A couple links that should pass the time ...

Francona is a class act and just because some of his ballplayers are a bit off-the-cuff (Manny, Ortiz, Papelbon, the Bullpen Drum Core), it's doesn't mean their coach is. He's the manager for a baseball team that has won two World Series in the "Post-Steroids Era". He deserves respect from the people who do absolutely nothing to fill seats in ballparks (Watson), and Francona's not getting it.

Stark Raving Mad: Good read about Willis, Cabrera trade

Jayson Stark is a great writer. Any true fan of baseball should keep up on his articles. He's solid.

Also:

1) I love these mysterious quotes from various "agents" and "executives". It's like a bunch of baseball big wigs gather in a room with reporters and just start shouting out their opinions, like a chaotic Wall Street, stock market type scenario. I bet there could be a great movie about these mysterious winter "Meetings." Are they discussing the fate of Santana .... or maybe they're laying down the bluebrints for an elaborate casino heist. Think about it. How else would these teams afford Santana's salary??

2) Jacoby Ellsbury better not be traded to the Twins. I'd be heartbroken. No lie.

According to www.bostondirtdogs.com, Ellsbury fired his agent and hired Scott Boras, a.k.a. Super Agent. Man, you win a World Series and earn free tacos for the entire country, and you think you're ready for Boras and his guaranteed fat contracts?

GOOD FOR HIM. Jacoby should rake in as much money as possible. And then he can send some of those Dead Presidents to the guy living in Farmington, NM who introduced No.46 to the Four Corners. It's only fair. I'll avoid arbitration with Boras and accept $25, or maybe even a gift certificate to FYE or Blockbuster Video.

3) Here's my prediction on the whole Santana saga. He ends up with the Yankees. New York needs him more than any other team in the American League. Theo and the Red Sox brass are showing interest in Santana.  No surprise. I bet every team would dive into a conversation about trading for one of the most dominating pitchers in the game.

The Sox have a little bit more to offer (Ellsbury, Lester, Buchholz) than most, so naturally, they're going to be in the mix. But in the end, Theo won't part with his homegrown talent. He can't. It's a "Yankees thing to do." And if you've been paying attention at all for the past 100 years, the Red Sox, and their fans, do not like being compared to the Yankees.

With Detroit a virtual lock for the AL Central crown (now that they have Cabrera), the road to the playoffs just got a lot crowded. The Sox are a strong bet for the postseason next year. Now, Detroit seems to be. And with Seattle's steady improvement, the AL West will be a tight race, per usual.

Let's review:

Yankees: A wild card team that was eliminated in the first round, a squad with a new manager who'll debut in the last season in Yankee Stadium. Inflated contracts. Inflated egos.

Red Sox: World Series champs. Re-signed Lowell, Schilling. Herd of young talent eager to keep winning championships.

You decide. Which club sounds like they need Santana more?