Despite every other major news outlet taking John Henry at his word, Kex Rosenthal over at FoxSports.com STILL believes that Boston is going to end up with Mark Teixeira.

With nothing more than simple conjecture, Rosenthal doesn't know who will sign Big Tex, but his "Best guess is that it'll be Boston"

- That's the "best guess" Rosenthal can take? WHY?

Why doesn't he and almost every OTHER baseball reporter across the country come out and say these three things:

1. I haven't been in the room, so I really don't know what's been said.

2. Since I haven't gone to the  "anonymous team source" card, I'm just venting my opinion because I'm just another lemming who thinks that Boston and New York are sexier places to play than Anaheim.

3. John Henry said 2 days ago that Boston wasn't going to give anyone else a 10-year deal and yesterday he said that the team is out of the running. But I'll have the courage to write that John Henry is liar.

Here's my simple conjecture and best guess because I left my "anonymous team source" card in my glove box: The Red Sox are out because Tex either wanted 10 years or more money than the Angels are offering.

Never have I seen a free-agent situation when people knew so little, but hoped for so much. Let me join that crowd, except I hope to hear "I Wanna Rock" and then "First Baseman Mark Teixeira!" 81-94 games at Angel Stadium for the next 8-10 years.

Yes, Virginia, there IS an Santa Claus and his name is Arte Moreno.

According to ESPN, it's almost a done deal. That's a little more than the 2 years, $24 mil that the Ninja offered.

If that's the best he can do, there must have been a LOT of animosity between Frankie and the Angels.

This is good because:

1) Our hearts won't have to deal with his circus-like ability to almost blow a save 80% of his apperances.

2) It saves the team more cash to pursue a guy who plays every day and is steady (hint, hint).

3) He's in the NL East, so the Angels will face him every 3-4 years - unless they meet in the Word Series (sorry, I'm trying not to laugh).

Good luck, Good bye and Good riddance...

Sports Illustrated has it here.

There's one step toward keeping the train rolling. Yet another stealth move by the Ninja that a lot of clubs would announce with major fanfare. Yet, Tony R. just slices and dices in the dark and keeps on going.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with GA and K-Rod. But for now, I'm a happy camper, as those "expected" moves just keeps the ship headed in the right direction.

Now, let's focus on getting the big fish - Tex.

I got so tired of the negativity from so-called fans that I haven't read, watched or listened to ANYTHING about the Angels until today.

There was nothing more disgusting than watching flocks of "fans" streaming to the exits when the Angels were down 2-1. Then to read "fans" post that the team was done (Not just here - but other web sites) just put me over the top.

As a long-time Angel fan of 30 years (I'm 35) - I remember going to see the Halos in a stadium with 14,000 of my closest friends.

But we came early, stayed the entire game - knew when to get up, go get food and return to our seats (NOT during play).

Most of all, we loved the Angels not because they were winners, but because win or lose (mostly lose), they were OUR team.

It's great that so many people claim to be Angels fans because their money helps pay for guys like Vlad, Lackey, Hunter and hopefully Tex -

But it's sad that so many of them lack the passion to stick with the team through the good AND the bad.

There's my rant . I hope everyone will join me - For the ENTIRE game - of  "Let's Go Angels!"

I have a tough life -

I work for the OC Register and tonight's assignment is to go report on Beach Pit BBQ, which the NY Times said was the best place to eat at Angel Stadium.

Anyway, I'm going to try it tonight and talk to people - But before I did that, I wanted to get some of my fellow HHer's opinions.

If you have any opinion, please shoot me a PM -

please include your full name and city you live in.

Thanks

ESPN is reporting that Arizona just traded three minor leaguers for Adam Dunn.

Click here.

Here's my opinion of trading for "big bats" this season:

Dodgers: (A+) - They get a motivated Manny for 2+months, give up very little and don't have to pay for his services.

Angels: (A) - They upgrade at 1st base, give their lineup the punch Arte has been promising since Sosh had to lay the smack down on Jose Guillen - and only have to give up Kotchman (and a scrub).

D-Backs: (B+) - Adam Dunn definitely will help in the power dept, but his OBP and his batting average leave something to be desired.

Yankees: (B-) - Xavier Nady has give the Yanks a lift while they wait Matsui to return. Too bad their pitching isn't helping

White Sox: (C+) - Getting Ken Griffey Jr. at this stage of his career is almost just a PR move. Is 10 HRs really going to help?

Tigers: (C-) - How much is T. Reagins sighing with relief that he didn't give up half the farm for M. Cab,?

You can vote on ESPN. com by clicking here.

They are going team-by-team alphabetically - too bad they list the Angels in the L.A. spot.

The Angels choices are:

            Garrett Anderson (1994-present)

            Brian Downing (1978-1990)        

            Darin Erstad (1996-2006):

            Chuck Finley (1986-1999):

            Troy Glaus (1998-2004):

            Bobby Grich (1977-1986):

            Troy Percival (1995-2004):

            Nolan Ryan (1972-1979):

            Tim Salmon (1992-2006):

            Frank Tanana (1973-1980)

I think Baylor and possibly Carew could have been on this list.

The Angels results will be revealed on Aug. 17

Read about it @ ESPN here

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3513383

IMO - this opens the door for the ANGELS to win the AL title uncontested.

Who's left that could challenge the Angels? Tampa Bay looks like its running out of gas.

Even though the White Sox just got Griffey, he's a shell of himself and the Angels' pitching will take care of their hot/cold running bats.

Then we've got also-rans Boston, New York and maybe Minnesota/Detroit.

We just took care of Boston WITH Manny; New York - well even if the Yankees make the playoffs, I like our chances against them; Minnesota can hang in long enough to challenge and Detroit still hasn't put it together.

Let's raise a toast to Manny for changing the balance of power in the AL

One of my buddies is HUGE Boston fan -

Last night in the 6th inning, I sent him a text message that read:

"I know it's only the 6th inning, but the Angels have drunk the Sox' milkshake this series"

His response was a four-letter word.

ahh well - on to New York!

A buddy of mine (who's a Yankees fan) always bet lunch on the season series. It looks like I might be getting free lunch for the 4th year in a row - Heck, I don't remember how many years it's been. I just know that I've never bought!

Perhaps Mike S. should just use the end of July and start of August to rest the regulars and then crank it up again around Aug. 10 or so.

Last year's idea of using the end of the season to rest the regulars didn't work out too well vs. Call me crazy and I know there's A LONG way to go, but why not give it a shot?

You play GMJ, Willits and Rivera 3 days a week in the OF, let Budde catch 2 days a week and go with an INF of Kotchman, Isturus, Aybar and Figgins.

Let the starters miss 1 start to freshen up and let Shields close a game or two and Jose A. do some set-up duty to get them ready for next season.

Thoughts?