Smooth Sailing

That Tom Glavine re-upped with our boys does not have me shocked. It has me happy and relieved, but not shocked. We were one of two teams that he wanted to play for and potentially the only of these two teams that wanted him.

But what does have me shocked are the figures of the deal.

1 year for $10.5 million dollars? Seriously?

It's like the smartest, most alert guy in baseball just hasn't been paying attention to what's been going on for the last month. AND, he wears sick sweater vests!

In a league where Gary Matthews Jr. is worth $10 million/per for five years and Adam Eaton is good for $8.2 million/per for three years, a guy like Tom Glavine, at age 40, is worth about $20 million dollars for one year.

The risk with Glavine is his age. There is a very similar risk with Matthews Jr.

But Glavine took 1 year while Matthews got 5 years.

When forecasting 2007, analysts and fans alike have to peg Glavine as once again a top ten pitcher in the National League. He did nothing in either the regular or postseason to suggest otherwise.

He is arguably the surest thing available on the entire pitcher's market -- and that includes Barry Zito, who has never proven that he can pitch in New York.

Yet he took the minimum 1 year deal at a pay CUT from his most recent salary.

It is all a bit baffling. It really is.

Glavine could have gotten $15 million to pitch one and only one season, I truly believe that.

Still, there are two resaons why this deal makes sense for Glavine.

1. By taking a discount, he is potentially freeing up cash for Zito. I am positive that Glavine had conversations with the organization about Zito just like he did with regards to Pedro a couple of years back.

And I am also sure that we will read about Glavine serving as team spokesman for the Zito negotiations sometime in the next week.

2. The Player option.

If Glavine pitches 160 innings, something that he has done for 19 STRAIGHT SEASONS, he gets a guaranteed player option for 2008.

It makes sense why Glavine would want to play in 2007. He will win his 300th game. He will get another shot at a title. He can grow with the organization that he has helped mentor.

But 2008 is another story. With 300 under the belt and hopefully another ring on his hand, Glavine is certain to retire.

If the Mets fall short, like in 2006, then Glavine would have to decide if he had the energy to go one more.

Either way, the ball would be in his court. Glavine would have total control. At age 40, I think that is all he may be looking for.

Welcome back Tommy. I am finally ready to lift the "Spy" nickname... almost.

Saturday also means it's NFL Time.

I literally jumped out of my shoes when I saw the Sports Guy's picks this week.

The one game that I really like, he picked the other way and the few other games that I found interesting, he also picked the other way.

1. Kc -5 or 5.5 @ CLEVELAND

I think KC is back and Cleveland is done. No way Cleveland stops LJ and with Trent Green back and #88 looking healthy, the offense should tick.

And the Browns don't score. Charlie Frye makes way too many mistakes and K2 and Braylon Edwards are pricks.

2. Colts -7 or 7.5 @ Tenn

I seem to be the only one with this one. But up until the 4th quarter last week, these still were the Titans. They came back against a poorly coached Giants team that made unlimited mistakes and was killed by injuries.

No OSI and no Strahan and Vince Young can get to the outside. This should be a different stotry with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis at the Ends.

The Colts D relies on speed, they are getting their best DB back in Bob Saunders and with all the hype out of Tennessee, you know Peyton wants to take these boys to the farm.

I know Tennessee played the Colts well in INDY, but this game seems to me to have a bit more urgency.

BEARS -9 v Vikings

I know the Bears won't run on the Viking front 7, no one seems to be able to. But can the Vikings O put up a point on the Bears D, at Soldier Field, with the Bears coming off a loss.

This game is too many points for a play, at least in my eyes, but this has shutout written all over it. It is just a question if Rex can make a few throws.

And with the Sports Guy knocking Coldplay, the official rock band of Y2K, "Rex Grossman, huge Coldplay fan. It's all starting to make sense," I really want this one. It is so typical. This guy has to "knock" Chris Martin and co. to maintain his supposed "cool guy" persona with his many DUDE fans.

All I gotta say, Bill, is that no one is buying the cool guy routine. Word on the street is that athletes at your University used to throw you in garbage cans. I really think that the Coldplay might help you with some of those inner demons, if you weren't too "cool" to listen.

Vaya con dios,

Sip