Then never let it be said the folks over at Blue Notes don't aim to lift your spirits.  And this couldn't have happened to a better team, right?

AK

And J.D. Drew is still not a Red Sox. 

BK

Had Steve Henson's mailbag gone to press a bit later, I'm sure today's news would have made the cut.  For the second time in a week or so, it looks like another marquee name is heading to the NL West.  Or in this case, returning.  The Diamondbacks and Yankees have agreed on a deal that would bring Randy Johnson back to Arizona, and likely keep him there through 2008, when he will be approximately 73 years old.  The Snakes are giving up a reliever and some prospects, none of whom are top shelf types (as far as I can tell), so it basically costs them a pile of money.  The question is, will it matter?   On the one hand, Johnson is a 43 year old, coming off his worst season on the field and back surgery off it.  He started 33 games but threw only 205 innings, struck out "only" 170 and sported a robust 5.00 ERA.  As a means of comparison, he went for 245 in 35 starts in '04, fanning 290 with a 2.60 ERA. 

Because it looks like Barry Zito isn't headed to New York to play for the Mets, but will stay in the Bay Area and hurl for the Giants.  Ironic, since the composition of the roster had generally made their fans want to do the same.  Who can blame them?   It's irritating to see pros pocket all that cash, then stand in line with them at the movie theater and watch them get their senior discount, too. 

Since he's not really going anywhere, Zito won't even need to sell his house and brave the pricey San Francisco market.  Of course, at $18 million per year, he could if he felt the urge.  Assuming they ever get younger, this obviously helps the G-Men.  But next year, all Zito does is slide into the #1 slot vacated by L.A.'s very own Jason Schmidt.  They weren't very good last year, haven't improved over the winter, and I don't see this getting San Francisco back to the top of the NL West.  But Zito should have success at whatever they call that stadium these days, and could help the Giants avoid being really bad.  Who knows?  Zito and a healthy Bonds could prove me wrong, but right now, I still wouldn't worry too much about San Francisco. 

BK