Dear eight pound, six ounce, newborn baby (Baseball) Jesus, don't even know a word yet, just a little infant, so cuddly, but still omnipotent-

I know I'm not really in a position to be asking for anything from you right now, Baseball Jesus. I know all three of my favorite teams made the playoffs this year (and for the Phillies and the Cubs? that's basically a miracle). I know the Red Sox won it all, and I was there at the World Series in Colorado to see them do it. I know we re-signed Curt Schilling, and we're jettisoning Eric Gagne, and I know we've all been bugging you night and day about Mike Lowell and Mike Timlin- so you're sick of listening.

But, tiny (Baseball) Jesus, in your golden fleece diapers with your tiny, little fat balled up fists- when I read something like this, it makes me think that maybe - just maybe - this is possible in Boston:

And dear Lord baby (Baseball) Jesus, lying there in your little ghost manger, lookin' at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin' about shapes and colors... that would be so freakin' amazing, I do not even have the words. The Texan model late reliever would be a massively huge improvement over that broke-ass Canadian busted model. And you know how I heart the Cubs, but if there's even a SLIVER OF A CHANCE OF A POSSIBILITY that we could unite the two flame-throwing Texas gunslingers on the same ballclub? Baseball Jesus, you gotta help make that happen.

Brought to you by the same state that produced
pitchers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux
and John Lackey and Huston Street and Scott Kazmir and Chris Young
(oh, and Clay Buchholz and Mike Timlin and Kyle Snyder)

With apologies to Ricky Bobby for lifting his shtick.

Or, at least, simple-r.

Now that the general managers' and owners' meetings have passed, the next big event on the baseball calendar is the December 1st deadline for clubs to offer arbitration to their former players who have now become free agents during the offseason.

The salary arbitration process sounds complicated, but in order to help simplify it, I've put together this primer to help answer any questions about what arbitration is and how it works in the MLB context. I'm no expert, but I'm hoping this can be helpful.

Basic Information

Salary arbitration is the method of using an independent third party to evaluate, and set, a player's salary for the upcoming year. As with most legal arbitrations, the decision of the arbitrator is binding on both parties- so both the ballclub and the player in question must abide by whatever the arbitrator's decision is.

Unlike most other arbitrations in the labor context, baseball salary arbitration is "final offer" - which means there is not a lengthy hearing and negotiation process between the two sides. The ballclub submits their single, final contract offer; the player submits his single, final contract request-- and the arbitrator evaluates them both, and picks one. That's it.

The almighty Collective Bargaining Agreement (or "CBA", as its called by just about everyone) between the ballclubs and the Major League Baseball Players Association governs the entirety of the arbitration process-- including which players are eligible for arbitration. Back in the olden days, a ballplayer had no freedom to move from team to team-- once he signed with a club, he remained with that club until his career ended... or he was traded or sold to another club. As you might imagine, this left little wiggle room in contract negotiations for the players, because the clubs had the deck stacked in their favor: if the ballplayer didn't like his contract offer, his only other option was not to play baseball. Now, players are required to put in just six years of major league service for their club before they can become free agents (if they so choose)... but players are eligible for arbitration under the CBA after just three years of major league service (and in some cases, even sooner!).

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Just a programming note for those of you out there who haven't yet ordered your 2007 World Series DVD set (is there actually anyone who hasn't done this yet?): today is the last day to order the set on that special deal price of $25.00 off - so the set is just $54.95 (31% off the regular $79.95 pricetag) - plus shipping for just $1.

The set includes Games 5-6-7 of the ALCS, and Games 1-2-3-4 of the World Series -- plus a bonus DVD (I'm not sure what'll be on that, but if it's anything like the 2004 set, it'll be great).

click the image to go to the order page

This time it's not the Bronx burning... it's the Fens.

Firefighters surveying the scene at Fenway

A fire broke out at Fenway in the morning hours of Sunday- but spokesmen for the Boston Fire Department (and the media) were all quick to make sure and label it as "small" and "harmless".

As part of the ongoing renovations, construction workers are removing a temporary private box from along the third base line. Sparks from a welder's torch, used in cutting apart and removing debris, snuck in amongst a pile of construction rubble on top of the grandstand roof and ignited the pile into a smoldering fire. One of the workers noticed the fire, called BFD, and it was quickly extinguished. BFD stated no one was injured and nothing had been damaged- the pile of construction rubble was all going to be thrown away anyway.

Oddly enough, I found a blogger who was outside Fenway the night before (Saturday night), and snapped photos of the welding going on up on top of the grandstands there. She posted several of her pictures- and you can see there were huge sprays of sparks.

Sweet, sweet relief.

Turns out, this wasn't his curtain call after all...

Now on to getting the other Mike resigned...

It's time to add another group of cute baby photos to our Red Sox Baby Album - including pictures of Dustin Pedroia, Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, and lots more of Jonathan Papelbon (including photos of him in White Sox, Red Sox, A's and Orioles little league unis). GO HERE for the full Red Sox Baby Album-- all the new photos are included.

Cutest new photo? Dustin Pedroia, hands down.

Although the three brothers Papelbon in Red Sox unis makes my heart happy.

Practically the moment the World Series ended, newspapers and the internet were filled with "stories" about the "missing ball" (and I use quotes there, in both cases, very intentionally). Understandable that people would inquire as to its whereabouts, given the Mientkiewicz debacle in '04... but it mystifies me why there have been approximately 10,000 (give or take a few) articles and posts written that hyperventilate over where the ball is, when it is very clear to anyone who has any sensibilities at all exactly where it is.

Jonathan Papelbon has the ball.

Can the hysteria cease now? Please? Jonathan threw the ball for the last out of Game 4, Jason Varitek caught it and then gave it back to Jonathan- as is customary. Varitek even said he gave it back to Jonathan - and, predictably given the '04 crisis and Papelbon's natural jokester tendency, Jonathan claimed not to know of its whereabouts... but with a sly wink and nod. Jason's not a liar and Papelbon's not a dummy. It seemed obvious that everyone knew exactly where the ball was, and why. The Sox front office clearly doesn't care that Papelbon has the ball, and it was the team Captain who gave it to him in the first place.

Jonathan talking about the ball

video courtesy of WBZ

So why, after the 10,000 silly handwringing pieces that have gone before it, are some people still wondering where the ball is? I know folks need stuff to write about, but let's not continue to make a mountain out of a molehill: the ball is not missing. The ball is right where the team wants it.

Let it go.

As I was reading through the avalanche of articles about Mike Lowell's official resigning yesterday, and the press conference he held with Theo Epstein about the contract, I noticed that different reporters were quoting Mike in different ways. And in a situation like this, where the whole of Red Sox fandom has been hanging by a thread waiting to see what would happen, the slight rephrasing of Mike's words can make a big difference.

So here's my cut at a transcript of Mike's thoughts during yesterday's press conference. Hopefully, these are as close to the real thing as you can get without closed captioning.

Thoughts on the difficulty in making the decision:

It wasn't tough in the sense that I knew I wanted to play in Boston. Frankly, I think what we wanted was four years. So I think the tough part was filtering between four years with other teams, or three years with the Red Sox. But I can't say that I'm upset with the situation. I mean, how can you be upset with the money I'm going to be making in the next three years, and with a team that I believe is going to compete for a world title? I always expressed how much I enjoyed playing here in Boston with my teammates, and my manager, and all the fans, and I don't think that has changed a bit. So, I'm actually very happy and looking forward to working hard this offseason and getting myself ready for spring training. There were definitely things that were considered. Not everything about the whole process was easy, but I'm glad with the way these things have ended.

On whether he came close to cutting ties with Boston:

There were things that were considered. Definitely. I think that the amount of money that was left on the table . . . I didn't really struggle with it, but I was thinking, 'Is guaranteeing that fourth year something I should really pass up?' The analysis I did with my family was, you look at the cities and you look at the teams, you see where they fit, and you compare that with the way you feel and the way you fit with the Red Sox. So ultimately my fit and my comfort level, with my family and my team here in Boston outweighed those other options. It was tough. There were very, very generous offers being made. And I was very appreciative of the teams that contacted my agents and myself.

On support from team and fans for his return:

It's very flattering. Especially after a World Series, it's easy to have a honeymoon for awhile- because everything's going well. And then I think sometimes when negotiations start happening like this... there's speculation, and not everyone paints the proper picture- for either side. I think there could have been a chance where maybe some things were written where the fanbase maybe could have taken it a little bit the wrong way. And either to urge someone to make a decision or not-- and I'm saying that more from the press side, than my side or the Red Sox side. So the fact that this is done and I'm coming back and everything has stayed the same... It is very flattering and I'm very happy about that because I feel the fans have embraced me and I've embraced the fan base of Boston since day one. I've enjoyed playing in Boston since the first day I was traded, so hopefully that can remain for three more years.

On his team staying the same from '07:

I think it can only help. We did have some new pieces with Dice-K and Okey, Julio Lugo and JD were the big guys that came in. Pedroia also, I know he was with the organization, but it was his first time at the big league we were with him- I think it can only hep from a comfort factor, especially the guys in the middle - Lugo and Pedroia- feeling that much more comfortable. And the fact that we won and were able to succeed with this group makes us feel like we should be able to do it again -- or at least make a good run.

On the factors that made him choose fewer years/dollars:

I'd say there were several factors. First, I enjoy Boston. My family enjoys Boston. Secondly, I believe the Red Sox organization is one that does everything it can to win a world championship - and at this point in my career, that's a big factor. I can't say that would have been the main factor if this was the second year in the big leagues for me. Thirdly, before this contract I had financial security, so I like to believe that I'm not all about money. I feel like I'm more of a baseball player than a businessman. So, I kind of weighed where I felt comfortable and where I thought I'd produce the best with a team that has a chance to win a world championship.... and it was Boston. On top of that, we just won and I played with a set of teammates that are unparalleled and with a manager the same way and with a fan base is unbelievable. I really don't believe everything should be about money. I've had teammates in the past who have gone to other places. Sometimes they have second thoughts that they took more money elsewhere. I just didn't think my happiness should be bought just by dollars.

Possibility of moving to first base:

I understand that everyone in New England thinks if you play for the Red Sox, you have to hate the Yankees. And unfortunately, although everytime we play the Yankees I want to beat them, I came up through their system and there was a lot of people within that organization that were very instrumental to me getting to the big leagues and having the career I have. So, that utter hatred I just don't have, because they actually helped me in a big way. So it was definitely a factor, because that's another organization I'm familiar with. And like I said the parameters of where I weigh a team is "are they going to be a playoff contender? a team that year in, year out will do what it can to win a world championship?" And obviously the Yankees fit that bill. It was somewhat diminished by the fact of moving to first. I think it would have been more of a consideration if it would have been staying at third. But once again, I'm very happy staying here and I look forward to the rivalry between the two teams.

Any time during negotiations he thought it wasn't going to work out with the Sox:

I would say I was optimistic for 90% of the negotiations. Obviously at the beginning, my goal was to play for four years, to get a four year contract. I think the market warranted it, and it was something that I wanted, so I felt like that was a major concession. And I just think that I had to weigh the options. But I would say that the negotiations, for the most part, were very open and very professional. So, I'd say I really never thought things were going to break down, but maybe the parameters of which I thought we'd be able to accomplish at the beginning were a little different.

And some video of Jason Varitek discussing the re-signing, after the jump:

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Curt Schilling came up with the fabulous idea of putting together a kind of "Thanks" and "Good Luck" book of thoughts from Red Sox fans to Mike Lowell. In his latest blog post, he's volunteered to collect well wishes in the comments section- and then he'll print them all out and give a hard copy to Mike. That Curt, he's very smart.

So please head on over to Curt's place, and leave Mike a nice message.

I'd love it if so many Sox fans stopped by and left messages, that when it's time to print them out, Curt has to go out and buy more paper and new ink cartridges for his printer.

First it was Tim Wakefield, Manny Delcarmen, Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz. Then Tito Francona. Then Kevin Youkilis. Then Alex Cora. And now it's Big Papi's turn. It seems all the cool kids are hanging out at Celtics games these days.

David Ortiz was at the Celtics-Warriors game on Wednesday night, rockin' a #34 Paul Pierce jersey and a Celtics hat. He was interviewed on the jumbotron above the court, and a loud chorus of "PAPI! PAPI! PAPI!" cheers broke out.

He also tried his hand at the roundball, of the large orange variety-- and attempted a three point shot from the corner of the court at halftime... which missed the basket by several feet. It's a good thing he has that small white roundball to fall back on.

And here's a quick video clip of Papi assisting Lucky the Leprechaun with a stunt dunk- much like Tito Francona did last week:

video courtesy of NESN

More Papi pictures after the jump...

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Curt is signed. Mike is signed. That's two big pieces of the puzzle put away into their proper spot, and thank goodness. But that's not the end of the offseason action by any means. We don't have to endlessly hit "refresh" on Nick Cafardo's blog just waiting to hear if those two have re-signed, but there's still lots to keep our eyes on over the next few months- the next couple of weeks in particular. As Theo noted in the wake of the Lowell contract:

"It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing. . . . At the same time, we want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make our ballclub better because we know our other 29 competitors are doing the same."

Probably the biggest name still on the market is Johan Santana (after he reportedly turned down a 5 year, $93 million dollar deal from the Twins) - and the Red Sox are reportedly still very much in the mix on him. The stumbling block to bringing Santana to the Fens is the high price tag the Twins have placed on his acquisition. Per Michael Silverman, "Indications are that the Twins have already inquired about center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and right-hander Clay Buchholz, plus other top prospects." The Sox will most assuredly NOT give up both Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, and will likely look to avoid losing Ellsbury as well.

One major league source familiar with the Sox' thinking said that a package of both Buchholz and Lester, or one of those pitchers and Ellsbury, would be "way too rich" for the team to part with

Nick Cafardo believes the Twins likely need one pitcher, and then a CF (to fill the void left by Torii Hunter's departure) and then 2B and/or 3B. Silverman beliieves a Buchholz OR Leaster plus Crisp and 1-2 minor leaguers might do the trick-- because "the Twins are known to be high on Crisp".

And don't forget when Curt Schilling hinted in his blog that there were some big, surprising moves in the offseason coming from the Sox? One line of his blog from last week makes me wonder...

Santana, Cabrera, Tejada, all on the market?? Wow. If one of those first two names gets moved I can't imagine the young talent heading the other way. Only a few teams have the resources to make those happen.

Wonder what "few teams" he's talking about, hmmm?

Santana may be the biggest name circulating in the rumor mill, but the biggest name to me, for purely sentimental reasons, is Kerry Wood. I posted in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday that the Sox were looking at Wood, and that tidbit has been reported in several places this week. Nick Cafardo says, "He's one of several arms they're looking for the bullpen. I think he'd rather stay with the Cubs, but if things don't work out he'll get a lot of play including from the Red Sox."

Mike Timlin still has not inked a deal with the Sox- although Nick Cafardo reported that he has been offered a one-year contract. Bobby Kielty and Doug Mirabelli also remain free agents- but Theo has said that the Sox are still talking to all three about returning:

"We've been in touch with the representatives for all those players, and there is some ongoing dialogue," said Epstein. "As we get closer to the Winter Meetings, there will be more specific talk and the possibility of one or more of those players returning."

If it's not Mirabelli, the Sox still need a backup catcher. Nick Cafardo mentioned that there is still some thoughts about bringing Kevin Cash back- which was news to me. As I mentioned before, other possibilities include Rangers' catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia (YES, PLEASE) and Gerald Laird. According to Cafardo, "The Sox tried desperately to get Salty before he was dealt to Atlanta. They could try again, but I think Laird would be more available."

One bargaining chip the Sox have for the Rangers or Twins (or a lot of other teams) is Coco Crisp- although Theo has said he'd be willing to keep Coco around as a fourth OF on the roster. Cafardo figures he's likely gone- and Eric Hinske, too. Rob Bradford also mentions that Atlanta has interest in Coco Crisp- they'll have a CF-sized hole when Andruw Jones leaves.

And finally, from last week, the Globe put together an excellent look at the major Japanese free agents in play for not only the Red Sox, but all of major league baseball. The Kobayashi signing in Cleveland likely won't be the last move from the East this offseason.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank the following people for making the summer of '07 possibly the best summer of my life: Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Mike Timlin, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Mike Lowell, Jon Lester, Kevin Youkilis, Curt Schilling, Jacoby Ellsbury, Tim Wakefield, Doug Mirabelli, Julian Tavarez, Clay Buchholz, Kevin Cash, Brandon Moss, Julio Lugo, Coco Crisp, Javier Lopez, Manny Delcarmen, Bobby Kielty, Royce Clayton, Bryan Corey, Hideki Okajima, Alex Cora, Kyle Snyder, Devern Hansack, Brendan Donnelly, Eric Hinske, Kason Gabbard, Joel Pineiro, J.C. Romero, Wily Mo Pena, Tito Francona, John Farrell, Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy, Tina Cervasio, the bullpen cop, that nice lady at the Bud Light stand in Fenway near Section 10 who would sell me beer even when I forgot my ID, Parlay the parrot, Kevin Millar, the bugs in Cleveland, Melvin Mora, Cinco Ocho, the Angels shitty hitting, Carmona and Sabathia's shitty pitching, Matt Holliday's shitty basestealing, and J.D. Drew. (yes, even J.D.)

I do not, however, thank Eric Gagne. He can go fuck a duck.

This installment of Random Sox Theatre brings you a short clip of ESPN's Kenny Mayne interviewing Maurice Jones-Drew, the running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. What does this have to with the Red Sox? Maurice gets in a dig on J.D. Drew.

video courtesy of ESPN

Wishing a very happy birthday to a very kickass closer -- Jonathan Papelbon turns 27 today, and catches up to Beckett again. For the next six months, Josh can't hold it over Jonathan that he's older (though I'm sure he'll still hold that second World Series ring over his head).

Jonathan would like to take this opportunity to offer you some delicious chicken products.

Showing up at Spurs games is one thing, but now you've gone too far- I don't care what crazy insanity you were infected with as a high school kid, this ain't right:

Mixing sports a bit, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett was cheered by the crowd at Kyle Field. Beckett had signed with the Aggies out of Spring High School but went pro instead. He donned an A&M jersey when introduced Friday in the north end zone.

WHAT THE HELL, JOSH?!? I thought Roger Clemens was your idol! In case you've forgotten:

PLUS, A&M SUCKS AS A BASEBALL SCHOOL! HOW MANY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HAVE THEY WON IN BASEBALL? ZERO! HOW MANY HAS TEXAS WON? SIX! AND, JOSH- HOW MANY TIMES HAS TEXAS BEEN TO THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES? THIRTY-FREAKING-TWO, JOSH. THIRTY-TWO. MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM IN THE U.S. HOW MANY TIMES HAS A&M EVEN BEEN TO THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES? ONLY FOUR! THAT MEANS TEXAS HAS WON MORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN A&M HAS EVEN BEEN ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE!

Josh: I know growing up in Hickville, Texas, there were a lot of Ag fans around- I know because I grew up about 2 minutes away from you also in Hickville, Texas. But no matter how much of a hick you are, Josh, one thing you are not is a mindless lemming -- and so it mystifies me why you would choose a school full of mindless lemmings, and one that sucks ass at baseball to boot. And by now you should have outgrown this shameful past, Josh- you should have put aside this insanity and refused to show up and wear the colors of those mindless lemmings.

Good lord, Josh- now I have to go cleanse my palette.

Whew. That's better.

(OK, Josh, you're not dead to me- but I reserve the right to be in a huff about this for as long as I want.)

Much like the legions of Red Sox fans invaded Coors Field at the end of October, all of the artifacts from those World Series games have taken over Cooperstown. A new exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame honoring the Red Sox-Rockies faceoff, entitled "Autumn Glory: A Postseason Celebration", contains a whole treasure trove of game-used items from the Sox (and a few from the Rox as well).

At the entrance to the exhibit, a huge photograph of Series MVP Mike Lowell greets visitors, with a giant banner arching above that reads: RED SOX ROCK 'NATION,' ROLL ROCKIES. In addition to items from 2007 Series, the exhibit also features Curt Schilling's bloody sock from 2004 - to tie together the two championships won by the Sox in the 21st century.

Below and after the jump are photos of a whole bunch of the items featured in the exhibit, courtesy of the Hall of Fame.

Jersey worn by team captain Jason Varitek during Games 3 & 4

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