I was talking with a friend on Wednesday (yes, I do have a couple), a die-hard Sox fan like myself, who expects our beloved team to pretend, not contend, in 2006. During our discussion we theorized and came up with an alternative. Tank.

Now, I'm not one to give up especially since the season has yet to begin and we still have some very talented ball players that could certainly be a factor this coming season. However, his argument was convincing.

I'll take it one step further. Here's some suggestions on how to pack it in correctly for a shot at the title in 2007:

The good news: we can finally put the Troy Glaus talk to rest. The bad news: He signed with division-rival Toronto. The Toronto Star reports that the Blue Jays' Glaus is full

I'll say. The Jays have added a legitimate closer, BJ Ryan (arguably the best on the market), AJ Burnett to the rotation (a rotation that includes Cy Young winner Roy Halladay) and slugger Lyle Overbay to cover first.

By adding the two corner men, they also have Erik Hinske and Corey Koskie available to offer in trade for some outfield assistance or more pitching.

Toronto is putting my fantasy strategy to work. Power at the corners, speed in the outfield, two No. 1s and a power closer. Hmm. It works in fantasy, however in the real world they weakened the team "D" by losing Hudson, Hinske and even Koskie.

How I wish the Red Sox would implement a similar plan or ANY plan for that matter. If one did exist, certainly they are in need of Plan B, C and D.

After hearing an interview on "Red Sox Now!," the Johnny Damon situation is bothering me.

Throughout the interview Damon repeated how he tried to stay in Boston.

He tried last offseason. He tried before the All Star break. He tried this offseason. He tried so very hard to stay.

Sorry, but I find it hard to believe. It's not hard to sign a contract that includes a raise of $1.5 million-a-year.

He had dollar signs in his eyes. He had pride. He had integrity. Then he went to New York for a $12-million-dollar hair cut.

What went wrong?

I blame the Dodgers.

When the Dodgers handed shortstop Rafael Furcal a contract worth $13 million-a-year, the market changed. Furcal certainly is not worth that kind of dough - even if he does play the toughest position in baseball.

Is Damon equal to Furcal? He's better.

Take a look at the numbers:

Furcal: 154 games, 100 runs, 175 hits, 12 HRs, 58 RBI, .348 OBP, 284 AVG., 246 Total bases
Damon: 148 games, 117 runs, 197 hits, 10 HRs, 75 RBI, .366 OBP, .316 AVG., 274 Total bases.

It's not even close.

So, when money is the only way to show respect in Major League Baseball, it's hard to blame Damon for signing for more cash.

Could the Sox have paid more? Sure. Should they have? Only time will tell.

I was hopeful the holiday season would be cheery and bright, but last I checked things are looking bleak, dim.

According to a Boston Globe report, Johnny Damon has agreed to join the Evil Empire.

Losing Damon is almost the worst thing that could have happened. I've talked to many a fan and most would rather have kept Damon over Manny Ramirez. I position I did not adhere to. However, as I look at this current team I can't seem to look past the gaping hole up the middle.

I know of no team who is missing a shortstop and a centerfielder.

The loss of Damon is more significant when you factor in his stellar ability to get on base. He is the BEST leadoff guy in the game. Yes, even better than that Ichiro guy in Seattle, especially when factoring the RBIs.

Even more of an issue playing for New York. This gives the Yankees the legitimate leadoff guy they've been missing for years. Their lineup is even sicker now than a year ago: Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield, Matsui, Giambi, Posada, Cano and name your DH. Impressive is not the word.

I agree $52 million is a little steep, but I can not believe that the Red Sox couldn't have offered, let's say, $47 million to keep him. I think that would have done it.

The N.Y. Post's Joel Sherman writes "Adding Idiot is no laughing matter." Indeed; I'm not amused.

Secretly, I thought this deal was going to happen a long time ago. How could the Yankees not have this scenario in their plans? They did little else to improve the team this offseason and we all know they have money. (Although, The NY Times reports that reliever Octavio Dotel also will go to the Yanks).

Rumors, flying weeks ago, said the Yankees were simply waiting for the arbitration period to end. It passed they swung and hit a home run.

Damon will not be the same player that he was with the Red Sox. Sure his numbers will be good - no doubt - but he was much more than that to the Red Sox. Much like the fans who filled the seats, he was a gritty, hard-working player who despite injuries gave his all with every at-bat or fly ball. And we, the fans, loved him for it.

His long hair and beard represented the opposite of a man in pinstripes. Now, the Caveman is gone. Long live the Caveman!

One more thing: Theo where are you?

Mark Loretta is the newest player to don Red Sox and Doug Mirabelli gets an opportunity to play everyday. This is a good move for all involved, accept perhaps Tim Wakefield.

Wakefield and Mirabelli have been battery mates now for quite some time and I doubt Kelly Shoppach can fill that void.

Loretta could hit in the 2-hole and plays great "D." His OBP of .360 is exactly what the team needs near the top of the order. He also adds another .300-hitter to the mix.

I love it.

I do hate to see Mirabelli go, but he'll probably be better off.

In a WOW move - according to the Boston Herald, the Sox have traded away Edgar Renteria and some cash to the Atlanta Braves for 3B Andy Marte.
I still don't understand this.

This move has me worried. I've heard D-Rays Julio Lugo being mentioned as well as Kaz Matsui. Neither of which impress me.

I see this as a sign that the Sox hope to trade Manny for some infield help.

I see Orlando Cabrera in our future which would not be so bad.

The Angels could move Chone Figgins into that spot easily. But what more could we get? Casey Kotchman? Ervin Santana? Another hot prospect (of which the Angels have plenty)? Please not Darin Erstad.

It would appear that the Sox top brass is making every effort to distance itself from Theo's trades/aquisitions. Now we need a shortstop. Ouch.

I would expect that David Wells is next then Matt Clement. And if they could convince Curt Schilling to retire...

One more thing to entice the average Red Sox fan. The Houston Astros is reporting that Roger Clemens is not returning to the Astros and could possible retire or end up, with say, the Boston Red Sox.

I love spreading that rumor. While it would be nice (more Rocket the better) I doubt it will happen. But I'm sure Schilling's already on the phone trying to persuade the hurler.

Ah, to dream...

Rumors are certainly beginning to fly, as I knew they would, about possible deals involving the Red Sox personnel.

Yes, Manny Ramirez is involved in some of those discussions. One rumor (reported by the Boston Globe) has him going to Anaheim in a three-team deal that would net 3B Troy Glaus from Arizona and Darin Erstad from Anaheim. A deal I wrote about in the past.

I find it hard to believe that this rumor has resurfaced. It makes no sense. If the Sox are talking at all the Angels they must include Ervin Santana or at the very least Casey Kotchmen.

There is another that has Hank Blalock or Alfonzo Soriano coming to Boston from Texas. This would be a whopper although I'd be cautious.

Well, if you were thinking - like some fans - that Doug Mientkiewicz may rejoin the Red Sox as a backup first baseman think again.

According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox ownership has filed a suit to gain possession of the now infamous 2004 World Series game-used ball that Mientkiewicz acquired after the final out.

The team's position: the ball is an important artifact in team and baseball history and the free-agent first baseman only acquired it because he was an employee of the organization.

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue. Well maybe I do. Who cares?

In the scheme of things, it doesn't matter.Is that ball anymore important than the trophy? The Sox have plenty of other memorabilia surrounding that season to fill a museum.

Why is that ball any different than Curt Schilling's bloody sock? That piece of memorabilia went to the Hall of Fame along with Derek Lowe's shirt, Manny Ramirez's game-used bat and Keith Foulke's spikes.

And I believe it was Curt Schilling who donated it, not the Red Sox (at least that was reported by MSNBC). It would seem that the team is exercising a double standard.

Was the sock truly that of Schilling's? The uniform worn by Lowe certainly wasn't. So why all the fuss over the sphere?

You would think the Red Sox lawyers would have lots more to do this time of year like say draw up some contracts.

Speaking of which there doesn't appear to be much new on the transaction front, except for a few fans trying desperately to persuade Ramirez to stay in Boston. They have created a Web site called, simply enough, KeepManny.com.

The fans' hope is to get enough "signatures" on a petition to show Manny how loved he is in Red Sox Nation. At last count 39,350 had "inked" their name.

Though valiant, the effort will probably fall on deaf ears. Something has transpired in the slugger's world, outside of baseball, that is forcing his hand. I only wish I knew what it was.

One good thing...Brian Giles has decided to return to the Padres. Why good? He will not be the newest member of the Blue Jays, who will now focus on starting pitching - possibly A.J. Burnett. In my view they needed pitching more than hitting anway. So, maybe this isn't good news.

Oh well, the Yankees didn't get him. That's good, right? Hmm...I heard rumors that instead of pursuing a centerfielder, they would move Derek Jeter to center and sign Bill Mueller to cover third and put A-Rod back in his comfort zone. This makes too much sense. I hope it doesn't happen.