Friday Fancies

Thanksgiving is my second-favorite holiday behind Christmas. Short, sweet, to the point and no annoying music that's played a month and a half in advance.

It's Friday folks, and we have a nice weekend ahead. Thanksgiving's next week, so we even have a short week ahead, making it even better. I still have some stuff to do this weekend, but I should post a few things, including that post on the best pitcher. For now, here are some links.

- Mike Mussina knew all season he would retire. So why did it take almost two months to say so?

- The Red Sox really, really want Teixeira. But, the Yankees lose the contest for CC and throw a crap load of cash at a guy who will really take the highest bid.

- Cesar Izturis is the guy for the Orioles. He would probably be one the underrated signings that actually pans out really well.

- The White Sox have another Cuban. We also find out Fidel Castro is a body-snatcher and has taken over Kenny Williams. So that's where he's been.

- This is why you don't spend $4M on a reliever. The Royals put a Class-A reliever on their 40-man roster because he has a big fastball and good breaking ball/split. He could be in the majors next season. Who will have the better ERA, him or Juan Cruz?

- A's owner Lew Wolff is nuts. Thank you for that new insight.

- Kameron Loe became the second major-leaguer sold to Japan in the past week. Sayonara.

- This is another reason not to spend $4M on a reliever. Who will have the better ERA next season, O'Flaherty or Arthur Rhodes? Waiver claims!

- Luis Castillo is driven to secure a second chance in New York. The cabbie takes a left turn and leaves him on the New Jersey Turnpike.

- The Phillies traded a former first-rounder for another and may have gotten their right-handed Geoff Jenkins platoon partner.

- Doh! The streak has ended. I'm sure it will get started again soon.

- Another reason not to spend $4M on a reliever. Who doesn't have a young reliever with a big arm or at least good stuff with maybe poor command?

- It will be official. No weather can officially end a postseason game. Whew!

- Princeton does have more than just for average genius.

- Things get personal, even on blogs.

- Some interesting guys to watch out for next season. I'm still not completely sold on Prado.

- Going once ... the deadline for the sale of the Cubs is December 1st.

- Remember, remember the offseason of 2000.

- Dave lost. Stupid politics blogs.

- Wonder what the Rule 5 draft is about? I do, too, but no longer.

- A list of Rule-5 candidates with value. Man, USS Mariner is good. Three links this morning. And Dave didn't win. What a shame.