Okay.

The Gasol move is the best?  Surely better than Kidd?   And surely better than Shaq.

On the Raptors: God I've been loving Calderon.  But I have this nagging little suspicion that his game will go down a notch with Ford back.

The Gasol move by a mile, and not just because the Lakers paid basically nothing for him.  I thought the Kidd move was frankly bad, they gave away too much and what they brought in doesn't actually address their problems (which weren't even that significant).  The Cleveland "completely overhaul our roster halfway through the season" move was a real puzzler, I don't understand the thinking behind that at all.

As for Shaq: shit.  It was a huge gamble, but it could pay off.  The major thing, clearly, was unloading Marion -- a great player but by all accounts a sulky selfish jackass who was making everyone unhappy.

Calderon: it's too bad Ford is close to untradeable, with his big contract and his spun-glass spine, although having the tandem is nice.  They need to play Ford off the bench, though.  Jose is absolutely the man.

they keep telling us is a good thing.  I get the point.  The lack of a big rebounder who's also tough really hurts the team though (the one thing missing).  And the obvious way to get such a rebounder is through a trade, and the only thing they have to trade that would be worthwhile would be either Calderon or Ford.  You could throw in one of Delfino, Parker, or Kapono too - not convinced yet that they are different people.

But - getting to my main point - I am just a little concerned that Calderon will now take a step backward.  He's an amazingly passionate player, and I know he respects Ford - but really, his game blossomed with Ford's absence.  Last night's game reenforced this.

Twif - you've got to be concerned about the Jays.  The Sox are unlikely to benefit from the free ride this year.

with Rolen and Eckstein look significantly better.

Pitching is a big if for everybody - I don't think it's a bigger if for the Jays than, say, the Red Sox.

Now here's the thing with the Raptors - to keep Calderon, they will have to ante up more dough next year.  We both agree they are very young with a great core of players.  But they have no financial room to add the missing piece, and their core is going to get more and more expensive every year.  The real Colangelo challenge will be how to add the missing piece given the salary cap.

Boston found a way.  The Lakers may have found a way.  Heck - Dallas may be a better team than they were with Kidd.  Phoenix?  My money is them taking a step backward with Shaq - but anything's possible.

How horrible would it be for the Nuggets - playing .600 ball to not make the playoffs while Philly and the Knicks get in?

I love Calderon more than any other Raptor.  Just worried we will see a decline in performance with a decline in his minutes.

Salary cap will be the issue - what room he is able to make will go to keeping Calderon.

On Shannon Stewart -  JP has never liked Reed Johnson.  That's been the message I'm getting.

On Boston pitching - Dice and Beckett.  On the Jays, I don't see Burnett as a #2 any more - given his record, and given the Jays youngsters, he may not have to be.  Which allows him the opportunity this year to finally show he can win 15 without any pressure.  Doc? Fingers crossed.  Ryan should be back, I hope.

Our incumbent shortstop, John McDonald, is arguably the best defensive short in the AL, but a black hole at the plate.  The only serious upside I can see to the Eckstein  signing is that the Jays should be getting a lot of loving attention from the FJM boys this year.  Rolen for Glaus was mostly exactly that, I think both players will do better in their new environments.

Honestly, though, I don't expect us to challenge the Sox for the division, barring something huge and unforeseen (like Beckett's arm falling off, or Matsuzaka going insane and stabbing Manny in the neck, or something).  But I think we can challenge the Yanks and the Indians and the Mariners for the wild card. (knocking frantically on wood)

but I understand his moxie was down to a subpar .322 swagger percentage last year.  Luckily, Rolen brings a .375 swp and, if healthy, can grind at almost a .400 dirty-uniform clip.

grit and hustle is implied when speaking of eckstein.  it is an aura that surrounds him.  he's short, white and not particularly good; so of course he's gritty and hustle-ly. 

the question on my mind though, is who wants coco?  i like him alot, but ellsbury is better offensively and nearly as good defensively (which is saying a lot, as crisp is a fantastic defensive CF).  if he can (consistently) find his swing again, he can really help a team.  i do wonder though, if there are splits available for him based on playing with an afro vs. cornrows.  he always seemed to hit better with the afro.  gotta suck to be in that position: too good to be a 4th outfielder on any team but the one you're on.