Alan Hess was seen kissing Large Marge and telling us:
 AH> So where does Yankee Pat think he'll find another number one starter
 AH> that will take a three year deal?  Answer - he won't!
You also have to take into account that he's got a hands-on owner that might 
have a little say about how much *he's* willing to risk.
 AH> The money they saved on Bonilla went toward Davis.  The additional
 AH> savings should go to Mussina.
Right now, you might just wait until after the 1st. The Orioles are going to 
be paying into the luxury tax and any deal after the 1st won't count towards 
what they have to pay. They might even take it into next year and get 
everything done but the signature until after April 1st to save them on next 
year's luxury tax.
 AH> Zeile would have cost the same as Bordick.
In the long run, Zeile would cost them more. Like it or not, Johnson wants 
Ripken at third. Keeping Zeile would have only delayed the inevitable and 
more importantly, kept the controversy going. If they keep Zeile but move him 
to DH and Cal to third then you could end up with another "Bonilla" 
situation. The long-term benefits FAR outweigh the short-term benefits of 
keeping Zeile.
 AH> The difference is that Billy can play short, second, and third, at
 AH> far lower cost than Bordick.
First off, Ripken's hardly played enough shortstop to judge him as capable or 
not. Secondly, it's been nearly 4 years since he's had a regular position. 
Bordick's been playing SS for several years and he's proven that he's more 
than capable of doing the job.
 AH> Perhaps.  *adh*
We'll find out after the 1st. The sticking point is the 3rd year and I really 
think that Angelos needs to remember how much Cal has meant to the club and 
swallow his pride and hand over the dough.
--- TrekEd 1.00
---------------