Opinion

As a long time Braves fan, I am always fascinated about how well Braves management handles their players and make great signings and turn players career's around.

However, since Mr. Frank Wren took over as the Braves GM, he has been one of the most active executives—and has received an earful of complaints from his players and the Braves' fans.

Let me start by saying that I'm one of the biggest Derek Jeter fans in the world.

I have followed Jeter since his first days in early 1996 and continue to be one of his strongest supporters, both on and off the field. This article is in no way a knock on Derek or an attempt to infer that he may be gay.

A lot of Derek Jeter haters like to insult him by saying that he "drinks wine coolers" or "sucks A-Rod" as the Red Sox Nation shirts would read. What if Derek Jeter was actually gay and all of his super model and celebrity girlfriends were a cover up!?

Okay Theo, now what?

I have been an unabashed fan and supporter of the Red Sox General Manager since his assumption of the reigns of the Red Sox organization. I have not always agreed with the decisions he has made, but I have seldom taken him to task for the manner in which he has discharged his responsibilities.

Until now.

The Cincinnati Reds have recently upgraded third baseman Scott Rolen's contract to tie him up for the next three years. That is all well and good, but I believe we had him for this year already, am I right?

We have more pressing problems than pacifying a player for whom we already had mortgaged the farm—no play on words.

Shortstops still change teams or get re-signed by their own club while we sit and wait it out.

No.

I could probably end the article right there, but perhaps I should elaborate.

After winning the World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui has drawn praise from Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese-born player to play in the MLB.

Murakami stated that "Ichiro Suzuki has had many accomplishments, but they've all been in the regular season. As the first Japanese to win an MVP in the World Series, this is a great accomplishment for Matsui and will have a huge impact."

You have got to be kidding me.

While Scott Boras patiently waits for some team to offer Adrian Beltre a four-year deal worth around $10 million annually, the market for Beltre is simply not developing at this point.

And to make matters worse, the Red Sox, who were one of the few teams interested in Beltre that could come close to giving him the contract he wanted, might not be in the market for a third baseman anymore. The reason? The Mike Lowell to Texas trade is was cancelled yesterday:

Barry Larkin spent his entire 19-year career playing for his hometown Cincinnati Reds. Considered by many to be one of the best all-around players of his era, Larkin is now eligible for baseball's highest individual honor.

While statistics are the primary tool for measuring a baseball player's greatness, there are vital qualities and characteristics that a computer can't necessarily figure out. Larkin excelled in many of those categories.

You see plenty of moves like this in football, but contract restructuring is not nearly as common in baseball. But yesterday, the Reds and Scott Rolen agreed to a restructured deal that will keep him in Cincinnati for the next three seasons:

The offseason is not even close to over, yet two general managers already stand out, albeit for vastly different reasons.  Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has, in under two years, turned the Mariners from the punchline in a Bill Bavasi joke to a legitimate contender for the AL West.  Meanwhile, Houston Astros GM Ed Wade keeps digging a deeper grave for his team. 

These GMs are important because they represent two different modes of managing—one that values rational, informed decision making, and one that does not.

Jack Zduriencik

Harry LeRoy Halladay III, welcome to the fold.  It has certainly been a whirlwind few days for the Phillies and their fans.

Boy Genius Ruben Amaro Jr. or RAJ as he is referred to, finally got his man.  The love that RAJ has for Halladay is remarkable, the way they looked at each other during the press conference was like watching a poorly made romantic comedy.  These guys have a serious "Bromance" going on.