Want to recreate (sort of) an All-Star team from 2002 for peanuts?

So let's say you're a cash-strapped MLB owner with zero talent on your roster and no tradeable assets in your minor league system (the Nats?). Or you're an enterprising, spend-happy independent league owner looking to undercut interest in the local MLB team during a recession when the price of big-name talent is deflated and baseball fans are seeking a cheaper way to spend their live sports dollar. You know that your on-field product won't get people through the gates (because let's face it--Who really wants to watch independent league ball, much less the Nationals?) is to sign a bunch of big names with diminishing or mostly diminished skills?

Well, if this impossibly narrow description somehow fits you, now is definitely your chance. A lot of former All-Stars--some future Hall of Famers--are sitting on the free agent market this winter, looking for employment but drawing little interest, due in part to the poor economy. For many, it could mean forced retirement. But it doesn't have to be that way. Check out this 25-man roster that you could currently have on the cheap:

Starting lineup:
C - Ivan Rodriguez
1B - Richie Sexson
2B - Jeff Kent
3B - Nomar Garciaparra
SS - Omar Vizquel
OF - Ken Griffey Jr.
OF - Jim Edmonds
OF - Andruw Jones
DH - Frank Thomas

Bench:
Garret Anderson
Sean Casey
Luis Gonzalez
Ray Durham
Rich Aurilia

Starting rotation:
Roger Clemens
Curt Schilling
Pedro Martinez
Mark Mulder
Kenny Rogers

Bullpen:
Eric Gagne
Keith Foulke
Tom Gordon
Eddie Guardado
Brendan Donnelly
Jason Isringhausen


I mean, seriously--how much worse could that team be than last year's 61-win, $117mill Seattle Mariners? This team would be cheaper and have way more name recognition.

So, Dan Snyder--can I interest you in a baseball team?

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It's awesome, baby!!!!!

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K-Rod's Arm Bursts Into Flames as he Ties Thigpen's Record

ANAHEIM - It was a bittersweet moment on Thursday night for the Angels' Fransico Rodriguez as he tied Bobby Thigpen's major league single-season saves record and simultaneously saw his right arm burst into an uncontrollable inferno.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia was reluctant to comment on the apparent injury following the game. "He'll be fine," said Scioscia. "Once we got [the fire engulfing his right arm] put out, he felt better and went back in to ice and do his normal rehab. Nothing to see here. I did NOT overuse him this year."

Devastating as the injury could be for the Angels' championship hopes, it could also prove disastrous for Rodriguez' hopes to land a big contract in the free agent market this off-season, where he's pledged to test the waters before committing to a stay in Anaheim.

"I'm not really worried about it," said a charred K-Rod in the clubhouse following the game as he gave off a smell not unlike overcooked barbeque pork. "My arm's fine. I've been dealing with injury risk questions forever, whether it's due to my violent delivery, the high strain my slider puts on me or the spontaneous combustion of my right arm. I'll be OK."

When pressed about where he might land in 2009, Rodriguez smiled and proclaimed confidently, "the Disabled List. Guaranteed contracts, baby."

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Don't screw with my emotions like that.

Billy Packer is out after 27 years as the lead college basketball analyst for CBS,



making way for Clark Kellogg.


Kellogg has done game and studio analysis for CBS for 16 years. He will partner with Jim Nantz on his first Final Four in April.

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