It's all about the pitching.

Boston.com is busy this morning. The Web site reports that Byung-Hyun Kim has been traded to the Colorado Rockies. Great.

Everyone seems happy. Charles Johnson who was part of the deal was soon released. The Tampa Bay Tribune reports he may join the Devil Rays as soon as Thursday.

The Rocky Mountain News reports "Jerry Dipoto, who left the Red Sox this past off-season to become the Rockies' director of pro scouting, is convinced Kim is worth the risk, especially considering the uncertainty in the bullpen and Kim's age, 26."

What do the Rockies really have to lose? In that thin-air they have plenty of other pitching worries. Chin-hui Tsao can't close games from the disabled list. Plus the Sox will pay $5.7 million of Kim's $6-million contract. But as I said, he had to go at any cost. I guess $5.7 million was the cost.

Boston.com also says contract negotiations between Tim Wakefield and the Sox have been put on the back burner. This is a little upsetting. Wakefield has done nearly everything a team could ask of a pitcher. There's still many years left for the knuckleballer. Heck Charlie Hough pitched until he was 46.

While next year the Sox will have Schilling, Clement, David Wells and probably Miller and Arroyo, I think there is stlll room on this club for one more pitcher. Perhaps Wakefield can be used in a different role.

I've always thought that the best way to use Wakefield is in the 7th and 8th innings nearly everyday. Leaving the ninth for the closer. This would ensure saving your starting pitchers' arms.

Wakefield would be the perfect set-up man. Whether or not Wakefield would accept that role is unclear, but based on his willingness to do anything for the team in the past, I can't see why he would pass it up.

If he were to leave where would he go - back to Pittsburgh? Perhaps Steinbrenner would take another opportunity to stick it to Boston fans.

So let me get this straight. The Sox are willing to eat Kim's $6 million but can't seem to find $4 million-a-year for a stand-up player like Wakefield. Hmm, baseball is a curious business.

Reader comments: Do you think Tim Wakefield's contract should be extended?

Even a spring training game between the Red Sox and Yankees is all the rage. Tuesday was no different.

Halama pitched okay while the Sea Dogs' outfield (Durbin, Lockwood, Hall) played stellar. Portland is in for a real treat.

With four days left before the first game of the season, "The Rivalry" talk is heating up.

The Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas writes about Halama's inside pitch to A-Rod Nice lead, but what I found most interesting was Joe Torre's comments.

Apparently when it comes to the Yankees-Red Sox, Torre needs to have special meetings to explain "the madness."

Some "new" people may never understand until it's too late. Boston.com's reports that Randy Johnson is cool to rivary.

The ignorance is a welcome change from the arrogance other Yankees have spewed year after year. I like him in pinstripes.

Regardless, the New York Daily News reports the Unit is working up to the Red Sox. However, he was 100 miles away from Tuesday's pre-season game. I'm not sure what he wishes to learn from that distance.

Perhaps he was still looking for his something. He obviously didn't find it in Tuesdays game versus Toronto's AAA club. The New York Times reports, Johnson was roughed up for 6 earned runs, 10 hits and hit a batter. To his credit he struck out 8 while throwing 98 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.

The N.Y. Daily News' John Harper says Johnson needs to find his "dark place" for the opener. If "dark place" means "the plate" then I agree.

It won't matter. Like A-Rod, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and Kevin Brown, the 42-year-old Johnson doesn't fit in. He, like those before him, is the best at his position. But ever since the Yankees went out and spent the big dollars for Giambi, New York hasn't won a championship.

Speaking of mistakes...It appears New York is going to make another one. According to the New York Post, Joe Torre has announced his starting rotation. Mr. Brown, not Jaret Wright - who dominated the spring - is the No. 4 man.

This is great news for Sox fans. We may face Brown in Fenway's first home series.

It may not have the same ring as 19-18, but when facing the Yankees, I'm going to start chanting "2-0-0-0!" (the last time the Yankees won a World Series) I hope it catches on.

Reader comments: What will you chant when the Yankees come to town?

Generally speaking Kims aren't so bad. The name Kim conjures up many different images. Sometimes I see a very friendly co-worker, an old flame or even a friend's brother comes to mind (unusual name for a man). But most often I see Byung-Hyun Kim flipping-off Red Sox fans. This image I wish I could erase. Releasing or trading him may help.

Unfortunately, Byung-Hyun Kim may be sticking around. The Associated Press reported the Red Sox are close to finalizing the roster and after Tuesday's appearance, B.K. may be on it.

NOOOOOO!

When the Sox first acquired Kim, I was ecstatic. He was an exceptional closer for the Diamondbacks. I found myself defending the Theo's decision with friends. At the time I thought he would make a good closer or set-up man.

He would have been, should have been perfect in that role. Who could adjust his eyes to a submarine toss after seeing the likes of Pedro or Wakefield?
It is not to be.

It's not his skill I question; it's his attitude and ability to pitch in front of Boston's fans. Every game at Fenway has playoff feel and the pressure is too much for him.

With that contract, injuries and attitude, he is difficult to trade the $6-million man. He's not Lee Majors.

The upside, he's still only 26-years-old. On a team that has patience and a good coaching staff, he could be a steal. But not on a contender with the most knowledgable, enthusiastic fans.

Really, whether or not he is on the opening day roster is an nonissue. Wade Miller and Curt Schilling will return by the end of April, forcing Kim back to the AAA.

Still I'd rather see a minor leaguer get a shot. How about Abe Alvarez?

Reader comments: Instead of Byun-Hyung Kim, who would you place on the Red Sox 25-man roster?

First it was Ken Griffey Jr. With all his injuries, his chances to the Hall of Fame are getting slim, thus is stock is also falling.

Now, Mark McGwire is personally changing my financial portfolio. I collect baseball cards. I have two Mark McGwire 1985 Topps rookie cards. At one time, each card was worth over $200. With his appearance before Congress, McGuire's card is losing value rapidly.

In fact, on Thursday, the highest bidder got a McGwire rookie for a measly $29 on e-bay. You can buy one from Beckett.com for $129. Either way, I've lost at least 30%.

If this continues, my collection will be worth nothing by the end of the week.

Thank goodness, Barry Bonds, wasn't asked to appear.

Opening day is two weeks away and my excitement is waning. Why? Congress is ruining my game.

Its grandstanding for constituents is been more than I can take. Thursday's proceeding was disgusting.

First, Sen. Jim Bunning talked about his days in baseball. For the life of me, I do not know what he added.

Then the San Jose Mercury News writes the two families who spoke at hearing blame baseball and Mark McGwire for their children's deaths.

Before the players had even entered the room, they were already being railroaded.

For the record I do not condone the use of steroids. It's dangerous; it's illegal. But yesterday's event seemed to be a gross misuse of the legislative body.

It's here, it's finally here! The grass is green, err, well no. The birds are chirping...albeit the same cardinals I've seen all winter. Regardless, spring has finally arrived, unofficially.

I've been waiting to hear the crack of the bat for months. Today, I'll get that opportunity.