A Couple Things...

First on the Celtics. Can we relax on the title talk? Who have they beaten so far? I know they look great, but can they at least get a chance to play a San Antonio, Dallas or Phoenix before we praise their greatness? In addition, what happened last night when they played the defending Eastern Conference Champs? They lost. What happened when they played that other Eastern Conference team that is off to a hot start (Magic)? They lost. They are off to a very nice start (11-2), but they have a long way to go. At different times they will have to overcome an injury or two and probably the ineptitude of their coach. They will win their division and compete for the Eastern Conference title. That is as far as I am going. Until I see them at least play an elite Western team (especially on the road) I can not consider them in that class.

Now on the upcoming baseball winter meetings...

One thing is clear and that is that there are going to be a some big moves. Guys like Johan Santana, Dan Haren, and Miguel Cabrera could all be moved. In addition to guys like Joe Crede, Huston Street, Eric Bedard, and Delmon Young. There are big rumors all over the place.

On the Santana front. Let me say one thign as a Mets fan. For all the heat Omar has taken recently, let it be noted that he has been trying to acquire a number one starter since the 2006 trading deadline. At that point he made strong moves to try and get Roy Oswalt and Jason Schmidt. After the season he bid $39 million on Dice-K, only to have the red Sox blow everyone out of the water. He offered Zito in the $90 million range, but was not going to go up to the ridiculous terretory that the Giants went to. He is now going to make aggressive offers for Santana, Bedard and Haren. Some people feel that the Mets don't have the prospects to get a deal done. Maybe they don't. One thing is clear though and that is that Omar among the most aggresive GMs at these winter meetings.

In the end I think Santana will come down to the Yankees and Sox. If the Red Sox are willing to give up Ellsburgy they have a shot. If not, then the Yanks will grab him with an offer built around Hughes and Melky. The Angels will end up getting Miguel Cabrera. I hope the Mets get Haren, but due to his reasonable contract other teams such as the Diamondbacks will be able to put in offers for him as well, which will make it tougher for the Mets. In the end I think Omar will have to offer more than he was originally willing in order to get one of these aces. In addition, for insurance I can see Omar being able to acquire a Jose Contreras on the cheap if he is willing to pay the remainder of his contract in ful (two years $20 million). Not a bad option for the end of the rotation. If you can go into next year with Pedro, Haren/Bedard/Santana, Maine, Perez, EL Duque/Contreras as a Met fan you would have to be extremely happy. By next week at this time we will have a much better idea of where the Mets and every other team in baseball are at.

STKAFI