The List Shortens

Bud Selig approved $1 million of each major league team's money to resign Jose Vidro to a $30 million contract. Ironically, given Selig's involved, that's the right move for this franchise. You can't entice a prospective buyer for the franchise by selling all its parts for scrap. Vidro goes off the wish list.

What that also means is that the trade for Betran becomes more likely and more imperative. Why? No reason to hold back money to sign Vidro. He's not coming here. And if you resign Walker/Grudz for 2005, that'll be on the cheap. That makes even more money available for a Beltran type signing.

I also had Imperialism in the Preakness

This page predicted a 2-4 road trip. 4-2? Picking up three games on first? The Astros lose 2 of 3 at home to the Mets? Without Wood for more than 3 innings? Without Prior, Sosa, Walker? Wins behind Mitre and Rusch? Perhaps the Kubs Karma has finally arrived. I'm a believer. At least for this week.