My unabashed love for the former Rays closer known as MFIKY has been well-documented since early last year. I've left nothing on the table when it comes to what I think of our closer, even going so far as to translate a post-game interview with Todd Kalas.

So imagine my surprise when I returned from a trip this morning to read the NY Daily News trashing my hero.  They basically wrote that he was a problem child for Maddon and pitched a hissy fit in the ALDS when called upon to pitch.

Of course, MFIKY is New York's problem now... so why should we, as Rays fans, care? Because this is the type of column that can tell you a lot about your team, outside the numbers and between the lines.

Let's assume that it's true.  Bill Madden's source hit the nail right on the head and MFIKY was a pain in Joe Maddon's ass all year and the Rays couldn't wait to be rid of him.  Isn't that worth knowing?  I think it's speaks volumes to Maddon's managing ability to be able to take a guy that's giving him problems and turning him into the closer of the year.

Also, it speaks volumes as to why the Rays and/or other teams weren't that interested in getting his services.  It also paints a big *red* flag for the New York Yankees going forward.  If they're FO was privy to that and the Steinbrenner brothers made Cashman sign him anyway... that screams of dysfunction.

And, if it is true, we have to question just how much we know about what goes on in the inner workings of this team. While it's uncomfortable sometime, if there's some sort of rift in the clubhouse... it can speak volumes as to results on the field.

Let's assume it's a blatant lie. Than MFIKY's got bigger problems than the eighth inning for New York. Someone with his new team is out to get him, big time.  Maybe it's Mariano Rivera and he's concerned about his role as the Yankees closer.  Or maybe Cashman's trying to save face as to why he didn't make a move earlier.  Either way, it's worth discussing if for no other reason than to clear MFIKY's name. If Joe Maddon is to be believed, than someone's setting MFIKY up big time in New York.   

Either way, I don't think articles like this should be easily dismissed as tabloid fodder.  Articles like this can go a long way into telling us why the front office makes certain moves or doesn't make certain moves. It also tells us a lot about the enemy and what they're up to.

...a Pat Burrell man grooming instructional video.

All kidding aside... is this what we've come to? Rooting to take a flyer on the weakest part of the Red Sox bullpen from last year.  I don't care what he did in 2007/2008, the guy has the mental toughness of a slug.  There's a reason I was rooting for him to enter every contest between the Rays and the Red Sox.  

And spare me the low risk/high reward crap, he should be paying the Rays for a Spring Training invite.  Why should this even be a discussion when the greatest closer in the history of Raysdom is still unemployed?  Call Boras and overpay for Soriano and forget this kind of crap.

I grabbed a few extra copies of this weekend's TBT featuring the Carl Crawford ad. I have about 2 dozen that I can send out to people who live out of town and might want a copy.

Crawford Ad

I will probably need some help w/ postage (it could get a little expensive).  So just send me an e-mail at m_weber@raysrev.com and we can work out some sort of deal.  You can also find me at www.twitter.com/m_weber