Toronto Blue Jays, and has to be looked at as one of the worst of all-time, with news that the Jays had designated SS Royce Clayton for assignment. For those of you that don't keep track of anything outside of what happens in Boston and New York with the Yankees - Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi went into the 2006 off-season and blew his wad of cash like a kid in a candy store when signed DH Frank Thomas to a 2 year $20M deal...six days into free agency.

Ricciardi, who went into the off-season saying that starting pitching was the number one priority failed to resign Ted Lilly and was turned down by Gil Meche who went to the Royals. So, the Chickenhawk's strategy was to go out and sign "low risk/potentially high reward" (his words) free agent pitchers that no one was interested in. Ricciardi signed the likes of John Thomson, Victor Zambrano, and Tomo Ohka - Royce Clayton was signed for his experience and "great leadership" qualities. Fast forward a few months - Thomas, save for a couple of good weeks last month, has been a disappointment, the three stooges of the rotation have been cut loose, and now Clayton. The only free agent signing that has been remotely successful was the signing of Canadian Matt Stairs - who Ricciardi wasn't exactly high on to begin with.

When asked about his lack of involvement before the trade dealine - Ricciardi said he liked his team and wanted to see what they could do over the course of a full season. Classic Ricciardi, "don't use injuries as an excuse...but" and he even managed to take a shot at SP Josh Towers, saying that the Phillies had inquired but never got back to him..."I guess he wasn't their cup of tea" was his quote.

The only good thing about J.P. is that his ineptitude and poor decision making makes Toronto Maple Leafs management look like they know what they are doing. Hazel's hometown teams are screwed.

In other news

FOOTBALL
The big news out of Toronto is that David Beckham will be in Toronto - but he likely won't make it on to the field, much to the chagrin of thousands of teenage girls who had their parents buy tickets. You have to hand it to the MLS (we refuse to call refer to the "Super Liga - the real Super Liga is in Portugal), they are going to milk it Beckham like he's a cow with swollen teets. Everyone from coach Frank Yallop, to President Alexei Lalas, to Toronto FC Coach Mo Johnson is talking about Beckham making the trip - if for nothing else to see fans in Toronto. Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun had a great article on Beckham yesterday - the first North American journalist to really question whether Beckham is more image than substance. Fitting that Beckham is in LA - not so much for the Hollywood angle...but more because he is a lot like Alexei Lalas - a guy that was all image and little substance on the field.

You know the English are football crazy when - news from England is that Manchester United is considering recruiting a nine year old kid living in Australia after his grandfather sent the team a DVD of him doing tricks and dribbling the ball. Hey, far be it from us to be party poopers - but you know something isn't quite right when people are comparing a kid with talent to Wayne Rooney...leave it to the English to start the charge to create the next "best player in the world" (who happens to come from England). David Beckham was the last beneficiary of that type of propaganda.


NHL
Leave it to Hockey God Brian Burke to call Edmonton's bluff - the NHL's Hockey God told Edmonton that Anaheim would not match their offer for restricted free agent Dustin Penner, meaning the Ducks get a first, second and third round pick as compensation. Kevin Lowe for his part is saying all the right things...but we can't help but wonder if he's having some second thoughts after Burke refused to match. Lowe comes off as a little unsure about his move - talking about risk, then saying he doesn't think the Penner signing was a risk. Thoughts of Joffrey Lupul come to mind...

Peter Chiarelli's transformation of the Boston Bruins into the Massachusetts SenaTards continues. The Bruins announced that former SenaTards assistant coach Craig Ramsey will join Claude Julien behind the bench.

MLB
The Asterisk's show continues tonight in San Diego against Greg Maddux and the Padres - told you he wouldn't do it at Chavez Ravine.


THURSDAY'S THREE STARS
On the premise that chicks dig the long ball

Anaheim Angels RF Vladimir Guerrero breaks his home run drought by hitting two in Oakland yesterday and driving in four runs to lead the Angels to a 6-4 over the A's. And you doubt the curse of the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game?

Chicago White Sox RF Jermaine Dye had two home runs, two doubles and drove in four to lead the White Sox to a 13-9 win over Roger Clemens and the Yankees. How much did Red Sox Nation love watching Clemens leave the game in the second inning?

San Diego Padres 3B Morgan Ensberg, playing his first game for his new team, hit two home runs and drove in four runs to lead the Padres to an 11-0 win over his former team. We could have given it to Peavy...but we like Ensberg, he had a monster season a couple of years ago to help our Roto team.


FRIDAY'S THREE PLAY
A decent day...we'll get around to posting the damn total at some point this weekend...its all there for you to verfiy if you don't believe us. Today's suggestions

Toronto over Texas - we can see Roy Halladay dropping one to Kevin Millwood and the Rangers in Toronto tonight - won't happen. Lay $100 on the Jays - $210.

New York over Kansas City - the line on this is scary...but with good reason. Its Wang vs Odalis Perez...you have to go with the Yankees, especially after yesterday's loss. Lay $100 on the Yankees - $300.

Red Sox West over Arizona - battle for first place at Dodger Stadium tonight; we'll go with Chad Billingsley over Doug Davis. Lay $100 on the Dodgers - $150.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one Peeps!

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We're Out.