Parity is a huge buzz word for Major League Baseball. Regardless of a lack of salary cap system, baseball is arguably the most balanced of the four professional sports teams, almost in spite of itself. The big fish still buy command the star power, but the implicit spending of money has done nothing to guarantee a championship.

So it is almost comical to see the way team approaches changed this offseason. Sure, Tampa held its course, knowing that their unendng stream of young talent would again step in and make them a post season contender without having to break their budget by invading the free agent market.

Other teams, and some surprising ones, decided to take that plunge.

The Marlins for instance, spent much of the Winter Meetings splurging on the likes of Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, and Heath Bell, not to mention making a solid run at Albert Pujols. Now, apparently still looking for another outfield bat, are heavily involved in the bidding for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes. For a team that has coincidentally placed both 26th or worse in attendence and also 24th or worse in team payroll for 12 of the last 13 years.

Then there is the Washington Nationals, a team rebuffed in its efforts to add the big bat it wanted in Prince Fielder, but did pull off one of the best trades of the winter when they acquired Gio Gonzalez from Oakland. They have since added Edwin Jackson on a decent one-year deal, making them have one of the most solid rotations in the National League. They still need that big bat, but given the quality of their pitching staff and the chance of uber-prospect Bryce Harper may win a job out of spring training, that may be a moot point.

The good folks in Texas were previously following the example set by the Rays. After years of making ill-advised high-money deals, the Rangers returned to the model of developing their own talent and making good, high-reward trades. They've crafted that strategy into back-to-back appearances in the World Series. Yet, after losing C.J. Wilson to the rival Angels, this team just a few years removed from bankruptcy made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, dropping $51 million plus on a posting fee for Yu Darvish and then a $60 million contract to lock him up for the next 10 seasons. 

So why the big push to climb into baseball's salary race?

The Marlins have an obvious need to generate fan interest in a team moving into a new stadium. They, and Jeffery Loria in particular, have been so maligned by fans for their cheap ways, that they've actually done more to hamper their fan following. Now, with the new stadium in pocket, they have to prove that the taxpayer money for a new park will make them relevant again. Like the Nationals, they are a team that is looking for a bump in popularity and competitiveness. Also like the Nationals, they play in a very tough National League East division. The Rangers splurged on the Darvish signing and also have to lock up Josh Hamilton, but with the Arte Moreno and the Angels spending Disney type money again, the Rangers may not even make it out of their own division this year.

That all said, if there has been any lesson learned in baseball over the last 15 years, buying in doesn't always guarantee that elusive banner on the outfield wall. For every Red Sox and Phillies championship, the Giants, Cardinals, and even the Marlins have defied the odds and come home with a championship in hand instead of just on paper.

In the end, the dollar is the king during the offseason and may grab you the headlines you want, but the bat and ball bring home the championship.

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 "Somebody will have to come out and take the uniform off me, and the guy who comes after it had better bring help."
--Early Wynn, Hall of Fame Pitcher

Retirement is a fickle creature. He waits in hiding and pounces at the right time, reducing an otherwise healthy and productive athlete to a shadow of their former selves. When he gets near, you can almost see her coming and her affects are both bewildering and vengeful.

No man escapes Father Time.

Lost in the bombshell of the mega-deal signed by Prince Fielder, was the formal press conference announcing the retirement of Jorge Posada from the Yankees. At the age of 40, and relegated to a part-time DH role, Posada decided that his best days were behind him and he had no desire to suit up in any other uniform than the Yankee pinstripes he wore for the past 17 seasons.

It is funny that Posada would go out with the relative anonymity that characterized his playing days. Always overshadowed by players with more star power, Posada was just as important a piece of the Yankee puzzle as the Derek Jeters, Mariano Riveras, or countless other players who received more credit for their contributions. He ranks among the best backstops of all-time, sporting a lifetime batting average of .273 with 379 doubles, 275 home runs, and 1065 runs batted in.

As a fan, especially a Red Sox fan, I find it interesting that we may also be seeing a somewhat unique coincidence between the longtime rivals. With Boston’s Jason Varitek still without a contract and, for all intents and purposes, without a position with the club, we may see both retire in the same year, riding off into the sunset as comrades rather than enemies.

Varitek may not be as accomplished with the bat as was Posada, but he was no slouch either, especially considering he wore the tools of ignorance in between at-bats. If Varitek chooses to end his career in a Boston uniform and retires as many expect, he’ll do so with a .256 career average, 306 doubles, 193 home runs, and 757 home runs. But Varitek didn’t carve out his name as an offensive force. Rather, he was the receiver that pitchers wanted to throw to, a man regarded for his preparation and his ability to call a game unlike most catchers of his generation.

In all honesty, it is kind of fitting that both the Yankees and the Red Sox would go through a changing of the guard at the same time. Both are likely to also begin a new journey at the same time; in a new career with the game they love. Varitek is destined to manage; you don’t just learn to prepare and lead like that without taking the next logical step into the dugout. Posada has already been mentioned within either a coaching role or an announcing role within the Yankee organization. Given the pride he carried last season when the reduced roles were thrust upon him, it may be better in the announcing booth for a year or so, just to let those hurt feelings heal a bit.

In the end, this fan just wants to make sure that these two pillars of the baseball community get the tip of the cap they deserve.

Thank you gentlemen!

Other Fragments:

-          The Red Sox made a nice “under the radar” signing earlier this week, inking Cody Ross to a one-year deal to platoon in right field and provide a safety net for Carl Crawford. Ross is the prototypical “dirt dog” player that characterized the 2004 championship team, cut right in the mold of Kevin Millar. He’ll be productive in Fenway Park, but his hustle, attitude, and leadership will be what really earns him his paycheck from game to game.

-          For all the talk of Fielder’s bat being added to Detroit, the shift of Miguel Cabrera to third is going to be the real challenge. Remember, this is the same Cabrera who had such limited range at 3^rd that the Tigers moved him to first after just 15 games in 2008. He’ll need to show marked improvement at the position if the Tigers want to make the most of this arrangement. The loss of Brandon Inge’s defense will be a huge hurdle to overcome, and I’m not sure the “sturdy” Cabrera can make that jump.

-          It took just one down year for Eric Wedge to consider moving Ichiro out of the leadoff spot. This is a man who prior to last season, had strung together 10 consecutive seasons of at least a .300 average and 200 hits, and he owns a .370 career on-base percentage. Now, I know the Mariners are an offensive juggernaut that can hide a bat like that if they need to, but I’m second-guessing moving the greatest singles machine since Pete Rose.

YouGabSports Announcements:

We had a huge level of success with the two live discussion groups we hosted during the NFC and AFC Championship games.  Despite a technical issue that held people to having to wait five minutes between posts, we had our highest single-day hit total of all-time. Thank you to all that took part and made it a success.

To keep the good vibe going, we are going to host another such live session during the Super Bowl next week. Oh, and we’ve gotten the delay issue fixed on our end, limiting it to just 1 minute between posts, so the conversation can flow as needed.

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The rumors flow like a dark figure in the night. His legend precedes him wherever he goes. He is said to be the master of many pitches and will revolutionize the way Major League Baseball pitchers attach the game.

Sounds a little far fetched? Well it should, because I just described the mystique that surrounded Daisuke Matsuzaka before he commanded a record-setting posting fee or pitched a single game for the Boston Red Sox.

Daisuke came to MLB with the stuff of legends. Said to have command of SEVEN pitches, including a Four-Seam Fastball, Change-up, Slider, Curveball, Splitter, Cutter, and the mysterious Gyro-ball, Matsuzaka has proven that it is foolish to spend money on word of mouth alone. With an average of close to 4.5 walks per 9 innings pitched, he has also proven that he struggles to command just one pitch, and has fizzled to the point of nonexistence.

That said; call me just a bit skeptical in regards to the newest Japanese import, Yu Darvish, who finally signed with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for 6 years and $60 million. Keep in mind, that contract also comes on the heels of a $51.7 million posting fee, so he will essentially cost Texas $111.7 million over the next six seasons.

Hey Nolan, I recommend you and Jon Daniels start really pushing the Japanese advertisement sales on the outfield walls quickly.

Like Matsuzaka, Darvish is said to command an assortment of pitches, including a 94-97 MPH Fastball, a hard slurve, a two-seam fastball, a cutter, a curve-ball, and a splitter. Unlike Dice-K, he didn’t come to the U.S. trying to peddle the mysterious Gyro-ball that never came to fruition.

Like Boston, Texas is taking a huge risk here, but the prize isn’t just with finding a quality pitcher. The real windfall comes from the creation of additional revenue streams in the Japanese market, where players like Ichiro, Matsuzaka, and now Darvish, are revered like gods. They come with a travelling circus of media attention that brings with it increased funding sources, like loud advertisement scrawled on outfield walls, that will in turn help the Rangers remain a viable franchise for years to come. They want his arm to replace CJ Wilson, but they want his celebrity fame more. Remember, this is a team that was in bankruptcy court just before Ryan and his ownership group swung in with a golden chalice and saved the day.

Still, this is a team that has played in and lost back-to-back World Series. This is a team that has suddenly become very good and has just struggled to put those final touches on the first championship in club history. This is also a team that watched their closest division rivals swoop in and steal not only their ace from last season, but also spend exorbitantly on Albert Pujols, perhaps the best player this generation has seen.

Darvish’s true value lies somewhere in the middle, swinging his celebrity weight for a team in need of a marketable star while also keeping the Rangers in the championship picture, where his talents and celebrity can be viewed on a world-wide viewing stage. Boston got that out of Matsuzaka in 2007 and the Rangers can only hope that Darvish can have as quick a turn of it.

The Rangers can only hope that his time on that stage isn’t as short.

Other Fragments:

-         Speaking of “Who Are You”, the Indians Fausto Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic after using a false identity to acquire his work visa, which he needed to get to spring training with. Turns out that Carmona isn’t Carmona after all, as his real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia.

Oh, and he’s not 28 either; he’s 31-year-old.

Just more great news for the folks in Cleveland. Major League Baseball needs to really get this age and identity issue under control, but what does this say about the U.S. government for not being able to spot false identification?

-         Tim Lincecum is looking for $21.5 million in arbitration while the Giants are offering $17 million. With Matt Cain set to be a free agent next season and Lincecum the season after that, the Giants are likely faced with a decision of which one they want to keep. The choice is obvious, as Lincecum is a two-time Cy Young winner, but keeping Cain is also essential to the Giants long-term.

-         Speaking of arbitration cases, the Red Sox are likely headed there with David Ortiz, who countered the Red Sox offer of $12.65 million with an asking price of $16.5 million. This will be an interesting case to watch because Ortiz has no peers to compare him to, and this may also be the first time that a 36-year-old career designated hitter sits before an arbitration board.

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I’ll tell you the truth folks; there is a side of me that hopes that even the most troubled people are capable of change. Now, that comes with the understanding that those same people have to make that choice and have to admit to themselves that the path they are currently on isn’t the one they strove to be on.

And isn’t that the first step down the right path; admittance?

For former slugger Manny Ramirez, he appears ready to take that first step. In an interview with ESPN’s Pedro Gomez, Ramirez finally admitted to his transgressions against the Major League Baseball drug policy, saying, “I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don't quit. Just go back and fix it.”

For Ramirez, admittance is a big stride. After initially running afoul of the MLB policy in 2009, Ramirez opted to take the route of blaming a banned substance in a prescription for a “personal medical issue” for triggering the positive test. Granted, he accepted the 50-game ban because ultimately the responsibility of knowing the policy falls on the players and not their doctors, but he sidestepped intentionally taking a banned substance that was later identified as a female fertility drug. When Ramirez again turned in a positive test and faced a 100-game ban last season, he abruptly opted to retire rather than face up to his mistakes.

Yet, here we stand a year later and Ramirez is trying to get himself reinstated from the retired list and find a job with a team looking for a right-handed DH. MLB has agreed to reduce his ban to 50 games, basically giving him credit for time served, but Ramirez still needs to find a team willing to take a risk on a man nabbed twice by baseball’s testing policy. To do that, he’s holding court and trying to say all the right things, like “I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing” and “A bunch of guys are going to look at me and say hey, this guy made a mistake but he didn't quit. Look how he finished. He did the right thing and came back”

Like I said, there is a side of me that hopes that people can change. For Manny Ramirez, it is easy for me to sit here as a Red Sox fan and hope that Manny can as well. However, I’m a bit skeptical, as I’m not sure that I buy into Manny’s sincerity 100%.

Sure, this is a broken man, but given the expected humbleness, there are a few things that have me ultimately questioning things:

Firstly, during this interview with Gomez, Ramirez continued to refer to himself in the 3^rd person, repeatedly saying “He” and “Manny”, rather than owning his statements with the ever powerful “I”. As much as I want to feel he is admitting to his mistakes, putting it into an outside perspective feels a bit cowardly and half-hearted to me. He wants to sell sincerity without necessarily truly taking responsibility for his actions.

Secondly, I’m not sure that playing the game is where Manny will truly find redemption. We need to remember that he is a 38-years-old former slugger and proven steroid user. Whether via attitude, health or suspension, Ramirez showed an inability to take the field regularly during his last few seasons and had been relegated to DH duties when he signed with Tampa last season. There is no evidence that his body will hold up to the rigors of playing again, even in a DH role, especially given the massive drop-offs expected of PED users after they stop cycling it into their bodies. Given that and the obvious fact that he’ll still need to serve a 50-game ban once he signs with a team, it is hard to imagine a team taking a chance on Ramirez at this point in his career.

You can only be burned by the same pot before you stop reaching for it.

That said I believe Ramirez’s path to redemption is different, and perhaps a bit unknown to him. One of the knocks against Ramirez during his tenure in Boston was his unanswered promises to take a philanthropic role in the Boston community. Sure, he donated vehicles to the Dodgers for their auctions, but never really approached the charitable status that many of today’s top players enjoy.

To me, Ramirez still has that chance to right his wrongs and make up for his transgressions. Trying to recapture the glory days and showing that you can go out on top isn’t the way to that. Instead, Ramirez needs to become an advocate against the very thing that brought him down. I’m sure that Bud Selig and his offices could easily put together an outreach program, and use Ramirez as its figurehead, that will help to dissuade kids from becoming involved with steroids or growth hormones. He can be the poster boy for the fight against performance-enhancing drugs, the rallying point for an entire generation of future ballplayers.

Most importantly, he can “show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing”, and in doing so, be the role model that he should have been.

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"Joe has been an invaluable resource for me and all of us at Major League Baseball this year," Selig said in a statement. "I understand his desire to pursue an opportunity in Los Angeles. Joe has been a lifelong friend and I know that will continue in the future."

That’s what Commissioner Bud Selig had to say in regards to Joe Torre stepping down as MLB’s executive vice-president of baseball operations on Wednesday and joining a group attempting to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. But if you read between the lines, it sounds more like:

“Joe Torre adds immediate legitimacy to the group headed by real estate developer Rick Caruso. He is my hand-picked choice to own the Los Angeles Dodgers.”

That’s right folks; I’m calling “Shenanigans” on the whole deal. If I am any of the other potential bidders, a list which currently includes Mark Cuban, Orel Hershisher and Steve Garvey, Peter O’Malley, Magic Johnson, et al, I’m crying foul as well.

It would seem to me that the field of potential buyers is already well-formed and financially backed. The addition of Torre to a group lead by a real estate developer (ahem, McCourt, ahem) doesn’t do anything to back-up the legitimacy of the process. All it does is signal that Bud Selig and the other cronies at the country club want another good-old-boy after watching McCourt tarnish the image.

To me, there are already two worthwhile groups here; the one lead by Magic Johnson and former Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten, and the one lead by Mark Cuban. Both Cuban and Johnson have strong business acumens, not to mention immeasurable competitiveness. Both groups would have the flash and drive to give the Dodgers the visible ownership that it truly needs. Both would do what it takes to make the team and the baseball culture viable again, especially with Arte Moreno setting up Anaheim like Ellis Island and taking on all the poor, tired, and huddled masses of Dodgers fans wanting to see the best show in town.

All Cuban has done is make one of the sorriest franchises in NBA history into a perennial contender and defending NBA champion. All Johnson has done was captivated the city of Los Angeles and the mass market of fans outside of the area and turned the Lakers into a national phenomenon.

Yet, we stand here this week and hear how Bud’s special friend has decided to throw his hat in the ring. Sure, I understand that Torre has his L.A. ties, having managed the team from 2008-10, but three years with a team doesn’t make you a staple of the market. That alone would justify Manny Ramirez trying to buy the team and moving it to “Mannywood”.

No, Torre is here because Selig needed him here. They need to control the Los Angeles circus when bids are submitted on January 23^rd. They cannot allow a free-thinker like Cuban to walk into the ring like Al Czervik and take over Bushwood. No, Bud needs an inside man to make sure they have the anti-McCourt in place, someone who will follow the book on ownership to the letter and will roll over like a good dog when Major League Baseball wants him to.

Shame on you Joe Torre. Shame on you Bud Selig. And shame on any of the sheep that don’t see the wool being pulled over their eyes because there is a wolf in the herd.

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