Pair of Farewells

A couple of former Sox infielders made some big decisions yesterday. Alex Gonzalez seems to be on his way to the Reds, who are overpaying for his services- in the range of three years, $14 or $15 million. I would be among the first to admit that it is a rare pleasure watching him play short. Had he played more than 115 games or so this year, I would have been hugely offended about his not being awarded the gold glove. Combine that with his, well, let's say anemic production with a bat in his hand, and I just don't see the Sox investing that kind of money for the next three years. I know, if Edgar Renteria is worth 4/$40 then isn't A-Gon worth 3/$15? Well, let's hold on. Renteria wasn't worth $40 million. I don't know what the front office will do for a shortstop. Julio Lugo looms large out there, but with this market, if Alex Gonzalez gets $5 million a year, Lugo's gonna get overpaid too. I just hope if it's us, it's not by too much. But hey, it could always be worse, right? We could have just made the mistake of signing Juan Pierre to a 5 year deal for $45 million...Enjoy those singles, Dodger fans.

In sadder news, Bill Mueller announced his retirement. After only 30-something games with the Dodgers this year, his knees, which have been crumbling for years, finally reached the point of no return. Of all of the guys from the 2003-2004 glory days, I think I'll miss that scarecrow most of all. He was not only a very good player, but he was as likeable a guy as you could ask for- a great teammate, a modest guy, someone who realized how lucky he was to be doing what he was doing. I think it's a no-brainer that Ned Colletti decided to keep Billy around as a special advisor. I recently read Sam Walker's book "Fantasyland," in which Bill Mueller plays a prominent role in the plot, and on Sam Walker's Tout Wars rotisserie team. The vignette in which Sam Walker shares a Schafer beer with Bill Mueller after a big game will stay with me for a long time. We'll see you 'round, Billy. Don't be a stranger.

Elsewhere, Ryan Howard pulled off a minor upset in winning the NL MVP over Albert Pujols. I know all of the statheads out there could never comprehend why voters don't see that Pujols easily was more valuable than Howard, given the differences in doubles, OBP, defense, etc. The fact remains, however, that some numbers are just really hard for the voters to ignore. 58 homers and 149 RBI is really really big. Those two guys were the clear one-two for the voting, and that outburst just tipped the balances. A bit more power trumped a lot more overall value and consistency. I can't get too upset about it.

I can't get too upset about it until this afternoon, of course. This afternoon, this same situation will be reversed. A huge power output (54 homers, 137 RBI) is going to lose to some overall, consistent value. When Derek Jeter wins the MVP over David Ortiz, the voters gonna have some 'splainin' to do. How can you say that in the NL, the power output of one guy was enough to beat out the clear statistical superiority (in a runs-created framework) of the other guy, but say just the opposite in the AL? Is it because Ortiz is a DH? It can't be because the Sox missed the playoffs- the Phillies missed it also.

Maybe I'm getting worked up over nothing- maybe Ortiz will surprise us and win the award after all.

Right.