Time to empty the mailbag while wondering how much hair Theo Epstein will pull out of his head before Senor Ramirez is done with his latest Manny being Manny episode;

I have gone back and forth a bit over the cost of replacing Manny Ramirez with T2, who writes;

“Lance Berkman: 10.5, Carlos Beltran: 11.5, Vladimir Guerrero: 12 mill, Jermaine Dye: 4 mill, Adam Dunn: 4.6, Tori Hunter: 8 mil, Carlos Delgado: 4 mill, Paul Konerko: 11 mill, Derek Lee: 8 mill, Miguel Tejada 11 mill...Although not an exhaustive list, this is just an example of the average price of talent in MLB.�

Not to argue the point too long (cause you guys know how much I hate to argue!), but those numbers you give are a bit deceiving. Yes, Delgado made $4-million in 2005, but that was just the first year in a 4-year $52-million dollar contract. Beltran’s total deal is for 7-years at the “bargain� rate of $119-million and Berkman’s cost to Houston was 6-years at $85-mil. As you can see, the cost of very good, but not Hall of Fame caliber players, is anywhere from $13-$17 million a year. As for guys like Dunn and Derek Lee, good luck getting them in a trade. And when they do become free agents, they’ll command the same dollars as the above mentioned players.

T2 and I are on the same page about this though; Manny acting up is driving his value down even further and putting the Red Sox deeper into the doo-doo.

Looks like I’ve made a new friend in Ryan who chimes in with;

“My take is that your (sic) a moron....�

Gee, you catch on quick…..

“...I think you should do your research or at least wait a day to find out that Ricky didn't even fail his test for marijuana before you give us your "expert opinion". That's the problem with the press, you post a story you have no clue about before you get your facts straight.�

In fact, I did do a bit of research. Nowhere did I see anyone without an agenda say that Ricky didn’t fail a marijuana test. The denials came from his agent and mother who said they’d be shocked if he did. What did you expect Mama Williams to say? Here’s another fact; Ricky’s failed 3-tests before, all for marijuana. Would you like to wager that when all is said and done, this failed test is for either Mary Jane or a drug to mask her? If not, I’ll be sure to issue an apology.

But Ryan, I do appreciate the spunk….I wish more of the readers would take me on as forcefully. That’s what this is all about…..loudly voicing our opinions, because there is no right or wrong.

Surprisingly, the biggest response I’ve gotten on this blog so far is for my Lindsey Jacobellis post. To think, I sit here writing well thought out opinions about the major sports, and a showboating 20-year old snowboarder creates the most buzz;

Louis Cypher; “This isn't a team sport kids. This sport is all about style and showboating. They've been showboating ever since they got on top of a board. This is what they know. This is what they do.�

JesusSavesThorntonScores; “They weren't "taught" to fly. They learned.�

Legend Killer; “These snowboarders consider themselves artist more than anything. They just want to screw around on a mountain, pull off some tricks and have fun. God forbid if winning a gold medal for their country is not their priority.�

Shroud of Turin; “It's too bad for Jacobellis and Vermont. They could both use a gold medal to change the embarrassment of having Howard Dean as the state's most famous citizen. Maybe if Lindsey had let out a Dean-like yell, she would have scared the hell out of the judges and gotten the score she needed.�

Grey Goose Sucks; “I'm afraid the hot dog sentiments are shared by sports fans across the globe, but especially "sweet" to anti-Americans abroad. Way to represent dumb ass.�

And finally, back to Mr. Cypher for the true essence of sports discussion;

“By the way, this is all because I think she's cute. So don't be coming down on our Lindsey.�

LOL!.....Spoken like a true “sports guy!�

Keep the comments coming!!!