Alex Rodriguez opts out - Why are people shocked by this? Was this not one of the more obvious things to happen over the last 10 years? If JD Drew, who stays healthy once every 5 years, opts out of a contract that will pay him $11 million annually over the next three years, then you don't think A-Rod is going to pass up the opportunity for free agency despite three years and $81 million left? Both have the same agent, and that guy, Scott Boras, was able to land Drew a 5-year, $70 million deal with the Boston Red Sox! Puuhhhleease.

Plus, you don't think A-Rod knew he was going to do this the entire year? Why do you think he was so relaxed this year in New York? Because he knew, no matter what he did he was out of there come year-end. He probably figured, hey, if I perform like an MVP, I'm gonna get huge dollars somewhere, and if I don't, well my agent will make sure someone pays me more than my last contract. So either way, it's a win-win.

Now as for those people who wonder how the Yankees are going to replace his numbers, why do they have to? What have they done with A-Rod over the last four years: four trips to the post-season, three one-and-done's, and the greatest collapse in the history of baseball. I'm not saying A-Rod is the lone reason for their lack of success in the postseason, but I am saying that he was certainly part of the problem.

So instead of finding a player or two to replace A-Rod's numbers, why not go out and find players who want to play together, and do what it takes to win? Who says you need a guy who can hit 40-50 home runs and drive in 140 to bat cleanup? Bernie Williams hit cleanup during the run in the late 90s, and he never hit more than 30 home runs in any season! Back then the Yankees were a TEAM, and because they played so well together, the players became all-stars. They were a team where the sum was greater than the parts. Recently the parts have been greater than the sum because of players like A-Rod.

One more thing before we leave this topic...One of the biggest complaints about Rodriguez for the longest time has been his insincerity and rehearsed answers. Well, one of the reasons he chose to opt out of the contract with the Yankees was apparently because he didn't know what direction the team was going in. Really? Was he that concerned that the Steinbrenner sons were not going to spend money and try to assemble a winning team? Did he not look at the young players on the team, guys like Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy and think the future will be ok? For him to ever say that winning is more important to him than money is a complete lie, and he should never be able to live that down. But then again, we won't have to worry about that because players with his attitude never do end up getting that ring and parade they so apparently desperately desire, just ask Barry Bonds...

The Red Sox Win Their Second World Series in Four Years: Congratulations to the Red Sox for another World Series title. To think they had to wait 86 years for one, and now have a second just three years later is remarkable, and a tribute to the job Theo Epstein has done. People ridiculed Epstein after last season's down year when the Sox finished third, but he never wavered from protecting his young players, guys like Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Lester, and it has certainly paid off. Unlike the team that won in `04, this one has potential for the long-haul. Ellsbury is a guy who plays with that youthful exuberance that is infectious for a team, and Pedroia is the gritty player you love to have on your team. As for Jonathan Papelbon, well unlike Keith Foulke from `04, he didn't do it with smoke and mirrors, he did it with just smoke. The guy will be good for a loooong time.

With that said, one has to marvel at the duo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. People seem to forget that while the Yankees were making a run at the Sox towards the end of the regular season, Manny was not in the lineup. This has to be the best 1-2 combo since Ruth-Gehrig. When the pressure is on these guys, they just seem more and more relaxed, unlike a certain player we mentioned above.

Joe Torre to the Dodgers?: One rumor today has Joe Torre going to the Dodgers for a 3-year, $12 million deal to replace Grady Little who has not been fired yet. While this makes sense in a way for Torre considering he grew up a Brooklyn Dodger fan, it certainly tarnishes his reputation a little. I know he said he's not ready to leave the game, and would consider managerial positions if they were offered to him, but am I the only one who thinks it would be weird to see him in a Dodgers hat talking about the job as one he's always wanted? While he left the Yankees with class, I do believe this would tarnish his reputation at least a little bit.

Joe Girardi Offered Yankees Job: This was the absolute correct choice by the Yankees. Girardi is a guy who knows the game, knows how to work with young players, and can obviously manage given his NL Manager of the Year Award in 2006.

On top of all of that, if you're a Yankee fan, the most important part of this decision is that it was made by GM Brian Cashman. It's no secret that George Steinbrenner wanted Don Mattingly to be the next Yankees manager, but Cashman, like in so many of his other decisions (i.e. not giving up Cabrera and Kennedy for Eric Gagne), stuck to his baseball instinct and listened to his baseball people. This will only bode well for the future of the team.