Pavano the Yankees opening day starter? Are you kidding me?

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Pardon me while I snicker. Excuse me as that light snickering envelops into a bellowing laugh. Joe Torre announced that Carl Pavano could be the Yankees opening day starter. With Chien-Ming Wang on the disabled list with a balky hamstring, Andy Pettitte recovering from back spasms and Torre's preference to keep Mike Mussina in the No. 2 spot, apparently Pavano will get the call. It's only against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, you say? Well, the Devil Rays feature a productive lineup, and left-hander Scott Kazmir (who is unkind to AL East foes) will likely start on the mound. On paper, it's not a promising season opener for the Yankees. Too bad.

Red Sox season preview to air on Up On The Monster Radio

If you want to share your opinion on the state of the Sox in 2007, be sure to listen to Up On The Monster Radio this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. Yours truly will be a guest on the Red Sox season preview show along with Jonathan Singer of Sox Prospects, Jeff Moon of Fenway Fanatics and a yet to be determined host from Up On The Monster. This is an Internet radio show, and the URL is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=16236. You can call the show at 718-664-6916. For more information, visit http://www.uponthemonster.com and click on the UOTM Radio section in the top left column.

Damon says what?

Last week, Johnny Damon told the New York Post that the Yankees are the team to beat. Of course, this is the same Johnny Damon who confidently proclaimed that no matter how aggressively the Yankees pursue him, he will never wear pinstripes, and then the next season debuted in center field wearing those same pinstripes. So it is evident you cannot seriously consider what Damon has to say.

After the Tigers dismissed the Yankees from the ALDS last October, Damon told the media that the best team doesn't always win. That is not applicable in 2007 - the part about the Yankees being the best team. Has Damon reviewed the roster lately? Chien-Ming Wang on the disabled list. An injury-prone Andy Pettitte experiencing back spasms. Kei Igawa, who is best suited as a middle reliever, starting at the No. 4 spot. And Carl Pavano, the guy who was supposedly their No. 5 starter is now being considered for opening day. Pitching wins championships, Johnny boy, and your team is weak in that department. Good luck with that!