WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

Most major League teams are making deals like crazy, or talking to multiple agents all day long and giving interviews that boggle the mind.
Texas is courting every big-name free agent there is. I think they would be willing to offer Mickey Mantle $2 million to pinch hit, but only because they heard that Babe Ruth was unavailable.
The Phillies are going the trade route, the Dodgers want to guy every warm body and even Seattle is making big offers. They are pushing hard for Josh Hamilton.
Terry Francona, out in Cleveland, is taking a personally aggressive position with all the free agents, trying to talk someone into joining him in the 'mistake by the lake.'
Kansas City is trying for a top-of-the-line pitcher.
Arizona is asking for half a roster full of prospects for Justin Upton.
Boston is buying up as many 2nd line free agents as possible. I guess they feel if they can't win the AL East, they can at least contend in the International League

And while all this is going on, Agents and General Managers are all looking over their shoulder wondering when that big New York Yankee bomb is going to get dropped. Brian Cashman is typically  low key during the Winter Meetings, until he has that news conference where he announces the Yanks major move. But it isn't happening and Cashman says it won't, either. In the meantime, Russell Martin left, Eric Chavez has signed with the Diamondbacks, and Nick Swisher is definitely gone.  Ichiro is getting antsy because the Yanks haven't made an offer and Raul Ibanez is still wandering around loose.  Toronto just stole a catcher from the Yanks - Eli Whiteside, a player the Yanks couldn't wait to get from San Diego (I think it was the Zoo).
This news flash just came across ESPN: The Yanks just offered Kevin Youkilis $12 million for one year. There is one advantage if NY does sign him --At least we won't have to look at that silly goatee/mustache anymore. Kevin should fit in rther nicely in the expanding geriatric ward in the NY clubhouse.

In the meantime, George Steinbrenner isn't turning over in his grave, he's trying to get out. I wish him luck.

***THEY SAID IT***
"Rex Ryan says he’s sticking with Mark Sanchez. Frustrated New York fans wonder how long the Jets will be sticking with Rex Ryan."  -- Janice Hough
"Kentucky’s men’s basketball team (4-3) fell out of the top 25 since John Calipari became coach in 2009. Calipari is so reportedly so upset with the team he might threaten the players with drastic punishment – like having to go to class." -- Janice Hough
"A British team of 28 adult female gymnasts set a Guinness world record by contorting themselves into a 2012 Mini Cooper. My wife says that should fuel my imagination for months."  -- RJ Currie
"What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."  -- Sarah Palin
"Mike Tyson told the London Sun he caught then-wife Robin Givens in bed with actor Brad Pitt: Either Mike is lying to get media attention because he's promoting something. Or two, Brad Pitt can run faster than Mike Tyson."  -- Bob Ross of BadJocks.com
"Ex-WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw's was arrested for allegedly shooting into an ex-girlfriend's car: The good news is, it should take approximately three seconds to find 12 jurors who don't watch the WNBA."  -- Brad Dickson
"According to Forbes, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the first NHL team valued at a $1 billion. This just in: there's been a jump in the price of laughing stock"  -- RJ Currie
"Commissioner Bud Selig vowed to keep Marlins fans in mind while monitoring Miami's salary-dump trade to the Blue Jays. And the amazing thing is that his nose didn't grow an inch"  -- Jerry Greene
" The Marlins might plow the cash accrued from their big salary dump into signing major free agents? Marlins fans who trust that will happen should hold a meeting tonight at the Gullible Tavern, corner booth."  -- Greg Cote

       [Of course, you can't have a blog without some mention of Lindsay Lohan] 
" Lindsay Lohan was arrested for assault last night in New York City. I guess she punched another woman in the face and knocked her down at a club at four o'clock in the morning. This is the closest Lindsay has come to a hit in years."  -- Jay Leno

CP-