I find it sad that I agree with someone like Fidel Castro but it sounds true. Cuba has been a powerhouse in Baseball and I think Mr. Bush is scraed will lose to someone in his so called "Axis of Evil" or whatever the hell cheesy name he wants to call it. Our country's policy against Cuba has done nothing but hurt innocent Cuban citizens. Cuba is harmless it's not like they are going to use their profits for nuclear weapons and hell they even offered to donate their money to us to help with Hurrican Katrina! They make the point that will Castro treats his citizens bad and therefore Cuba they don't want to coperate with someone like him. This would be a good point except if thats the case why is China allowed to compete? Also, didn't Cuba win the gold in the 1996 Olympics in ATLANTA! Let Cuba play it only would help make the WBC more interesting.

Im very split over the Cuba situation. On one hand that damn bastard Castro doesn't deserve to take part in anything that brings him pleasure. The fact that he wants to use this just to gloat about himself sickens me, this has nothing to do about baseball for Castro, he just wants to showoff to the world and especially the US. I don't want to see a country that has its people in forced poverty, that kills its civilians if they speak out, that has people living in fear, play in a tournament to advance its own glory.

At the same time its not fair to punish the Cuban baseball players just cause of Castro. They have some amazing talent and it should be showcased. Also it might get them a chance to escape the island. But anything those players do will be soley for Castro's own benefit, that is the truth. If there was a way to seperate the politics from this then it would be ok, but with Castro that is impossible.

The best solution is what Livan and Orlando Hernandez came up with, to create a team consisting of free Cuba, of all the cuban players that have left Cuba and want to see Cuba free once more. I don't know if there is enough of them but that would be the best option.

Well what do you know Cuba is allowed in the tournament, I guess it wouldnt be much a world tournament without them. I still have mixed emotions but the tournament is more legit now.

Allowed to play in the USA as well, or only in other countries?

I thought the tournament was hosted in Puerto Rico (still technically US), I dont know I think I read that.

In other news, Theo has come back to the Sox: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5261880

They need his help to fill up those holes at ss and cf. I hear he's working on a deal to get Coco from the Tribe

I think sox will be ok I don't know call me crazy

It has all went down since they got rid of Pedro, of course I don't mind that one bit though. It's good they held on to Manny, for the obvious reasons along with chemistry. You already have Big Papi talking about leaving if Manny goes, which I think is rediculous considering the amount of money these guys are paid, but when you're that big of a star you're pretty much you're own boss. That's another story, it's good he stayed. If they get Coco they'll be in decent shape, but nothing like 2004's team. Hopefully things change, but they could sit anywhere from 2nd - 3rd as I see it now, 3rd being very likely with the new and improved Jays.

Update the Mets have traded Kris Benson to the Orioles for reliever Jorge Julio and starter/reliever John Maine.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2300779



I'm not really in favor of this decision since it basically guarentees Heilman goes back to the rotation and Julio had a horror year last year. Now I'm not insulting Heilman but I'd much rather see him in the bullpen since he was so effective there last year.

I'm sorry, saving money or not... that is a horrible trade.