In some respects, the Hot Stove season is more fun than the real season. Every team thinks they are improving. Then, starting April 1st, about half of those teams hopes and dreams are crushed (I’m just a happy go lucky guy). That’s what makes this whole Matisyahu thing so much fun. Right now this guy is being compared to Roy Halladay, Brandon Webb, Chris Carpenter, Petey and a few others. Not too shabby. Is he worth $51.1M just to talk to? Hey, it’s not my money!

I enjoyed Surviving Grady’s post on the changes to Fenway as a result of Matisyahu. I think they missed a few though:

• The Green Monster will now be called Godzilla
• Thundersticks will be mandatory at every game (please no)
• Free shot of sake with each beer (SAKE BOMB!)

Theo better not start negotiations with Boras and Matisyahu in that shirt.

I also dropped the ball on Foulke becoming a free agent. You would have to be wearing glasses that replayed the 2004 post season to believe that he was a helpful member of the bullpen the past two years. I’m in the camp that believes he blew out his arm that year throwing 100 pitches in 3 consecutive nights to save the Sox World Series hopes. Criticizing him would be like throwing Papi under the bus if he didn’t perform well after the 2004 World Series. Foulke was that important to the team in 04. So unlike most Sox fans who are saying “good riddance” to Foulke, I’d prefer to say “Good luck, you deserve it. Oh, and thank you.”